Which groups must you buy or fade ahead of March
11:45 AM ET Dalen CuffESPN As we turn the calendar to February, March looms big on the college basketball landscape and the nationwide awareness. This year’s tournament ought to be wild as no team( outside perhaps Purdue )has actually separated itself. We have yet to see greatness however have seen a great deal of excellent teams efficient in making it to Houston and lowering the internet. But prior to we have the bracket and break down the madness, there is still money to be made in the futures market on the national tournament– plus worth on some conference winners.Odds from Caesars Sportsbook Breaking down the power conference races And we’ll begin there, the power conference races. The Big 10 is a wrap with Purdue at
-1800, and truly so. Alabama(-240 )isn’t a lock with Tennessee Volunteers also in the mix, however the Vols have to dip into Bama and have a tougher schedule to go while currently one game back in the standings. UCLA is -185 in the Pac-12 and while Arizona has the possible to win a national title this year, they have actually revealed inconsistency. That leads me to think that UCLA, with a better record and a home game left against the Wildcats, will win the conference in the end. Virginia Cavaliers(-150) In the ACC
, I took Virginia just two weeks
earlier when they were +180. Now they’re where they should be truly at -150. The ACC has some good groups in the middle, bad groups at the back and not much top-end skill. The Cavaliers are the most consistent squad, and a house game against Clemson is their only real competition left. They are well placed to win the title. Kansas State Wildcats( +250)The Big 12
is the best conference in college hoops,
and it’s not close. The marketplace shows this, with Texas currently the favorite( +180), Kansas(+225 )and after that Kansas State (+250 ). Those odds will unquestionably move after the Wildcats play at Allen Fieldhouse tonight. While Texas is the preferred currently, the Longhorns still have the 4 hardest roadway games left on the calendar( Kansas, K-State, Baylor, TCU) and a home game against the Jayhawks. Despite their lead in the standings, I don’t believe they’re the play.Kansas State has the inverted, the Wildcats have actually won a few of their most hard road games, at Baylor and Texas. They also have staying roadway games that are the easiest( relatively; once again this league is packed) at Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and West Virginia. At +250, K State is getting my money, but I’m also putting some on Kansas. First off since they’re KU and the Big 12 title is nearly a due but also since I think this going to be a shared title between the Sunflower State rivals. Both are excellent value currently, and I expect those costs to come down in the next week. Marquette Golden Eagles(+135)In the Big East, Xavier is a minor favorite at -110 and capable of winning it, however Marquette at +135
is where I’m putting my money. Shaka Smart’s team have actually been a surprise this season; they’re the most efficient offense in the country and lead the Big East in protective TO rate. They’re currently atop the standings and have a favorable schedule to close out the regular season; the Golden Eagles are the play. Teams to look at ahead of NCAA competition All right, let’s talk competition. Choosing winners without knowing the bracket can
be a futile workout. However, there are some futures
plays that I think are worth your attention.First off, I actually like Houston(+140 )and Purdue( +240)to make the Last Four. Being a No. 1 seed significantly increases the odds of a group reaching the Final 4. These 2 groups will certainly be No. 1 seeds, and among the 2 will be the No. 1 general seed in the tournament. As I stated above, Purdue has actually slightly started to separate itself with its consistency and 7-foot-4 Zach Edey. The Boilermakers understand exactly who they are and are exceptionally hard to beat. Consistency is crucial, and Houston has that as well. The Cougars are very well coached by Kelvin Sampson and are an elite protective group that has fun with physicality and toughness you hardly ever see at the college level. They likewise have offensive weapons, led by All-American competitor Marcus Sasser. Houston has made deep competition runs over the previous couple of years, and the Final 4 will be held in Houston this year. Nevertheless, I am not ready to take Houston(+600 )and Purdue(+1000)to win everything right now. There are other groups at the top end that I think have greater ceilings than they do, but the question is whether they can reach their full potential.Editor’s Picks 1 Associated In spite of Alabama getting hammered by Oklahoma this past weekend, I still think the team is very talented
on both ends and
might win it all(+1000). The Crimson Tide are modern basketball personified … 3-pointers, layups and totally free throws. They have a guaranteed top-5 pick in Brandon Miller in addition to length and versatility on both ends, ranking in the leading 20 in both offending and protective efficiency.Winning back-to-back national championships is exceptionally hard and unusual(the 2006 and 2007 Florida Gators were last to do it)but I think Kansas is capable (+1200).
Jalen Wilson is a nationwide player of the year competitor, and Costs Self may be the best coach in the business. Playing in the rugged Big 12 Conference prepares the Jayhawks for battles in the tournament.Those 2 teams are more apparent options, however there are 2 groups with longer chances that I’m keeping track of and might purchase within the next week or two. Neither team is ranked now
, however I believe that will alter. North Carolina Tar Heels( +3500)First are last year’s runner-up, North Carolina( +3500).