Odds to win 2012 College Basketball Championship
The non-conference season is in full swing in college hoops and there are many teams that can win the Big Dance this season with no clear-cut favorite, even though Kentucky has the lowest odds. All of the rankings and stats are as of December 16th.
Kentucky Wildcats
Odds: +350
Kentucky is the 3rd ranked team in the nation and they recently lost their first game of the season. UK has one of the most athletic teams in the nation and they rank in the top 15 in both scoring and rebounding. Doron Lamb and Terrence Jones are one of the best G/F combos in the nation and each is shooting over 50% from beyond the 3-point arc. They have shown they can beat the big teams with wins over Kansas and North Carolina.
North Carolina Tar Heels
+400
UNC is the 4th ranked team in the nation and they rank in the top 10 in scoring, rebounding, and assists, but they already have 2 losses and have yet to win a game against a ranked team. Harrison Barnes is a Player of the Year candidate and the Tar Heels are stacked and it looks as if the ACC title will come down to them and Duke once again.
Ohio State
+500
Ohio State lost to Kansas in their first loss of the season, but they already beat North Carolina. The Buckeyes are a high scoring team that can flat out shoot the rock, but their rebounding is a concern. Jared Sullinger is the leading Player of the Year candidate and is averaging a double-double this season. He recently came back from a bad back and MUST be healthy for OSU to make a title run.
Duke
+800
Duke is a very young team, but they are still solid team and have a big win over Kansas already. The Plumlee brothers lead the Blue Devils in rebounding, but overall Duke only ranks 250th in the nation in boards per game. Austin Rivers and Seth Curry are one of the best backcourt duos in the nation and no matter what the odds are Duke is always a good betting value.
Syracuse
Odds: +800
As of December 16th the Orange are the top-ranked team and one of only 9 teams in the top 25 that has yet to lose this season. However, they only have 1 win over a ranked team this season and do not face a team that is currently ranked until Big East play begins. Kris Joseph is the leading scorer and rebounder, but at only 6’7” the Orange may struggle when they face teams that have a legitimate big man.
Connecticut Huskies
Odds: +1100
UCONN has 2 wins over ranked teams, but Florida State and Harvard are not really big wins. The defending champions are a decent team offensively and a good team on the boards, but can the young guys step up and repeat as National Champions? I would say no, as they are not as good as they were last season.
Louisville
Odds: +1400
Louisville is undefeated and may be a good betting value at +1400. The Cardinals only have one win over a ranked team and while they are not a high scoring team they are very athletic, play great defense, and rank 18th in the nation in rebounds per game.
Here are the odds to win the NCAA Tournament at Bodog as of December 16th.
- Kentucky Wildcats +350
- North Carolina Tar Heels +400
- Ohio State Buckeyes +500
- Duke Blue Devils +800
- Syracuse Orange +800
- Connecticut Huskies +1100
- Louisville Cardinals +1400
- Vanderbilt Commodores +2500
- Memphis Tigers +2800
- Indiana Hoosiers +3300
- UCLA Bruins +3300
- Pittsburgh Panthers +3300
- Michigan State Spartans +3300
- Kansas State Wildcats +3300
- Florida Gators +3300
- Kansas Jayhawks +3300
- Baylor Bears +4000
- Arizona Wildcats +4000
- Georgetown Hoyas +4000
- Michigan Wolverines +4000
- Xavier Musketeers +5000
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish +5000
- Villanova Wildcats +5000
- St. John’s Red Storm +5000
- Gonzaga Bulldogs +5000
- Butler Bulldogs +5000
- Texas Longhorns +6000
- Wisconsin Badgers +6600
- Alabama Crimson Tide +6600
- Washington Huskies +6600
- Texas A&M Aggies +6600
- Missouri Tigers +7500
- West Virginia Mountaineers +8000
- Illinois Fighting Illini +8000
- Florida State Seminoles +8000
- Mississippi State Bulldogs +8000
- Maryland Terrapins +8000
- UNLV Rebels +10000
- Tennessee Volunteers +10000
- Purdue Boilermakers +10000
- Oregon Ducks +10000
- Marquette Golden Eagles +10000
- Georgia Bulldogs +10000
- Washington State Cougars +10000
- North Carolina State Wolfpack +10000
- Oklahoma Sooners +12500
- Clemson Tigers +12500
- USC Trojans +15000
- San Diego State Aztecs +15000
- Stanford Cardinal +15000
- Mississippi Rebels +15000
- Oklahoma State Cowboys +15000
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets +15000
- Iowa Hawkeyes +15000
- Colorado Buffaloes +15000
- Miami Hurricanes +17500
- Arizona State Sun Devils +20000
- Seton Hall Pirates +20000
- LSU Tigers +20000
- Virginia Tech Hokies +20000
- Brigham Young Cougars +20000
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons +30000
