Tag: College Hoops

March Madness Tournament Bracket Info

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Does tournament playing site favor any team. For instance the Metro Atlantic tournament will be played at the Times-Union Center in Albay – the home floor of the Albany Great Danes – and the Mountain West Conference will be played at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas – the home court of UNLV. Also keep in mind some tournaments play the first round on the home floor of teams with the bettor record and then shift to a neutral site.
How a team has performed on the road, or on neutral floors, during the regular season offers important insight into how it will perform at tournament time. For the record Auburn is 10-3 away from home, Duke is 10-4 while Kentucky is 5-7 and Vanderbilt 0-12.

Strength of schedule is a vital part of the winning equation. Here are the teams that have played the strongest schedules of all the 351 teams. In order, here are the teams that have played the toughest schedules in the country. Vanderbilt, North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Xavier, Texas A&M, Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama and Temple. At the other end of the spectrum, in 51st place., is Alabama A&M.

Current form is extremely important. Two perfect examples of this are Oklahoma (16-11) and Utah (17-9). The Sooners opened the season 14-2 and earned a national ranking but in their last 10 games are 2-8 straight up (SU) and 1-9 against the spread (ATS). As for Utah, the Runnin’ Utes opened their season respectably but all at once seemed to wake up and stand 4-0 in their last four games and two contests back took Arizona to the money in Tucson before losing 74-73 to a Wildcat team that had to hit 64.4% of its field goals to win.

Check and then double-check the injury list to make certain there are no key players out with injuries. For instance, what is the status of Duke superstar forward Marvin Bagley (21.17 points, 11.42 rebounds per game) who has missed the team’s last three games with a knee injury? Will Notre Dame finally get back superstar forward Bonzie Colson (21.4 points, 10.4 rebounds per game) who has missed the last 14 games with a foot injury?

Coaches earn their keep at tournament time and it simply a matter of fact those that have won at tournament time year after year are strong candidates to keep right on doing so.
The spacing of games is extremely important. The winner of the Big East Tournament has to win four games in five days to get the automatic invite to the NCAA Tournament. Tiring, to say the least and teams with depth always have a slight edge. The team with the most overall quality depth is Wichita State which runs 11 players deep.

An underdog that pulls off a major upset is a strong candidate to lose its next game.
There are many elements to winning at tournament time but these eight basics should arm you for success this year.

Written by Mike Anthony for VegasTopDogs.

The Top Teams to watch for in the NCAA tournament

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The madness that is aptly named March Madness has arrived. Where the teams that have been doing great things all season, look to show why they are the best. The big dance, where the little teams want to show up and make that magical run that places them in the books as the Cinderella story. We know sometimes the best of the best dont win – it is sometimes about who is playing the best at the time, and who gets the matchups that favor the team and their skill set. Be sure to visit VegasTopDogs.com for your March Madness Winning action!

But here, we are going to concentrate on the ‘Big 8’ – the top 8 teams in the nation, and who are truly the genuine threats to run the table for the last time this NCAA season and win that coveted NCAA title.

1. Villanova ( 31-3) Ranked 2
ppg 78.5
oppg 63.2
Leading scorer: Sr G, Josh Hart 18.6 ppg
Xfactor: Last years champion. They come in holding their heads high – knowing they are still proven as the team to beat in the tournament this year again. They had a great run last year, and Jay Wright knows how to get the most from his team.
Reason they could run the table: Their accurate and strong ability to close out games.

2. UCLA ( 29-4) Ranked 3
ppg 90.8
oppg 75.0
Leading scorer: Sr G, Bryce Alford 16.2 ppg
Xfactor: They have really good size – and aren’t afraid to body up down low – wearing teams out.
Reason they could run the table: Their non stop offensive attack – with 20 games of scoring 85+ they have firepower that lasts for days. Having never scored less than 74 points, on the season – they are a team that can light up the boards in a hurry.

