March Madness Player Props for Thursday: Ballo Hammers the Boards
The NCAA Tournament Round of 64 tips off on Thursday as we make the best player props based on the top March Madness odds.
The opening round of the NCAA Tournament gets underway on Thursday, and we're getting 16 games to kick off March Madness. Our player props focus on a duo of dominant big men and a skilled guard confronting one of the most formidable defenses in basketball.
Fousseyni Traore and Oumar Ballo are poised to leverage significant advantages against their respective opponents, the Duquesne Dukes and Long Beach State Beach. Conversely, Zeke Mayo encounters a formidable challenge against the Iowa State Cyclones. Nevertheless, there's a strong likelihood he will attempt enough shots to make at least three 3-pointers.
To accompany our March Madness prop bets, here are our best March Madness player props for Thursday (odds via our best March Madness betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Thursday's top NCAA Tournament player props
- Fousseyni Traore Over 17.5 points + rebounds vs. Duquesne (+105 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Zeke Mayo 3+ three-pointers made vs. Iowa State (+160 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐
- Oumar Ballo Over 10.5 rebounds vs. Long Beach State (-125 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Not intended for use in MA
Affiliate Disclosure: Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook
Fousseyni Traore Over 17.5 points + rebounds vs. Duquesne ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: +105 via DraftKings
Game info: Duquesne vs. BYU, Thursday at 12:40 p.m. ET
The BYU Cougars are so well-rounded that anyone can lead the team in scoring or rebounding on any given night. However, with the Duquesne Dukes on tap, Traore has an inside advantage against a team that garners most production from their guards.
Traore averages 10.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Our best sports betting sites has their total set at 11.5, with the Over being more expensive than the Under, meaning Traore is expected to have a solid scoring night.
The Dukes don’t have the defense to slow down the Cougars, and they definitely don’t have the inside presence to thwart Traore. FanDuel has the price for his Over listed at -111. So, to get this at +105 is a bargain. A winning +10 bet at +105 will receive a $20.50 payout. It has an implied probability of 48.78%.
Check out our DraftKings promo and get a 64% CBB boost for one March Madness bet. Excludes Ontario.
Terms and conditions apply.
Zeke Mayo 3+ 3-pointers made vs. Iowa State ⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: +160 via bet365
Game info: South Dakota State vs. Iowa State, Thursday at 7:35 p.m. ET
The Cyclones are allowing the fourth-fewest points in the nation, but backing Mayo to knock down at least three 3-pointers provides significant value. DraftKings and bet365 are offering Mayo to hit two or more threes at an astronomical price of -190. Mayo averages over 2.5 made 3-pointers per game, attempting nearly seven per contest, which is why that line is short.
Rather than paying a high price for Mayo to go over in a game where he could easily be shut down, take the incredible value being offered by bet365 for him to hit three 3-pointers.
FanDuel is the only other sportsbook offering the prop, and their price is +116. FanDuel's +116 represents, via our odds converter, a 47% chance that Mayo hits, while bet365's +160 equals a 38% implied probability.
bet365 is confident in him hitting at least two, so backing one more isn't unreasonable, considering he will be shooting a lot to try to keep his team in it.
*Deposit required. Mobile app only. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Oumar Ballo Over 10.5 rebounds vs. Long Beach State ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best odds: -125 via bet365
Game info: Long Beach State vs. Arizona, Thursday at 2:00 p.m. ET
The Wildcats rank third in the country in rebounds per game, and Ballo is the primary reason. He’s pulling down 10.1 rebounds per contest, tied for 15th in the nation.
The Beach are a proficient rebounding team, but they haven’t had to face someone like Ballo. And while the Wildcats are just 72nd in shooting percentage allowed, the Beach offense should miss a lot of shots in a fast-paced game.
This prop is expensive across our best sports betting apps, with -125 the best price available. But it’s worth backing because Ballo should easily get into double digits. Feel confident in taking the Over up to 12.5.
North Carolina sportsbook offers
Editor's note: With North Carolina sports betting now live, check out our best North Carolina sports betting apps and the best North Carolina sportsbook promos! 21+ and present in NC. Take advantage of these pre-launch offers!
FanDuel (bet $5 get $250) | Caesars (bet $10, get $250) | bet365 (bet $5, get $200) | DraftKings (bet $5, get $250) | BetMGM (bet $5, get $150)
(21+ only. Underage persons are not allowed to wager. Gambling Problem? Call 877-718-5543 or text “morethanagamenc” to 53342.)
March Madness betting odds pages
Here are our best March Madness betting sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- BetRivers Promo Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetRivers Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Related pages
- Best Live Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)
Related Articles
