2022 was a forgettable year for a variety of reasons.
I’m personally looking to move past 2022.
Some ups, some big wins, but a lot of downs overall.
Even with those downs, the one positive was the ability to pick futures.
Iblogged last Novemberthree NCAA Basketball picks to cut down the nets in April.
One of those three picks cashed in…The Kansas Jayhawks.
I again then gave out Kansas at +1300 before the tournament.
Baseball rolled around and I once again nailed the World Series winner before the playoffs.
Astros +350…Cash the tickets.
Not a bad haul for an otherwise shitty year.
Onto 2023, where we hope to replicate some of those big paydays.
Let’s start with College Hoops.
Here’s three picks based on the current numbers atThe Barstool Sportsbookto take a look at.
As always, gamble responsibly.
First up…
Kansas +1500
I mean how could I not?
Always seemed to pick Kansas in the bracket year after year.
Had my heart broken in 2016 when Perry Ellis in explicably took 5 shots.
Kansas ranks 14th in Offensive Efficiency and 10th in Defensive Efficiency.
Jalen Wilson is a star and has come into the role of superstar.
His 21 ppg and 8.6 rebounds per game are a super impressive stat line.
They have Bill Self who knows how to win and navigate the tournament.
They have star freshman Gradey Dick who’s a sharpshooter and not afraid to take big shots.
His 48.1% from 3pt is unreal.
The real reason I love this team?
The Point Guard Dajuan Harris.
Look at this sequence:
Kid makes plays like this every night.
The one glaring potential knock on Kansas is their size.
KJ Adams starts essentially at center…he’s 6'7.
Until then, I’ll back Kansas going back to back.
you didn’t see this one coming !
Now before you call me a homer, I urge you to watch Alabama play ball.
They aren’t last year’s team.
They are way better, and most importantly way better defensively.
The Tide are 16th in Defensive Efficiency and their missing their best defender for another 3-5 weeks.
Nimari Burnett will not be back until February at best.
Additionally, they are defending the 3pt line much better.
He can do all of that.
Xavier +6000
Here’s a deep one worth a shot.
Let’s tackle the facts.
I do think the Big East is down this year.
It’s worth noting Xavier and UCONN are the only ranked Big East teams right now.
The bottom of the conference is bad.
Villanova isn’t what they usually are, Creighton is struggling, and Marquette and Providence are over achieving.
Xavier has that potential.
Another reason to believe the defense will get better is the guy on the sidelines track record.
The other 8 teams defensive efficiency ranks?
(29th, 29th, 3rd, 1st, 32nd, 67th, 12th, and 39th ).
Even if you don’t like the guy, he can sure as hell coach.
That’s maybe the biggest reason I will buy this team at this price.
In 11 tournament appearances, been knocked out in the 1st weekend 4 times.
In those losses, he was the higher seed just twice.
He also reached the Elite 8 four times.
He also has two Sweet 16 appearances.
His teams do well.
He maximizes talent, and this Xavier team has talent, along with size and toughness.
Xavier is a real dark horse.