3. Kansas ( 28-4) Ranked 1
ppg 82.7
oppg 72.4
Leading scorer: Sr G, Frank Mason 20.8 ppg
Xfactor: Their team depth. It has lacked some during the year, if they step up – it could be detrimental in the outcome to how their season ends.
Reason they could run the table: Their deep ball is great. Hitting 41% of their three point attempts on the season, putting them in a position to score points and spread defenses.

4. Oregon ( 29-5) Ranked 5
ppg 79.2
oppg 64.5
Leading scorer: Jr F, Dillon Brooks 16.2 ppg
Xfactor: Who steps in for Chris Boucher? His 2.5 blocks/game and his presence on the offensive glass needs to be accounted for – losing him is a huge concern, and they need someone to do just that.
Reason they could run the table: Their in your face, defensive style buries teams. They swarm teams with tough D – and are not afraid to challenge everything at the rim.

5. North Carolina ( 27-7) Ranked 6
ppg 85.0
oppg 69.9
Leading scorer: Jr F, Justin Jackson 18.1 ppg
Xfactor: How do they bounce back? Losing to Duke was a kick in the guts – will it take the steam out from them?
Reason they could run the table: Having 4 players who can put quiet points up before you notice what they are doing to your defense – and a strong frontcourt in particular.

6. Gonzaga ( 32-1) Ranked 4
ppg 84.6
oppg 61.2
Leading scorer: Jr G, Nigel Williams-Goss 16.9 ppg
Xfactor: Zags region. They are still a mid-major team with big dreams. They are a very good team – but are we going to get a WCC team – that holds off against teams like Santa Clara, and Loyola Marymount – or a big time NCAA basketball program on the court?
Reason they could run the table: They have a swarming smothering defense which has only given up 71 or more only 7 times. Allowing a pitiful 37% shooting to opponents, isn’t a bad stat to carry on your shoulders.

7. Arizona ( 30-4) Ranked 7
ppg 75.8
oppg 64.7
Leading scorer: So G, Allonzo Trier 16.6 ppg
Xfactor: They need to keep opponents turning the ball over. They have struggled at times with making key stops, but if they can cut off passing lanes, force some sloppy play – it would be huge in their favor.
Reason they could run the table: Arizona gets into very smooth rhythms in a hurry. Where everything seems to be clicking for the Wildcats. When they get shooting the ball and their ball movement starts rocking – they cause many problems on the court for teams.

8. Kentucky ( 28-5) Ranked 8
ppg 86.8
oppg 72.1
Leading scorer: Fr G, Malik Monk 21.2 ppg
Xfactor: They need to get up and stay up. They have had times where they look flat – and they are forced to come back to get the W. If they do this too much, it could kick them out earlier than expected. But, as long as they don’t – they could be devastating to handle.
Reason they could run the table: Coach John Calipari. He is a coach with tons of clout, and 25 years of experience on his side. With almost 700 career W’s – the man knows how to win games, it’s been his “thing” for years.

March Madness: Tourney Wagering Tips

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Final4

by Jim Feist

March tournament play is one of the most exciting times of the sports betting calendar. A seemingly endless stream of games, at times running morning, noon and night, will test the nerves and cognitive powers of fans and bettors. It can be a time of highs and lows, with streaks, exciting finishes and surprising upsets.
<BR><BR> There are all kinds of factors to carefully examine. While the big man is so important to winning championships in the NBA, college basketball tournaments find more of a premium on strong guard play. The sparkplug guard handles the ball, controls the tempo, and can go on a hot run from three-point land at any moment. Remember that the college three-point shot is closer to the basket than the NBA trey. In addition, poor guard play can result in too many turnovers, which can be a killer to a team’s momentum and hopes of advancing.

From a betting perspective, it’s important to remember that the general public leans toward the favorite and games over the total. What’s unusual during the March tournaments, especially in the early rounds, is the amount of big-name schools matched up against lesser known colleges. Betting lines on these matchups can be enormous.
This is where a good handicapper needs to understand teams, coaches, styles of play, matchup analysis, and even that the March tournament is a completely new season. All kinds of different things take place.

