Post Action Betting
march madness 2024

March Madness odds: NC State, Clemson made Elite Eight runs as historic underdogs

By
Social Links for Dylan Svoboda
Published March 30, 2024, 2:37 p.m. ET
The NC State Wolfpack could become a historic long shot if they pull off a national championship win.
The NC State Wolfpack could become a historic long shot if they pull off a national championship win. Getty Images

March Madness is all about Cinderellas, and this time around did not disappoint. 

No. 11 NC State and No. 6 Clemson have shocked the college basketball world with Elite Elight runs, upsetting national championship contenders along the way as massive underdogs. 

Pre-tournament, the Wolfpack and Tigers were 200/1 and 150/1, respectively, to cut down the nets — both figures well outside the top 25 on the odds board at most major sportsbooks. 

It’s just the sixth time in men’s NCAA Tournament history that two or more 150/1 national championship long shots made it to the Elite Eight since seeding began in 1979, per Evan Abrams of Action Network.

They are also just the second pair of teams from the same conference at +15000 pre-tournament to make an appearance in the Elite Eight, joining Notre Dame and Syracuse in 2016, who also came out of the ACC, according to Abrams. 

Chase Hunter #1 of the Clemson Tigers shoots after being fouled by Jaden Bradley #0 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Chase Hunter #1 of the Clemson Tigers shoots after being fouled by Jaden Bradley #0 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Getty Images

Both teams will need to pull off an upset to make the Final Four. 

Clemson is a 3.5-point underdog against the No. 4-seed Alabama on Saturday night. 

On Sunday, the Wolfpack are a 6.5-point ‘dog against No. 4 Duke. 

As unlikely as it is, if either team can win three more games and win the national championship, they will become the biggest pre-tournament long shot to take home the title since 1978, surpassing UConn in 2014, who were 95/1 before the tourney, according to Sports Odds History.

Betting on College Basketball?

Last season, the Huskies — who are currently a +100 favorite to win the 2024 title — became the eighth-biggest long shot to take home the national championship after coming into the tournament at +1800.

Heading into Saturday’s action, NC State and Clemson have the highest lowest title odds in the field, with FanDuel pegging them at +3000 and +4000, respectively.Â