In 1975 UCLA coach John Wooden won his final national championship. Accordingly, it was his tenth in his last 12 years on the job. Wooden retired afterward, going out on top. His legacy continues to be a burden for those who have followed. Although the dynamics of college basketball have changed, the UCLA brand has not. Bruin fans still believe they should be winning national titles every year. However, UCLA has one lone natty in the 45 years that followed. Oregon is the best example of the new March Madness betting dynamics. The Ducks are the basketball power of the West.
2021 Pac 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament
When: March 10-13, 2021
Where: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada
TV: Pac 12 Network and ESPN
CashBet Odds: Click Here
Oregon Brings Momentum and Regular Season Title
Overall, the Ducks have won three of the last six Pac 12 Tournaments, including the last one in 2019. For the fourth time since 2016, Oregon won the Pac 12 regular-season title. Altman arrived at Oregon in 2010 and has led the school to its most successful era in history. Specifically, in 2017 Altman’s Ducks made the Final Four. During his time at Oregon, Altman has a win percentage of .720. He is the highest-paid public employee in the state for a reason. And Oregon enters the week as the Best sportsbook online favorite.
Oregon is riding strong momentum into the Pac 12 Tournament. To illustrate, the Ducks have covered four games in a row. Oregon has a record of 18-5 straight up, 13-11 against the spread, and 15-9 over the total. National metrics show the Ducks 105th out of 350 teams for scoring and 83rd for points allowed. Guard Chris Duarte leads Oregon with 17.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. And then forward Eugene Omoruyi adds 16.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest.
A Trojan Horse or Emerging Power
Second place in the Pac 12 went to the Trojans. USC has a 2021 March Madness Betting record of 21-6 straight up, 16-11 against the spread, and 14-13 over the total. National rankings show the Trojans 102nd for scoring offense and 38th for points allowed. Since taking over in 2013, coach Andy Enfield has methodically built a national contender. Defense has been the centerpiece of his success. However, the Trojans are limping into the Pac 12 tournament. USC has covered only two of their last six games. Four of their last five stayed under the total.
Forward Evan Mobley leads USC with 16.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Guard Tahj Eaddy brings 13.8 points per contest.
Colorado Buffs Up in the Shadows
On the whole, Colorado may be the surprise bet on NCAA basketball team of the tournament. The Buffaloes finished 20-7 straight up, 16-11 against the spread, and 9-17 under the total. Colorado is sparked by the nation’s 25th best scoring defense. Late on, the Buffs have covered there in a row. Seven of their last eight went under the total. CU was one of the most profitable teams in the Pac 12 on the season.
Namely, guard McKinley Wright IV led the Buffs with 15.3 points and 5.7 assists per game. Coach Tad Boyle is in his 11th season on the job. And he is the most successful coach in the history of the program.
Red Ink Bruin at UCLA
The marquee men of UCLA continue to struggle on the board. To illuminate, the Bruins have covered only three of their last ten. Three of their last five went over the total. UCLA has a 2021 March Madness Betting record of 17-8 straight up, 12-13 against the spread, and 14-11 over the total. UCLA ranked a lackluster 143rd nationally for scoring and 108th for points allowed.
In sum, Guard Johnny Juzang leads the Bruins with 14.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Coach Mick Cronin has six of his players averaging double figures.
2021 Pac 12 Tournament CashBet Best Bet:
USC Trojans
