We’re down to the final rounds of March Madness, as we head to the Elite 8. It’s been an interesting tournament filled with upsets, with top teams like North Carolina and Arizona already eliminated.
In this article, you’ll read about a best bet, longshot, and Same Game Parlay. These parlays may include different wager types, such as moneylines, Over/Unders, point spreads, and more.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at my favorite builds of March Madness parlays for the Elite 8 this weekend.
Best March Madness Elite 8 Parlay
Frank Ammirante 2024 March Madness Parlays Record: 2-5 (-0.64 units)
All CBB odds used for March Madness parlay bets are current as of 1 p.m. ET on Friday, March 29, and are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
March Madness Elite 8 Top Parlay (-143)
WAGER: 1 unit • DraftKings Sportsbook
- UConn ML (-375) vs Illinois
- Clemson +8.5 (-290) vs Alabama
The top parlay starts off with UConn ML (-375) against Illinois.
The Huskies have been a tier of their own throughout the tournament, steam-rolling the opposition with a 91-52 win over Stetson, 75-58 victory vs Northwestern, and an 82-52 lopsided game against San Diego State.
It’s tough to repeat as champions, but last year’s tourney winners look unbeatable right now. UConn ranks 1st on KenPom, coming in at 1st on offense and 6th on defense.
On the other side, Illinois have been impressive during March Madness as well, coming off a tough win over Iowa State in the Sweet 16.
The Fighting Illini have an elite offense, ranking 2nd on KenPom, but they’re more vulnerable on the other side of the floor with their 84th-ranked defense.
I can’t see Illinois’ defense slowing down UConn enough to pull off the upset here.
- Find more of our March Madness best bets.
I’ll finish it off by taking Clemson on the alternate spread at +8.5. The Tigers are coming off a shocking upset over No. 2 Arizona.
I’m expecting Clemson to keep it close vs Alabama, taking advantage of a vulnerable Crimson Tide defense that ranks 104th per KenPom.
Let’s drink the juice with (-143) odds in our Elite 8 Top Parlay for March Madness.
March Madness Elite 8 Longshot Parlay (+256)
WAGER: 0.5 units • DraftKings Sportsbook
- Illinois: Under 73.5 Points (-110) vs UConn
- Alabama: Under 83.5 Points (-115) vs Clemson
The longshot parlay starts off with Illinois to go Under 73.5 points.
The Fighting Illini have an elite offense (2nd per KenPom), but they’re taking on a UConn team that ranks eighth in defense.
We just saw Iowa State slow down Illinois, holding them to 72 points in the Sweet 16.
UConn has held opponents to 60 points or fewer in each tourney game and nine of their last 10 matchups.
Look for the Huskies to slow down this Illinois offense.
I’ll finish it off with Alabama to go Under 83.5 points.
Since I’m predicting that Clemson can keep this game close (perhaps even win outright), it makes sense to take the Under on the Crimson Tide team total.
The main angle here is pace: the Tigers ranks 229th in that category this year. Clemson will need to slow down Alabama (1st in pace), who has an elite offense (4th).
The Tigers have just held the Wildcats (11th in offense) to only 72 points, so keeping Alabama at 82 or fewer seems firmly within range.
Clemson vs Alabama State Same Game Parlay (+202)
WAGER: 0.5 units • DraftKings Sportsbook
- Chase Hunter: Over 15.5 Points (-130)
- PJ Hall: Over 5.5 Rebounds (-125)
I’m going back to the Clemson vs Alabama matchup in my Elite 8 Same Game Parlay.
I’ll start with Tigers senior guard Chase Hunter to score 16+ points. Hunter has averaged 12.9 points per game this year, but his line is bumped up because the Crimson Tide play at the fastest pace and rank 104th in defense.
An uptempo game environment can result in more shot attempts, increasing the likelihood that Hunter will hit the Over on this number.
We’ve seen Hunter hit this prop all three of his tourney games, scoring 18, 20, and 21 points with 15+ shot attempts in two of those matchups.
I’ll finish it off with Tigers senior center PJ Hall to go Over 5.5 rebounds. Alabama’s fast pace means more shot attempts, which result in more rebound opportunities for Hall.
Hall has averaged 6.5 rebounds per game this season, so this number is firmly in range for him.
Combine these two player props for our top Same Game Parlay.
