College Confidential

Louisville gets nod as NCAA favorite; oddsmaker likes Florida over Kansas in South despite seeds #NCAA

Louisville is the top overall seed in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, based on the findings of basketball selection committee members, but ranks as only a slight favorite over other teams – including No. 3 seed Florida, the favorite in the South Regional – based on odds released today by Bovada Sports Book (www.Bovada.lv).

Although the four top seeds in the various regionals rank among the website’s five teams with the best chance to win the tournament, Louisville (19/4) is given only slightly better odds than fellow No. 1 seeds Indiana (5/1), Gonzaga (10/1) or Kansas (10/1). Florida (7/1) actually received more favorable odds than Kansas, the Big 12 champion, to win the South Regional that will be decided March 29-31 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

With no Texas teams in this year’s event, schools from neighboring states given the best odds to cut down the nets in Atlanta on April 8 include New Mexico (25/1), Oklahoma State (75/1), Oklahoma (250/1), New Mexico State (500/1) and Northwestern (La.) State (500/1).

Below is a look at the odds for all 68 teams in the tournament field, released today:

 

Odds to win the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship 

Louisville #1                              19/4

Indiana #1                                 5/1

Florida #3                                 7/1

Gonzaga #1                              10/1

Kansas #1                                 10/1

Duke #2                                   12/1

Miami, Fla. #2                           14/1

Ohio State #2                            16/1

Michigan State #3                      18/1

Georgetown #2                          20/1

Syracuse #4                              22/1

New Mexico #3                          25/1

St. Louis #4                              25/1

Michigan #4                              25/1

Wisconsin #5                            25/1

Pittsburgh #8                            33/1

VCU #5                                     40/1

UNLV #5                                   60/1

Arizona #6                                 60/1

NC State #8                              60/1

North Carolina #8                       60/1

Marquette #3                             66/1

Memphis #6                              75/1

Butler #6                                   75/1

UCLA #6                                   75/1

Minnesota #11                           75/1

Oklahoma State #5                    75/1

Kansas State #4                        75/1

Missouri #9                               75/1

San Diego State #7                   100/1

Creighton #7                             100/1

Notre Dame #7                          100/1

California #12                            150/1

Illinois #7                                  200/1

Colorado State #8                     200/1

Wichita State #9                        200/1

Villanova #9                              200/1

Temple #9                                 200/1

Iowa State #10                          200/1

Colorado #10                            200/1

Ole Miss #12                            200/1

Oklahoma #10                           250/1

Cincinnati #10                            250/1

Oregon #12                               300/1

St. Mary's #11                           300/1

Bucknell #11                             300/1

Belmont #11                              300/1

Middle Tennessee #11               500/1

Akron #12                                 500/1

Boise State #13                         500/1

LaSalle #13                               500/1

New Mexico State #13               500/1

South Dakota State #13             500/1

Montana #13                             500/1

Davidson #14                            500/1

Valparaiso #14                          500/1

Harvard #14                              500/1

Northwestern State #14              500/1

Iona #15                                    500/1

Pacific #15                                500/1

Florida Gulf Coast #15               500/1

Albany #15                                500/1

Western Kentucky #16               500/1

Southern #16                             500/1

James Madison #16                  1000/1

LIU Brooklyn #16                       1000/1

NC A&T #16                              1000/1

Liberty #16                                1000/1

 

Odds to win the 2013 NCAA Midwest Region  

Louisville #1                              11/10

Duke #2                                    15/4

Michigan State #3                      11/2

St. Louis #4                              15/2

Oklahoma State #5                    20/1

Creighton #7                             20/1

Missouri #9                               20/1

Memphis #6                              25/1

Cincinnati #10                            50/1

Saint Mary's #11                        50/1

Oregon #12                              66/1

Colorado State #8                     75/1

New Mexico State #13               75/1

Valparaiso #14                          100/1

Albany #15                                100/1

NC A&T #16                              200/1

Liberty #16                                200/1

 

