NCAA Basketball Betting – Final Four Odds & Pick
It’s that time of the year again, the Final Four is upon us, and the field is set. Before we delve into that though, let’s take a step back and see how we got to this point.
This year’s NCAA Tournament saw a pair of number two seeds get ousted in the first round in Missouri and Duke. In a year where most people were projecting all chalk to make it down to the last four, just one of those teams remain. In the two years before this one we saw Cinderella team, Butler reach the championship game.
In last year’s we saw Butler and VCU getting to the final four. The closest thing we have to that this year would be fourth-seeded Louisville. Not exactly movie material.
So while the drama may not be there, the storyline sure is in the way of a Louisville versus Kentucky match-up on Saturday. If anything could rival the Christian Laettner shot in 1992, this game could be it.
So, let’s take a look at the teams that have managed to make it this far.
Louisville +1000
I think everyone will agree that this is the true long shot of the field in this year’s final four. They have upset many teams along the way during this seemingly magical run, including wins against the Michigan State Spartans, Florida Gators, and the New Mexico Lobos.
With only their first round victory against Davidson being no great surprise.
Next up for the Cardinals is their bitter rival in the Kentucky Wildcats. This will be one of the biggest games in final four history without a doubt just because of the intensity that is involved in this rivalry that pits Cardinals coach Rick Pitino against the school he once coached.
Kansas +500
Possibly the most overlooked team in the field this year, but by all means have stars in Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor. Nevertheless, this may have been the least gifted team Bill Self has had during his tenure.
The Jayhawks got here with their win over a shorthanded North Carolina team, but take nothing away from their remarkable run during this postseason.
They deserve to be in the spot that they are in right now have the goods to get it done in the Big Easy. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Ohio State +260
A huge favorite early on in the season, but the Buckeyes hit a little snag during the course of the season when star forward Jared Sullinger wasn’t playing at his best. He was turning the ball over constantly, and just couldn’t get things going.
Then during the postseason, things have just clicked on all cylinders as Ohio State hasn’t looked back since. Deshaun Thomas has also come on in a big way, making this team the one to beat.
Kentucky -140
This Wildcat team is easily the favorite for this year. They have been for most of the season as well, and they have done exactly what was expected of them. The question is whether or not John Calipari can finally get over the hump and win the big game.
To do that they will have to get by hated Bluegrass State rival Louisville, which will be no easy feat.
Prediction: Louisville —I just think there is something about this Louisville Cardinal team. It’s going to be an incredibly tough game this Saturday against the Wildcats, but there are so many similarities between this year’s Louisville team, and last year’s Connecticut team.
After watching the game against Florida, you just can’t help but think that it just doesn’t seem possible for them to lose.
Look for Louisville to be cutting down the nets in New Orleans this year.
