2024 March Madness Handicapping: Teams with Geographical Advantages and Disadvantages

by Mike Allen - 3/20/2024

March Madness handicapping for teams with geographical advantages and disadvantages Lamont Butler San Diego State Aztecs

March Madness is upon us! We have already started the First Four, and on Thursday, at Noon Eastern Time, we will tip off the First Round, the round of 64.

The No. 1 seeds have been rewarded (mostly) with the privilege of playing about as close to their home court as possible. UConn is in New York City, UNC is in Charlotte, Purdue will be playing in Indianapolis, while the Houston Cougars have to travel nearly 1,000 miles from H-Town to Memphis, Tennessee.

The NCAA Tournament isn't a meaningless bowl game. All hands are on deck, and fans/students will hopefully do everything in their power to be there for their team and make a difference in the crowd.

Doc’s Sports offers college basketball expert picks for every game on our NCAA basketball predictions page.

How Much Do Geographical Advantages Matter in the NCAA Tournament?

A geographical advantage, combined with a dedicated fanbase, is a recipe for an advantage in the game. That is where our handicapping comes into play.

We absolutely should handicap for geographical advantages or disadvantages in the NCAA Tournament.

It isn't just about how many people a school/program can cram into an arena. The tailgates count as well. Fans love to crowd around the area where the team bus will arrive, and you can't tell me that a team witnessing a surprising amount of support, ground troops if you will, don't pump them up.

As you know, college sports is a multi-billion dollar business. There are boosters helping some of these superfans fill the parking lots, hotels, restaurants, and the arena.

I can remember traveling to the ACC Football Championships and even the Orange Bowl one year to support my Virginia Tech Hokies. The ACC Title Game was in Charlotte, and we played Florida State. Their fans barely bothered to make the trip, while we covered Uptown CLT in maroon and burnt orange. Maybe it had something to do with it, but the Seminoles were as flat as a pancake that night.

In the NCAA Tournament, it isn't so black and white. Some higher seeds are close to home, and some are not.

Who’s Close to Their Campus?

UConn in Brooklyn, NY
UNC in Charlotte, NC
Clemson in Memphis, TN
Baylor in Memphis, TN
Nevada in Salt Lake City, UT
Arizona in Salt Lake City, UT
Tennessee in Charlotte, NC
Akron in Pittsburgh, PA
Purdue in Indianapolis, IN
Houston in Memphis, TN

Who’s Far Away?

Alabama in Spokane, WA
Charleston in Spokane, WA
Dayton in Salt Lake City, UT
Colorado State in Charlotte, NC
Oregon in Pittsburgh, PA
Creighton in Pittsburgh, PA
Texas in Pittsburgh, PA
Samford in Salt Lake City, UT
McNeese in Salt Lake City, UT
Florida in Indianapolis, IN
Oakland in Pittsburgh, PA
Texas Tech in Pittsburgh, PA

Key Games with a Geographical Advantage and/or Disadvantage

#11 NC State (+5.5) vs #6 Texas Tech (-5.5) in Pittsburgh, PA

Listing these games has reminded me of a theme I am seeing/hearing. It may be a coincidence, but many people are picking the teams that are traveling more in these matchups.

NC State isn't getting much love from bettors, and they aren't a deep team, but they are playing great at the moment, and Texas Tech has injuries. I looked it up, and Raleigh is about 9 hours from The Steel City, while Texas Tech University is almost 24 hours away.

Yes, I know the teams will be flying, but it's just for reference.

Another thing to keep in mind for this game as well as some others. It takes much more out of your body to travel eastward as you are losing hour(s), as opposed to heading west when you gain time.

The Red Raiders will only be losing one hour, but the trip is more than twice as far.

#12 McNeese (+6.5) vs #5 Gonzaga (-6.5) in Salt Lake City, UT

How many of you, off the top of your head, can tell me where McNeese State University is located? Hey, I had to look it up as well. Lake Charles, Louisiana, is all I needed to hear.

The 30-win #12 seed will be looking to upend the Zags, but the trip down from Spokane is cake. Oh, and this team has a rabid fanbase.

I would certainly handicap this as a home game for the Zags and possibly look elsewhere for your #12 seed upset pick.

#11 Oregon (+1.5) vs #6 South Carolina (-1.5) in Pittsburgh, PA

This one is the longest trips of any team we have listed today. The Oregon Ducks got the shaft this time around, yet many are still picking them to upset the Gamecocks.

Does the South Carolina basketball program have that many fans who will make the trip north for this matchup? Add in all the bandwagon Oregon fans around the country, and this one looks like a 50/50 game on a neutral court.

#10 Nevada (-1.5) vs #7 Dayton (+1.5) in Salt Lake City, UT

Dayton is due west to the beautiful state of Utah to take on the Mountain West's Nevada Wolf Pack, making the short trip down from Reno.

I would expect a small contingency from the #10 seed here, but it won't be too big. It is a small school of only 16k kids. The handicap here for a geographical advantage is minimal.

#11 New Mexico (-1.5) vs #7 Clemson (+1.5) in Memphis, TN

Another Mountain West team, the Lobos of New Mexico, are a team many people are picking to win over the lower-seeded Clemson Tigers. Albuquerque to Memphis is a ride! It’s a good thing these guys are flying.

I have made that drive too many times to count. Route 66 is a dream.

With Los Lobos heading east and coming off of 4 games in 4 days that wrapped up just this past weekend, we have to adjust the handicap a point or two for the geographical advantage and disadvantage in this game.

#12 UAB (+6.5) vs #5 San Diego State (-6.5) in Spokane, WA

UAB is the University of Alabama-Birmingham if you weren’t familiar. They will be traveling 2,500 miles up to one of the friendliest places I have ever been, Spokane, Washington.

Those people are chilling.

The Aztecs of San Diego State have a strong following, but you don't get much more fair weather than San Diego, California.

San Diego is still a ways from Spokane. The problem I have here with UAB is that they did play quite recently, and that was 3 games in 3 days. They will be a bit more slow with the travel. I would be hesitant to make UAB one of my upset picks.

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2024 March Madness Handicapping: Teams with Geographical Advantages and Disadvantages

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