College Basketball Futures: What to Watch For
Contents
- The 2020-21 college basketball season is just around the corner
- Tips for betting on College Basketball futures
- The top 5 Teams to Watch this season
- The top 5 players to watch this season
- The top 5 games to watch this season
- The top 5 upsets to watch for this season
- The top 5 Cinderella stories to watch for this season
- The top 5 conferences to watch this season
- The top 5 NCAA Tournament upsets to watch for
- The top 5 NCAA tournament Cinderella stories to watch for
The college Basketball season is almost here and we have a few things to watch for. We take a look at the top 5 college basketball Futures: What to Watch For.
The 2020-21 college basketball season is just around the corner
The 2020-21 college basketball season is just around the corner, and there are a lot of things to watch for. Here are five storylines to keep an eye on:
1. Duke will be looking to rebound after a disappointing 2019-20 campaign. The Blue Devils have a lot of talent, but they underachieved last season. Can they put it all together this year?
2. Kentucky will also be looking to Bounce Back after a down year. The Wildcats have a lot of young talent, and they could be a force to be reckoned with in the SEC.
3. Gonzaga is coming off a National Championship game appearance, and they will be looking to build on that success this season. Can they take that next step and win it all this year?
4. Virginia is always a tough team to play against, and they will once again be stout defensively this season. Can they take home the ACC title?
5. Ohio State is another team to keep an eye on in the Big Ten The Buckeyes have a lot of talent, and they could make some noise in the conference this season.
Tips for betting on College Basketball futures
With the College Basketball season just around the corner, here are some tips to keep in mind when betting on futures.
1. Look for value: There are a lot of long shots that can offer value, so don’t get too caught up in trying to pick the winner. Instead, focus on finding teams with good odds that you think have a chance to make a run
2. Pay attention to the schedule: Keep an eye on the non-Conference Schedule and look for teams that will be tested early on. This can give you an idea of how they might fare once conference play starts.
3. Monitor injuries: Injuries can have a big impact on a team’s chances, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on who’s healthy and who isn’t.
4. Check the odds: The oddsmakers usually know what they’re doing, so it can be helpful to see how they view each team before making your own picks.
The top 5 Teams to Watch this season
It’s never too early to start thinking about college basketball futures and which teams could make a run at the National Championship With that in mind, here are the top 5 teams to Watch This Season
1. Duke Blue Devils
The defending champions will be looking to repeat this year and they have the talent to do it. Led by potential All-Americans Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett, Duke will be a force to be reckoned with all season long
2. Kentucky Wildcats
John Calipari always has his team ready to compete for a title and this year will be no different. The Wildcats are loaded with talent, including freshman sensation Keldon Johnson. Keep an eye on Kentucky all season long.
3. North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels are always in the mix come tournament time and this year should be no different. Roy Williams always has his team playing at a high level and they should be in the hunt for a title once again this season.
4. Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have been one of the best teams in college basketball over the past few years and they show no signs of slowing down. They have another talented team this year that is led by potential All-American Rui Hachimura. Expect Gonzaga to be towards the top of the standings all season long.
5. Virginia Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are coming off a heart-breaking loss in last year’s National Championship game but they should be back in contention once again this season. Tony Bennett always has his team playing great defense and they will be a tough out come tournament time.
The top 5 players to watch this season
The college basketball season is just around the corner, and there are plenty of players to watch out for. Here are the top 5 players to keep an eye on this season:
1. Zion Williamson (Duke): Williamson is arguably the most electrifying player in college basketball The 6’7” forward is a physical freak of nature, and he’s sure to put up some big numbers for Duke this season.
2. RJ Barrett (Duke): Barrett is another top-tier player for Duke. The 6’7” wing is an excellent scorer, and he should thrive in Duke’s system.
3. Cam Reddish (Duke): Reddish rounds out Duke’s trio of elite players. The 6’8” wing is a gifted scorer and shooter, and he has the potential to be a star for the Blue Devils
4.. Ja Morant (Murray State): Morant is one of the best point guards in the country. The 6’3” sophomore averaged 16.0 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game last season, and he should be even better this year.
