So “The Mount” came through as advertised, beating Coppin State (+7) 69-60 in the March Madness play-in (excuse me, Opening Round) game. That was my so-called “sure bet” for the Tournament, and even then it took a free-throw parade at the end for MSM to cash in. I don’t think there will be any other no-brainers.

I’ve already mused that you could take the moneyline on all the No. 1 seeds to beat the No. 16s, but good luck finding anything beyond the pointspread on these matchups. Look at this: UCLA is favored by 32 points over Mississippi Valley State. Even Kobayashi couldn’t eat that much chalk on the moneyline.

The NCAAB market is about to be flooded with first-time Tournament bettors. Perhaps you are one of them. Remember, there really are no sure bets. Top handicappers are giddy if they get three out of five correct. Don’t blow your stack all on one matchup.