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Memphis Odds to Win NCAA Tournament
Let’s take a look at this year’s only undefeated team in the country, the #1 ranked Memphis Tigers. The Tigers are currently 21-0 with only 10 games remaining. Normally when you have a team this late in the season being undefeated, you hear talks of being the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament. This is not the case with this year’s Tigers, as with years before Memphis is looked down upon because of their weak conference schedule. Though Memphis did play a better non-conference than people might think. They have already beaten the likings of USC, Georgetown, Arizona, Gonzaga, Oklahoma, Connecticut, and Houston. While all but Connecticut and Houston were at home, those are still some pretty impressive wins.
Coach John Calipari, who in seven seasons has guided them to the tournament 4 of the last 5 years, leads Memphis. The last two years they have finished the season 34-4 and went on to the NCAA Elite 8 before losing. This year they are set out to prove everyone wrong and bring home the National Championship. Memphis is led in scoring by junior Chris Douglas-Roberts, averaging nearly 18pts a game, Senior Joey Dorsey who is 7th in the nation in rebounding at 10.5 per game. They also get a lot of help from freshman star Derrick Rose, who averages 14.2pts, 4.5 assists, and 4.4 rebounds a game. Overall this is a veteran team who all but Rose played last year in the loss to Ohio St. in the elite 8. This should play a big factor in this year’s tournament, as experience plays a big factor in how teams get ready for the atmosphere of the NCAA Tournament.
With just 10 games remaining in the regular-season, Memphis has only one possible roadblock on its season to perfection. On Feb. 23, in-state rival #7 Tennessee comes to Memphis in what could be a match-up for a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for both teams. While Tennessee has a lot tougher road for a number one spot, Memphis will all but lock up one of the four spots with a win. Memphis will have one last chance to convince the nation that it is deserving of its ranking, with a big win over a very tough opponent. But if they are to stumble at home and get beat, it could force them into a #2 seed. This should be a very exciting game to watch, as both teams like to put up some big numbers on offense. This game could give answer a lot of questions for both teams and how far people will pick them to go in the tournament.
So the question everyone wants to know the answer to is this team really good enough to win the NCAA Tournament. While we would much rather wait and answer this question after the Tennessee game, we are going to have to say they can. They have beaten a lot of good teams this year. Yes, we know they are still untested on the road, but does that really matter, if anything in the tournament they are going to get seeded in games close to home. There isn’t any true road game in the tournament, as every game is played on neutral sites. So of only a couple handfuls of teams who we think have a shot, the Memphis Tigers are going to be team to worry about.
Memphis Tigers Odds to Win 2008 NCAA Tournament 6 - 1
So if you too think Memphis can win it all this year, head to Sportsbook.com and get your bet in early. If you don’t think Memphis is the team to beat, then head over to Sportsbook.com and check out every other teams odds to win the NCAA Tournament. As always, please feel free to leave any comments in the comment box.
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