Odds to win the 2013 NCAA West Region       

Gonzaga #1                              5/2

Ohio State #2                            11/4

New Mexico #3                          5/1

Wisconsin #5                            8/1

Pittsburgh #8                            8/1

Arizona #6                                 12/1

Kansas Sate #4                         16/1

Notre Dame #7                          33/1

Iowa State #10                          35/1

Ole Miss #12                             40/1

Belmont #11                              50/1

Boise State #13                         66/1

Wichita State #9                        66/1

LaSalle #13                               100/1

Harvard #14                              100/1

Iona #15                                    100/1

Southern #16                             100/1

 

Odds to win the 2013 NCAA South Region      

Florida #3                                 3/2

Kansas #1                                 7/2

Georgetown #2                          5/1

Michigan #4                              7/1

VCU #5                                     14/1

North Carolina #8                       16/1

Minnesota #11                           18/1

San Diego State #7                   25/1

UCLA #6                                   30/1

Villanova #9                              40/1

Oklahoma #10                           40/1

Akron #12                                 75/1

South Dakota State #13             75/1

Northwestern State #14              100/1

Florida Gulf Coast #15               100/1

Western Kentucky #16               100/1

 

Odds to win the 2013 NCAA East Region         

Indiana #1                                 5/4

Miami Florida #2                        7/2

Syracuse #4                              5/1

Marquette #3                             12/1

UNLV #5                                   15/1

Butler #6                                   20/1

NC State #8                              20/1

Illinois #7                                  25/1

California #12                            40/1

Davidson #14                            40/1

Colorado #10                            40/1

Temple #9                                 50/1

Bucknell #11                            50/1

Montana #13                             75/1

Pacific #15                                100/1

LIU Brooklyn #16                       200/1

James Madison #16                  200/1

 

 _ Jimmy Burch

 

 

Texas, Texas Tech, TCU and Baylor add Thursday games to 2013 FB schedules #UT, #Tech, #TCU, #Baylor

Four Big 12 football teams will have Thursday night games, arranged for national telecasts, on their 2013 schedules: Texas, Texas Tech, TCU and Baylor.

Texas and Texas Tech will play in two of the four Thursday games, including a Thanksgiving night matchup in Austin, league officials announced today. TCU and Baylor will have one game each.

The Thursday night telecasts, with times and networks to be announced later, include Texas at Iowa State (Oct. 3), TCU at Texas Tech (Sept. 12), Oklahoma at Baylor (Nov. 7) and Texas Tech at Texas on Thanksgiving night (Nov. 28).

_ Jimmy Burch

Texas, Texas Tech draw two Thursday FB telecasts, including T'givng night; TCU, Baylor get one #UT, #TCU, #Tech, #Baylor

Texas and Texas Tech will play in two of four Thursday night football games to be played by Big 12 teams during the 2013 season, including a Thanksgiving night matchup in Austin, league officials announced today.

The Thursday night telecasts, with times and networks to be announced later, include Texas at Iowa State (Oct. 3), TCU at Texas Tech (Sept. 12), Oklahoma at Baylor (Nov. 7) and Texas Tech at Texas on Thanksgiving night (Nov. 28).

_ Jimmy Burch

 

Spring football drills open Thursday at Texas; fellow Big 12 members TCU, Baylor begin March 1

Texas will open its spring football drills Thursday in Austin, just 15 days after adding its latest crop of recruits on National Signing Day. And the remainder of Big 12 schools will not be far behind the Longhorns in returning to the field for workouts.

Baylor and TCU begin spring football drills on March 1, with Oklahoma (March 6), Oklahoma State (March 11) and Texas Tech (March 24) opening later in the month. Texas will close its spring drills on Saturday, March 30 with its Orange-White Game in Austin (6:30 p.m., Longhorn Network).