5.. Rui Hachimura (Gonzaga): Hachimura is a very talented player who doesn’t get enough credit nationally. The 6’8” forward averaged 11.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season, but he could see his numbers increase significantly this year as Gonzaga’s go-to guy on offense.
The top 5 games to watch this season
1. Duke vs. Kentucky
This is the marquee matchup of the season, as two of the Blue Bloods of college basketball go head-to-head. These two teams have won a combined 15 NCAA Championships and this game will be a preview of two potential Final Four contenders.
2. North Carolina vs. Villanova
This is another battle of two of the heavyweights in college basketball North Carolina is coming off a trip to the National Championship game last season, while Villanova is the defending National Champion This should be a great game between two teams that could potentially meet again in March.
3. UCLA vs. Gonzaga
This is a matchup of two teams that have emerged as national contenders over the past few years. UCLA has been to three straight Final Fours, while Gonzaga has established itself as one of the top programs in the country. This should be a great game between two teams that could make deep runs in the NCAA tournament
4. Indiana vs. Purdue
This is a matchup of two traditional powers in College Basketball Indiana and Purdue have been vying for supremacy in the state of Indiana for years, and this game should be no different. These are two teams that could make deep runs in the NCAA Tournament this season, so this should be a great game to watch.
5 Virginia vs Xavier
This is a matchup between two teams that are looking to take that next step this season and emerge as national contenders . Both Virginia and Xavier have been solid programs over the past few years , but neither has been able to break through and make it to the Final Four . This game will be a good early litmus test for both teams , and it should be a great contest .
The top 5 upsets to watch for this season
With the College Basketball season underway, there are a few upsets to watch out for. Here are the top 5:
1. Arizona State over Arizona: This one is always a heated battle, but Arizona State has looked better so far this season and could pull off the upset.
2. Florida State over Duke: Florida State has been one of the surprise teams this season and could cause problems for Duke come tournament time.
3. Louisville over Kentucky: Kentucky is always a tough team to beat, but Louisville has the talent to do it. They could be a dark horse in the NCAA tournament
4. Seton Hall over Villanova: Seton Hall has been one of the best teams in the country so far this season and could give Villanova a run for their money come tournament time.
5. Michigan over Michigan State This is always a close battle, but Michigan has looked better this season and could pull off the upset in what should be a great game.
The top 5 Cinderella stories to watch for this season
In college basketball a Cinderella story is when a team that was not expected to do well makes it further than anyone thought they would in the tournament. Here are the top 5 Cinderella stories to watch out for this season:
1. Loyola-Chicago: The Ramblers have been one of the biggest surprises this season and have earned themselves a spot in the AP Top 25 poll. They are currently 23-4 and are tied for first place in the Missouri Valley Conference with Drake.
2. UNC-Greensboro: The Spartans are 22-6 and currently sit atop the Southern Conference They have only lost 3 games in conference play and have wins overpowering teams like NC State, Clemson, and Marquette.
3. Buffalo: The Bulls are 23-4 and sit atop the Mid-American Conference Standings They have some impressive wins this season, including victories over Syracuse, Arizona State and West Virginia
4. Nevada: The Wolf Pack are 22-5 and second in the Mountain West behind only Boise State They have some good wins on their resume, including a victory over then-No. 6 Cincinnati back in December.
5. St Mary’s: The Gaels are 21-6 overall and 10-3 in West Coast Conference play. They rank 35th in KenPom’s ratings and have some impressive wins against Gonzaga, UC Irvine, and Washington State
The top 5 conferences to watch this season
It’s conference season in college basketball which means the “big dance” is just around the corner. Every game matters now, as teams jockey for position in the NCAA tournament Here are the top 5 conferences to watch this season
1) The Big Ten – This conference is always one of the toughest in college basketball and this season is no different. Michigan State is currently atop the standings, but there are a number of other talented teams that could make a run at the title. Ohio State Purdue, and Michigan are all capable of making a deep run in the NCAA tournament
2) The ACC – The ACC is another conference that is always tough. Duke is currently at the top of the standings, but there are a number of other quality teams in this conference. North Carolina Virginia, and Syracuse are all capable of making a run at the title.
