March Madness odds and who could be the last team standing?

HOUSTON – It’s that time of the year again for the focus shifts entirely on the frenzy that is commonly known as NCAA March Madness.

In this realm for three weeks fans and teams can pretty much expect the unexpected. Buzzer beaters, blowouts and, yes, plenty of upsets.

Filling out a bracket or, for many, multiple brackets is no easy chore. You want to be the winner when it all wraps up, and you want bragging rights on all of the upsets that will occur.

• READ MORE: Miami (Ohio) makes a March Madness statement with an 89-79 win over SMU in the First Four

Speaking of upsets, look out again for the following first round matchups and seedings because history has told us there will be surprises.

The 10 seed vs. 7 seed is always something to watch along with my favorites that include 11 seeds vs. 6 seeds, 12 seeds vs. 5 seeds and occasionally the 13 seeds could shock the world and take down a 4 seed.

You are now on the clock because games tip after 11 a.m. central time.

From brackets to what the oddsmakers in Las Vegas are saying entering Thursday and Friday first round games. Here’s how it shakes out for many of the notables in the field:

• Duke, +300
• Michigan, +350
• Arizona, +400
• Florida, +650
• Houston, +900
• Iowa State, +1600
• Illinois, +2000
• UConn, +2200
• Purdue, +3000
• Kansas, +4000
• Arkansas, +5000
• Michigan State, +5000
• Gonzaga, +5500
• St. John’s, +6600
• Wisconsin, +6600
• Vanderbilt, +6600
• Virginia, +8000
• Alabama, +10000
• Louisville, +10000
• Nebraska, +10000
• Tennessee, +10000

Let’s do this again! Time for some College hoops!