By the time that the Tar Heels of North Carolina had cut down the nets symbolic of the National Champions of college basketball last April, the race for the title for the 2010 champs had already begun.  Other than the betting on the National Football League, betting on NCAA College Basketball is the most popular of all sports wagering events.  There are games played daily from November through March Madness inclusive, and a knowledgeable bettor can make a bundle by doing due diligence in research and noting trends.

The Futures Bet on the NCA College Basketball Kingpin usually contains lucrative odds.  It seems that this year is no exception.  In reality, there really is no clear-cut favourite, although Kansas, Michigan State and Villanova have been established in sportsbook parlours as the pre-season leaders of the pack.

We offer for your advisement our opinions on some of the best bets available for the College basketball Crown this year.  As always, we try to present to you those teams that we feel will be in the mix come April, and also those teams that have a puncher’s chance to get into the mix.

Favourites

Kansas appears to have all the elements necessary to make a run at the national title – outstanding guard play, a dominating center and a proven winner for a coach.  This is why you should shy away from Kansas.  Most online sports wagering sites have established Kansas as 3-1 favourites, and this is a wager you should avoid.   Kansas, however, will advance to the Final Four.

Michigan State and Villanova are the next two favourite squads.  Both teams advanced to the Final Four last year, and chances are that they will not have the same good fortune this year.

Secondary Favourites 

These squads deserve more than a second look, because the odds are favourable and their talent levels are good enough for them to win a national title.  The teams include Mississippi State, North Carolina, Duke, and Tennessee.  Of these teams, Tennessee has the guard play and speed to propel them into the Final Four.

Long Shots

There are several teams that have gone under the radar this year that have the talent to take the crown.  These teams are long shots, and some sportsbook parlours are offering odds as much as 50-1 on these squads.  Our selections for long shots are Syracuse, Ohio State, Louisville and upstart Siena.  Look for Syracuse and Ohio State to advance to the Final Four.

Our prognostication for the Championship game is Syracuse and Kansas and, as in 2003, Syracuse will use a blistering three-point shooting barrage to upset Kansas by a score of 77-74, and capture its second NCAA Crown of this decade.