Teams win in all sports with defense, of course, and college basketball is no different, especially when the games mean so much in March. Many teams that are good enough to make the tournament have relied all year long on defense.
Another point that stands out is the underdog. Naturally, casual bettors are drawn to the big-name teams that are often favorites, like Arizona, Duke, Kentucky and Michigan State. However, there are scores of examples of little known underdogs rising up and sometimes even slaying Goliath. One season in the first round, Wisconsin-Milwaukee upset Alabama 83-73, UConn squeaked by Central Florida 77-71 as a 19-point favorite, Bucknell stunned Kansas 64-63, and Vermont took Syracuse to overtime and won 60-57.
Plenty of live dogs hang in there and regularly pull of big surprises. Don’t be afraid to back underdogs during March tournament play. One way to identify live dogs is how they play down the stretch. If a team is hungry and turns on the jets to either win a conference title or shoot for a 20-win season, that can be reflected in their play, both straight up and against the number.

Another factor to keep in mind is experience. Many lower seeded teams seemingly come out of nowhere and then the school disappears to mediocrity for a few seasons. Of course, they don’t have a lot of experience year after year playing in the tournament, and experience can be an important asset. In March tournament play, the public may be caught off guard by surprises, but the astute sports handicapper anticipates them.

Would the NBA be a better product if young players were forced to play longer in college

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San Antonio Spurs

In a day and age where players options have become so open it gives them all so many choices on what to do. From even going to college, to whether or not they are staying long term, or jumping straight from high school. Should players be able to make their own choices? Of course they should be able to. It doesn’t make any logical sense to say they shouldn’t be able to do as such. Everyone can choose their own path in life.

But, as always, it seems to always come down to making the almighty dollar. And now in a world of the one and done rule in college to turn pro earlier, it is even more ridiculously obvious. Does one seriously think that, that 1 little year in college taking the easiest course is bettering the individual, when everyone and their mother knows the kid is looking to jump ship the second he gets the chance? And the fact of the monster payrolls the players get when going pro, is obviously a very tempting offer. Reading between the lines, if you skip college and go straight to the NBA, even if you aren’t a successful star, you can make enough money from NBA salary to make the decision worth it. Which is sadly becoming a choice that many people want to roll the dice on. Even though most don’t make it, and then they not only have no pro career, but nothing to fall back on either, if they get bumped from the pro level of sports. The money only lasts so long, then what?

The game itself, could be even better if more players were truly ready. And quite obviously, not all players are ready for the next level. I would think that some guys would want to work on their weaknesses in college, before taking it to the pro level. Get their game to the maximum level it can. Think about the kids who jump quick, just to sit at the end of the bench. Seriously, do you think that kids future in the league is bright? Or is he just jumping out and getting paid? Because they aren’t good enough to really be there, which bothers me terribly.

Take a look at 2013 14th pick, Shabazz Muhammad as an example. He was excellent in college. He was scoring 18 a night and grabbing 5 boards a game. Now here he is, in his rookie year in the pros, he’s scoring 4 pts a night, playing 8 minutes a game. And getting paid 1.8 million a year. Does this make sense to anyone, but Shabazz Muhammad? Imagine if he played 2-3 more years in college, he in all probability could have been a 26 ppg guy, running for a title, and in the end, would have likely been a much better player, than he actually believed he was. And yes, would have gotten paid, and probably even better.

The NBA is a business, and it produces entertainment for pay, and that’s fine. But, I think the NBA should be a better tuned machine that picks it’s employees with the absolute best skills to get the big bucks, not a guy scoring 3 a game for millions a year. And I wish the players wanted the best product, and to be the best they can be, as much as the fans, but I don’t think they really care all that much.

