College Hoops Monday
Photo Credit: CT Insider
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College Basketball Sides Season Record: 0-0-0 (+0.00 Units) — Betting 1 Unit to Win X
3:30pm cst: Georgia Bulldogs vs. Oregon Ducks -5; Total 139.5
I am not understanding this line at all. Georgia lost about 90% of its scoring from last season and the vast majority of their team is transfers. Oregon on the other hand brings back their big men Dante and Diawara. Not only that but three top 50 recruits will be making their debuts: Kwame Evans, Mookie Cook and Jackson Shelstad. Oregon also has massive coaching advantage. If these young Ducks play defense like Dana Altman would demand this can be a scary Pac-12 team this season.
Pick: Oregon -5 (-110) [via DraftKings]
6:00pm cst: Niagara Purple Eagles vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -8.5; Total 125.5
Today marks a new era of Notre Dame basketball with Micah Shrewsberry at the helm. The Purple Eagles lose two of their leading scorers from last season. Notre Dame is young but I think this number is a couple points short as the Irish should be looking to impress in their debut.
Pick: Notre Dame -8.5 (-110) [via DraftKings]
6:00pm cst: Iona Gaels vs. College of Charleston Cougars -7.5; Total 150.5
Last years March Madness star head coach Tobin Anderson makes his debut with the Gaels. Charleston gave NCAA Tournament runner-up San Diego State a run for their money in the first round but came up short. CoC had difficulty when the Aztecs were able to play their tough, hard nose defense. That is the type of defense the Gaels will be playing. I think Iona can keep this game close by leaning on their defense and pace.
Pick: Iona +7.5 (-110) [via DraftKings]
7:00pm cst: Western Illinois Roughnecks vs. UTSA Roadrunners -6.5; Total 145
I watched UTSA preseason game against McMurray and this may be one of their most well rounded rosters in some time. They have size and getting Jordan Ivy-Curry back to run point guard is a massive upgrade. UTSA also added some much needed size. I think this is a rejuvenated Roadrunners squad and I expect a big game against a Roughnecks team that lost a lot of scoring from last season.
Pick: UTSA -6.5 (-110) [via DraftKings]
8:00pm cst: USC Trojans -3 vs. Kansas State Wildcats; Total 143
The Trojans will be bringing in their star freshmen Isaiah Collier and Bronny James. They should have a strong team this season eventually. Kansas State will be the more mature team with a great coach in Jerome Tang. K-State brings in Arthur Kaluma who should be a star in the Big 12. The Wildcats size and experience should give USC trouble. The wrong team is favored here in my opinion.
Pick: Kansas State +3 (-110) [via DraftKings]
2023-24 Futures Bets
I believe Duke (11/1), Michigan State (15/1), and Kentucky (14/1) are and will be the three best and most talented teams in the country, according to my ratings. The odds for the first three teams are lower than 20/1, so I won’t recommend them, but I will keep an eye on them throughout the season. I wouldn’t be surprised if they win it all, especially Duke or MSU. They are my top two favorites, followed by Kentucky. Now, let me tell you about my others with great odds.
Arkansas Razorbacks 25/1:
Arkansas has a lot of talent on their roster, including one of my favorite point guards from last season, Keyon Menifield, who transferred from Washington. They also added El Ellis from Louisville. Arkansas had some injuries last season, but that doesn’t excuse their underperformance. Coach Eric Musselman and his team of NBA prospects should do better this year, if they can stay healthy (especially Trevon Brazile). This could be their year to make a deep run. Third time’s the charm.
USC Trojans 35/1:
USC has a lot of potential to be a dangerous team in March, if their stars live up to their expectations. Isaiah Collier could be the best player in the country, as I predict, and Bronny James could be a lockdown defender and a reliable three-point shooter, as I also foresee. They will be joined by fifth-year senior Boogie Ellis, 7-foot-1 Vince the Prince, and DJ Rodman. This team has all the pieces to make a deep run, once they gel together.
Florida Atlantic Owls 40/1:
FAU has almost the same team as last season, except for one senior who graduated. They face tougher competition in the AAC, but they have the talent to make it to March Madness. They play hard defense and explosive offense. They won’t surprise anyone this season, so they have to stay focused all season. This number is too attractive to pass up before the season starts.
Oregon Ducks 75/1:
As I mentioned in my analysis of the Ducks’ game tonight, they could be a dangerous team if their freshmen develop as expected. The Ducks have defense and size, which will help the young players grow. Dana Altman has reloaded the Ducks for another run.
St. Johns Redmen 85/1:
Rick Pitino is back in the spotlight with St. John’s. He has a chance to win another national championship, after coaching in Greece and Iona. He needs to improve his team’s defense, though, to make them scary. He has a lot of motivation to succeed. This number is likely to drop. This pick may be a little bias as I am a huge St. Johns and Rick Pitino fan but it is still a great number.
Texas 40/1, Baylor 40/1 or Texas A&M 55/1:
One of these Texas teams will make a big run in March. I know some people like one and hate the others, so you can choose your favorite. One or more of them will reach the Elite Eight or even the Final Four, because they play defense first, which is crucial in March. I guarantee these odds will not be this high for the rest of the season.
