Now that postseason basketball has arrived the masses will be out in full force wagering on games. Those public opinions can change the way we look at the contests but a few tried and true rules still apply. I’m going to show you three of the key factors to apply when handicapping NCAA Tournament play.
Experience: This seems to be an obvious one but it can be overlooked when you start breaking down a game. It’s not just having upperclassmen on the roster. Experience means older players who have competed in big games, especially if that experience came in previous NCAA Tournaments. Nerves can come into play on the national stage and being able to overcome those nerves is necessary to do well in the dance.
Guards: Guards have the ball in their hands more than the frontcourt players and therefore it is of utmost importance for them to protect the ball. Turnovers will get a team beat (and cost bettors money) in any game and turnovers are magnified in March. When handicapping games look for teams with a good Assist/Turnover ratio. This will help identify who has good guard play. It also helps when a team’s guards also fill the first topic discussed, experience. Experienced guards who value the basketball are always a good way to go when wagering in the postseason.
Coaching: There is a reason very few coaches have won national championships or even reach the Final Four. It takes a special style to navigate through a one and done style of tournament. The coaches ability really shows in the Saturday/Sunday games more than the Thursday/Friday games. The short turnaround means preparation time is shortened and good coaches can communicate the gameplan in a timely manner. Leaders with success in previous tournaments are normally able to replicate those results.
Those are just three of the main points to use when handicapping in the postseason. There are many more factors to use when deciding who is going to cover in all the March tournaments. Do your homework and dig deep to find the winners. If you don’t have the time, join Cary Bonnell and the CBWins.com team and enjoy a great March. Remember, “Don’t Gamble When You Can Invest.”
