NCAA Basketball Betting – Bruins favored in drive for five
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Sportsbook players are used to seeing UCLA’s name at the top of the favorites for the NCAA basketball champions, and definitely in the Pac-10. For four straight years, the Bruins have either won the regular-season crown, the conference tournament, or both. Can anyone stop them before they reach five?
UCLA Bruins
Odds to win the Pac-10: +200
The Bruins lost Darren Collison, Josh Shipp, Alfred Aboya and Jrue Holiday from last year, and they were four of UCLA’s top five scorers. They’re a very young squad with nine freshmen or sophomores in the lineup, and it looks like it’ll be a very defensive team in the beginning, at least. Jerime Anderson is the new point guard in town with Collison gone, and a lot of people are watching for Malcolm Lee at the two-spot. Still, we think UCLA’s sportsbook odds are a bit too good this year, unless coach Ben Howland gets them working on defense. It would be similar to taking Tennessee’s NFL odds before the season started, but not as bad.
California Golden Bears
Odds to win the Pac-10: +300
Want to know the last time that Cal won the Pac-10? 1960. This year could be different as four of their starters are back from last year, including the guard duo of Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher. Cal was the best three-point shooting team in the nation last year, but to improve their online sports betting chances, they need more scoring inside. Markhuri Sanders-Frison transferred in to try and fill that void. Hopefully they can do better than the football team, who many had in their NCAA football picks.
Washington Huskies
Odds to win the Pac-10: +400
The Huskies took the regular-season title for the first time since 1984, and with frosh Adbul Gaddy joining Isaiah Thomas in the backcourt, Washington could be one of the most entertaining teams to watch this year. The Huskies lost Jon Brockman to graduation, and he was their main inside scorer, so look for the Huskies to be more outside-oriented. However, they better have spent the summer shooting, as they hit only 33.7% of their threes last year. They could be one of the trendier sports picks of the college hoops season, so beware.
Arizona Wildcats
Odds to win the Pac-10: +400
Nic Wise is the star of the show now that Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill are going to NBA, and new coach Sean Miller is in town after guiding a successful Xavier program. Kyle Fogg joins Wise in the backcourt, while Derrick Williams and Solomon Hill could be battling for a spot. The Wildcats aren’t that big, meaning that Kyryl Natyazhko probably has the inside track on the center.
Oregon State Beavers
Odds to win the Pac-10: +1000
The Beavers were one of the biggest surprises of last year, going from a winless team to a seven-win team, and they have pretty much everyone back. Calvin Haynes led the team in scoring off the bench last year, as Josh and Seth Tarver were the starters, and that is likely to be the scenario again unless either Tarver brother stumble. The X-factor is Roeland Schaftenaar, who put on 25 pounds in the summer and could dominate in a small Pac-10.
2009 Pac-10 Pick
UCLA are too inexperienced, Washington can’t shoot from outside, and Arizona will be still getting used to Miller’s coaching ways. Therefore, Cal is in pole position to win their first Pac-10 title in 50 years with experience, depth and a great coach in Mike Montgomery. Go with Washington in your online betting picks.
One reply on “2009 Pac Ten Basketball Preview”
Arizona is tought to beat, and UCLA is always in the running. My pick is the Bruins.