Below is a look at the spring football schedules for league teams:  

 
Big 12 spring football dates
Baylor: March 1 start, spring game April 6
Iowa State: March 26 start, spring game April 20
Kansas: March 5 start, spring game April 13
Kansas State: April 3 start, spring game April 27
Oklahoma: March 6 start, spring game April 13
Oklahoma State: March 11 start, spring game April 20
TCU: March 1 start, spring game TBA
Texas: Thursday start, spring game March 30
Texas Tech: March 24 start, spring game April 20
West Virginia: March 10 start, spring game April 20

NOTE: Dates are subject to change.

_ Jimmy Burch 

Texas to focus on up-tempo offense when spring FB drills open Thursday #Longhorns

Texas football coach Mack Brown seeks to speed up the Longhorns’ pace of play during spring drills, which begin Thursday in Austin.

But only the team’s tempo is expected to change, not its focus on a physical ground game that is expected to incorporate more carries from quarterback David Ash to complement the efforts of running backs Johnathan Gray, Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron.

The Longhorns, who will be the first Big 12 team to open spring drills, will cap their spring session with an Orange-White game on March 30 in Austin (6:30 p.m., Longhorn Network).

“We want to run a similar offense, but do it from no huddle and try to keep the same personnel on the field,” said Brown, whose team is coming off a 9-4 season. “We changed so much personnel over the last couple of years that we felt like it gave defenses a chance to match with us in packages. So we’re trying to get a group on the field and keep them on the field and run a lot of different plays and formations from the same personnel so the defense cannot rest.”

Ideally, Brown said the Longhorns would like to snap the ball every 15 to 18 seconds, which was not possible the past two seasons under former offensive play-caller Bryan Harsin, now the head football coach at Arkansas State. Harsin used multiple personnel packages tailored to the strengths of individual players, a practice Brown will alter under offensive coordinator Major Applewhite, who made his debut as the team’s play-caller during Texas’ 31-27 victory over Oregon State in the Alamo Bowl.

In terms of tempo, Brown said the Longhorns seek to emulate what Oregon has done in recent seasons while playing in four consecutive BCS bowl games under former coach Chip Kelly.

“We’re not going to be the option-type team like Oregon, but we’re going to run their tempo,” Brown said. “You still want to be physical. But we’re going to do it without huddling and try to do it with the same personnel.”

Ash, a junior and third-year starter, returns to lead a team that will be one of the more experienced squads in the Big 12 after two consecutive seasons in which Texas has played a large number of freshmen. But Brown stressed there will be in-house competition at all positions.

“All of our jobs are always open,” Brown said. “Very honestly, we’re going to play the best players.”

Below is a look at the spring football dates for all Big 12 schools:

 
Big 12 spring football dates
Baylor: March 1 start, spring game April 6
Iowa State: March 26 start, spring game April 20
Kansas: March 5 start, spring game April 13
Kansas State: April 3 start, spring game April 27
Oklahoma: March 6 start, spring game April 13
Oklahoma State: March 11 start, spring game April 20
TCU: March 1 start, spring game TBA
Texas: Thursday start, spring game March 30
Texas Tech: March 24 start, spring game April 20
West Virginia: March 10 start, spring game April 20

_ Jimmy Burch 

No. 5 Florida installed as slight favorite to win 2013 NCAA Tournament by oddsmaker

Florida, the No. 5 team in this week’s Associated Press poll of men’s college basketball teams, did not earn a single first-place vote from participating panelists. But the Gators (21-3, 11-1 in SEC) have been installed as the favorite to win the 2013 NCAA Tournament, based on odds released today by Bovada Sports Book (www.Bovada.lv).

Florida, which plays tonight at Missouri (18-7, 7-5) received 5/1 odds to win the national title among a very balanced group of favorites. Other teams given the best odds of cutting down the nets in Atlanta, listed with this week’s AP poll ranking, include No. 1 Indiana (11/2), No. 2 Miami (11/2), No. 7 Michigan (15/2), No. 6 Duke (9/1), No. 4 Michigan State (10/1), No. 3 Gonzaga (12/1), No. 10 Louisville (12/1) and No. 9 Kansas (14/1). All other teams received odds of at least 20/1.

