College Basketball Title Odds Put Spotlight On Villanova Wildcats
The Favorite
Duke 9/2
Analysis: Duke Blue Devils (14-3) is currently in third place in the ACC, but the Blue Devils have an explosive offense that puts up a stellar 85.2 points per game to rank 18th nationally. Duke has a star player in 6-6 sophomore guard Luke Kennard, but I’m not overly impressed with the rest of the Blue Devils roster and believe their lack of quality depth could come back to haunt them at some point. Besides, right now, I’m thinking the ‘basketball gods’ aren’t very pleased with Grayson Allen’s tripping antics and have something special planned for Coach K’s ballclub come March Madness time – like a one-and-done tourney run!The Smart Pick
Villanova 9/1
Analysis: The defending national champs (15-1) have picked up right where they left off for outstanding head coach Jay Wright and have the look of a team that can beat anyone in the country – again. The Wildcats have a flat-out superstar in shooting guard Josh Hart (19.8 ppg), dead-eye sniper in championship hero Kris Jenkins (13.8 ppg) and a blossoming floor leader in point guard Jalen Brunson (14.6 ppg).Throw in an outstanding defense that limits the opposition to just 63.5 points per game to rank 25th nationally and it’s easy to see why the Villanova Wildcats are my smart pick to win consecutive national championships.
The Longshot
Virginia Tech 100/1
Analysis: The Virginia Tech Hokies (12-3) have some flaws, but at a whopping 100/1, I think they’ve got shot to do some damage this season if they get into the NCAA Tournament (they will). Virginia Tech averages a stellar 83.3 points per game to rank an impressive 26th in scoring nationally and have a pair of outstanding players in 6-6 sophomore guard Chris Clarke (12.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and leading scorer Zach Delay (16.4 ppg).While the Hokies need to improve a defense that allows 72.1 points per game to rank an uninspiring 186th nationally in points allowed, this is a team that can absolutely explode on opponents like they did in their commanding 89-75 spanking of Duke on the final day of 2016.