NCAA Basketball Betting – UNC, Duke slated to rule ACC yet again
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A sportsbook bet with North Carolina or Duke to win the ACC would be a pretty solid bet as they’ve combined to win all but one conference title since 1997. The two are favored once again in the ACC, but can anyone stop it?
North Carolina Tar Heels
Odds to Win the ACC: +150
The returning national champions are ranked sixth to start the season, and the biggest question is, will there be much of a drop-off when you consider that the Tar Heels lost Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Danny Green and Wayne Ellington to the NBA? Forward Ed Davis could be the next Tar Heels star, and Deon Thompson has been around for a while as a senior. Marcus Ginyard is another senior and he had last year ruined with a broken foot. The big question for sportsbook players is whether Larry Drew II is ready to step into Lawson’s shoes at the point. Regardless, North Carolina will be favored by many who bet sports.
Duke Blue Devils
Odds to Win the ACC: +250
The Blue Devils, ranked ninth in the preseason, won last year’s ACC tournament before falling in the Sweet 16, and many are wondering to see if Duke will change their perimeter-heavy offensive scheme. Preseason All-America Kyle Singler is a power forward by nature, but he is more of a wing player and outside shooter. Jon Scheyer was the MVP of the ACC tournament and he’s back to stretch the defense, but the Blue Devils have to replace Gerald Henderson, who was the only Duke player who could create his own shot. Lance Thomas will be counted on to increase the Blue Devils’ online betting chances from the post, and Duke fans are also waiting to see what Mason Plumlee can do.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Odds to Win the ACC: +500
The Yellow Jackets were the worst team in the ACC last year with only a pair of conference wins, but this year they’re being tipped as one of the sleeper sports picks in college football this season. Gani Lawal is a double-double threat in the post, and Iman Shumpert is the point man, but the x-factor is freshman Derrick Favors, a wing player who was one of the highest-rated prospects coming into this year. Favors is one of a top-five recruiting class that has Georgia Tech fans dreaming of a possible internet betting upset.
Clemson Tigers
Odds to Win the ACC: +800
The Tigers were a middle of the pack team last year, and they lost free-scoring guard K.C. Rivers, but Trevor Booker is an experienced and dependable option in the post. Some are saying that this incoming class of freshmen is the best in Clemson’s history, led by forward Milton Jennings. Clemson has reached the NCAA Tournament for two straight years, and now they’re just looking for a win. If not this year, next year, Clemson will make some noise in the internet gambling community.
Maryland Terrapins
Odds to Win the ACC: +800
The Terrapins returned to the Tournament last year before falling in the second round, and in Greivis Vasquez, Maryland has one of the most versatile players in the country and one that can change a game by himself (go back to last year’s triple-double against North Carolina for proof). Landon Milbourne will have to play in the post as the Terrapins are lacking in depth down low, but they’ll be in good shape if Jordan Williams and/or James Padgett can step right in as freshmen. Still, as Vasquez goes, the Terps’ sportsbook chances go.
2009 ACC Pick
Georgia Tech is still too young as a group, and Maryland looks to be a one-man show, while Clemson does nothing to stand out. Therefore, look for another race between North Carolina and Duke. The meetings between them (February 10th at North Carolina, March 6 at Duke) will be highly anticipated, and they’ll have a direct outcome on the ACC title.
It won’t be pretty as they’ll have to play more defense than they did last year, but go with North Carolina in your sports picks this year.
2 replies on “2009 ACC Basketball Preview”
Looking at this year’s teams I think it is Duke’s turn to win the ACC as I believe there is enough young talent to fill the gaps of players they lost, like Gerald Henderson.
It will be an interesting year for UNC as they have lost a lot of senior players, but the still have the best chance to win the ACC.