Odds given to other Big 12 schools include No. 14 Oklahoma State (50/1), No. 13Kansas State (60/1), Baylor (150/1), Oklahoma (200/1) and Iowa State (200/1).

Below is a breakdown of schools that received individual odds to win the 2013 NCAA Tournament:

Odds to win the 2012-2013 Men's NCAA Basketball Championship    
Florida                             5/1
Indiana                             11/2
Miami FL                              11/2
Michigan                              15/2
Duke                             9/1
Michigan State              10/1
Gonzaga                       12/1
Louisville                              12/1
Kansas                            14/1
Arizona                            20/1
Syracuse                              20/1
Ohio State                    30/1
North Carolina State      40/1
Butler                                40/1
Pittsburgh                            40/1
Cincinnati                             50/1
New Mexico                        50/1
Oklahoma State            50/1
UCLA                            50/1
VCU                             50/1
Wisconsin                            50/1
Georgetown                        60/1
Kansas State                60/1
Marquette                            60/1
Minnesota                            60/1
Creighton                      66/1
UNLV                            66/1
Colorado State              75/1
Missouri                               75/1
North Carolina                    75/1
Notre Dame                  75/1
Oregon                             75/1
Illinois                               100/1
Kentucky                              100/1
Memphis                              100/1
San Diego State            100/1
St. Louis                              100/1
Baylor                           150/1
California                             150/1
Colorado                              150/1
Virginia                            150/1
Wichita State                 150/1
Iowa State                     200/1
Oklahoma                            200/1
Mississippi                          200/1
St. Mary's                     200/1
Villanova                       250/1
Alabama                               300/1
Arkansas                              300/1
Arizona State                500/1
Davidson                      500/1
Iowa                                  500/1
LSU                              500/1
Maryland                              500/1
Stanford                       500/1
Harvard                         1000/1
St. John's                     1000/1
Temple                             1000/1

_ Jimmy Burch

NCAA committee chairman expects smooth run in Cowboys Stadium debut as tourney site

Although the chairman of the NCAA men’s basketball committee anticipates “more madness than we’re used to in March” in a parity-filled season, he stressed today that officials anticipate a smooth logistical run during Cowboys Stadium’s debut as an NCAA venue when it hosts the South Regional, March 29-31.

The key, said tournament chair Mike Bobinski, rests with the experience of the administrative staff from the Big 12, which will oversee the regional site.

“We feel like Cowboys Stadium will be a tremendous regional host and an equally tremendous Final Four host,” Bobinski said. “The Big 12 has hosted a number of regionals before ... For teams to play in one of the iconic venues in the country is great. We’re excited about being there.”

Bobinski said the setup of Cowboys Stadium at the South Regional will be used “as a dress rehearsal” for the 2014 Final Four, which also is coming to the facility.

_ Jimmy Burch

TCU golfer Julien Brun included on 2013 Ben Hogan Award watch list

TCU golfer Julien Brun, a sophomore from France who won an event as an amateur on the 2012 European Challenge Tour, is one of 27 players on the watch list for the 2013 Ben Hogan Award, given to the nation’s top college golfer.

Brun, who won in September at the Allianz Golf Open Toulouse Metropole on Europe’s developmental tour, was joined today on the watch list by three fellow Big 12 golfers: Texas’ Brandon Stone, Oklahoma State’s Talor Gooch and Iowa State’s Scott Fernandez.

California had the most golfers on the watch list, with four:  Brandon Hagy, Max Homa, Michael Kim and Michael Weaver.

A list of 10 semifinalists, which could include individuals not on today’s watch list, will be released April 18. The list will be trimmed May 8 to three finalists, who will be in Fort Worth for the May 20 announcement of the winner as part of tournament week activities at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.

