College Basketball Betting Top Ten (Week of January 31st)
There has been some movement in my Top Ten this week but the top two teams remain the same: UConn and Purdue. Can they remain on top as an exciting weekend of College Basketball awaits?
Top Ten (Week of January 31st)
New to the Party: Wisconsin and Marquette Outside looking in: Auburn and Baylor
#10. Marquette (15-5) (+3000) - Marquette has as good a backcourt as anyone in the country and the NCAA Tournament typically centers around quality backcourts. The highly competitive Big East will only enhance their level of play come March. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#9. Wisconsin (16-4) (+3500) - The Badgers are tied with Purdue atop the rough and tumble Big Ten with an 8-1 conference mark. They don’t do any one thing especially well but they are efficient and know how to close out games. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#8. Tennessee (15-5) (+1800) - The Vols dropped a shocker at home to South Carolina last night. However, the Gamecocks may simply be better than everyone thought. Tennessee still has all the intangibles to make a tournament run. Last Week’s Rank: 9th
#7. Kentucky (15-4) (+1200) - Big game tonight against Florida for the Wildcats. A convincing win may have them sliding up the ranks again next week. Last Week’s Rank: 4th
#6. Kansas (16-4) (+2200) - I can almost flip a coin with Duke and Kansas as far as their talent and surprisingly uneven start. Kansas does play in a better conference (who would have ever thought they’d hear that comparing the Big 12 to the ACC??!) and has a more experienced head coach. The lumps the Jayhawks are taking now will prove highly beneficial in the tournament. Last Week’s Rank: 8th
#5. Duke (15-4) (+2500) - The Blue Devils came on late last year and stormed through the ACC tournament before being upended surprisingly in the second round of the tourney. This team looks like its capable of a late run and an even better finish. Last Week’s Rank: 7th
#4. North Carolina (17-4) (+1300) - The Tar Heels drop a spot after a last-second loss to Georgia Tech last night. They are still tournament-ready and a threat to win it all. Last Week’s Rank: 3rd
#3. Houston (18-2) (+900) - The Cougars have responded nicely with two wins after losing their first two of the season. A season in the Big 12 will benefit them greatly in the tournament. Last Week’s Rank: 5th
#2. Purdue (19-2) (+850) - Two wins later and the Boilermakers are still solidly in the second spot and the odds-on favorites to win the NCAA Tournament. The Tournament has not been kind to them, however. Last Week’s Rank: 2
#1. UConn (18-2) (+900) - The Huskies hold the top spot this week and their odds dipped slightly. A test at St. John’s this weekend awaits them. Last Week’s Rank: 1
Game of the Weekend, Season Record 1-0: The Cougars came alive last week and downed KState with ease to send a message.
#3 Houston at #6 Kansas: These are the kinds of regular season games that will make the Cougards that much tougher in the tourney. I think this game boils down to a statement game for Kansas, however, and they’ll get through it with flying colors. Take Kansas.
In parenthesis, the odds to win the National Title in 2024. All odds Courtesy of Draftkings.com.
By Mark Ruelle