Huge NCAAB weekend - North Carolina vs Duke odds and more

March Madness betting fans, it’s almost time to make your NCAA basketball picks for the “Big Dance”, but first the regular-season champions must be decided. The online sports betting action kicks off on Saturday in the Big East, when No. 3 Pittsburgh will go for a season sweep over top-ranked Connecticut. Later that night, No. 6 Louisville can also stake a claim to the Big East title with a win over West Virginia. And Sunday features a wild one, as No. 2 North Carolina can clinch the ACC title when it hosts No. 7 Duke.

NCAA basketball betting: huge showdowns in store this weekend

• Huskies, Panthers in Big East showdown of Top-3 teams
• Cardinals still in Big East hunt against Mountaineers
• Duke/North Carolina rivalry is always a big ticket

UConn vs Pittsburgh odds – Saturday, March 7, 12:00 PM ET

The Huskies (27-2, 15-2) can claim a share of the Big East title with a win, and they’ll be fueled by a 76-68 loss to the Panthers (27-3, 14-3) at home on Feb. 16. Pitt’s DuJuan Blair was the undisputed victor in his matchup against UConn center Hasheem Thabeet, as he lit up the Huskies for 22 points and 23 boards.

Two perfect records are on the line in this massive matchup, as the Huskies are 10-0 on the road, while the Panthers are 18-0 at home. It’ll be senior night at Pitt, and stars Levance Fields and Sam Young would love to go out with a bang in front of their home fans. The Panthers should be the sportsbook favorites on their home court, and you can bet on Pittsburgh to tame the Huskies on Saturday.

Louisville vs West Virginia odds – Saturday, March 7, 9:00 PM ET

The Cardinals (24-5, 15-2) can also take a piece of the Big East title with a win on Saturday, and they have a stellar 7-1 mark on the road, including a win at Pitt. However, they will be going against a West Virginia (21-9, 10-7) team that played the Cardinals tough in a 69-63 loss in Louisville on Jan. 31.

The Mountaineers almost came back from a 21-point halftime deficit, but shooting 35.6 percent from the floor was their downfall. The Cardinals have won four straight over the Mountaineers, and the sports betting lines for this game could go either way. Regardless, bet on Louisville to put a hand on the regular-season trophy.

Duke vs North Carolina odds – Sunday, March 8, 4:00 PM ET

The Tar Heels (26-3, 12-3) are the March Madness betting favorite in the upcoming Tournament, and they should be the sportsbook favorite against Duke (25-5, 11-4) as well. The Blue Devils need to win to split the title with the Tar Heels, who romped to a 101-87 victory at Duke on Feb. 11 behind 25 points from Ty Lawson.

The Blue Devils have no way to stop Lawson from penetrating the lane, and no shot blocker to stop him when he gets there. Duke also tried running with the Tar Heels, which proved to be an awful decision as that got Lawson going in the second half. Plus, on senior night at Tyler Hansbrough’s last game as a Tar Heel, you just know he’s going to have a big game. Bet North Carolina to win the ACC regular-season title.

For more NCAA basketball betting analysis of next week’s conference tournaments, bookmark the Betting Edge at betonline.com.

Washington Tucker was practically raised at Rucker Park. Though a freak knee injury cost him a major college basketball scholarship, his “sixth-sense” on the hardwood has translated into a spectacular career in basketball handicapping.