Gators and Wildcats lead SEC futures odds
Originally published at DonBest.com
The cream of Southeastern Conference basketball once again resides in Kentucky with the Wildcats. Perhaps referencing basketball is a bit redundant this time of year even with the college football season in a full frenzy. 'Cream' and 'Kentucky' go together on the gridiron more like, "The Wildcats got creamed again on Saturday..."
When you get right down to it, the best of the SEC on the college hardwood this year is in its East Division where half of the squads are getting 20/1 futures odds or better to win it all. Kentucky at around 8/1 leads the eastern half followed by Florida and Tennessee who are both listed at 20/1 at several offshore shops.
The betting favorite in the West Division, Mississippi State, is priced 30/1 at Bookmaker.com.
Even with their rich tradition, the idea of the Wildcats chalked up to win it all this year is pretty amazing considering their 'graduation rate' from last season. John Calipari's team went to the East Regional final before bowing out last year to West Virginia, 73-66, with Kentucky favored by four. John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson and Eric Bledsoe all bid adieu , so this is a wager on Calipari, Kentucky and several key freshmen who could be the next one-&-done's.
Brandon Knight is expected to fill Wall's shoes in the backcourt and Enes Kanter is going to be the new force on the inside. They're joined by Doron Lamb and Terrence Jones among key incoming frosh.
Kentucky finished last season just ahead at the window with a 20-16 record against college basketball spreads. The Wildcats had a similar record to the high side with a 19-16 'over' mark. UK closed 4-3 ATS and 5-2 'over' through their seven conference and NCAA tournament games.
Bill Donovan's lads over in Gainesville are an interesting bunch. The Gators are right there with Kentucky on the SEC East futures board at plus 150, and 20/1 to win it all.
Florida was very close to missing the NCAA Tournament for a third-straight year following its back-to-back National Championships in 2006-07; considering their short-lived stay in the dance this past March, maybe the Gators belonged in the NIT once again.
The Gators will be one of the most experienced groups to take to the college hardwood this season, a perfect recipe for Donovan's coaching style. The five top scorers from last season – Kenny Boynton, Erving Walker, Chandler Parsons, Alex Tyus and Vernon Macklin – all return. The quintet spread the wealth in 2009-10, each averaging between 10.6 and 14.0 points per game. Those veterans will be joined by two solid freshmen, Casey Prather and Patric Young. It's a team that could provide both solid futures value as well as early-season spread value for hoops bettors.
Tennessee overcame a scandal early last season that led to the outright dismissal of Tyler Smith as well as temporary suspensions to three other players. The Vols ended up in the Midwest Regional final, losing by a point to Michigan State, a tribute to the players as well as head coach Bruce Pearl. All signs pointed to the potential for a great 2010-11 as the school and its fans hoped controversy was behind them.
No such luck.
Pearl and his staff have already been sanctioned by Tennessee for violations stemming from recruiting issues. The Sporting News reported in October that Pearl's contract had been terminated and was being reworked pending the investigation. The NCAA is now looking into the matter.
The Volunteers were recently listed with 7/2 odds to win the SEC East, and 20/1 on the NCAA title board. Junior Scotty Hopson is the top scorer returning from last year's squad that went 28-9 straight up (15-17-2 ATS). Tobias Harris, a 6-foot-8 forward, and 6-foot-6 guard Jordan McRae are the top incoming freshman and among the nation's best high school recruits from this past year.
Pearl and his staff have shown they can put a competitive team on the floor despite major trouble. But with warning flags up to open the season, the Vols are no-go in my book.
Georgia is the best of the rest, and could conceivably unseat Tennessee for third in the SEC East. Juniors Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie return after leading the Bulldogs in scoring with 17.7 and 14.8 per game averages respectively.
Head coach Mark Fox will have a very experienced group with his roster dominated by upperclassmen, and will have freshman Marcus Thornton, last year's Mr. Basketball in Georgia who originally committed to Clemson. But picking the Dawgs to get past both Kentucky and Florida and make any type of deep run into the NCAA's is a stretch.
