Handicapping

Even though NFL scores are the thing to follow right now, the college hoops season is getting underway, which means it is time to start thinking about your Final Four picks, and here are some teams to consider.

(All odds are to win the national title)

North Carolina (+325): It’s easy to pick the per head favorites, but the Tar Heels have the potential to be special this year as all five starters are back from a team that reached the Elite Eight, but didn’t really start to play well until the last two months of the season. Harrison Barnes could end up winning the Player of the Year award.

Kentucky (+425): The Wildcats are no slouches, and typical of a John Calipari team, freshmen will carry the load. Marquis Teague steps into the void left by John Wall and Brandon Knight, while Anthony Davis is being tipped to be a top-five pick.

Vanderbilt (+2200): The Commodores have the offensive talent to score with anyone in the country, led by John Jenkins and Jeff Taylor, but the x-factor is big man Festus Ezeli, who is suspended for the first six games of the season, but upon his return, Vanderbilt has one of the top centers in the country.

Baylor (+3200): Perry Jones will miss the first five games, but when he comes back, he will form a deadly forward duo with Quincy Acy. This should make the offense more efficient after a perimeter-based attack, and that makes them a dangerous darkhorse at sports betting sites.