3) The Big 12 – The Big 12 is another conference that is loaded with talent. Kansas currently sits atop the standings, but there are a number of other teams that could make a run at the title. Texas Tech West Virginia and Oklahoma are all dangerous teams that could make some noise in March Madness
4) The PAC-12 – The PAC-12 has been a bit down in recent years but there are a number of quality teams in this conference that could make some noise in the NCAA Tournament Arizona State USC, and Oregon are all capable of making a deep run.
5) The SEC – The SEC is always one of the toughest conferences in college basketball and this season is no different. Kentucky currently leads the way, but there are a number of other talented teams in this conference that could make some noise come March Madness time. Tennessee, Auburn, and LSU are all dangerous squads that could make some noise come tournament time
The top 5 NCAA Tournament upsets to watch for
The element of surprise is what makes upsets so fun to watch in the NCAA tournament Who doesn’t love seeing a Cinderella team make a deep run? Here are five potential upsets to keep an eye out for in this year’s tournament:
1. (12) Oregon over (5) Wisconsin
The Ducks are led by dynamic guard Payton Pritchard, who averaging 20 points, six assists and four rebounds per game. They also have experience playing in close games, going 11-3 in contests decided by six points or less. Oregon could give the Badgers fits with their combination of perimeter shooting and ball-handling.
2. (10) Seton Hall over (7) Wofford
The Pirates have one of the best players in the country that you may not have heard of in Myles Powell The junior guard is averaging 21.5 points per game while shooting nearly 42 percent from three-point range Seton Hall also has size inside with 6’11” center Romaro Gill, who provides a rim-protecting presence. The Terriers will be a tough out, but the Pirates have the firepower to pull off the upset.
3. (14) Old Dominion over (3) Purdue
The Boilermakers are without star center Isaac Haas due to injury, and that will be a big disadvantage against Old Dominion’s big men 7’1″ junior Elbert Robinson III and 6’9″ senior Trey Porter. The Monarchs also have experience playing in close games, going 11-5 in contests decided by six points or less. Purdue will still be a tough out, but Old Dominion has a chance to pull off the upset.
4. (11) St. Mary’s over (6) Villanova
The Gaels are led by junior guard Jordan Ford, who is averaging 22 points per game while shooting 47 percent from three-point range. St. Mary’s also has size inside with 6’11” center Jock Landale, who is averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting 61 percent from the field. The Wildcats are always a tough out in the NCAA Tournament but St. Mary’s has the pieces to pull off the upset.
5.(16) Gardner-Webb over (1) Duke
This one would definitely qualify as a huge upset, but Stranger Things have happened in the NCAA Tournament before…right? The Bulldogs are led by 6’8″ senior forward David Arcidiacono, who is averaging 15 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent from three-point range. Gardner-Webb also has size inside with 7’0″ junior center DJ Laster, who provides a rim-protecting presence. Duke is still the heavy favorite here, but Gardner-Webb has a chance to shock the world if everything goes their way
The top 5 NCAA tournament Cinderella stories to watch for
The NCAA Tournament is one of the most popular sporting events in the United States Every year, millions of Americans fill out brackets in hopes of correctly picking the winner of each game.
While the odds of correctly picking a perfect NCAA tournament bracket are slim to none, there is always a chance that a Cinderella story will emerge. In recent years we’ve seen teams like Loyola-Chicago and Virginia Commonwealth make deep runs in the tournament despite being considered underdogs.
With that being said, here are five Cinderella stories to watch for during the 2020 NCAA tournament
1. Stony Brook Seawolves – The Seawolves are making their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament They will face off against a tough Pennsylvania State team in the first round, but they have enough firepower to pull off an upset.
2. Hofstra Pride – The Pride are back in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2001. They will have their hands full with a talented Michigan State squad, but they have what it takes to win that game.
3. Belmont Bruins – The Bruins are no strangers to March Madness They made a deep run in the tournament last year and they are poised to do so again this year. They will take on Maryland in the first round, and they have a good chance of winning that game.
4. Northern Kentucky Norse – The Norse are making their second consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament They nearly pulled off an upset over Kentucky last year, and they’ll be looking to do so again this year when they take on Louisville in the first round.
5. Liberty Flames – The Flames are making their fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament They have yet to make it past the first round, but they have a good chance of doing so this year when they take on Mississippi State