If you want to avoid college altogether, then they should have to tryout for the NBA D-league. It’s still pro ball, and they get paid, since that what it really all boils down to. There are vast amounts of very talented players, who not only are playing pro, but are all still looking for that call to get pulled up to the NBA. If truly good enough to make it in the NBA, a D-baller will shine beyond measure. Seriously, think about some of the NBA players who made the jump and were prosperous in the NBA straight from high school. LeBron, he would have lit it up in the D-league. Same goes for Kobe and Kevin Garnett.

Be a better player, to play against the best.

Written by TonyK of VegasTopDogs.com

NBA draft top prospects – how will they live up to their hype?

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draft-lottery

Well it’s time during the NBA playoffs, that we can enjoy the teams making their pushes and hustling for the NBA title this year. But, in the same breath, there is also something else going on, something quieter, in the background of the NBA. The losers who didn’t make the playoffs. Those waiting and watching, and they can get to turn, to find their star players who are coming from college to the NBA in this years draft. This years draftees look strong and ripe and overall it appears that this is going to be a very good draft.

One thing is for sure, just weeks after the crazy-ness of March Madness has ended, and we got to see players pick up their games under the push of the limelight, it always seems to be that there’s simply nothing like playing big time in the NCAA Tournament to move up the NBA draft board. It brings a time for the college stars to have their possibility to showcase their skills in serious pressure-packed conditions against the country’s best athletes. The intensity of the tourney carries a huge weight on the shoulder of the ballers.

Winning big when it matters is a great accomplishment, and certainly Shabazz Napier, benefited from his play. And a great player I also see not getting the attention that I think he justly deserves is Michigan States forward Adreian Payne, who was first-rate during the season, scoring 16 and hitting 50%, including shooting 42% from the 3pt line.

Kansas superstar Andrew Wiggins can play all over the court, and most people have fallen in love with the 6-8 200lb guard. He could perhaps have the best potential to become the next “it” guy. He has impressive dimensions and his athleticism is almost unmatched. And topping that with the fact he plays defense very well, he can be a very potent player for years to come. Julius Randle has an excellent ability to impact any game he is in with his ability to get his teammates involved, whether he is crashing the boards, finding someone hanging around outside the arc looking for an open trey, he has many more ways than one to get a team production. Jabari Parker is the realest star to me, coming out of the college pool this year, who ever gets him will have a starter immediately, and a potential franchise player for years to come.

You really cannot go wrong between Parker, Wiggins and Napier. Even if they don’t all instantly pan out, all 3 have such unique abilities and upside that there’s minimum reason to pass over them in the draft.

Perfect example of season by season is Joel Embiid who was not even really considered a really effective player entering the college season, but Embiid made his cause with his ability to score in the low post and also change the game forcibly on the defensive end. Especially with the fact that the NBA seriously lacks big men who can reign down low in the paint, on both ends of the floor. I don’t see Embiid owning the league quickly, but as a long-term project who will improve over the years.

Napier is unbelievably athletic, he has a lot to bring to a team. I think that many, including myself, have really missed on how good Napier is. He has astounding quickness, an impressive jump shot, and great rebounding ability, with 6 a game for a 6-1 guard. He should, and will be a top 10 pick.

Overall, Parker has the whole package going for him to me. He can move the ball and has great handles. He can defend and rebound and has a great NBA body. I’d personally prefer Parker over anyone else out there. Wiggins has the highest crown, with his abilities. Embiid is a legitimate building block, but his back issues are a huge reason I wouldn’t take him. I have also seen the likes of Hasheem Thabeet, become a waste in the NBA quickly. I have my concerns. Napier will be the surprise guy somebody will steal. And Adreian Payne will be a solid 4 for years to come who can stretch defenses.

Written by TonyK of VegasTopDogs.com

Has Father time has caught up with Kobe Bryant

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Kobe

Kobe Bryant has been a top notch elite player for 17 seasons, entertaining crowds for many years. Coming in at just 18 years old, he was a hall of famer waiting to happen. But now with Kobe Bryant calling it a season after his knee injury, one has to question many things about the Lakers and their approaching plans? And one has to look at Kobe as well.

