2009 Kansas NCAA Tournament Predictions & Odds to Win
Written March 16, 2009 by Jack Jones
Not many people are predicting the Kansas Jayhawks to repeat as national champions in 2009. This team was the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 tournament, but became only the second top seed to lose their opener. That loss cost this team a chance at a No. 2 seed and left the Jayhawks in the three spot. Kansas is a 10-point favorite over North Dakota State in the first round over at BetUS, where a $500 deposit will get you a $500 bonus!
The Jayhawks still have to be somewhat of a surprise after losing four double-digit scorers, as well as two other significant contributors off of last year’s team. Bill Self though quickly blended in some talented new faces with the leftovers that he did have. Junior guard Sherron Collins and sophomore Cole Aldrich are two of the key pieces Kansas brought back. Collins is putting up close to 18 points and five assists per game while taking 12 to 14 shots. Aldrich has averaged nearly a double double this season with close to 15 points and 10 rebounds per night. The Jayhawks are listed at +600 to win the Midwest Region.
Inexperience was a problem early for these Jayhawks, who seemed to rush through possessions and settle for quick shots in critical spots. Kansas has learned along the way though and has gotten a boost with the improvement of junior college transfer Mario Little. Little had a stress fracture in his leg but came back mid season to take pressure off the Morris twins, Marcus and Markieff. Little gives the opposition a matchup problem at the four-spot because he’s so quick and can drop back to hit the open outside shot. The odds on Kansas making a trip back to the championship game are +1500 at BetUS.
Kansas also lucked out by getting guard Tyshawn Taylor when Tom Creen left Marquette for Indiana. Taylor was let out of his committment to the Golden Eagles and has shined for Self. He is still young, but he’s learning as he goes and has shown flashes of brilliance this year. If he can handle the pressures of tournament play this Jayhawks team could surprise some people during March. You can bet on Kansas to win the national championship at +3000.
Kansas is one of those teams that has gotten better and better as the year has gone on. We will have to wait and see whether the early exit from the Big 12 tournament was a wakeup call that they aren’t where they need to be yet, or whether it was an idication of an immature team that has too many weaknesses to make a run.
If you are looking to win with your college basketball betting this year, then sign up for the NCAA basketball picks offered by our experts. They work hard each night in going over the college basketball spreads so you only get the best bets on the board each night.
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
- Odds to Win the NCAA Tournament: Kansas Jayhawks
- NCAA Tournament Preview: North Dakota State vs Kansas
- Dayton vs Kansas: NCAA Tournament Picks
- Odds to Win the NCAA Tournament: Missouri Tigers
- 2009-10 Kansas College Basketball Predictions
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