Pac 10 has Reached a New Low
There are several conferences in college basketball betting that are the equivalent to the sports royalty. Just as there are individual programs in the NCAA odds like UCLA, Kentucky, Duke and North Carolina that stand out among the college basketball betting so too are their conferences that stand out. The ACC, the Big East and perhaps none more so than the PAC 10.
Until this year.
This is the single worst performance by the PAC 10 in the NCAA odds perhaps ever. It's almost unheard of not to have at least one PAC 10 team in the national title discussion and at least several ranked in the top 25 at any given point during the college basketball betting season.
But in 2010 it's hard to even remember there was a ranked PAC 10 team. Forget about an NCAA odds championship, just getting a team in the college basketball betting tournament would be a great accomplishment considering the awful play in the conference this season.
Cal has more or less secured the regular season PAC 10 title with a 12-5 mark (20-9) overall. Arizona St can do no worse than second with an 11-6 record (21-9) and the only other team with even a shred of a hope of somehow making the Big Dance is the Washington Huskies, 10-7 in conference (20-9).
Fortunately for PAC 10 fans at least one team is guaranteed a spot in the March Madness as the winner of the conference gets an automatic big based on past glory. But an at large bid will be very hard to come by. If either Cal or ASU fails to win the conference tourney there is a chance they could get an at large invite, but they'll get terribly low seeds if they are invited.
2009 Sportsmedianetwork.com
Syracuse might just be the Best Team in NCAA Basketball BettingDon't let the #2 ranking fool you. When it's all said and done the Syracuse men's basketball team just might be the very best team in all of college basketball betting. This team is talented, deep, well-coached and full of great individual players. It seems a lock for a number one seed in the NCAA odds tournament and could very well be the 2010 college basketball betting champion.
So just what makes this team so good? After all, there are a lot of great teams in the NCAA odds this season with the likes of #1 Kansas, #3 Kentucky, and even fellow Big East team #4 Villanova all with credible claims to the top spot in college basketball betting.
While these are all fine teams the Orangemen look like the team to beat because of their defense and their personnel. The front court of Syracuse led by Wesley Johnson, Kris Joseph and Arinze Onuaku all average double digits in scoring and account for 19 rebounds a game to go along with a combined 3.5 blocks per game. But numbers aside these guys are huge, intimidating and talented.
Aside from the inside dominance this team's zone defense is by far the best in the college basketball betting. None other than the great Bob Knight called Syracuse's zone the best he'd ever seen in basketball, high praise indeed coming from the all time winningest coach in NCAA odds history.
The Orangemen will be as battle tested as any team in the Tournament as well having to run the gauntlet of the regular season Big East schedule as well as the grueling Big East Tournament.
2009 Sportsmedianetwork.com
This Week in Sports Betting: 3/1 through 3/7
The first week of March means there is a lot of madness going on in various basketball arenas across the country. Cappers Mall takes a look at the five best sports betting battles that you should be watching out for in the week ahead. Sports fans will be discussing NBA picks and college basketball March Madness on the message boards.