Kobe has claimed he’s all about winning championships. And he has won his share, evidently with 5 in his back pocket. But yet, he took a tremendous contract at the ripe age of 35 for his 48 million and fundamentally handcuffed the Lakers organization with no room to get any talent around him. Tim Duncan showed more than his share of winning teamwork mentality for the Spurs by accepting less money so they could spend for talent around him, and they have been a changeless winning team for years, winning 55 games a season, like clockwork. Maybe Kobe should of thought about the team instead of taking that extension at his age. Realizing that taking a pay cut may have been the best thing for the team itself, and then getting pieces around him to be able to get closer to winning that ring he claims he is all about, but what does he do? The selfish thing, and takes the huge contract. For Kobe lovers and Lakers fans, can you conceive of his Lakers legacy if he had? He would have been the “Golden Child.” But Kobe more than anything proves again, Kobe is about Kobe.

But he is not just to blame, of course, the Lakers organization was implausibly foolish when they did it in the first place. And now the Lakers and Kobe both shot themselves in the foot with that very same contract. They are seeing now, the actuality off having him take up half the cap space isn’t the way you build a challenger. I would have thought the team would have been smarter than that. They should never have splurged the money to him in the first place, particularly to a player towards the end of his career.

He has been a great player, but no superstars in the league had ever wanted to play with him, going back for years. And until Kobe is retired for good, no superstar will come to Los Angeles. He seems to perpetually blame everyone else and never himself for anything that has gone awry with the team. Maybe the fact that he has shot the ball roughly 9-10 shots more than even the 2nd option scorer on the Lakers team when he plays full time. The Lakers have become a Circus and Kobe is the main attraction. “Come watch our aging player score point on 25% of the teams shots, while we lose by 12.”

This is going to take time to heal for Lakers fans. It’s going be a 2 to 3 year operation. With or without Kobe, they are going nowhere for sometime. The West is way too powerful for them. They are truly in reconstruct mode in every aspect of the word. I would not expect much from them till Kobe’s contract is done and over with. An aging player with way too many miles on those knees. Father time has caught up to Kobe, like he does to every person.

Written by TonyK of VegasTopDogs.com

2014 College Basketball March Madness Contest

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MarchMadn

The field for the NCAA Tournament will be announced on Sunday March 16th, as March Madness is about to take center stage for the next 3 weeks.  When you look for some extra excitement this time of the year, its best to visit VegasTopDogs.com.  College basketball frenzy will be crazy this week with the brackets and office pools.  There will be a huge amount of games to wager on starting this week which makes this a favorite time of year for casual fans, office workers and . . . sports bettors.

The top experts at VTD (VegasTopDogs.com) search across the Web for Basketball news stories about teams, players, injuries, or game results, and makes them available on the site. “VegasTopDogs” is a great idea for both the die-hard and casual sports bettor,” says Las Vegas expert, TonyK. “There is no question that VegasTopDogs.com is the hottest spot in the world for College & NBA action. In order to win you have to bet using their head and not their heart…  Let VegasTopDogs be your sports financial consultant and sports guide.

According to figures released by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, sports bettors annually wager $2 billion in Vegas. For the 2014 Super Bowl, $91.7 million was wagered (up from $71.6 million in 2001, $73 million in 2003 and $81.2 million in 2013) and average $85 million on the NCAA College Basketball Tournament (“ March Madness ”). These two events alone account for nearly 10% of the legal sports gambling action throughout the entire year.

The Gaming Control Board also estimates that more than $3.5 billion is illegally wagered on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament alone.

VegasTopDogs will help to better understand and increase your chances of winning on sports and in college basketball wagers during March Madness  They feature some of the Nation’s best handicappers from New York to Las Vegas. The gentlemen featured on this site were hand-picked professionals that have made a career in the sports gambling industry.
A recent study conducted by Directions Research, found that of the people who bet on sports, 78% said they gambled on the NFL, 45% on horse racing , 36% on NCAA football , 36% on NCAA basketball , 22% on Major League Baseball and 20% on the NBA.

