2024 March Madness: 5 Best Shooting Teams in the Nation
In order to win basketball games you have to out score the other team. In this year's NCAA Tournament we have some great shooting teams that can put on a good show. Matt MacKay takes a closer look at the 5 best shooting teams in the nation ahead of the March Madness Tournament.
Matt MacKay - March 17, 2024, 9:34 PM EDT
5 min2024 March Madness: 5 Best Shooting Teams in the Nation
The 2024 men's March Madness bracket has been officially revealed, with eight teams slated to compete in the First Four play-in games during Tuesday and Wednesday. The first round gets underway starting on Thursday and carries over into Friday, before the second round wraps up on Sunday to give us a preview of the Sweet 16.
We're analyzing the five best shooting teams in the nation that punched their ticket to the Big Dance. This insight is to help bettors strengthen their decision-making process toward tailing or fading any of these efficient scoring units ahead of the first two rounds of action on the hardwood.
Let's take a look at the top five shooting teams in the nation.
TOP 5 SHOOTING TEAMS
1. GONZAGA BULLDOGS (+5500) Click here to see Gonzaga's odds to win NCAA Tournament
Gonzaga clinched as a 5 seed in the Midwest Region of the bracket. The Bulldogs are the best team in the tournament when it comes to field goal percentage, averaging 51.6 percent with their shot-taking under head coach Mark Few.
Gonzaga was only 102nd in three-point field goal percentage though, which means most of their scoring comes in the interior paint and inside the arc. Even worse, the Bulldogs are 173rd for free throw percentage, averaging 72.1 percent this season.
The Bulldogs' matchup in Round 1 against McNeese State could put them on upset alert, as they'll be playing McNeese State, who is tied seventh for best field goal percentage at .493.
2. KENTUCKY WILDCATS (+3000) Click here to see Kentucky's odds to win NCAA Tournament
Kentucky had its share of ups and downs in 2024 but the Wildcats know how to pour in buckets.
Long-time head coach, John Calipari, has his team cooking on offense, averaging 89.4 points per game this season. Their three-point percentage is also above .400, sitting at 41.2 percent, which is the best in the country.
Ranked as the third seed in the South Region, Kentucky's matchup against Oakland shouldn't give them any reason for discomfort. Afterward, a matchup against either Texas Tech or NC State awaits, which will present a much more formidable opponent for the Wildcats to outscore.
3. CONNECTICUT HUSKIES (+420) Click here to see UConn's odds to win NCAA Tournament
UConn is the odds-on betting favorite to win the tournament at +420 odds on FanDuel Sportsbook. Obviously, this is why they are No. 1 in the East Region of the men's bracket, meaning they'll host No. 16 Stetson on Friday.
The Huskies didn't fall into this seed by accident. They are rock solid from the field, averaging 49.6 percent, which is why they've outscored their opponents 81.5 to 64.4 on average.
Head coach Dan Hurley also has his team shooting well from behind the arc, ranked 31st for three-point field goal percentage at 36.7 percent. Free throws are a bit worse for the Huskies, ranking 85th with a 74.3 percent average from the stripe.
4. COLORADO BUFFALOES (+15000) Click here to see Colorado's odds to win NCAA Tournament
Colorado is another team that can get hot on offense, which makes them a dangerous team to face, assuming they beat Boise State in a First Four matchup to clinch a 10 seed in the South Region.
The Buffaloes shoot 49.3 percent from the field, including 39.4 percent from three-pointer, which is tied fifth in the nation with Northwestern. When it comes to free throws, Colorado is more consistent than most teams in the tournament, converting 77.8 percent of their free throw attempts.
Colorado will face the No. 7 Florida Gators in Round 1, assuming they beat Boise State during the First Four play-in game on Wednesday. Then, a date with No. 2 Marquette will likely await, meaning the Buffaloes will have to lean into their shot-making to go on a run.
5. MCNEESE STATE COWBOYS (+50000) Click here to see McNeese's odds to win NCAA Tournament
A team we mentioned during Gonzaga's brief, McNeese State, happens to be one of the best scoring offenses in the country.
The Cowboys compete in the Southland Conference and managed to go 30-3, including 17-1 in conference, thanks to shooting lights out from the field. McNeese State is a 12-seed and is tied for sixth-best field goal percentage at 49.3 percent.
Their three-point shot making is even better, sitting at 38.8 percent, averaging over 8.3 three pointers made per game in 2024. Gonzaga needs to bring their best defensive efforts right away in Round 1 to avoid an upset against the Cowboys, who have only suffered three losses all season.
Free throws could be McNeese State's achilles heel though, as the Cowboys rank 296th, averaging 69.1 percent for free throw attempts this year. They'll need to improve this area of their offense to maximize points against another high-profile offense like Gonzaga on Thursday night.
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