Sports Betting Roundup: Conference Tournaments Underway Ahead of Selection Sunday

Key betting highlights from college basketball, the World Baseball Classic, and the PGA Tour

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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With the regular season over, the conference tournaments in men's college basketball have begun ahead of this weekend's Selection Sunday. There was also action in the NBA, NHL, and the World Baseball Classic. This article provides a roundup of the key sports betting highlights from the past week, including details on how popular teams and players performed against the spread and in outright betting.

Why it matters

This sports betting roundup offers insights into how the public is betting on major sporting events, which can be useful information for sports fans and bettors alike. It highlights trends and notable outcomes that may impact future betting lines and public perception of teams and players.

The details

In college basketball, Michigan State (+9.5) was the most-bet team to cover the spread against Michigan, but Michigan won 90-80. The over of 150.5 was also the most bet total of the day. On Saturday, Duke (-17.5) took in 36% of the bets and 44% of the money against rival North Carolina, but did not cover the spread in their 76-61 win. In the World Baseball Classic, the United States beat Britain 9-1, with Kyle Schwarber's (+165) home run being the most-bet player prop. On the PGA Tour, Akshay Bhatia came from behind to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, beating Daniel Berger in a playoff after being a +5500 longshot pre-tournament.

  • The conference tournaments in men's college basketball began this week ahead of Selection Sunday.
  • The World Baseball Classic started last week.

The players

Michigan State

A college basketball team that was the most-bet team to cover the spread against Michigan.

Michigan

A college basketball team that beat Michigan State 90-80, barely covering the spread.

Duke

A college basketball team that was a 17.5-point favorite against rival North Carolina, taking in 36% of the bets and 44% of the money, but did not cover the spread in their 76-61 win.

North Carolina

A college basketball team that lost to Duke 76-61.

Kyle Schwarber

A baseball player whose home run for the United States in the World Baseball Classic was the most-bet player prop.

Akshay Bhatia

A golfer who came from behind to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour, beating Daniel Berger in a playoff after being a +5500 longshot pre-tournament.

Daniel Berger

A golfer who lost to Akshay Bhatia in a playoff at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

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What’s next

With the conference tournaments underway, the focus will shift to Selection Sunday this weekend, where the NCAA Tournament field will be announced.

The takeaway

This sports betting roundup highlights the growing interest and activity around major sporting events, with bettors closely following key matchups, player props, and tournament outcomes. The data provides insights into how the public is perceiving and betting on teams and players, which can be valuable information for sports fans and bettors alike.