College Basketball: Conference Tournament Betting Picks Part 1
It is conference tournament week in College Basketball. It’s going to be a fun week of action on the hardwood all throughout the country. We have some Conference Tournament betting picks for the six big conferences in the game. We are going to do them in two parts. Here is part 1:
Atlantic Coast Conference
North Carolina Tar Heels +150 - The Tar Heels were the regular season champion with a clean sweep over Duke in the regular season. North Carolina is one of the top scoring teams in the country, and are monsters on the glass. The Tar Heels are the favorites at +150.
Duke Blue Devils +160 - Duke finished second in the regular season, with two of their 7 losses to North Carolina. Duke can shoot the ball about as well as anyone in the country. You will have to bring your defensive shoes to knock out the Blue Devils.
Clemson Tigers +850 - The Tigers finished at 21-10 on the season and 11-9 in conference play. Clemson lost their regular season finale at Wake Forest. The Tigers will have to win four games in four days as the #6 seed in Washington D.C. They will await the winner of Boston College and Miami.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons +900 - Wake Forest needs a few more wins to help their big dance resume. The Demon Deacons are 19-12 on the season. They go as the #5 seed, and will take on either Notre Dame or Georgia Tech in the first round.
ACC Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels +150 - clean sweep, as the red hot Tar Heels take down the title and seal their #2 seed in the Big Dance.
Big 10
Purdue Boilermakers +110 - You got to wonder a little about the motivation for Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament. They are the #1 seed at 27-3. They will be a #1 seed in the big dance. The focus for Purdue will need to be on the NCAA Tournament.
Illinois Fighting Illini +290 - The Illini are heading into the Big Ten Tournament with 23 wins and the #2 seed. Illinois was able to bounce back from their loss to Purdue with a win over Iowa. The Fighting Illini are one of the top scoring teams in the country, with nearly 85 points per game.
Nebraska Cornhuskers +750 - The biggest surprise in the league has been the Cornhuskers. One of the better defensive teams have continued to play well. Nebraska also averages more than nine made three point shots per game. They can shoot it with the best of them which makes them a dangerous team to face.
Northwestern Wildcats +850 - The Wildcats are going back to the big dance for their second straight trip. Northwestern is 21-10 and gets a double bye for the tournament. It would be quite the story to see them take down the Big Ten Conference title. This team did beat Purdue already once this season.
Big 10 Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini +350. The Illini have lost twice to Purdue. They get their revenge with up and down pace to win the Big Ten title. Illinois garners this into a #3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Big 12
Houston Cougars -135 - Kelvin Sampson may have himself the most talented team in all of College Basketball. What Houston did to Kansas on Saturday was scary for the rest of the country. Regardless of how they do here, the Cougars will be a #1 seed in the big dance.
Iowa State Cyclones +275 - Iowa State is the #2 seed in the Big 12 tournament. The Cyclones are one of the most competitive teams in College Basketball, but their inability to hit enough shots could be their biggest downfall. The Cyclones are +275 to win in Kansas City.
Baylor Bears +800—Scott Drew’s team is also coming off a loss. The Bears finished 22-9, 11-7 in league play. To win the Big 12 tournament, they will have to take down Iowa State and Houston in back-to-back days. Despite their ability to shoot the basketball, this could be a tough task.
Kansas Jayhawks +1200 - The question will be - how much do the Jayhawks care about the tournament? Regardless, Kansas is a little bit of a question mark, as they went 3-7 away from Lawrence. The Jayhawks, unless they drastically change their fortunes, are a team to pick to lose in the first round of the big dance.
Big 12 Pick: Houston Cougars -135. The best team in the league. Possibly the best team in the country. What Kelvin Sampson’s team can do on the court is quite impressive.
There you have it. Those are our Conference Tournament betting picks for this week. We are excited for the big dance, and the action that will go on throughout the week. Best of luck with all your College Basketball betting! Check back for Part 2!
Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.