“With so many major events tempting the sports bettor between now and the end of March Madness in April, it’s only fitting to declare this time period as ‘Gambling Season,’” said expert veteran handicapper at VegasTopDogs, Tony Karpinski, who also serves as Director of Operations. “The casual bettor is easily seduced by the opportunity to bet on the college football bowl games, Super Bowl or their favorite college hoops team. It’s important for any bettor to ‘know before you go,’ that VegasTopDogs is a great tool to learn how to play smartly without risking any mortgage payments.”

And, this is also the final shot that many players take at their favorite gambling outlet until next football season. It is also a last gasp for online sportsbooks who often suffer through the doldrums of summer and baseball. Thus, sportsbooks offshore offer March Madness bonuses and bracket contests galore so make sure you take advantage. VegasTopDogs.com has your answers with plenty of recommendations and college basketball game previews.

March Madness also means that the MLB baseball season is just around the corner and while baseball doesn’t attract the same betting attention as football or basketball, it is the most profitable betting sport for a number of gamblers. VegasTopDogs offers a lot of value for the baseball players.
Too many people just look at the starting pitchers and pick the team,
but there are many factors of picking winners of value.  Just look at
how much you could have won over the past several years by following one of VegasTopDogs expert handicappers Tony Karpinski.

Tony Karpinski from VegasTopDogs.com has held the #1 MLB ranking for several years and showing his dime players a season profit of over $64,800.  That title is just the tip of the iceberg, as Tony was the

2003 champ $28,380 net profit    Top-rated 10* gems= 47-38

 

2004 champ $11,678    Top-rated 10* gems= 54-48

 

2007 champ $16, 465  Top-rated 10* gems= 53-34

 

2010 champ $19,550

 

Tony Karpinski has won several handicapping contests especially in football, as he finished in the top 10 in the renowned NFL Las Vegas Hilton $500,000. SuperBook Contest. TonyK is the former odds-maker and also won the Ultimate Handicapper Challenge finishing #1 in College Basketball & Football. He also has several SportsNow Handicapping Contests Wins (baseball, football, hockey, and basketball) and at the Sports Monitor, which have made him a sought-after expert and a regular guest on several weekly sports talk radio stations throughout of the country. With over 21 years of experience providing sports information services to sports fans around the world.

Tony reviews scores, personnel, coaches, stats, trends, past history, game conditions and current strengths and weaknesses to create the most comprehensive picture of likely outcomes. As a former multi-sport college athlete, Tony Karpinski. Has a keen eye for, and understanding of, athletic performance. Tony uses this knowledge to publish a weekly newsletters, which has attracted a national following and led him to his success.

3 Great Sporting Events On The Menu This Week

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NC

The coming week in the world of sports will feature lots of great college basketball, as the sport prepares to go into overdrive for the next few weeks of March mayhem and insanity.

NCAA Basketball: North Carolina Tar Heels @ Duke Blue Devils (Saturday)

This is an all-time college basketball rivalry, and it’s one in which North Carolina was able to land the first blow, winning in Chapel Hill two short weeks ago. Now, Duke gets to host the rematch in Durham, and the Blue Devils will not want to live in a world where they get swept by the Tar Heels. Duke likes to shoot the three-point shot, but it did not shoot well against North Carolina. This game will be a test of the Blue Devils’ ability to block out the memory of that loss.

NCAA Basketball: Georgetown Hoyas @ Villanova Wildcats (Saturday)

This is a game Georgetown will need to win in order to feel at least somewhat confident about its chances of making the NCAA tournament. Georgetown has lost a lot of games, but the Hoyas have also scored some really impressive wins (VCU, Kansas State, Michigan State). A win over Villanova would make it much harder for the selection committee to leave Georgetown out. Heading into the Big East Tournament, the Hoyas need to make a statement or two – they’ll get a chance here.

