2013 Big 10 Betting Futures
The college basketball season is just days away. It’s never too early to start doing your homework so you can beat up on the books from November all the way through March Madness. CappersPicks will be previewing all the major conferences over the next few days. Up next is the Big Ten.
This conference is down in football, but they are elite in basketball. Included by each team name are odds to win the Big 10 from BetOnline.
Preseason Coaches Poll (Link)
Let’s take a look at the whole conference.
1. Michigan State (+175)
There is probably only one team in the Big Ten that is truly capable winning the national title this year, and it is the Michigan State Spartans. Gary Harris was sensational as a freshman, and he’ll be the best player in the conference this year. Branden Dawsen was hurt much of last year, and he’ll back and stronger.
Adreian Payne is a versatile big man on both ends of the floor. It doesn’t hurt to have Tom Izzo on the bench coaching either.
2. Ohio State (+250)
The Buckeyes have been to the Sweet 16 four years in a row. Aaron Craft is a great leader for this team. Craft’s heart and hustle make him a fan favorite. He isn’t really a scorer though, and the Buckeyes will need someone to step up and replace Deshaun Thomas.
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Can LaQuinton Ross do it? Ohio State has top-notch depth, and that’s tough to beat.
3. Michigan (+350)
The Wolverines are tough to put a figure on this season. Losing Trey Burke and Tim Hardway Jr. really crushed the team’s hopes of being elite this year, but they do still have an abundance of young talent. Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III are a dynamic duo on the inside. This team has a high upside.
4. Wisconsin (+650)
Wisconsin has never finished lower than fourth in the Big Ten standings in Bo Ryan’s 12 seasons with the team. Why on earth would I pick them to finish lower than fourth? Sam Dekker should have a great year, and this team is always a contender.
5. Indiana (+500)
Tom Crean’s team probably underachieved a bit last year, especially in the NCAA Tournament. The Hoosiers lost Zeller, Oladipo, Watford, and Hulls from last year’s roster. Yogi Ferrell will be counted on to be a team leader this year, and Will Sheehey is the veteran of the squad.
The Hoosiers are still a quality team, but they aren’t even close to the level they were at last year.
6. Iowa (+1000)
I like what Fran McCaffrey is doing with this program. Iowa would have been in the Big Dance if they had just finished off Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament last year. The Hawkeyes lost in the NIT title game at Madison Square Garden, and this team returns four of five starters.
7. Purdue (+1500)
Matt Painter’s teams play very hard on the defensive end, and they have a little more talent to work with in West Lafayette compared to last season.
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The Boilermakers should be slightly improved.
8. Illinois (+1200)
John Groce’s team has some talent, but losing Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson is bound to hurt this team quite a bit. The Fighting Illini will be up and down this year.
9. Northwestern (+5000)
Northwestern hasn’t been terrible the last few years, and Chris Collins coming in makes this team dangerous. They won’t be great this year, but watch out in the next few seasons.
10. Minnesota (+2500)
Good guard play from Andre Hollins and Austin Hollins makes this team dangerous. Still, the Golden Gophers have a lot of holes on the inside.
Richard Pitino has a tough task ahead of him.
11. Penn State (+5000)
Penn State has a lot of work to do, and it isn’t going to happen in one year.
12. Nebraska (+7500)
Nebraska is a football school, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Free Pick: Michigan State- The Spartans have a great inside and outside game, and they have the best coach in the conference.
