Only two Big Ten teams, Michigan and Purdue, were consistently strong versus the pointspread last season, a trend that basketball betting aficionados will be monitoring this year. 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:
OHIO STATE (34-3 SU, 18-16 ATS, 19-15 O/U)
With All-American center Jared Sullinger (17.2 PPG, 10.2 RPG) leading the way and guard William Buford (14.4 PPG, 44% 3-pt.) keeping defenses honest from the perimeter, it's difficult to make the case why the Buckeyes won't challenge for a national title this season.
Sportsbook Buster: The Buckeyes are 8-4 as road underdogs the past two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: OSU is 30-16-1 ATS on two or fewer days rest the last three years.
Bets and Pieces: Last season, the "over" was 14-7 in Buckeyes conference games.
MICHIGAN STATE (19-15 SU, 11-21-1 ATS, 13-20 O/U)
The post Kalin Lucas (17.0 PPG) era begins in East Lansing but Coach Tom Izzo will be banking on Valparaiso transfer Brandon Wood (16.7 PPG) to fill those sneakers and join Draymond Green (12.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG) on a team that has something to prove after last season's performance.
Sportsbook Buster: The Spartans are 10-19-1 ATS at home the past two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The "under" is 25-14-1 in Michigan State conference games the last two years.
Bets and Pieces: Since 2010, the Spartans are 9-25-1 ATS playing on three or more days rest.
MICHIGAN (21-14 SU, 22-8 ATS, 18-12-1 O/U)
Tim Hardaway Jr. (13.9 PPG as a freshman last year) and fellow sophomore Jordan Morgan (9.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG) lead a unit that lost just one player from last season's 21-win season so expectations in Ann Arbor are high. And the Wolverines have the talent to live up to those expectations.
Sportsbook Buster: The Wolverines are 22-6 as underdogs the past two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Michigan was 20-7 ATS playing on two or more days rest last year.
Bets and Pieces: In 2010/11, the Wolverines were 14-6 ATS in the Big Ten Conference
WISCONSIN (25-9 SU, 17-13 ATS, 17-12-1 O/U)
The Badgers committed the fewest turnovers in the nation last season, mostly because Jordan Taylor (18.1 PPG, 4.7 APG), arguably, is the best point guard in the country. Taylor doesn't have much of a supporting cast but Wisconsin will get by on his leadership and team defense.
Sportsbook Buster: The Badgers are 19-8 ATS at home the past two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Wisconsin was 8-3 ATS in games following a pointspread loss last year.
Bets and Pieces: The "over" was 8-3-1 when the Badgers were a home favorite last season.
ILLINOIS (20-14 SU, 17-16-1 ATS, 16-16 O/U)
Much may hinge on the play of Sam Maniscalco, a transfer from Bradley, who will man the point on a team that features six freshmen and lost the bulk of their scoring to graduation. If 7-1 center Meyers Leonard matches performance to potential, the Illini could surprise some teams.
Sportsbook Buster: The Illini are 19-25-1 as favorites the past two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The "under" is 28-16 in Illinois home games the last three years.
Bets and Pieces: The past two seasons, the Illini are 14-6-2 ATS on the road.
PURDUE (26-8 SU, 18-11-1 ATS, 15-15 O/U)
The loss of JaJuan Johnson (20.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG) and E'Twaun Moore (18.0 PPG) will place a burden on the Boilermakers--even more so if Robbie Hummel (15.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG in 2009/10) isn't fully recovered from ACL surgery—but there might just be enough talent to get back to the Big Dance.
Sportsbook Buster: The Boilermakers were 9-2-1 ATS at home last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Purdue was 15-8-1 as a favorite during the 2010/11 season.
Bets and Pieces: The Boilermakers were 17-8-1 ATS playing on two or more days rest last year.
NORTHWESTERN (20-14 SU, 15-13 ATS, 16-12 O/U)
Four starters return, including John Shurna (16.6 PPG) and Drew Crawford (12.0 PPG) but the Wildcats' success may depend on finding a point guard to replace Michael "Juice" Thompson (16.3 PPG, 4.3 APG). JerShon Cobb (7.4 PPG) may hold the key there.
Sportsbook Buster: At 6-2 ATS, the Wildcats feasted on non-conference foes last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Northwestern is 34-24-1 ATS in Big Ten play the last three years.
Bets and Pieces: The "over" is 26-14 in Wildcats conference play the last two seasons.
MINNESOTA (17-14 SU, 11-20 ATS, 14-15 O/U)
The Gophers are stocked up front with Trevor Mbakwe (13.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG), the Big Ten's leading rebounder, Ralph Sampson III (10.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG), and Rodney Williams (6.8 PPG) but Coach Tubby Smith has an unproven backcourt and that usually will doom you in the end.
Sportsbook Buster: The Golden Gophers are 17-30 as underdogs the last four seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Minnesota was 5-14 ATS in conference games last year.
Bets and Pieces: The Golden Gophers were 6-14 ATS in road games the last two seasons.
IOWA (11-20 SU, 14-16 ATS, 12-15-1 O/U)
Super soph Melsahn Basabe (11.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG) can only get better and in Bryce Cartwright (10.9 PPG), who led the Big Ten in assists (5.9 PG) and Matt Gatens (12.6 PPG) he has folks who also can score and get him the ball. Don't be surprised if Iowa has a winning record.
Sportsbook Buster: The last two seasons, the Hawkeyes are 7-16 ATS outside the Big Ten conference.
Sports Betting Angle: Iowa is 8-14 ATS in road games the past two years.
Bets and Pieces: Since 2010, the Hawkeyes are 8-16 ATS in games following a pointspread win.
INDIANA (12-20 SU, 10-15-1 ATS, 13-13 O/U)
Christian Watford (16.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG), Verdell Jones III (12.5 PPG) and Jordan Hulls (11.0 PPG) are a fine nucleus but the Hoosiers have to figure out a way to win on the road where, amazingly, they have just two victories in the last three seasons.
Sportsbook Buster: The Hoosiers are 14-22-2 ATS in Big Ten play the past two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Indiana is 6-16 ATS the last three years in games following a SU win.
Bets and Pieces: The "over" is 24-15-1 when Indiana was an underdog the last two seasons.
NEBRASKA (19-13 SU, 11-14 ATS, 9-16 O/U)
The Huskers were 235th in the nation in scoring last season so even though four starters return, Nebraska's transition to the Big Ten could be difficult if its players can't put the ball in the hoop. Gratefully, the Huskers play inspired defense, which will help.
Sportsbook Buster: The Cornhuskers are 9-19 ATS on three or more days rest the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The "under" was 9-1 when Nebraska was a home favorite last year.
Bets and Pieces: The Huskers enter the Big Ten 1-6 as a road favorite the past two seasons.
PENN STATE (19-15 SU, 17-12-1 ATS, 14-14 O/U)
Tim Frazier (6.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG)) is the only player on the Nittany Lions roster who averaged more than 2.5 points or 1.4 rebounds last year, underlining the difficult task Coach Patrick Chambers has in his first season at Penn State. The Big Ten cellar beckons.
Sportsbook Buster: The Nittany Lions are 15-6 as road underdogs the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Penn State was 15-7 ATS in conference games last year.
Bets and Pieces: The Nittany Lions were just 2-5-1 ATS outside the Big Ten during the 2010/11 season.
This is the third of a 2011/12 NCAA basketball betting preview series.
Next: Handicapping the Big East.
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