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns, Monday 9:00 ET: The points should be flying on the scoreboard at a fast and furious pace on Monday night in the desert when the Suns tackle the Nuggets. These are the top two scoring teams in the NBA, and both can put up 115 points with no troubles on their opponents. The basketball betting action will be great as well, as this could be a potential playoff preview. The Nuggets are still sitting in the catbird's seat in the Northwest Division, while Phoenix is stalking the #4 seed in the postseason. Follow the latest daily NBA odds or the NBA betting matchups.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks, Wednesday 8:00 ET: This game won't decide first place in the Big XII, as the Jayhawks have already virtually wrapped that up, but a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament might be on the line. The Wildcats are looking to move all the way up to the top line of the dance, while taking care of their arch nemesis in the process. Rock Chalk won the first meeting of these two Big XII powerhouses 81-79 in Manhattan, and college basketball betting fans won't want to miss this one on Hump Day. Follow the latest daily college basketball odds or the NCAA betting matchups.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks, Friday 8:30 ET: The NHL returns after a two-week sabbatical for the Olympic games, and Friday night's premier matchup features two of the best teams in the Western Conference. Vancouver and Chicago are both coming into this week atop their respective divisions, and many think that this could be a preview of the Western Conference Finals. The Blackhawks have the best home record in the West at this point at 23-6-2, which could cause problems for a team that is coming into this week below .500 on the road.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Villanova Wildcats, Saturday 12:00 ET: Once upon a time, both of these teams were ranked in the Top-5 and fighting for a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That all came to an end with a relatively recent slide by both teams that has them clawing at a potential #2 slot now. This is the final regular season game for both squads, thus is the last chance to try to impress the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee before the Big East Tournament. The loser could fall out of the Top-4 in the conference, which will mean that there is another game to be played.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic, Sunday 2:30 ET: The Magic will look to gain a tad bit of revenge on the team that cost them the NBA Championship last season when the Lakers pay a visit to Amway Arena on Sunday afternoon. This nationally televised game is bar none the best NBA betting battle of the week, as G Kobe Bryant, F Pau Gasol, and C Andrew Bynum will all be on display against a red hot C Dwight Howard, who enters this week having recorded 53 double-doubles on the season.
(c) 2000 - 2009 Cappersmall.com
Florida vs. Xavier has tournament implications
Florida coach Billy Donovan admitted a league mandate factored into his decision to schedule Xavier this season.
It turns out, today's non-conference game against the Musketeers could play an important role in determining UF's NCAA Tournament hopes.
Florida hasn't played a non-conference opponent during the Southeastern Conference schedule since facing New Orleans on Feb. 17, 2003. But Donovan said UF's nine days off for exams combined with the O'Connell Center hosting the NCAA Volleyball Tournament regionals last December made finding dates before SEC play difficult.
"I'm excited that we're playing them because it's a good team," Donovan said. "It's just like a league game, basically, and instead of us having an off week. I'd prefer having a game because I think sometimes an off week can take you out of a rhythm and a flow of games coming."
During last spring's SEC meetings, commissioner Mike Slive delivered a stern message to league coaches to improve their non-conference schedules. Florida responded with a non-conference schedule this season that included Michigan State, Florida State, Richmond, Syracuse, Rutgers and North Carolina State.
As a result, Florida's RPI remains NCAA Tournament-worthy (48) despite a 6-4 record in SEC play. A win against Xavier (27 RPI) would give Florida a boost heading into the home stretch of the regular season. As part of a home-and-home series, Florida will play at Xavier next season.
Copyright (c) 2010 Gatorsports.com
Bulldogs vs. Gators Preview
The Mississippi State Bulldogs will clash with SEC foe the Florida Gators on Saturday at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida.
The Bulldogs dropped the Gators 80-71 the last time the two teams met on Mar 4, 2009, ending the Gators' hopes of capturing the Southeastern Conference East crown.
Erving Walker hit his shot with 11 seconds left to give Florida a dramatic 66-65 win over Alabama on Thursday night. Junior forward Alex Tyus led the Gators with 19 points. Walker contributed 16 points in the win. The Gators outscored Alabama in the paint, 34-24, and held a 35-24 rebounding advantage. Tyus has scored in double figures in 13 straight games. Florida has gone 6-7 in its previous two seasons in the month of February, and has failed to make the NCAA Tournament both times. This will be an important conference game for the Gators and a must win if they want to improve their chances of playing ball come the middle of March.
The Bulldogs fought back from a 14-point deficit, but fell short as they lost 75-72 to No. 18 Vanderbilt on Wednesday night. Vandy's John Jenkins made two free throws with 6.8 seconds remaining, as the Commodores held on for the win. Kodi Augustus had 15 points while Jarvis Varnado had 12 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks and Barry Stewart 13 and Bost 12 in the loss. The Bulldogs have now lost three of their last four outings. Mississippi leads the SEC from 3-point range, hitting an average nine from beyond the arc per game.
They also boast the nation's third-stingiest scoring defense, holding opponents to just 36.5 percent shooting per game.
Mississippi State continues with a short bench and needs to rely less on their 3-point shooting, or risk being predictable.
