Bettor puts a massive wager on Tennessee basketball to win the NCAA tournament

The Tennessee Vols aren't exactly one whose name has been associated with a storybook ending to basketball season during March.   However, that hasn't stopped one man from putting his money down on the Volunteers to buck a very long trend.  A bettor who goes by the handle "Million Dollar Marco" reportedly placed a $200,000 bet on […]

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Feb 17, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Dalton Knecht (3) reacts after scoring a three pointer against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
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The Tennessee Vols aren't exactly one whose name has been associated with a storybook ending to basketball season during March.  

However, that hasn't stopped one man from putting his money down on the Volunteers to buck a very long trend.  A bettor who goes by the handle "Million Dollar Marco" reportedly placed a $200,000 bet on the Vols to win the NCAA tournament.  

It's quite the leap of faith to put down an amount that, for many people, constitutes several years of their annual salary.  It's even more so to do it for a team that has consistently fallen short when the month of March has rolled around.  Tennessee, as every Vol fan knows, has yet to make a Final Four.  

However, there is optimism that this team could be different.  Rick Barnes' current group has all the tools to pull it off.  Tennessee's defense is once again strong, ranking fifth in KenPom adjusted defensive rankings.  But that hasn't really been the main problem in the tournament, which has been the offense disappearing in big moments. 

Now, the Vols have an intriguing offense balance to finally buck that trend.  They have a ready-made scorer in Dalton Knecht, who will very likely be a first round NBA draft pick this year.  Jonas Aidoo gives the Vols a strong presence in the paint and on the boards.  Zakai Zeigler is as good as anyone in creating opportunities for teammates.  And the Vols have quality depth in Jordan Gainey, Tobe Awaka,  and Jahmai Mashack off the bench.  

Many Vol fans are understandably in wait-and-see mode regarding how far this Tennessee team can go.  However, it's not crazy to see why some in the betting community are buying into the Vols in a big way in March. 

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