NCAA Tournament 2011: Las Vegas Odds to Win & Picks

Todd Jacobs, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Feb 16, 2011 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

The NCAA Tournament is quickly closing in and the Las Vegas odds provided by the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook are tightening up as March approaches. There are still some solid and legitimate plays from 20-1 to 30-1 available to bet now before the conference tournaments begin in just two weeks.

The heavy favorites are the Duke Blue Devils at 2-1 and the Ohio State Buckeyes 9-2 as the teams begin to gear up for college basketballs second season. Looking for teams that could make a run at long odds, look no further than the San Diego State State Aztecs at 30-1 and the Wisconsin Badgers at 45-1.

The following teams listed have the lowest odds but best chances to make it to the final weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

Duke Blue Devils: 2-1

The Duke Blue Devils will enter the NCAA Tournament without Kyrie Irving but they do still have the core of their team that made their NCAA Tournament run last season. Kyle Singlar and Nolan Smith are the glue that holds this team together and will get them deep in the 2011 NCAA Tournament. 2-1 odds are too short to place a bet on Duke. They won't make it past the Elite 8 this season.

Ohio State Buckeyes: 9-2

Jared Sullinger is a classic one and done college basketball player that suited up for the Ohio State Buckeyes this season. Sullinger is one of the best players in college basketball that is capable of carrying this team deep in the NCAA Tournament. Don't forget about David Leiter and Jon Diebler on this team either. Look for the Ohio State Buckeyes to make the Finals and possibly win the whole thing but not worth a title bet.

Kansas Jayhawks: 7-1

The Kansas Jayhawks express was recently derailed by the Kansas State Wildcats but that loss occurred in the Wildcats home gym. Kansas was exposed in that game and the Morris twins did not play their best game. Kansas has a history of early exits in the NCAA Tournament and this year they will not make it deep in the NCAA Tourney.

Pittsburgh Panthers: 12-1

The Pittsburgh Panthers can get hot from the outside and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament but if they turn cold they will find the exit early. Ashton Gibbs and Brad Wanamaker will have to pour in three's and jump out early on teams if they want to make a deep run. Pittsburgh has the opportunity to make the Elite 8 and then it will come down to outside shooting.

Kentucky Wildcats: 12-1

Calling the Kentucky Wildcats inconsistent is an understatement. This team has struggled to find themselves all season long. Their odds are posted at 12-1 but this team is 6-5 in the SEC at this writing and 18-7 overall. This Kentucky team is not Calipari's best and they will struggle to make it to the Sweet 16. A Sweet 16 appearance for this team is a success this year.

Syracuse Orangemen: 20-1

Jim Boeheim's Orangemen are 5-6 in their last 11 games as they stagger their way to the Big East Conference Tournament. Boeheim is an NCAA Tournament strategist and this is how his teams play down the stretch before the Big East Tournament. Syracuse has the skills to make it to the Elite 8 but not any farther.

Villanova Wildcats: 20-1

Villanova is grinding team that will not put up 90 points this year although they came close a few times this year. Villanova is at the mercy of Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes. These two can get hot and destroy a team by playing lights out. Villanova has the ability to make a run to the Final Four one more time this year.

Texas Longhorns: 20-1

Jordon Hamilton is the key to the Texas Longhorns making a deep run this year. If Hamilton steps up to the plate this team is a potential Final Four team in the NCAA Tournament. The other plus for this team is their aggression on the boards. They do not get cheated under the bucket. Texas has the opportunity to make a run to the Final Four and they qualify as the best bet on the board to win the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan State Spartans: 30-1

The Spartans are awful this year. Tom Izzo is still happy to be coaching in the college ranks as opposed to coaching the hapless Cleveland Cavaliers. Sadly the Cavs could even beat this years Michigan State team at this time. This team is in danger of not making the NCAA Tournament with a losing Big 10 record in the middle of February. If Michigan State makes the NCAA Tournament they are dangerous but they won't make it past the Sweet 16.

