NCAA Basketball Vegas Showdown: BYU Best in Field
4-Team Tournament Begins on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is traditionally thought of as a day for football. But the Vegas Showdown basketball tournament tips-off on Turkey Day, giving college basketball fans something to watch. As far as early season tournament fields go, the NCAA basketball Vegas Showdown leaves a little bit to be desired. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t going to be a few decent wagering opportunities to be had. As is usually the case for the early season tournaments, you can bet the individual NCAAB games, as well on the winner of the tournament.
Odds to Win Vegas Showdown
BYU Cougars (-150): The Cougars are the prohibitive favorites to win the tournament and rightly so. BYU is by far the best NCAAB team in the field. The Cougars should also have the crowd advantage, as Utah is on the Nevada border and the BYU faithful are good about supporting their team on the road. Having the best team in the tournament doesn’t hurt, either.
The Cougars are 4-0 this season, having beaten a decent San Diego State, along with some teams BYU should beat up on. Jaxson Robinson is leading BYU with 15.2 points per game, but the Cougars have five players averaging double-digits in points and seven scoring nine or more points per game. Ken Pomeroy has BYU ranked No. 14, which is higher than the pollsters and the oddsmakers. Despite their lofty status in the KenPom rankings, the Cougars’ odds to win March Madness are still +30000.
N.C. State Wolfpack (+320): North Carolina State received a bit of action and is the second choice to win the NCAA basketball Vegas Showdown. That’s partly due to having the easiest first-round opponent and partly due to being the second-best team in the field. N.C. State is 3-0 on the season, although its schedule leaves a bit to be desired.
The Wolfpack are led by DJ Burns and DJ Horne offensively, while playing pretty solid defense in the early going. N.C. State has struggled a little bit in early going with making the 3-pointer, but it’s still early in the season. They should be able to pick it up some.
The Longshots
Arizona State Sun Devils (+600): Arizona State draws BYU in the first round or would be going off at lower odds. The Sun Devils are playing good defense so far, but not really scoring a lot. After losing its first game to Mississippi State, Arizona State has come back to defeat Texas Southern and UMass Lowell. The Sun Devils are expected to near the bottom of the Pac-12 Conference’s NCAAB standings unless the offense takes a step up. Kamari Lands is leading the team with 11.7 points per game and ASU is shooting just 37% from the field.
Vanderbilt Commodores (+700): The NCAAB standings show Vanderbilt is 3-1 on the season, bouncing back after a season-opening loss to Presbyterian to win its next three. The Commodores aren’t all the bad offensively, but aren’t the best of defensive teams. Vanderbilt’s defensive deficiencies will become more evident as the season goes along. Ezra Manjon is doing the heavy lifting for the team offensively, scoring 18.8 points per game.
The Cougars are the best team in the field. If they play they’re capable of, they shouldn’t have any problem winning both games here. The odds aren’t great, but they’re not bad considering BYU’s talent advantage over the field. Take BYU -150.
Thursday’s Games
N.C. State Wolfpack vs Vanderbilt Commodores 
Date, time: Thursday, November 23, 10:00 p.m. ET
Location: Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
The Wolfpack meet the Commodores to open the NCAA basketball Vegas Showdown and N.C. State is favored by 7 points with a total of 143. The Commodores are going to look to slow the game down, which is probably their only hope of keeping this one close. The Wolfpack don’t play a very fast-paced game themselves, so shots could be kept to a minimum. If N.C. State can get out to a decent lead, the Commodores will be forced to speed up the game. That’s not their strength. If you’re going to wager on this one, the Wolfpack make the most sense.
BYU Cougars vs Arizona State Sun Devils 
Date, time: Thursday, November 23, 11:59 p.m. ET
Location: Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
The better of the two games Thursday, the Cougars are favored by 8 with a total of 141. BYU is already 4-0 against the college basketball scores and odds, while the Sun Devils are 0-3 against the college basketball point spreads. The Cougars can score and play defense. The Sun Devils are pretty decent on defense, but not the best offensive team around. As long as the total remains 140 or higher, the under is worth a look in this one.
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