A full list of players on the watch list is below:

 2013 Ben Hogan Award Watch List

(in alphabetical order)

Daniel Berger (Florida State, So.), Julien Brun (TCU, So.), Albin Choi (North Carolina State, Jr.), Corey Conners (Kent State, Jr.), Scott Fernandez (Iowa State, So.), Steven Fox (Chattanooga, Sr.), Ben Geyer (St. Mary’s, Sr.), Talor Gooch (Oklahoma State, Jr.), Brandon Hagy (California, Jr.), Max Homa (California, Sr.), Michael Kim (California, So.), Jace Long (Missouri, Sr.), Tyler McCumber (Florida, Sr.), Cheng-Tsung Pan (Washington, So.), Kevin Penner (UNLV, Sr.), Thomas Pieters (Illinois, Jr.), Patrick Rodgers (Stanford, So.), Trevor Simsby (Washington, Jr.), Brandon Stone (Texas, Fr.), Julian Suri (Duke, Sr.), Ben Taylor (Nova Southeastern, Jr.), Justin Thomas (Alabama, So.), T.J. Vogel (Florida, Sr.), Michael Weaver (California, Jr.), Pontus Widegren (UCLA, Sr.), Chris Williams (Washington, Sr.) and Bobby Wyatt (Alabama, Jr.).

 

_ Jimmy Burch 

 

Big 12 ADs support seeking alliance with other leagues, have not ruled out expansion

IRVING _ Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said league athletic directors expressed unanimous support for exploring a scheduling and marketing alliance with the ACC and other conferences during a Monday meeting but did not close the door on the possibility of future expansion.

Bowlsby said Big 12 administrators seek to prepare themselves for “any eventuality” on the realignment front and discussed multiple options during a three-hour discussion about the league’s future. But he stressed that league officials would not rush to expand from the existing 10-member configuration unless it makes financial sense.

Based on a recent Forbes projection for the current school year, the Big 12 is expected to have the highest average payout of any conference in terms of television, bowl and NCAA Tournament revenues _ roughly $26 million per school. Prospective new members would have to bring a comparable amount of value to the table to trigger voluntary expansion.

“Anybody we would look at would have to bring pro rata or a very high likelihood of sustained growth that would bring benefits to the league,” Bowlsby said. “We are never going to get bigger just for the sake of getting bigger.”

Bowlsby acknowledged expansion by other leagues could force the Big 12’s hand and said officials “have to be prepared to respond to that changing environment.” Speculation has centered on Big 12 interest from Florida State and Clemson, with Connecticut and Cincinnati among the most desirable remaining assets in the crumbling Big East.

But the league’s favored option, expressed in a unanimous vote at Monday’s meeting, would be an alliance with the ACC and two other leagues Bowlsby declined to name. Commissioners from the Pac-12 and SEC said Monday they are not part of the discussions with the Big 12, ACC and other leagues.

“Our group said these alliances have merit and we’re willing to support it,” Bowlsby said. “The discussions are probably furthest along with the ACC, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what we’re going to end up doing.”

Big 12 athletic directors deferred questions to Bowlsby but indicated they joined him in considering Monday’s session a step forward in solidifying plans for the league’s future.

“I think we did gravitate around some principles that will guide us going forward,” said Bowlsby, who declined to offer details. “I think we created some filters that we all agreed on and I think there was a fair amount of unanimity in the room.”

The two-day meeting continues today, with discussions about future football schedules and bowl partnerships.

 Twitter: @Jimmy_Burch

_ Jimmy Burch

Big 12 ADs to discuss expansion, scheduling alliances with other leagues during meetings this week

Big 12 athletic directors will meet Monday and Tuesday in Irving for talks about the future of the league, with topics to include the pros and cons of expansion as well as the viability of future scheduling alliances with other leagues. Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby has said league officials could be proactive on the expansion front, if necessary, but stressed that most administrators remain satisfied with the league’s 10-team configuration “until we’re persuaded that larger is better.”

Entering into a scheduling agreement with the ACC and other leagues could offer financial benefits without expanding the league, in Bowlsby’s estimation, and will one of the discussion topics. League officials also will deal with future football schedules and other issues during the regularly scheduled meeting.

_ Jimmy Burch