2009 March Madness Basketball Future Odds – NCAA Tournament Lines
The NCAA Tournament has played out pretty much how you would expect with most of the top seeds still chasing the dream. Now let’s get down to business and go over the odds for each of the 16 teams to cut down the nets in Detroit.
North Carolina +275 – The Tar Heels are the most talented team in the country and Ty Lawson only makes them better. They have however had a few lackluster performances this year even with Lawson.
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Louisville +450 – The #1 seed overall in the tournament has slipped under the radar and might have a chip on their shoulder for not getting the same recognition as other teams from the Big East. They don’t have a player that can take over a game consistently.
Pittsburgh +500 – Pittsburgh has 3 different players that can take over any game in Sam Young, DeJuan Blair and Levance Fields. They could potentially face Blake Griffin or Tyler Hansborough in the final four which would not be good news for the Panthers.
Connecticut +600 – The Huskies have proven they are worthy of a #1 seed by dominating their first 2 opponents and just about everybody else throughout to season. Defensive superstar Hasheem Thabeet is prone to getting in foul trouble and hasn’t fared very well against DeJuan Blair in the 2 matchups earlier in the season.
Memphis +700 – The Tigers are a long, fast and aggressive team that is playing with a chip on their shoulder. They haven’t been tested like many of the other teams throughout the year so we don’t know how they will react when they are tested.
Duke +1000 – Duke has quality talent, athleticism and probably the most fundamentality sound team left in the tournament. However, they lack the quality big man that it takes to make a deep run.
Oklahoma +1500 – Oklahoma has the best player in the country Blake Griffin and a solid supporting cast. They are inexperienced and are a different team outside the Lloyd Noble Center.
Villanova +1800 – Villanova fared well in the tough Big East Conference by relying on outstanding guard play. Like Duke, they lack quality big men that can dominate a game if the shots aren’t falling from the perimeter.
Michigan State +1800 – Michigan State is not the sexiest team going right now, but they are deep and whipped Kansas earlier in the year by 13. The biggest questions are if they can stay healthy and can they play with emotion for 4 more games?
Kansas +1900 – Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich make a great duo that has some final four experience. The rest of the team is young and inconsistent.
Gonzaga +2000 – Gonzaga definitely has talent and can shoot from the perimeter. Unfortunately for them they matchup with UNC and then the winner of Syracuse/Oklahoma just to get to the final four.
Syracuse +2000 – Syracuse is a very hot team right now with Eric Devendorf leading the way. However, they haven’t proven they can beat the best teams such as Louisville, Connecticut and Pittsburgh.
Missouri +2700 – Missouri is a deep, aggressive and defensive minded team that goes by the mantra “40 minutes of hell.” They look like they are running out of gas even though they are a deep team.
Arizona +3500 – Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger and Nic Wise make up the 3 headed monster that has driven Arizona to this point in the tournament. Louisville’s depth and defensive prowess will end Arizona’s run to Detroit.
Purdue +3500 – Purdue is a young team led in scoring by 3 sophomores that won the Big 10 tournament. Unfortunately for them the Big 10 has been proven to be over-rated and they face a difficult matchup versus Connecticut.
Xavier +5000 – Xavier is a solid defensive and offensive team led by BJ Raymond. But there is a reason they are the longest shot in the field, the Sweet 16 matchup with Pitt is brutal, not to mention potential matchups that could prove to be just as difficult.
March Madness Prediction
If Lawson can stay healthy I think UNC will win it all.
I think Pittsburgh has the easiest road to the final four, but will have a difficult matchup upon getting there.
Tournament Longshots
If you are looking for a long shot I like both Missouri and Syracuse to make some noise.
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Chris Hahn is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. He’s a Wichita State Shockers season tix holder! But don’t hold that against him ok? He flat out loves his college HOOPS! Got a comment? In the mood to run a little smack? Chris wants to hear from you, so comment below!
