Updated College Basketball Odds For The 2017 NCAAB Championship
Posted by Eric Williams on Tuesday,February 7, 2017 11:29, EDT in
With the 2016-17 college basketball season back in the national spotlight and steamrolling towards its annual March Madness national championship tournament, it’s time for another look at the favorite, my smart pick and top longshot selection to cash in on this year’s NCAA tournament odds.
With that said and a full slate of college basketball action taking place in the bettor-friendly sportsbook, let’s get started.
Analyzing The Updated College Basketball Odds For The 2017 NCAAB Championship
The Favorite
Kentucky +750
Analysis: The Wildcats (18-5 SU, 12-11 ATS) may be the prohibitive favorites to win the national championship, but they’re clearly not playing good basketball right now, having lost three of their last four games at the time of this writing including their completely humbling 88-66 smackdown at the hands of SEC rival Florida on Saturday.
Kentucky has a plethora of talented young stars, but unlike most seasons, this year’s class of one-and-done Wildcats is clearly lacking in both maturity and consistency, though that’s not the case for team superstar Malik Monk (21.9 ppg).
While Kentucky ranks a stellar third in scoring at 90.2 points per game, the Wildcats are also ranked 226th in points allowed defensively (73.9 ppg). Right now, I don’t think Kentucky is worthy of wager to win the national championship so I say, save your betting bucks on the Wildcats.
The Smart Pick
Villanova +900
Analysis: The battle-tested Wildcats (22-2 SU, 12-11 ATS) are still my ‘smart’ pick to win it all this season and I believe they’re a legit candidate to win consecutive national championships. Villanova ranks a solid 83rd in scoring at 77.6 points per game, but it is their 16th-ranked defense (62.9 ppg) that really impresses me.
Not only that, but the Wildcats have a sure-fire superstar and future NBA performer in shooting guard Josh Hart (18.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game) and another future NBA player in sweet-shooting forward Kris Jenkins (13.2 ppg), not to mention a blossoming point guard in Jalen Brunson (14.4 ppg) that may also find his way at the next level. Throw in an outstanding head coach in Jay Wright and you have the makings of a national champion.
The Longshot
Oregon +1200
Analysis: I could have gone with a handful of teams as my top long shot selection, but after seeing the now, sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks (21-3 SU, 13-10 ATS) obliterate previously fourth-ranked Arizona this past weekend has made me a believer.
Oregon is well-balanced and ranks 62nd nationally in scoring (78.9 ppg) and an even more impressive 24th in points allowed (63.5 ppg). Not only do the Ducks harass their opponents into just 39.1 percent shooting from the field (15th), but they also have a trio of likely NBA performers in team leader Dillon Brooks (14.4 ppg), sweet-shooting guard Tyler Dorsey (12.6 ppg) and athletic forward Chris Boucher (12.4 ppg). Make no mistake about it, the Ducks are dangerous with capital ‘D’.
