Big 10 College Basketball Betting Preview 2011

Written by:
Carrie Stroup
Published on:
Nov/01/2011
Big 10 College Basketball Betting Preview 2011

Carrie Stroup here with your Big 10 College Basketball betting preview courtesy of our friends from Sportsbook.com.  Be sure to claim your FREE $250 here when joining (restrictions do apply).

Unlike some other conferences, the Big Ten has a clear-cut favorite to come
out on top with the Ohio State Buckeyes, led by one of the best players in
the country in Jared Sullinger. This is not to discredit this conference's
depth though, with Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State among teams that
can definitely expect to be dancing come March. Additionally, some other
teams may be surprisingly competitive despite low expectations, such as
Indiana and Iowa. Ultimately, it will be another physical season of Big Ten
hoops.



Predicted Order of Finish:

1. Ohio State

2. Michigan

3. Wisconsin

4. Michigan State

5. Illinois

6. Minnesota

7. Indiana

8. Iowa

9. Purdue

10. Northwestern

11. Nebraska

12. Penn State


 

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

2010-11 SU Record: 92% (34-3)

2010-11 ATS Record: 53% (18-16)

2010-11 Over (Total): 56% (19-15)

Returning Starters: 2

Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 8/1

Ohio State brings back only two starters, but its top two scorers from last
season return in Jared Sullinger and William Buford. The forward Sullinger
was a standout freshman and could win National Player of the Year honors
this season after not declaring for the NBA Draft. The Buckeyes are one of
the top teams in the nation and will be under good leadership with Thad
Matta, who won't be afraid to throw freshman point guard Shannon Scott into
the fire right away. While the conference has a lot of depth, there is no
doubt that Ohio State is the cream of the crop and should easily earn
another conference title.



MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

2010-11 SU Record: 60% (21-14)

2010-11 ATS Record: 73% (22-8)

2010-11 Over (Total): 57% (16-12)

Returning Starters: 4

Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 40/1

After almost upsetting Duke in the Round of 32 in last year's NCAA
Tournament, the Wolverines return a talented core of four starters to help
them advance farther this year. Although they lost their leading scorer from
last season in Darius Morris, Tim Hardaway Jr. (13.9 PPG) should be able to
fill the scoring void. Add two talented freshmen into the mix with guards
Carlton Brundidge and Trey Burke, this should be a difficult team to defend.
Ohio State is the class of the conference, but Michigan has the most
potential to give them a run for their money.




WISCONSIN BADGERS

2010-11 SU Record: 74% (25-9)

2010-11 ATS Record: 57% (17-13)

2010-11 Over (Total): 59% (17-12)

Returning Starters: 2

Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship:  60/1

Wisconsin has only two returning starters from last year's squad, but one of
them is senior guard Jordan Taylor, who averaged 18.1 PPG last season.
Taylor is a deadly 3-point shooter (42.9%) and is also his team's top
returning rebounder (4.1 RPG) and assist man (4.7 APG). Jarrod Uthoff is a
key recruit in Bo Ryan's frontcourt, helping complete a Badgers' squad that
is fairly even with Michigan's.


MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

2010-11 SU Record: 56% (19-15)

2010-11 ATS Record: 34% (11-21)

2010-11 Over (Total): 39% (13-20)

Returning Starters: 2

Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 40/1

Michigan State will miss Kalin Lucas, the engine of their offense last
season, but that could pave the way for the Spartans frontcourt to shine.
Forward Draymond Green is an inside and outside threat, knocking down more
than one three-pointer per game last season while also pulling in 8.6
rebounds per contest. Small forward recruit Branden Dawson is one of the top
recruits in the nation, and Tom Izzo always manages to turn his team into
late-season contenders.



ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

2010-11 SU Record: 59% (20-14)

2010-11 ATS Record: 52% (17-16)

2010-11 Over (Total): 50% (16-16)

Returning Starters: 1

Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 100/1

After Michigan State, there is another drop in class within the conference,
with Illinois heading the next tier. The Fighting Illini only have one
starter coming back from last season, but are built for the future with a
strong recruiting class. Center Nnanna Egwu, point guard Tracy Abrams, power
forward Mike Shaw, and small forward Mycheal Henry are four very strong
freshmen who should help juniors Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson shoulder
the scoring load.


MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS

2010-11 SU Record: 55% (17-14)

2010-11 ATS Record: 36% (11-20)

2010-11 Over (Total): 48% (14-15)

Returning Starters: 3

Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 100/1

Minnesota unfortunately fell victim to a number of injuries last season, but
brings back what should be one of the best frontcourts in the conference.
Trevor Mbakwe averaged a double-double last season (13.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG),
while Ralph Sampson III averaged over two blocks per game last season. If
their guards can contribute, they will surprise.



INDIANA HOOSIERS

2010-11 SU Record: 38% (12-20)

2010-11 ATS Record: 40% (10-15)

2010-11 Over (Total): 50% (13-13)

Returning Starters: 4

Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 100/1

Indiana might be the surprise of the conference, at least in terms of
defying expectations. The Hoosiers were a dreadful 3-15 in conference last
year, but bring back four starters (Christian Watford, Verdell Jones III,
Jordan Hulls and Maurice Creek) add one of the nation's premier big men in
Cody Zeller.



IOWA HAWKEYES

2010-11 SU Record: 36% (11-20)

2010-11 ATS Record: 47% (14-16)

2010-11 Over (Total): 44% (12-15)

Returning Starters: 4

Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 200/1

Iowa brings back four starters from last season including its top three
scorers, led by Matt Gatens (12.6 PPG) in the backcourt. The Hawkeyes have
the most potential down low, however, led by Melsahn Basabe who shot 57.2%
from the floor last season, with 11.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks
per contest.



PURDUE BOILERMAKERS

2010-11 SU Record: 77% (26-8)

2010-11 ATS Record: 62% (18-11)

2010-11 Over (Total): 50% (15-15)

Returning Starters: 3

Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 75/1

This will be a transitional year for the Boilermakers - even though they
return three starters, they will have to replace the 38.5 PPG that JaJuan
Johnson and E'Twaun Moore combined for last season. Fifth-year senior Robbie
Hummel is fully healthy after multiple knee surgeries, but 5-foot-9 Lewis
Jackson (8.0 PPG) is the highest-scoring returnee from last season.


NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS

2010-11 SU Record: 59% (20-14)

2010-11 ATS Record: 54% (15-13)

2010-11 Over (Total): 57% (16-12)

Returning Starters: 4

Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 200/1

With four returning starters, the Wildcats have a chance to fight their way
out of the Big Ten cellar this season. The key will be John Shurna building
on his success last season when he averaged 16.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and
made 43.4% of his three-point attempts.



NEBRAKSA CORNHUSKERS

2010-11 SU Record: 59% (19-13)

2010-11 ATS Record: 44% (11-14)

2010-11 Over (Total): 36% (9-16)

Returning Starters: 4

Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 300/1

Although the Cornhuskers have four returning starters, they do not have the
talent to compete in the Big Ten on a nightly basis. They have hope down low
with big man Jorge Brian Diaz (10.5 PPG), but this new addition to the
conference will struggle mightily.



PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

2010-11 SU Record: 56% (19-15)

2010-11 ATS Record: 59% (17-12)

2010-11 Over (Total): 50% (14-14)

Returning Starters: 3

Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 300/1

The Nittany Lions will run into great difficulties this season finding ways
to score without star guard Talor Battle (20.3 PPG), and three other
departing players who combined for 27.0 PPG last season (Jeff Brooks, David
Jackson and Andrew Jones).

- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter

Football News News

Syndicate