NCAA Basketball Betting 2008-09 A-10 Basketball Preview
BetUS NCAA college basketball bettors should know that the A-10 produced several quality and money-making teams in 2007-08 and will almost assuredly do so once again this season.
Here is a look at each and every team as we head into the 2008-09 NCAA college basketball sports betting season.
Xavier (30-7SU, 16-17 ATS, 17-16 O/U)
The losses of Drew Lavender, Stanley Burrell and Adrion Graves will hurt the Musketeers in a big way. There will be plenty of pressure on senior guards B.J. Raymond and C.J. Anderson to pick up where their departed trio left off. I wouldn’t be on Xavier improving their mediocre ATS statistics from a year ago.
Temple (21-13 SU, 22-12 ATS, 12-21 O/U)
The temple Owls lost swingman Mark Tyndale but still have senior scoring leader Dionte Christmas. Junior starters, Luis Guzman and Ryan Brooks will have to step up in a big way along with sophomore guard Lavoy Allen. At least the Owls’ stellar ATS record from a season ago is encouraging.
UMass (25-11 SU, 17-15-1 ATS, 17-16-1 O/U)
Coach Travis Ford left Massachusetts for Oklahoma State, replacing him with former star Derek Kellog. The loss of stars, Gary Forbes, Etienne Brown and Dante Milligan will hurt this ballclub in a big way this season. Don’t expect a repeat performance of their fine record NCAA college basketball Sportsbook betting enthusiasts.
St. Joseph’s (21-13 SU, 19-13 ATS, 14-18 O/U)
The Hawks had a fine season in 2007-08 and have the potential to do it again this season. Senior forward Ahmad Nivins however, is the only player left from last season’s team that averaged over four rebounds per game. I’m thinking a step back with their ATS stats is in order for the hawks this season.
Charlotte (20-14 SU, 18-12-1 ATS, 15-16-1 O/U)
The 49ers return four starters from last season’s team but will need to find a replacement for last season’s departed scoring leader Leemire Goldwire. Still, I like their senior leadership.
Richmond (16-14 SU, 15-10-2 ATS, 14-13-2 O/U)
The Spiders have experience but will have to adjust to life without injured big man Dan Geriot who was injured before the season ever started. Three sophomore starters means this team has to grow up in a hurry.
Dayton (23-11 SU, 14-15 ATS, 18-11 O/U)
The Flyers are counting on senior forward Chris Wright and junior guard Marcus Johnson to lead them and have a solid big man in 6-10 center Kurt Huelsman. They may improve their ATS record from a season ago, but don’t expect much.
LaSalle (15-17 SU, 14-8-1 ATS, 14-8-1 O/U)
The Explorers are young and lost outstanding scorer Darnell Harris from a year ago. If junior point guard Ruben Guillandeaux plays steady basketball, LaSalle could surprise.
Rhode Island (21-12 SU, 14-15-2 ATS, 19-11-2 O/U)
The Runnin’ Rams return three starters from last season’s surprising squad, including guard Jimmy Baron, the leading scorer one season ago. They surprised a lot of people last season and will likely get their share of wins this season, though they clearly aren’t a money-making team for BetUS college hoops bettors.
Duquesne (17-13 SU, 10-14-0 ATS, 10-14 O/U)
The Dukes have a new head coach in former assistant Bill Barton but look like they will struggle just to reach .500, both straight up – and against the spread!
St. Louis (16-15 SU, 12-14 ATS, 12-14 O/U)
Inconsistency hurt this team last season but they have plenty of incoming talent! Still, it will take nine newcomers time to get on the same page. Three seniors in the starting lineup will help ease the transition while the younger Billikens find their way.
Fordham (12-17 SU, 9-17 ATS, 12-14 O/U)
Seniors Luke Devine and juniors Brenton Butler and Herb Tanner lead head coach Derek Whittenberg’s team, but the fact of the matter is that the Rams will have a tough way to go in a conference that is loaded with more talented teams. Wagering against the Rams will be a good idea for college basketball bettors on most occasions.
George Washington (9-17 SU, 10-9-1 ATS, 10-10-1 O/U)
Expecting the Colonials to bounce back quickly from their horrific 9-17 mark last season would be totally unrealistic. Seniors, Noel Wilmore, Rob Diggs and Wynton Witherspoon will need to step up in a big way if the Colonials are to record a winning ATS record for bettors.
St. Bonaventure (8-22 SU, 11-13 ATS, 12-11 O/U)
The Bonnies were a bust last season but can point to the fact that nine of their losses were by less than 10 points and only five by more than 15 for a program that’s been an Atlantic 10 bottom feeder for five years.
Analysis/Prediction:
I like Xavier to win the A-10 followed by St. Joe’s, probably the only two NCAA Championship Tournament teams in this conference.
NCAA college basketball bettors may see just two or three ATS winning teams come out of the A-10 this season.