Washington Huskies: 30-1

This team can score and make teams look bad when they want. They rank 13th in shooting percentage from the field and they have four players shooting over 40 percent from behind the three point line. Washington is a good backup bet to win the NCAA Tournament at 30-1.

Connecticut Huskies: 30-1

Not sure what to make of this Connecticut team. They rank 227th in the country in shooting percentage from the field and they are overpowering their opponents on the board, ranking seventh in country. Of course many will argue they have plenty of rebound opportunities and they better average 40 boards per game. Connecticut will be going home the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

San Diego State Aztecs: 30-1

The San Diego State Aztecs are not much of a secret to the rest of the country anymore. Led by Kawhi Leonard, this San Diego State team is hitting over 47 percent from the field but their three point shooting and free throw shooting causes them to end games in a tight manor. The Aztecs will make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and they are worth a small cover bet.

Purdue Boilermakers: 30-1

The Purdue Boilermakers are a two man team of JuJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore. Lewis Jackson and Ryne Smith help out on the outside occasionally but Johnson and Moore are the key to this team making a deep run. Look for the Purdue Boilermakers to be playing past the Sweet 16.

North Carolina Tar Heels: 40-1

The North Carolina Tar Heels rank second in the Big East but they have had an average season. They have
played some big games this year but they have not shown any signs of being a big time NCAA Tournament player this year. North Carolina will be gone before the Sweet 16 games tip off.

Illinois Fighting Illini: 40-1

Illinois has struggled in the Big 10 this year and it may cost them an NCAA Tournament bid. Not good enough to make the Sweet 16.

Wisconsin Badgers: 45-1

The Wisconsin Badgers may be the best live dog on the board for the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers defeated the number one team in the country and they have looked solid late in the season as the Big Ten Conference Tournament approaches. The Badgers are a good long shot bet to win the NCAA Tournament.

Georgetown Hoyas: 50-1

Georgetown is the second best shooting team in the NCAA which makes them a team to look at as a long shot. If their best shooter, Austin Freeman can hit anywhere near his 43 percent average from three point land the Georgetown Hoyas can be posed for a deep run. Consider making a play on Georgetown if one of my other picks doesn't feel right.

Baylor Bears: 50-1

LaceDarius Dunn will be looking to close out his college career by making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Dunn is the type of player capable of taking his team on his shoulders. If he can get hot the Baylor Bears could be Sweet 16 bound.

Missouri Tigers: 50-1

Led by Marcus Denmon, the Missouri Tigers are capable of doing some damage in this NCAA Tournament. Denmon is hitting 45 percent from downtown and he can light up a team when he is inspired. Missouri has an outside shot to make the Sweet 16.

Tennessee Volunteers: 50-1

The Tennessee Volunteers can be a sneaky team in the NCAA Tournament but they will need Scotty Hopson to make a strong showing. Don't rule out Bruce Pearl and the Vols to be in the Sweet 16.

Notable Long Shots:

Kansas State Wildcats: 60-1

Timing is everything and if Kansas State and Jacob Pullen can get it together they have an opportunity to repeat last years performance. Sweet 16 is not out of the question but not worth a long shot bet.

BYU Cougars: 75-1

One word gives BYU a shot to make a deep run and a worthy long shot bet, Jimmer. Jimmer Fredette has carried this average team to the NCAA Tournament and now he will be charged with taking them to NCAA Tournament Finals. Can he do it? Most teams will work to hold Fredette off his game and use the semi proven strategy to contain Jimmer. BYU is the best long shot bet on the board to win the NCAA Tournament.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 100-1

Ben Hansbrough and Tim Abomaitis are the key to this 100-1 team going deep in the NCAA Tournament. Notre Dame will play two ranked teams in Connecticut and Villanova to end their season and then they will play a stacked Big East Tournament. This will either tax them or prepare them for the NCAA Tournament. All Notre Dame fans will kick themselves if they do not bet the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win.

Yahoo! Voices

NCAA Tournament 2011: Las Vegas Odds to Win & Picks

1 Comments

Yahoo! Voices

Also on Yahoo!

Yahoo! Contributor Network