Is #6 Oregon A Winning Pick For 2017 NCAA Championship?
Posted by Eric Williams on Monday,March 13, 2017 10:44, EDT in
The sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks (28-4 SU, 16-14-2 ATS) have won seven straight games and nine of their last 10 games overall and are playing their best basketball of the season at just the right time with March Madness on the horizon.
If you’re wondering whether the Ducks are a good pick to win the 2017 NCAA national championship, then you need some expert insight on their chances to do just that. Let’s find out now if Oregon can cash in on their value-packed 17/1 college basketball odds to win the national championship.
Is #6 Oregon A Winning Pick For 2017 NCAA Championship?
National Championship Odds
Oregon 17/1
The Good
Not only did the Ducks hit their conference tourney riding a solid six-game winning streak, but Oregon also handed in-state rival Arizona State a whopping 80-57 loss in their Pac-12 quarterfinal opener on Thursday.
The Ducks have a well-balanced offense that ranks 49th nationally in scoring (79.2 ppg) and an even more impressive defensive that ranks a stellar 30th in points allowed (64.5 ppg). Oregon has a star in small forward Dillon Brooks (16.0 ppg) and a quartet of other athletic players that all average double figures in scoring. The Ducks have recorded quality wins over nationally-ranked conference rivals, UCLA and Arizona and have as much athleticism on their roster as any team in the country.
The Bad
The Ducks didn’t play the toughest non-conference around before starting conference play with their toughest non-conference matchup being a 66-49 loss to Baylor in their second game of the season. While the Ducks did split against nationally-ranked UCLA and beat Arizona, again, their lack of quality opponents could come potentially back to haunt them in the later rounds. Oregon also ranks just 164th in free throw shooting (70.4%) and 111th in rebounding (36.9 rpg).
The Bottom Line
I like Oregon to reach the Elite Eight at the very least and possibly the Final Four seeing as how they have all the requirements of national champion from a flat-out superstar and star secondary player (Tyler Dorsey) to a great defense and a handful of athletic complimentary role players and substitutes. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Oregon reach the national championship game, even if I’m not quite prepared to pick them as my championship winner.
