Virginia has secured its place in the 2021 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, showcasing a strong presence in the tournament field.
Are you familiar with March Madness and The Big Dance? It’s an intense 18-day period where 68 teams compete to determine the top college basketball team.
Each year, the American tradition has grown in size and grandeur. The upcoming tournament is highly anticipated, especially after the cancellation of the 2020 event due to the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, this meant that the University of Virginia Cavaliers were unable to defend their national title from 2019.
Only a few weeks ago, there were almost twelve universities in Virginia that had a slim chance of qualifying for the tournament. However, in the end, only five, including the Cavaliers, will require their dancing shoes.
Unfortunately, if you’re a Virginia sports bettor looking to place wagers on any of those schools, you’ll be met with disappointment.
Which Virginia schools are in March Madness?
Let’s start with the most important question: Who will be participating in the Big Dance from the VA schools?
Here are the five Virginia colleges and universities that secured a spot in the tournament, along with their respective seeds:
- The University of Virginia has a record of 18 wins and 6 losses.
- Virginia Tech University has a record of 15 wins and 6 losses.
- Virginia Commonwealth University has a record of 19 wins and 7 losses.
- 53. Liberty University (23-5)
- Norfolk State University boasts a record of 16 wins and 7 losses.
Here is the schedule, along with the regional seeds, opponents, and the opening March Madness odds for their matchups.
- On Thursday at 8:40 p.m., the No. 16 Appalachian State team will be facing off against No. 16 Norfolk State, with Appalachian State favored by a 3-point margin.
- On Friday at 12:15 p.m., there will be a match between Virginia Tech and the seventh-ranked University of Florida. The University of Florida is favored by one point.
- At 6:25 p.m. on Friday, the No. 13 Liberty team will face off against No. 4 Oklahoma State, with the latter being favored by a spread of 9.5 points.
- On Saturday at 7:15 p.m., the No. 13 Ohio University will be facing off against No. 4 Virginia, with Virginia being favored by 8 points.
- On Saturday at 9:57 p.m., the 10th ranked VCU will be facing off against the 7th ranked University of Oregon, with Oregon being favored by 6 points.
Courtesy of DraftKings, the following are the odds for each team to emerge victorious and clinch the national championship through the tournament.
- The Virginia Cavaliers have odds of +5,000, meaning that if you bet $10, you can potentially win $500.
- The Virginia Tech Hokies have odds of +6,000, meaning a $10 bet could potentially win $600.
- VCU Rams: +12,000 ($10/$1,200)
- Liberty Flames: +20,000 ($10/$2,000)
- The Norfolk State Spartans have odds of +20,000, meaning a $10 bet could potentially win $2,000.
In Virginia, it is important to note that the odds provided are purely for entertainment and educational purposes. Regrettably, this is a reality of sports betting in the state.
No betting on Virginia schools
In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly made the decision to legalize sports betting, but with one significant condition: Betting on Virginia-based colleges and universities was strictly prohibited.
Although there are six Virginia sports betting operators available in the commonwealth, customers are unable to use them to place bets on VA teams. This means that during the reign of college hoops, the most popular teams in the area are not allowed for betting.
It’s truly disappointing, particularly for the Cavaliers who emerged victorious in 2019. They had high hopes of securing a spot in the 2020 tournament and potentially defending their title. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament had to be canceled entirely.
After clinching the ACC regular-season championship, Virginia’s postseason hopes were dashed when they were disqualified from the conference tournament due to a positive COVID-19 test. However, despite this setback, the selection committee recognized their impressive 18-6 record and national ranking of No. 15, awarding them an at-large bid as the No. 4 seed in the West region.
Wouldn’t it be an incredible tale if UVA managed to win the championship again? Especially considering the long wait they had to defend their title. Moreover, considering all the challenges and hardships the team has faced, it would be even more remarkable. And let’s not forget the potential 50-1 payoff that awaits those who support them if they achieve this feat.
We might have a fairytale ending, but it seems as if we’re unable to access the conclusion.
Which VA colleges aren’t dancing?
Which Virginia universities will not be participating in March Madness and will have to watch it from home, just like the rest of us?
These are the Virginia D-1 men’s basketball teams that were not included in the field.
- George Mason University (13-9)
- Hampton University (11-14)
- James Madison University (13-7)
- Longwood University (12-16)
- Old Dominion University (14-8)
- Radford University (15-12)
- University of Richmond (13-8)
- William & Mary (7-10)
- Virginia Military Institute (13-12)
Nevertheless, it is important to mention that none of the teams were included in any reputable “snub lists.” This implies that there were no notable exclusions, despite their commendable records and noteworthy victories.
If you’re still interested in supporting local teams and placing bets during March Madness, neighboring states have some options available. These teams consist of West Virginia University, University of Tennessee, Georgetown University, and UNC Greensboro, all of which are participating in the tournament.
In addition, you have the option to visit neighboring states like Tennessee or West Virginia for betting purposes. These states have legalized sports betting, allowing you to place wagers on Virginia schools there. However, it is advisable to reconsider visiting Washington, DC for this purpose.
Furthermore, we will be providing you with updates later this week regarding various free-to-play games and other promotions related to March Madness that can be enjoyed in Virginia.
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