NCAA Basketball: Kansas Jayhawks @ West Virginia Mountaineers (Saturday)

This is a big game for West Virginia, a team with even more losses than Georgetown but not as many really big wins. Getting a victory over Kansas – a team that’s currently projected as a number one seed by a lot of publications and analysts – would give West Virginia the very thing it needs more than anything else. If the Mountaineers beat Kansas here, a few victories in the Big 12’s conference tournament might still be able to lift West Virginia into the NCAA tournament.

Michigan Wolverines making a serious run at the National title

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Michigan

After the amazingly first-class season last year, how much was genuinely expected from the Wolverines this year? Coming into the season, they had come off of a heartbreaking loss in the National title game vs Louisville last season, 82-76. Where Luke Hancock was preposterous in his scoring and shooting expertise. But in the end the Wolverines couldn’t handle the Cards and their explosive team.

The Wolverines came in, with pretty concrete expectations throughout all of it. Which is always challenging to deal with as a team. It’s a long season, and a season is far from decided in a 6-7 game span. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Last years success came mostly from the offensive side of the ball, putting in more FGs than any other team in the country last year. And of course, with Trey Burke playing impressively all season long.

Playing in the Big 10, the most challenging conference in the NCAA, with 5 teams ranked in the polls. Michigan coach John Beilein has to get the most out of this team each and every night they take the court. A hot streak put together, they can hands-down surprise folks again, and put them back in the snug drivers seat.

Led by sophomore guard, Nik Stauskas, who has been nothing short of fantastic this year, is knocking down everything he puts up, shooting 44% from behind the arc, scoring 17 a night and getting his teammates the ball, and keeping them involved as well with 4 dimes a night. Last year, he was known for the most part as the spot up shooter, coming off curls and popping up deep jumpers, this year he has greatly improved his ball handling skills and is creating a bit more for himself and his teammates off the dribble. Nik has to get to the next level and become the Wolverines leader on the court, be the man to take a team on his back and lead when the game gets tight.

Become the identity of the team. Much like Trey Burke did last year.

Despite losing 2 players to the first round of the NBA draft, with Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr.,The Wolverines still are a powerful offensive team. Based off of harmonious scoring, even with Stauskas being their leading scorer, its very essential for them to keep the likes of Glenn Robinson and even Caris LeVert involved as well. They need to go on doing the important things like out-rebounding opponents. Which the Wolverines have been good at on the year, keeping opponents off the offensive glass, allowing only 9 a game.

The Wolverines need to become more aggressive to make a serious push in the tournament. They have to take the ball to the paint and get teams in foul trouble. And when teams know most of your shots are coming from outside, they will change up and defend accordingly. They have to break it down and not count upon the outside shots so much.

They have dropped in the polls, and seem to be in free fall from the radar for many. But I think that many folks are overreacting to the losses a bit as well. Hot shooting, and shirking defense is what has hurt the Wolverines of late. Most teams in the NCAA go through stretch where they struggle.

Most, not all, *cough* Syracuse.

The Wolverines may have a “less than amazing” team, but they still have a very good team. They have some issues, as does pretty much every other team, as well. I believe they can work through those, and can make a strong late season push to credibly go deep in the tournament.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

College Hoops Takes Center Stage

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SyracuseOrange

With the Super Bowl in the rear view mirror, the next big event on the sports stage is college basketball’s season-ending tournaments. Since 1997, college basketball’s national champion has come from several different conferences: the Pac 10 (Arizona), SEC (Kentucky and Florida), Big 10 (Michigan State), the ACC (Duke, Maryland, North Carolina), Nig 12 (Kansas) and the old Big East (UConn, Syracuse, Louisville). Over the next few weeks, let’s examine some of the top hoop teams in each conference, starting this week with the ACC. Duke: A down year for Duke? For losses already for Coach Mike Krzyzewski, a pair against the Top 10 but also a pair of defeats (Notre Dame, Clemson) outside the Top 25. It’s a young team with 6-8 freshman Jabari Parker (19 ppg, 7.7 rpg) team with sophomores Amile Jefferson and Rodney Hood. They like the uptempo style, tops in the conference in scoring averaging 87 ppg in ACC play.

