March Madness 2015: Picks with Risky Title Odds Worth a Second Look

Are you thinking about diverging from the norm and taking a team other than the Kentucky Wildcats to win the 2015 NCAA tournament? If so, you have options.

While the majority of the public will let it ride on John Calipari's undefeated squad, other teams certainly warrant a second look before placing your wagers and filling out your tournament brackets. Sure, there is plenty of risk involved here, but it's called March Madness for a reason.

Vegas oddsmakers have released their title odds, per Odds Shark, for each of the Big Dance's competitors, and some are worth a gamble due to factors such as their expected road to reach the Final Four and how they match up with opponents along the way. Which teams fall into this category? Let's take a look.

Villanova Wildcats (10-1 odds)

Aside from Kentucky, Villanova may be the hottest team in the nation right now. The Wildcats are riding a 15-game winning streak that included victories over Georgetown, Butler, Providence (thrice) and Xavier (twice) en route to the Big East title.

A very well-rounded and experienced team, Villanova isn't overly flashy, but it plays unselfishly and has great team chemistry—traits that will go a long way in the NCAA tournament. Senior guard Darrun Hilliard leads the way, averaging 14.0 points on the season while shooting 43.3 percent from the field, and with a talented supporting cast by his side, the athletic Wildcats are extremely difficult to contain.

Villanova's ability to utilize its depth and move the ball around efficiently will help this team advance through the tournament to the Final Four. The Wildcats will usurp the likes of Virginia and Louisville—two strong defensive teams that have consistency issues on offense—along the way.

Gonzaga Bulldogs (16-1 odds)

The Bulldogs are most certainly a team to watch heading into the Big Dance. They've won 25 of their last 26 games and recently avenged that lone loss by defeating BYU in the WCC title game by a score of 91-75. This is a solid team on both ends of the court and the nation's best shooting squad, making it a legitimate title contender.

One of the biggest reasons to like Gonzaga in the Big Dance is its prowess in several categories. Ranked 10th in the nation in scoring, sixth in assists, first in field-goal percentage and 45th in points allowed, while consistently thriving on the boards, the Bulldogs show few weaknesses.

Helping Gonzaga's cause is a favorable road to the Final Four in the South quadrant of the bracket. Iowa State will be a difficult opponent, but the Cyclones' defensive woes have led to frustrating losses this season. Duke will be a threat; however, the Blue Devils haven't been strong in tournament play in recent years and are coming off of a tough loss to Notre Dame. Momentum will carry Gonzaga through.

Arizona Wildcats (15-2 odds)

Despite being a No. 2 seed, the Wildcats actually have the second-best odds to win the NCAA tournament. There's great reason for that, as the team is riding an 11-game winning streak entering the Big Dance. Not only has Arizona been defeating tournament-worthy opponents, but it has been decimating them. A recent example was an 80-52 win over Oregon in the Pac-12 final.

Arizona's size, athleticism and speed make this team dangerous in transition. The Wildcats boast a starting five that has a tendency to limit second-chance opportunities for opponents by collecting boards and quickly turning up the court in an effort to come away with fast-break points. That strategy makes life difficult for defensive teams to hold up and offensive teams to keep up.

The Wildcats will have some tough opposition in the West, as North Carolina is red hot and Wisconsin is playing well. However, with a great blend of experience and leadership from T.J. McConnell and Brandon Ashley, as well as the playmaking abilities of freshman Stanley Johnson, Arizona makes a very compelling case to emerge from the difficult quadrant.