Do you like making money? Of course you do! Do you like Big 12 Basketball? Another yes!
Well, let’s take a look at some betting odds for the National Championship Game and where each of the top teams in the Big 12 stands.
Packed Top 10
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, five Big 12 teams showed up with Top 10 odds to win it all, which says a whole lot about the league’s strength and overall depth. Arizona is the favorite (+470 odds), followed by Houston (+1300), Iowa State (+1800), Texas Tech (+2500), and BYU (+2500). Arizona has beaten the hell out of everyone this year and survived a close one on the road against BYU last night to remain undefeated. Even at +470, there’s some money to be made betting on the best basketball team in the country. Kelvin Sampson’s teams always have an edge and will defend better than anyone else. That shows up in March, and 13/1 odds could be a big ticket for bettors. Then, there’s Iowa State, who’s been dominant but has dealt with a few setbacks in conference play. Their balanced attack should carry them well, though T.J. Otzelberger’s teams have struggled in March the last few seasons. Texas Tech and BYU are tied with the 10th-best odds to win the title, with +2500. The pair is a fairly similar group with big-time stars and explosive offense. No reason not to take a flier on the two now.
Should You Bet It?
In short, yes! Arizona’s odds probably won’t change much, but there could be some fluctuation for the others. It’s tough to imagine any of those teams falling out of the Top 10, but it’s a safe bet to say their odds are likely to get worse as the teams improve. My official HCS pick? I’d sprinkle some money on Arizona (+470), Houston (+1300), and BYU (+2500).
