For the second straight year, only three of the ACC's 12 teams played more over games than under games last season, a college basketball betting trend worth watching. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2010/11 season are in parentheses:
NORTH CAROLINA (29-8 SU, 16-17-1 ATS, 15-19 O/U)
What's not to like about a 29-win Elite Eight team that returns its entire starting five, including Harrison Barnes (15.7 PPG), Tyler Zeller (15.7 PPG) and Kendall Marshall (6.2 APG) and is the early favorite to win it all?
Sportsbook Buster: The Tar Heels are 20-32-2 ATS in conference games the last three seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: UNC is 6-10-1 ATS in neutral site games the last two years.
Bets and Pieces: The "under" is 26-10 in ACC games the last two seasons.
DUKE (32-5 SU, 20-16 ATS, 17-19 O/U)
The three top scorers are gone but Coach K has more size than usual and frosh Austin Rivers, the nation's top recruit, can get the job done at the point. This team should be better in March than in November.
Sportsbook Buster: The Blue Devils are 14-8 ATS in neutral site games the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The "under" is 39-18 in Duke's conference games the last three years.
Bets and Pieces: The last two seasons, Blue Devils are 21-13-1 ATS on three or more days rest.
FLORIDA STATE (23-11 SU, 16-11-2 ATS, 11-16 O/U)
A smothering defense that allowed opponents to shoot a nation-best just 36.3 percent from the field last year should again be the foundation of another Sweet 16 team. What's more, the Seminoles can shoot those threes.
Sportsbook Buster: The Seminoles were 10-5-2 ATS in ACC games.
Sports Betting Angle: Florida State was 8-3-1 ATS on two or fewer days rest.
Bets and Pieces: The "under" is 20-13-1 in FSU conference games the last two seasons.
VIRGINIA (16-15 SU, 17-9 ATS, 9-14 O/U)
Mike Scott (15.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG) is a double-double machine in the paint and the Cavaliers can also launch it from 3-point range, leading the ACC in that category last season. Look for Virginia to return to the Big Dance for the first time since 2007.
Sportsbook Buster: The Cavaliers are 8-13 as home underdogs the last four seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The last three years, the "under" is 33-16 when Virginia was an underdog.
Bets and Pieces: The Cavs were 16-7 ATS on two or more days rest last season.
MIAMI (21-15 SU, 15-14-2 ATS, 16-15 O/U)
Four starters return, including the top-notch guard duo of Malcolm Grant (14.8 PPG) and Durand Scott (13.6 PPG), as well as center Reggie Johnson (11.9 PPG, 9.6 RPG). Transfer Trey McKinney Jones adds even more scoring punch to a solid team.
Sportsbook Buster: The Hurricanes are 29-9 ATS versus non-conference foes the last four seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The "over" was 11-6 when Miami played with three or more days rest.
Bets and Pieces: The ‘Canes are 10-3 ATS in neutral site games the last two years.
CLEMSON (22-12 SU, 15-14-2 ATS, 10-17-1 O/U)
The Tigers don't have anyone back in the ACC top 10 in scoring or rebounding but they play aggressive defense and will look to Andre Young (39.6 percent 3-point shooting) and hotshot frosh T.J. Sapp, a combo guard, for another 20-win season.
Sportsbook Buster: The Tigers were 8-4-1 ATS in games following a pointspread loss.
Sports Betting Angle: The "under" is 19-8 in Clemson conference games the last two years.
Bets and Pieces: The Tigers were 5-8 ATS versus non-conference opponents.
VIRGINIA TECH (22-12 SU, 13-15-2 ATS, 15-15 O/U)
Hard to fathom but even without Malcolm Delaney (18.7 PPG) and Jeff Allen (13.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG), the Hokies, paced by Erik Green (11.6 PPG) and a superior recruiting class led by glass cleaner Dorian Finney-Smith, could still be formidable.
Sportsbook Buster: The "over" is 13-6 in non-conference play the past two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The "over" was 9-1 when the Gobblers were home favorites.
Bets and Pieces: Virginia Tech was 7-11 ATS in games following a SU victory.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE (15-16 SU, 10-15-2 ATS, 12-12-1 O/U)
New Head Coach Mark Gottfried (279-154 at Murray State and Alabama) inherits a team with some star power, including C.J. Leslie (11 PPG, 7.2 RPG) and Scott Wood (No. 2 in the ACC in 3-pt. shooting) but probably not enough to escape the bottom half of the ACC.
Sportsbook Buster: The Wolfpack was just 4-11-2 ATS in ACC games last season.
Sports Betting Angle: NC State is 8-3 ATS on neutral courts the past two years.
Bets and Pieces: The Wolfpack is 4-8 as a home underdog the last two seasons.
GEORGIA TECH (13-18 SU, 10-15-1 ATS, 10-15 O/U)
Things could get ugly in Atlanta with new Head Coach Brian Gregory relying on Arkansas State transfer Brandon Reed (15.1 PPG) to supply much of the offense. The Yellow Jackets start a center who hit 37 percent of his free throws last year.
Sportsbook Buster: The Yellow Jackets are 13-21 as home favorites the past four seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The "under" is 24-13 in Georgia Tech ACC games the past two years.
Bets and Pieces: The last two seasons, the Engineers are 7-13-1 ATS on the road.
WAKE FOREST (8-24 SU, 9-17-2 ATS, 16-11-1 O/U)
The good news is the bad news in that four starters return but they weren't very productive last year. Travis McKie (13 PPG, 7.7 RPG) is the best of the bunch and the recruiting class boasts three top 100 players. This will take some time.
Sportsbook Buster: The Demon Deacons were 4-12-1 ATS in conference play last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Wake Forest was 3-9-1 ATS playing on two or fewer days rest last year.
Bets and Pieces: The Deacons were 7-13-2 as underdogs in 2010/11.
MARYLAND (19-14 SU, 11-16 ATS, 13-13 O/U)
Gary Williams retired and four starters are gone, leaving new Head Coach Mark Turgeon with a decent backcourt comprised of Terrell Stoglin (11.4 PPG) and Sean Mosley (8.1 PPG) and almost nothing up front. Getting to .500 would be an accomplishment.
Sportsbook Buster: The Terrapins are 26-15-1 ATS on three or more days rest the last three seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Maryland is 16-10-1 as an away underdog the last four years.
Bets and Pieces: The Terps were 5-10 ATS in games following a SU win.
BOSTON COLLEGE (21-13 SU, 18-12 ATS, 17-12 O/U)
With a quartet of double-digit starters gone, the roster contains eight freshmen, two sophomores and one junior which should produce a lean season in Chestnut Hill. Oregon transfer Matt Humphrey might have the most impact.
Sportsbook Buster: The Eagles are 14-7 ATS on the road the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Boston College was 13-5 ATS in ACC games last year.
Bets and Pieces: The "over" was 10-3 when BC was a favorite last season.
This is the first of a 2011/12 NCAA basketball betting preview series.
Next: Handicapping the Big 12
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