Here's a quick glance at how Bookmaker.com stacks up the SEC on the NCAA Championship odds:
SCHOOL / ODDS
Kentucky 8/1
Florida 20/1
Tennessee 20/1
Field 25/1
Mississippi St. 30/1
Alabama 50/1
Georgia 50/1
LSU 50/1
Mississippi 50/1
Originally published at DonBest.com
The cream of Southeastern Conference basketball once again resides in Kentucky with the Wildcats. Perhaps referencing basketball is a bit redundant this time of year even with the college football season in a full frenzy. 'Cream' and 'Kentucky' go together on the gridiron more like, "The Wildcats got creamed again on Saturday..."
When you get right down to it, the best of the SEC on the college hardwood this year is in its East Division where half of the squads are getting 20/1 futures odds or better to win it all. Kentucky at around 8/1 leads the eastern half followed by Florida and Tennessee who are both listed at 20/1 at several offshore shops.
The betting favorite in the West Division, Mississippi State, is priced 30/1 at Bookmaker.com.
Even with their rich tradition, the idea of the Wildcats chalked up to win it all this year is pretty amazing considering their 'graduation rate' from last season. John Calipari's team went to the East Regional final before bowing out last year to West Virginia, 73-66, with Kentucky favored by four. John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson and Eric Bledsoe all bid adieu , so this is a wager on Calipari, Kentucky and several key freshmen who could be the next one-&-done's.
Brandon Knight is expected to fill Wall's shoes in the backcourt and Enes Kanter is going to be the new force on the inside. They're joined by Doron Lamb and Terrence Jones among key incoming frosh.
Kentucky finished last season just ahead at the window with a 20-16 record against college basketball spreads. The Wildcats had a similar record to the high side with a 19-16 'over' mark. UK closed 4-3 ATS and 5-2 'over' through their seven conference and NCAA tournament games.
Bill Donovan's lads over in Gainesville are an interesting bunch. The Gators are right there with Kentucky on the SEC East futures board at plus 150, and 20/1 to win it all.
Florida was very close to missing the NCAA Tournament for a third-straight year following its back-to-back National Championships in 2006-07; considering their short-lived stay in the dance this past March, maybe the Gators belonged in the NIT once again.
The Gators will be one of the most experienced groups to take to the college hardwood this season, a perfect recipe for Donovan's coaching style. The five top scorers from last season – Kenny Boynton, Erving Walker, Chandler Parsons, Alex Tyus and Vernon Macklin – all return. The quintet spread the wealth in 2009-10, each averaging between 10.6 and 14.0 points per game. Those veterans will be joined by two solid freshmen, Casey Prather and Patric Young. It's a team that could provide both solid futures value as well as early-season spread value for hoops bettors.
Tennessee overcame a scandal early last season that led to the outright dismissal of Tyler Smith as well as temporary suspensions to three other players. The Vols ended up in the Midwest Regional final, losing by a point to Michigan State, a tribute to the players as well as head coach Bruce Pearl. All signs pointed to the potential for a great 2010-11 as the school and its fans hoped controversy was behind them.
No such luck.
Pearl and his staff have already been sanctioned by Tennessee for violations stemming from recruiting issues. The Sporting News reported in October that Pearl's contract had been terminated and was being reworked pending the investigation. The NCAA is now looking into the matter.
The Volunteers were recently listed with 7/2 odds to win the SEC East, and 20/1 on the NCAA title board. Junior Scotty Hopson is the top scorer returning from last year's squad that went 28-9 straight up (15-17-2 ATS). Tobias Harris, a 6-foot-8 forward, and 6-foot-6 guard Jordan McRae are the top incoming freshman and among the nation's best high school recruits from this past year.
Pearl and his staff have shown they can put a competitive team on the floor despite major trouble. But with warning flags up to open the season, the Vols are no-go in my book.
Georgia is the best of the rest, and could conceivably unseat Tennessee for third in the SEC East. Juniors Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie return after leading the Bulldogs in scoring with 17.7 and 14.8 per game averages respectively.
Head coach Mark Fox will have a very experienced group with his roster dominated by upperclassmen, and will have freshman Marcus Thornton, last year's Mr. Basketball in Georgia who originally committed to Clemson. But picking the Dawgs to get past both Kentucky and Florida and make any type of deep run into the NCAA's is a stretch.
Here's a quick glance at how Bookmaker.com stacks up the SEC on the NCAA Championship odds:
SCHOOL / ODDS
Kentucky 8/1
Florida 20/1
Tennessee 20/1
Field 25/1
Mississippi St. 30/1
Alabama 50/1
Georgia 50/1
LSU 50/1
Mississippi 50/1