The unlucky seven: College hoops’ most costly teams
COVERS.COM
Everybody loves a winner.
But what about the teams failing to live up to expectations?
The programs listed below are well recognized, power conference members that couldn’t cover their heads in the rain let alone a pointspread. Some of the trouble stems from these schools’ notoriety, which can skew odds, but each has an underlying issue that has kept it in the red.
Michigan Wolverines 4-9 SU (1-10-0 ATS)
Getting used to a new coach takes time and unfortunately those growing pains are costing Wolverine backers. John Beilein brought his unorthodox Princeton-style sets to Ann Arbor from his previous home at WVU and the Michigan offense is sputtering to learn them.
The Wolverines are averaging only 66 points per game on 42 percent shooting. It also doesn’t help that UM had one of the tougher non-conference skeds in the country (Georgetown, Butler, Western Kentucky, Boston College, Duke and UCLA).
Louisiana State Fighting Tigers 7-6 SU (1-7-0 ATS)
Wednesday’s loss to Tulane was the first time in 26 years the Tigers were defeated by their state rival. LSU has many problems heading into SEC play.
Starting point guard Garrett Temple has turnover troubles. The Tigers have repeatedly blown big leads late in games. And whatever depth and experience LSU had walked out the door when Tasmin Mitchell went down with injury. John Brady is now down to a seven-man rotation, half of which consists of freshmen and a JuCo transfer.
Connecticut Huskies 10-2 (2-6-0 ATS)
After Thursday’s Big East opener against Seton Hall, bettors have a clearer idea of what to expect from UConn. So far the Huskies haven’t been half bad. But if you’re a sports bettor, Connecticut is the kiss of death.
The Huskies are still a young team with eight sophomores and two freshmen on the roster. Coach Jim Calhoun constantly juggled his frontcourt during non-conference play and fiddled with the team’s offense. UConn managed to overwhelm the Pirates with sheer talent on Thursday but the 16 turnovers and lack of execution in the offense and press break is something to be worried about.
Maryland Terrapins 8-6 SU (2-8-0 ATS)
The Terps two most recent wins aren’t enough to take the sting out of their horrible start to the season. Maryland did run into some tough competition in non-conference play but losing to America U. at home is inexcusable.
The Terrapins’ offense is mustering just over 70 points per game on 44 percent shooting. I’m not one to point fingers but guard Greivis Vasquez has to get his turnovers in check. Maryland’s leading scorer and assists man already has 56 turnovers. The Terrapins have a rough January calendar even before ACC competition begins on the 12th.
Kentucky Wildcats 6-6 SU (2-6-1 ATS)
Much like Michigan, the Wildcats are adjusting to a new head coach. Billy Gillispie’s first two months in Lexington have spawned more hate mail and trash talk on posting forums than any other program in the country. OK, maybe not Duke.
Kentucky has fought through injuries to its backcourt, a lack of depth in the frontcourt and is trying its best to shoosh rumors that the upperclassmen aren’t responding to Gillispie’s coach style. All of these issues have led to 11 different starting combos in the Wildcats’ first 12 games.
Louisville Cardinals 9-4 (3-8-0 ATS)
While Rick Pitino hasn’t coached for Kentucky since 1997, his Cardinals are experiencing some of the same problems that have kept the Wildcats from covering. Fortunately for bettors we get to see what team is moving past these issues this weekend when they meet at Rupp Arena.
Louisville started non-conference play with many members already hobbled by injuries. The loss of David Padgett and Juan Palacios kept the Cards’ bench short and discipline troubles with Derrick Caracter reared its ugly head again. Pitino isn’t happy with his defense but it might be a lack of focus that has kept Louisville from covering.
North Carolina State Wolfpack 9-3 SU (3-8-0 ATS)
Heading into the season, some people were bold enough to put the Pack ahead of Duke in the ACC peaking order. The next two months of conference play will sort that prediction out but the first two months of the sked haven’t been so kind to NC State backers.
Preseason injuries left the Wolfpack short before the schedule even began. Freshman guard Javier Gonzalez has stepped into a starting role but like most frosh, he’s struggling with turnovers. Transfer Marques Johnson will provide some help in the backcourt since becoming eligible at the end of December. NC State begins ACC competition with tough road trips to North Carolina and Clemson.