NCAAB preview - Pac 10 Tournament lines
March Madness betting: 'Tis the season of college basketball predictions for bettors so we’ll keep it rolling with our conference tournament previews. The Pac 10 Tournament runs from March 11 through March 14, and Pac 10 Tournament odds include all 10 teams.
As far as the NCAA basketball lines go, UCLA is the favorite according to the Pac 10 Tournament odds, even though Washington is the regular season Pac 10 Champion.
NCAA basketball betting – Pac 10 Tournament
- Five Pac 10 teams could advance to March Madness
- Don’t underestimate the Arizona Wildcats
- UCLA Bruins have won two of the last three titles
Handicappers and their college basketball predictions currently have five teams from the Pac 10 going to March Madness, but that could change. The Arizona Wildcats are currently on the bubble and a first-round loss to Arizona State in the Pac 10 Tournament might put them on the outside looking in. Washington, UCLA, Arizona State and California, all of which have less than 10 losses on the season, should be set for the Dance.
It would be a little awkward if Arizona didn’t make the NCAA Tournament. College basketball predictions at this time of the season have included Arizona for 25 straight years. They have made March Madness 25 straight times and haven’t missed it since Lute Olsen’s first year as head coach. Things would come full circle if they missed the Tournament in their first year without Olsen as head coach.
But don’t underestimate the Wildcats, as many people have.
Pound-for-pound, the Wildcats have the most NBA talent on their roster, which is why they absolutely have to factor in your picks. The Pac 10 is top-heavy, meaning there’s a great disparity between UCLA, Cal, Washington and Arizona State in comparison to the rest of the league, but the gap isn’t as wide with Arizona. The Wildcats are right there but they just haven’t been consistent.
Arizona has to go through Arizona State, whom it’s lost to twice this season already, and then Washington if it wants to make a serious run in Pac 10 Tournament betting. The good news is that it hasn’t lost to Arizona State three times in one season since 1979-80, and it was 1-1 against Washington this season. Don’t be surprised if the Wildcats make a serious push.
On the other side of the bracket, expect UCLA to dominate as Cal and USC don’t offer much of a threat. UCLA should be a big favorite in sportsbook odds in both cases.
PAC-10 Tournament Schedule
At Staples Center – Los Angeles, CA
FIRST ROUND
Wednesday, March 11
Game 1: No. 8 Oregon State vs. No. 9 Stanford, 9 p.m.
Game 2: No. 7 Washington State vs. No. 10 Oregon, 11:30 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
Thursday, March 12
Game 3: No. 4 Arizona State vs. No. 5 Arizona, 3 p.m.
Game 4: No. 1 Washington vs. Game 1 winner, 5:30 p.m.
Game 5: No. 3 California vs. No. 6 USC, 9 p.m.
Game 6: No. 2 UCLA vs. Game 2 winner, 11:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Friday, March 13
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 9 p.m.
Game 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 11:30 p.m.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, March 14
Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 6 p.m.
WASHINGTON'S PICK: If Arizona does catch fire, expect it to shine on the Pac 10 Tournament odds. If Arizona is knocked out early, the Tournament should be UCLA’s to win as the Bruins have won in two of the last three years. Bet on UCLA.
For analysis on Pac 10 Tournament lines and other college basketball predictions, stay in touch with the Betting Edge and bet sports with the BetOnline.com offshore sportsbook.
WashingtonTucker 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.
