Davidson has been a great bet

For bettors who had a hunch that 10th-seeded Davidson would be the surprise team of this year’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament, here is some information you probably already knew.

A $100 bet on Davidson to defeat Gonzaga in the first round paid out at $140, according to the money line at the Las Vegas Mirage.

That same $100 bet on Davidson to upset Georgetown in the second round then paid off at $240, according to Las Vegas Leroy’s money line.

And then, another $100 bet on Davidson to defeat Wisconsin in the third round paid out at $190, according to VegasInsider.com.

That’s $570 that would have been won in three tournament games for a supporter of Davidson, which will face its most difficult challenge of the tournament today against top-seeded Kansas in the Midwest Regional championship game.

According to Sportsbetting.com, a $100 bet on Davidson to win today would pay out at $410, and at Las Vegas Palms money line, a Wildcats victory would pay out $450.

Although Kansas is favored by nine points, Davidson has picked up the most support to cover the spread at 54.53% (253-211), according to Wagerline.com’s chart.

------

Today’s South Regional final featuring No. 1 Memphis as a 3 1/2 -point favorite over No. 2 Texas will be a showdown between two teams that have had trouble covering the point spread in recent weeks.

The Tigers, 36-1 overall, are 4-10 against the spread over their last 14 games, including a 1-2 record in the NCAA tournament.

The Longhorns, 31-6 overall, have covered the point spread in only three of their last nine games.

The over/under combined point total for the game is 144.5 with the over having a 7-0-1 record in Texas’ last eight games as an underdog at a neutral site.

The over is also 4-0 in Memphis’ last four NCAA tournament games.

Pro Football

The NFL draft is next month and sportsbook.com has several interesting proposition bets available: Which player will be drafted first? Virginia’s Chris Long (-400) or Michigan’s Jake Long (+300)? Which player will be drafted first? Arkansas’ Darren McFadden (even) or Boston College’s Matt Ryan (-130)? Which player will be drafted first? Louisiana State’s Glenn Dorsey (-195) or USC’s Sedrick Ellis (+155)?

Chris Long’s draft position? Over 2.5 (+170) or under 2.5 (-220); Jake Long’s draft position? Over 3.5 (-115) or under 3.5 (-115); McFadden’s draft position? Over 3.5 (-155) or under 3.5 (+125); Ryan’s draft position? Over 3.5 (even) or under 3.5 (-130).

--

lonnie.white@latimes.com