If the Gators can shut down MSU's leading scorer Dee Bost, they have a good shot at winning this one, as the Bulldogs have no real back up for the sophomore guard
Mississippi State vs Florida Odds
The odds currently favor Florida -3 in this one.
Free Bulldogs vs. Gators CBB Pick
I expect the Bulldogs to edge out a 4-point win on the road in this one.
Copyright (c) 2009 - Sports Betting Forums
Gonzaga goes down: San Francisco pulls off 81-77 upset of No. 13 BulldogsDior Lowhorn hit consecutive 3-pointers in overtime and scored 22 points, leading San Francisco to an 81-77 upset of No. 13 Gonzaga on Saturday night.
Matt Bouldin scored Gonzaga's only three baskets in the extra session and the Bulldogs (17-4, 6-1 West Coast Conference) lost for the first time in 28 regular-season WCC games.
Angelo Caloiaro made a 3 with 32.8 seconds left that helped the Dons end a nine-game skid in the series. Many in the raucous, near-capacity crowd of 4,114 at Memorial Gym rushed the court after the final buzzer.
Lowhorn went 5 of 7 on 3-pointers after coming in 8 for 47 from long range this season, sending the Dons (8-14, 3-4) to their first win over Gonzaga since a 73-70 victory on Jan. 25, 2005.
(c)2010 Newser, LLC
Pitt vs Seton Hall
No. 11 Pittsburgh Panthers (15-3 SU, 8-6-2 ATS) at Seton Hall Pirates (11-6 SU, 4-7 ATS)
Sunday: January 24: 2:00 p.m.
Here are some NCAA Basketball Betting Trends which may impact this game:
Pittsburgh: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
Pittsburgh: 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
Pittsburgh: 4-2 ATS on the road
Seton Hall: 2-5 SU in their last 7 games
Seton Hall: 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games
Coming off a huge in conference win Thursday night against Louisville, Seton Hall will look to continue their push for an NCAA Tournament berth, when they host the Pitt Panthers in Sunday's college basketball betting odds.
Seton Hall has been an up and down team all season, but seems to be finally hitting their groove now in conference play. They are led by maybe the most underrated player in the entire Big East, senior guard Jeremy Hazell. For those of you who've never seen Hazell, he is a scoring machine, second in the conference to just Luke Harangody of Notre Dame. He averages 23 points per game, but has had some of his best performances in Big East play: 41 against West Virginia, 38 against Syracuse, 33 against Cincinnati and 25 on Thursday against Louisville.
Hazell is not the only weapon that coach Bobby Gonzalez has at his disposal however. Herb Pope is the Big East's leading rebounder, averaging close to 12 a game. Jeff Robinson and John Garcia add depth in the frontcourt. And point guard Eugene Harvey leads this team with almost five assists per game.
As for the Pitt Panthers, they are coming off their first conference loss of 2010 against Georgetown on Wednesday night. This game Sunday is an absolute must win for Pitt, as they play three of their next four on the road.
Offensively, the Panthers are balanced, getting major contributions from four players. The leader is guard Ashton Gibbs, a little used reserve last year, who has emerged to lead the team in scoring. Gibbs was held in check by Georgetown a few nights ago, scoring just eight points on 3-16 shooting. He'll need to have a much stronger performance on Sunday.
Whoever wins this game, will have to win the battle of wills on the offensive end. Pitt runs a complicated half court offense, scoring just 68 points per game. While just looking at that number, a lot of people would expect that the Panthers might not be very good offensively, but that is the farthest thing from the truth, as they run a deliberate offense, and still shoot 45 percent from the field. Seton Hall on the other hand averages almost 85 points per game, which ranks fifth nationally.
On Sunday, both teams need this win for completely different reasons. Pitt just needs to bounce back after Wednesday, while Seton Hall on the other hand needs to keep winning to try and improve their tournament resume.
Personally, I like Pitt. It just seems that when you force Seton Hall into a half court offense they struggle. And nobody controls tempo better than Pitt. This will be low scoring, which means that all indications point toward the Panthers.
Because of it, the Panthers will be the oddsmakers favorites in this weekend's betting odds. They should be your favorites too.
Free Pick: Pitt by 5
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