One problem is defense, ranked second to last in the ACC in field goal shooting defense, giving up 45% shooting. It’s not a big team in the low post and they can be pushed around by power frontcourts. In the last to Clemson, Duke was outrebounded 48-30. The Blue Devils are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 home games, 10-4 over on Saturdays. Duke has at least 4 losses in its first 16 games for the first time since the 1996-97 season. Syracuse: Coach Jim Boheim has a powerhouse team that has met every challenge, including wins over No. 8 Villanova (78-62), No. 18 Baylor (74-67) and No. 22 Pitt (59-54). Freshman guard Tyler Ennis (12 ppg, 5.5 apg) leads a unit that is tops in the conference in steals, while 6-8 senior C.J. Fair (16.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and 6-8 sophomore Jerami Grant (12.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg) provide frontcourt muscle. They turn up the defense on the road, 4-1-1 under the total away. Syracuse is in the middle of a stretch playing 5 of 6 at home.

The Orange is 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning record. Pitt: The Panthers have been impressive, with a pair of losses to Cincinnati and Syracuse by a total of 5 points. Their calling card is defense, third in the ACC in points allowed with 6-9 senior Talib Zanna (13 ppg, 8 rpg) and 6-8 Mike Young in the paint. In the backcourt, 6-5 senior Lamar Patterson (17 ppg) and sophomore James Robinson are highly efficient, as the team doesn’t score a ton of points but ranks 7th in the nation in assists. Despite all that defense this team is 60-29-1 over the total on Saturdays. They only play one top 20 team before the ACC tourney, hosting Syracuse next week. Virginia: The Cavaliers are getting it done with a terrific one-two punch of 6-5 sophomore Malcolm Brogdon (11 ppg, 5 rpg) and 6-6 senior Joe Harris (12.3 ppg). Virginia plays great defense, second in the ACC in points allowed, as well as third in field goal shooting defense (36% allowed). Virginia hasn’t done well when stepping up, losing to Wisconsin (48-38), VCU (59-56) and Duke (69-65), slowing the pace down. The Cavaliers are 22-8 ATS in their last 30 Saturday games. One flaw that could be fatal in March is free throw shooting, one of the worst in the ACC at 62.5%.

Clemson: The Tigers are one of the poorest offenses in the country (64 ppg), but stay alive by strangling opponents with defense, tops in the ACC in points allowed (53.6 ppg), field goal defense (32% allowed) and three-point defense (22%). 6-6 junior K.J., McDaniels (16 ppg, 7 rpg) is a workhorse in the paint along with 6-10 sophomore Landry Nnoko. It’s no surprise they started the season 8-5 under the total. But do they have the offense to come back against good teams when needed? Clemson got thumped by Florida State (56-41) and Pitt (76-43) shooting 30% and 32%. Against Pitt Daniels got into early foul trouble and this team doesn’t have other offensive options. Clemons is in the middle of a stretch now playing 5 of 6 on the road. Florida State: The Seminoles are a tough team to play because they attack opponents in a variety of ways.

Florida State is a dynamite defensive team allowing 36% shooting in ACC play (third), solid from the line and tough on the road. They lost at No. 15 Florida by one point and a two-point loss to Michigan in overtime. The Seminoles have a lot of depth and balance with 6-9 senior Okaro White (12 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and 6-7 Montay Brandon up front, plus senior Ian Miller and 6-5 sophomore Aaron Thomas in the backcourt, both averaging 13 ppg. The under is 14-5 versus a team with a winning record.  Written by Jim Feist for VegasTopDogs.com.