Posted on 3/19/2008 3:54:56 PM

NCAA College Basketball Picks - Mid-West Region Provides Future Opportunities

By D. S. Williamson

Before this Thursday, it is important to get your future bets down on who will win each region in the NCAA Tournament. Why, you ask? Because the odds are outrageous on some teams that figure to make huge runs in this years’ Big Dance.

This is especially true in the Mid-West Region where the number one seeded Kansas Jayhawks were given the worst of it by the NCAA Selection Committee. While UCLA gets to play Xavier and Duke, Kansas has to go through no less then four or five teams that could upset it before reaching the Final Four.

I’ve listed the top teams below along with their BetUS future odds to win the Mid-West Region. Kansas’s odds by the way are even money. I hate them at those odds. Look elsewhere, folks!

Wisconsin Badgers + 500 - - 5 to 1 are excellent BetUS odds on who I think is the most likely candidate to make it to the Final Four out of the Mid-West Region. Wisconsin has been knocking on the door the past few years. This is the year they should kick it down. They play excellent defense, have two terrific big-men and are expertly coached. Wisconsin beat the Michigan State Spartans to win the Big-10 Tournament last weekend. That should set them up perfectly for a deep and decisive run in the NCAA Tournament.

Clemson Tigers + 750 - - Clemson could have beaten the number 1 ranked and top-seeded East Regional favorite North Carolina Tar Heels in the ACC Tournament Championship Game last Sunday. Sure, the Tigers sort of lost themselves late in the game, but I think the disappointment will only help them in this region. Clemson is a tough team. Tough teams find ways to win in the Big Dance.

Vanderbilt Commodores + 1500 - - If Vandy ever decides that they can shoot, pass, and dribble on the road as well as they do at home, they could possibly not only make it to the Final Four but win the whole damn thing. The Commodores are a very, very good team. They just need to realize that they can beat teams like Tennessee every night if they just take their time and play Vanderbilt basketball.

Kansas State Wildcats + 2500 - - The reason I wanted to highlight K-State and not the USC Trojans is because K-State will beat the USC Trojans in the first round of the tournament. Michael Beasley didn’t work his ass off all season to see O.J. Mayo and the USC Trojans advance out of the first round. Once K-State beats the Trojans, they become a very dangerous team. Yes, they can make it to the Final Four at 25 to 1 odds.

Davidson Wildcats + 2500 - - Let’s not forget the other Wildcats in this region. They too have a superstar player in Stephen Curry who is averaging 25 points a game and shooting better than 43% from three-point range. This team is a serious upset candidate special! And, look at those BetUS odds! At 25 to 1, they are an excellent wager.

***Who I Don’t Like

Kansas - - BetUS odds Even - - This region is too tough. UCLA gets a walk-through and North Carolina is too good of a team. Kansas is the likeliest number one seed to fall in this years’ tournament.

Georgetown - - BetUS odds + 350 - - They’re a very good team and play terrific defense, but they have to beat Davidson in the second round, if the Wildcats survive their game versus Gonzaga, then either K-State, USC or Wisconsin should be waiting for them in the third round. Not gonna happen.

Gonzaga Bulldogs - - BetUS odds + 3000 - - The real question is how are these guys the 7th seed in this bracket and the Davidson Wildcats the 10th seed? The last I checked a guy named Adam Morrison didn’t play for Gonzaga anymore. That would have been the only reason to pick them in this region.

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