NCAA Basketball Betting – Purdue presses Michigan State in Big Ten
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The sportsbook odds for the Big Ten are banking on a two-horse race between Michigan State and Purdue, while Michigan is looking to elbow their way back into the hunt.
Here’s how the Big Ten will break down this year.
Michigan State Spartans
Odds To Win The Big Ten: +175
The Spartans are ranked second to Kansas in the preseason polls after falling to North Carolina in last year’s championship game, and they’ll be powered by point guard Kalin Lucas, who was the conference Player of the Year last season. Raymar Morgan gives them experience and size inside, but it’s going to take more to replace center Goran Suton. This task will go to Delvon Roe. Still, with Tom Izzo at the helm, you know the Spartans will be tough on the glass as well as defensively. After watching the physical Spartans play, you’d think you were betting on Pacquiao vs Cotto odds for this weekend’s fight.
Purdue Boilermakers
Odds To Win The Big Ten: +200
The Boilermakers are seventh in the polls after last year’s Sweet 16 exit, and they welcome back their top six scorers from that team. Purdue was injured a lot of last year, but they have a legitimate star in Robbie Hummel, and the duo of JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore could play for anyone. The Boilermakers are deep, excellent defensively, and if they can get some scoring, they could be a sportsbook darkhorse for the Final Four.
Michigan Wolverines
Odds To Win The Big Ten: +500
The Wolverines returned to the Tournament after an 11-year absence, and they come into this year ranked 15th.
Their top five scorers are back, led by Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims, and Harris in particular has to do a better job in big games. Michigan is a three-point shooting team, which makes their deficiencies in the post, but their main question comes at the point, which was manned by C.J. Lee, and now it’ll be on Laval Lucas-Perry to take over if the Wolverines want their online betting odds to increase in your sportsbook.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Odds To Win The Big Ten: +500
The Buckeyes, ranked 16th, would love to avenge last year’s first-round loss in the Tournament, and they return this year with a wealth of experience as all five starters are back. Evan Turner will be the focus of the attack as he moves to the point to alleviate the Buckeyes’ problems there, and David Lighty returns from an injury-plagued campaign to be Ohio State’s best defender. The x-factor is Zizis Sarikopoulos, who transferred from UAB. The seven-footer will be asked to step into the middle while Dallas Lauderdale recovers from a broken finger.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Odds To Win The Big Ten: +1000
The Golden Gophers slip into the poll at No.25, and they could move up with its top nine scorers back in the fray, powered by Lawrence Westbrook. Minnesota is deep, as no one averaged more than 26.7 minutes a game, and 11 players averaged at least 11.1 minutes. Coach Tubby Smith also recruited a solid group, and Royce Williams should step right into one of the forward spots.
2009 Big Ten Pick
This should be a very exciting year in the Big Ten, as the first four have a legitimate shot at taking the conference, and the Golden Gophers can do it with some breaks. Experience is key in college basketball (see North Carolina last year), and this year’s winner has the experience to end a long drought. Purdue hasn’t won the Big Ten crown since 1996, but this year’s squad has all the tools to overcome Michigan State, and even hold off pesky Michigan and Ohio State. Take Purdue in your sports picks this year.
One reply on “2009 Big 10 Basketball Preview”
I would go with Purdue at +200. In a conference with no real power teams the Boilermakers have the most talent, even more so than Michigan State. I do agree though that the Big 10 should be pretty close this year with 4 or 5 teams in it until the end