Safe Bets To Win The 2016 College Hoops National Championship
Posted by Eric Williams on Wednesday,February 3, 2016 4:45, EDT in
In a college basketball season in which no nationally-ranked title contender has separated themselves from the pack, looks like the ‘safest’ bets to win the 2016 NCAA Basketball championship couldn’t come at a more opportune time, take a look at the updated betting lines at mybookie.ag. Right now, the reality is that somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 teams all possess realistic chances of winning the quickly approaching March Madness tournament. For me though, 10 teams all have the look of possible national champions.
Top 10 ‘Safe’ Bets to Beat the NCAAB Championship Betting Lines
No. 4 Maryland 19-3
The high-flying Terrapins are eighth in the nation in field goal shooting percentage (49.7%) and rank sixth in free throw shooting percentage (76.6%) while also limiting their opponents to just 64.1 points per game (27th). The Terps have five players averaging double figures in scoring and two who shoot at least 56.8 percent from the field I love the fact that Maryland’s leading scorer, sophomore guard Melo Trimble isn’t afraid to take – or make – the big shot.
No. 1 Oklahoma 18-2
The Sooners (11-0 home) are the nation’s best three-point shooting team (46.2%) and they’ve got a legitimate superstar in sweet-shooting senior guard Buddy Hield (25.8 ppg), not to mention a trio of other players that all average double digits in scoring, including walking double-double forward Ryan Spangler (11.0 ppg, 9.8 rpg). The Sooners rank fourth in scoring (85.8 ppg) and limit their opponents to just 71.6 points per contest defensively.
No. 12 SMU 19-2
The Mustangs have one of the nation’s biggest little men in 5-9 senior guard Nic Moore (15.7 ppg, 4.8 apg) not to mention the fact that they rank 45th in scoring (79.4 ppg) and an equally impressive 63.9 points per game defensively (23rd). The Mustangs have one of the best basketball coaches in history in the venerable Larry Brown and shoot the ball as well as any team in the country (50.1%, 4th). Right now, I’m thinking the Mustangs are primed for a deep March Madness run that carries them to the elite eight at the very least!
No. 5 Iowa 17-4
The Hawkeyes are putting up a healthy 81.2 points per game (26th) while draining a blistering 39.8 percent of their three-point shot attempts. Iowa defends the three-point shot extremely well by limiting their opponents to just 30.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc (18th). My one worry about the Hawkeyes is that they have just two double-digit scorers.
No. 6 Xavier 19-2
If you don’t know how good Xavier is, then you’ve been ‘sleeping’ on the Musketeers, because I believe they’re a legitimate national title contenders – at least until I see otherwise. Xavier averages an impressive 79.9 points per game (39th) and limits the opposition to just 67.2 points per game. The Musketeers are an excellent defensive team that limits their opponents to just 40.4 percent shooting from the field (54th) and 30.5 percent shooting from three-point distance (23rd).
No. 3 Villanova 18-3
The Wildcats are a perennial title contender and they’re looking good again as they rank a stupendous seventh in points allowed (61.2 ppg). The Cats have four players averaging double digits in scoring and another just off the mark. I like the Cats every season, but for some reason, I’m just expecting another last-season collapse – again.
No. 2 North Carolina 19-3
The Tar Heels haven’t lost at home this season (12-0) and they’ve got a ton of elite talent. Carolina is eighth in the nation in scoring (84.9 ppg) and they limit their opponents to just 70.3 points per game, but the Heels are also a terrible three-point shooting team (30.2 %) and don’t defend the three very well either (308th). If the Hells don’t address their perimeter issues they could come up short in their quest for a national title – again.
No. 8 Texas A&M 18-3
The Aggies put up 77.7 points per game and limit their opponents to just 64.1 points per game defensively (28th). Texas A&M also has one of the best backcourts in the country in Jalen Jones (16.8 ppg) and Danuel House (15.9 ppg). F this guard-oriented team gets competent play from their big men, the Aggies’ ceiling is as high as any team in the country.
No. 25 South Carolina 19-3
Not only has my Philly ‘homegirl’ Dawn Staley put South Carolina’s women’s hoops program on the national map, but the Gamecocks’ men’s program is playing excellent basketball this season – even if hardly anyone has noticed. South Carolina averages a solid 77.2 points per game (93rd) while limiting their opponents to just 67.8 points per contest defensively (92nd). The well-balanced Gamecocks have fine players averaging double figures in scoring.
No. 9 Virginia 17-4
The Cavaliers might not be as good as they were last season, but they’re still really solid at the defensive end of the floor as they limit the opposition to just 61.2 points per game (sixth) and lead the nation in defensive rebounding (25.3 rpg). While the Cavs average a modest 72.4 points per game (205th), the also rank seventh in the nation in field goal shooting percentage (49.9%) and an equally impressive 18th in three-point shooting (39.7%). Virginia has a big-time player in leading scorer Malcolm Brogdon (17.3 ppg) and a nice blend of perimeter talent and quality big men.
