Basketball handicapping – top seeds dropping in conference tourneys
March Madness betting handicappers are getting an early taste of the madness—conference tournaments are underway and there is no shortage of craziness that has transpired in the first couple of days. Several No. 1 seeds have fallen, we’ve seen a game feature six overtimes and, quite frankly, who knows what to expect next? It’s been a wild and wacky run, and more is sure to come. Let’s recap.
Basketball handicapping: NCAAB conference tournaments so far
- Potential No. 1 seeds dropping like flies
- North Carolina will be resting Ty Lawson
- Oklahoma has Blake Griffin but lacks depth
The Big 12 was turned upside down when Kansas lost to Baylor, then Oklahoma lost to Oklahoma City. The Big East also endured its share of shockers as basketball handicapping experts watched Syracuse upend Connecticut after six overtimes and West Virginia topple another potential No. 1 seed, Pittsburgh.
All year long the No. 1 seed has been falling in and out of the top spot, and no one has stepped up to the plate in the conference tournaments to earn their top seeding.
March Madness odds fans are expecting to see North Carolina emphasize its dominance in the ACC Tournament, but it’s going to rest star point guard Ty Lawson, which indicates the Tar Heels’ heart isn’t fully into an ACC Tournament win.
So who does that leave as the No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament? Sportsbook oddsmakers still project North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Louisville emerging, but does Oklahoma get the last spot?
Unless Louisville and North Carolina dominate their respective tournaments, this could be one of the weakest groups of No. 1 seeds that we have seen in a long time.
Oklahoma may have the best prospective NBA talent on its roster, and potential the best player in all of college in Blake Griffin, but it lacks depth. The Tar Heels may be the strongest team in the nation, but compared to the Memphis Tigers from last year, or either of the Florida Gators teams in the previous two seasons—or even some of their other strong teams this decade—this version of the powder blue looks weaker.
Does anyone trust Louisville? And how good is Memphis, after crushing everyone in the weak Conference USA? UConn might be a high seed but, without point guard Jerome Dyson, how far can the Huskies really go?
Basketball handicapping fans should be clear on one thing: outside of North Carolina, there is no real dominant team heading to the NCAA Tournament. But that is exactly what the madness is all about.
Without many clear cut favorites, basketball handicapping sharps will have to be careful with who they trust and don’t be surprised if this tournament goes to the dogs more than usual.
For more March Madness betting information or analysis on NCAA basketball odds, check out the Betting Edge every day.
Washington Tucker was practically raised at Rucker Park. Though a freak knee injury cost him a major college basketball scholarship, his “sixth-sense” on the hardwood has translated into a spectacular career in basketball handicapping. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
