The Experts return!
The term expert is sometimes used loosely in the handicapping industry, considering the number of touts and scamdicappers preying on raw users. Fortunately, VegasInsider.com documents all records for all sports – both good and bad – which have helped us continue to stand out amongst all sports gaming websites.
Last year for the first time, we decided to poll our stable of college basketball handicappers for their predictions on the Final Four and Championship game.
The response was overwhelming and the feedback was nothing short of positive. Out of 32 handicappers, 12 correctly selected the Florida Gators to cut down the nets for the second straight season.
It should also be noted that not only was Jamie Tursini one of the 12 experts to predict the Gators to triumph, but he drilled the Final Four with Georgetown, UCLA and Ohio State as well.
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| Cameron Dollar helped UCLA cut down the nets in 1995. (Getty Images) |
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We’re back for the annual piece and once again, we have an overwhelming consensus and it’s a chalky pick too.
Of the 32 handicappers we polled, 15 chose the UCLA Bruins. Head coach Ben Howland and company are listed anywhere from 7/2 (Bet $100 to win $350) to 4/1 (Bet $100 to win $400) favorites to hoist the hardware in San Antonio come early April.
It’s been over a dozen years since UCLA took home the title, when head coach Jim Harrick and company secured the school’s 11th basketball championship. Names like O’Bannon, Zidek, Dollar, Edney and Bailey have been replaced at Pauley Pavilion by Love, Collison, Shipp, Westbrook and plenty of others.
After UCLA, North Carolina (9) was the next choice followed by Kansas (5). One vote each went to Memphis, Wisconsin and Tennessee.
The Bruins were also selected by 84 percent (27) of our ‘cappers to run away with the so-called weak West. Only five experts don’t believe that the Bruins will make it through the Phoenix Regional unscathed, including Matt Fargo.
Fargo likes the No. 3 seed, Xavier. He said, “Xavier possesses three quality ingredients to make a long run in the tournament. They have great depth with five players averaging double figures, and are one of only four teams to have that. They are one of the top free-throw shooting teams in the country at 75 percent. Lastly, they are experienced with senior leadership at the point and at other key positions.”
North Carolina and Kansas were both selected by 20 handicappers each to win the East (Charlotte) and Midwest (Detroit) Regional brackets.
Another team that was No. 1 for a bit this year, Tennessee, got a few votes to stump the Tar Heels plus one expert, Brian Edwards, believes the Vols have a shot to run the table.
Edwards explained, “When I think of a team to win the national title, I think about who has the ability to overcome the most. For instance, who can overcome foul trouble and/or an injury? Who has the ability to defend a dominant big man or big-time scoring guard? With Tennessee, I think you have everything needed. You have depth both inside and on the perimeter, so foul trouble can be overcome. You have both size and speed, not to mention a style of play that can cause problems for teams that don’t like to be pressed. And you have Chris Lofton, who is a senior known for taking and making shots at crunch time.”
Below is a list of our consensus selections:
Chris David can be reached at cdavid@vegasinsider.com
