PAC 12 College Basketball Betting 2011-2012 (Preview)
Carrie Stroup here with your PAC 12 College Basketball betting 2011-2012 preview. All odds courtesy of Sportsbook.com, offering up to $200 in free cash when you open an online betting account here today
Sportsbook.com Pac 12 College Basketball Preview
This year’s Pacific-12 has five teams that should be on the national radar – UCLA, Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington. Although none of them project to be among the best of the best in the country, they are five well-rounded squads that should make the NCAA Tournament and cause havoc once they are there. The conference has two new members with Colorado and Utah, but neither team will factor into the race. Ultimately, play on the Bruins to take this year’s Pac-12 on the back of Reeves Nelson, who should surprise the nation with a breakout season.
Predicted Order of Finish:
1. UCLA
2. Arizona
3. California
4. Oregon
5. Washington
6. Arizona State
7. USC
8. Stanford
9. Colorado
10. Oregon State
11. Washington State
12. Utah
UCLA BRUINS
2010-11 SU Record: 68% (23-11)
2010-11 ATS Record: 53% (18-16)
2010-11 Over (Total): 49% (16-17)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 60/1
The Bruins finished a decent 23-11 last season and bring back the key to that success in Reeves Nelson. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 13.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game last season while making buckets at a 57% clip. Joshua Smith brings his mountainous self back to school (6-foot-10, 305 pounds) eager to build on a strong freshman campaign (10.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG). Freshman shooting guard Normal Powell and senior Lazeric Jones should be able to replace some of the scoring production that left with Malcolm Lee and Tyler Honeycutt, and this team should not miss a beat as the favorites in the Pac-12.
ARIZONA WILDCATS
2010-11 SU Record: 79% (30-8)
2010-11 ATS Record: 57% (20-15)
2010-11 Over (Total): 52% (17-16)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 60/1
The Wildcats knocked off No. 1 seed Duke in the NCAA Tournament, but the key to that success is now gone. The team’s two leading scorers, Derrick Williams and Lamont Jones, are both departed for this new-look Arizona team that returns its other three starters with Kyle Fogg, Solomon Hill and Jesse Perry. Fogg could be primed for a breakout season, having hit 50 treys last year as a junior. With Josiah Turner, one of the nation’s top recruits, stepping in to run the point, this potent offensive attack will challenge the Bruins for Pac-12 supremacy.
CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS
2010-11 SU Record: 55% (18-15)
2010-11 ATS Record: 48% (15-16)
2010-11 Over (Total): 73% (22-8)
Returning Starters: 4
Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 100/1
California went only 18-15 last season, but the Bears bring back four starters, including their three top scorers, all of whom averaged double-digit points. Leading that crew is senior guard Jorge Gutierrez, who averaged 14.6 points, 4.5 assists and 1.6 steals per contest. Although they do not add any top freshmen to the equation, that three-man core of Gutierrez, Harper Kamp (14.2 PPG) and Allen Crabbe (13.4 PPG) definitely places them in the conference’s top tier.
OREGON DUCKS
2010-11 SU Record: 54% (21-18)
2010-11 ATS Record: 51% (19-18)
2010-11 Over (Total): 53% (17-15)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 300/1
This is the surprise pick so far, as the Ducks did not even receive a vote in the pre-season ESPN/USA today poll. But, with three starters coming back including E.J. Singler (11.7 PPG), this team will be surprisingly dangerous. Shooting guard Jabari Brown, one of the top freshmen in the country, will be a key for them as well – as one of the best shooters in his class, he has the potential to create nightmares for opposing coaches.
WASHINGTON HUSKIES
2010-11 SU Record: 69% (24-11)
2010-11 ATS Record: 50% (16-16)
2010-11 Over (Total): 45% (14-17)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 75/1
The Huskies lose their leading scorer from last season in Isaiah Thomas, but bring back two key starters and add a top recruit. Guard Abdul Gaddy (50% FG) was a breakout player in the conference last year prior to ending his season early due to injury, while seven-footer Aziz N’Diaye is a defensive force inside. Additionally, Tony Wroten Jr. is one of the country’s top point guard recruits, making this the last of the Pac-12 teams that should expect dance come March.
ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS
2010-11 SU Record: 39% (12-19)
2010-11 ATS Record: 39% (11-17)
2010-11 Over (Total): 46% (12-14)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 300/1
Although Arizona State only brings back two starters from last year’s team, one of them is Trent Lockett, one of the most dangerous players in the conference. He led the team with 13.4 PPG last season, and also contributed 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest. At 6-foot-5, the swingman creates matchup problems and could help the Sun Devils compete late in the season.
USC TROJANS
2010-11 SU Record: 56% (19-15)
2010-11 ATS Record: 50% (15-15)
2010-11 Over (Total): 33% (10-20)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 100/1
USC will sorely miss the NBA-bound Nikola Vucevic, but returning starters Jio Fontan (10.5 PPG, 3.9 APG) and Maurice Jones (9.9 PPG) form a respectable core. They are nowhere near the same class as the Pac-12 elite, but the Trojans should be able to defeat weaker conference foes.
STANFORD CARDINAL
2010-11 SU Record: 48% (15-16)
2010-11 ATS Record: 43% (12-16)
2010-11 Over (Total): 48% (12-13)
Returning Starters: 4
Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 300/1
Even though last year’s leading scorer in Jeremy Green is gone, big man Josh Owens returns for his senior season after scoring 11.6 PPG on 58% shooting last season. The Cardinal went a measly 7-11 in conference last year, but should receive a boost from the addition of point guard Chasson Randle and the continued development of the rest of their team.
COLORADO BUFFALOES
2010-11 SU Record: 63% (24-14)
2010-11 ATS Record: 53% (17-15)
2010-11 Over (Total): 63% (19-11)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 300/1
This will be a very different looking Buffaloes squad without Alec Burks (20.5 PPG) and last year’s other three double-digit scorers. Six-foot-7 guard Andre Roberson is the leading scorer returning from last season with 6.7 points per game, and will have to turn his athletic frame into big-time production for Colorado to contend in its first year in the Pac-12.
OREGON STATE BEAVERS
2010-11 SU Record: 36% (11-20)
2010-11 ATS Record: 50% (12-12)
2010-11 Over (Total): 56% (14-11)
Returning Starters: 4
Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 300/1
The Beavers struggled mightily last season, going 5-13 in the conference and bring back most of their team from last season. They will have some potential though, if junior guard Jared Cunningham can develop further after averaging 14.2 points and 2.8 steals per game in his sophomore campaign.
WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
2010-11 SU Record: 63% (22-13)
2010-11 ATS Record: 56% (18-14)
2010-11 Over (Total): 53% (17-15)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 300/1
This will be a rough transitional year for the Cougars after losing Klay Thompson (21.6 PPG) to the NBA. Senior guard Faisal Aden (12.7 PPG) will have to shoulder the load for a team that will be fighting to keep its way out of the conference cellar.
UTAH UTES
2010-11 SU Record: 42% (13-18)
2010-11 ATS Record: 45% (13-16)
2010-11 Over (Total): 50% (14-14)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2012 NCAA Championship: 300/1
Utah will finish last in its first season in the Pac-12, lacking the talent to pull out any surprise wins against conference foes. Gunner Josh Watkins (14.5 PPG, 27% 3-point FG) is not shy when it comes to shooting the rock, but the Utes will need 7-foot-3 center David Foster, who averaged over three blocks per game last season, to produce some offense.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
