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Every week, we're providing a betting breakdown of college basketball's biggest games. We've entered Feast Week, and that means a bunch of holiday tournaments highlight the slate. Here's an overview of three big tournaments during a jam-packed week of college basketball.
Battle 4 Atlantis (Nov. 27-29)
First-round matchups
Michigan vs. Iowa State
North Carolina vs. Alabama
Gonzaga vs. Southern Miss
Seton Hall vs. Oregon
Analysis: This field is absolutely loaded, but the headliner is a battle between Seton Hall and Oregon. The Ducks already own an impressive win over Memphis, while Seton Hall pushed Michigan State to the limit before falling 76-73. The matchup will feature two of the nation's top guards in Oregon's Payton Pritchard (19.4 points per game) and Seton Hall's Myles Powell (22.6). This promises to be one of the most entertaining early-season matchups between two teams with the talent to make a deep tournament run in March.
Of course, the winner of Seton Hall-Oregon will then have to potentially face Gonzaga and North Carolina to claim the Battle 4 Atlantis championship. The Bulldogs lost a lot of production from last year's Elite 8 team but they haven't skipped a beat early in the season, winning their first six games by an average of 28 points against inferior competition. Gonzaga should have little trouble with Southern Miss in the first round before facing its first big test of the year versus the survivor of Seton Hall-Oregon. I'm going to bet the Zags in the opening round but then I'll likely fade them in the semifinals, especially if they play Oregon. The Ducks' perimeter defense will give Gonzaga trouble and outside shooting is still the question mark surrounding this young Bulldogs team.
UNC enters as the favorite but the Tar Heels are young and still trying to find more scoring options outside of stud freshman guard Cole Anthony (22.8 points per game). I'll look to go against the Tar Heels in the second round if they end up facing Michigan.
Sleeper: Michigan. The Wolverines are flying under the radar but make no mistake, Juwan Howard's squad is talented. Michigan has a good win over Creighton and features a balanced scoring attack with four players averaging more than 12 points, led by junior forward Isaiah Livers (17.3). If the Wolverines get by Iowa State, they'll pose a serious threat to UNC in Round 2.
Winner: I'm going with Seton Hall to emerge from this tough field. Not only do the Pirates have one of the country's best players in Powell, but Seton Hall's front line has five players 6-10 or taller, including two 7-footers. I have the Pirates defeating Oregon, Gonzaga, and Michigan on the way to the championship.
Maui Invitational (Nov. 25-27)
First-round matchups
Georgia vs. Dayton
Virginia Tech vs. Michigan State
Kansas vs. Chaminade
BYU vs. UCLA
Analysis: This is an underrated field, but at the end of the day, it looks like Kansas and Michigan State are on a collision course to meet in the finals. The Spartans probably have the tougher road as Dayton is an underrated team capable of pushing them, but look for two of the nation's top-five clubs to meet in a game that will have the feel of an NCAA Tournament matchup.
Sleeper: Dayton. The Flyers are a tournament team this season and I wouldn't be surprised if they upset Michigan State in the second round. They haven't been tested yet, but Dayton comes to Maui ranked 25th in offensive efficiency and averaging 89 points per game. Forward Obi Toppin has dominated through three games, averaging 23.7 points and 9.7 rebounds. I'll look to take the points with the Flyers if they end up playing Michigan State.
Winner: Kansas. The Jayhawks have a cakewalk to the finals, where a potential showdown with Michigan State awaits. Kansas lost to Duke by two points in the opener but has been impressive since with three straight double-digit wins. The Jayhawks outduel Cassius Winston and the Spartans to win it all in Maui.
Orlando Invitational (Nov. 28-Dec. 1)
First-round matchups
Maryland vs. Temple
Texas A&M vs. Harvard
USC vs. Fairfield
Marquette vs. Davidson
Analysis: On paper, Maryland looks like an easy choice to win the Orlando Invitational. While the Terps are the heavy favorites, there are some potential potholes on the way to a title, starting with Temple in the first round. The Owls are off to a 4-0 start under new coach Aaron McKie with a road win at USC. Consider taking the points with Temple in what I expect will be a highly competitive game.
Even if Maryland gets by Temple, the Terrapins will likely face either Marquette or USC in the finals and both teams are talented enough to upset them. Marquette has the best player in the tournament in Markus Howard (21.2 points per game), while USC is led by freshman sensation Onyeka Okongwu (18). The Orlando Invitational isn't getting the hype of some other tournaments, but this is a deep field with the potential to produce some entertaining games.
Sleeper: USC. I love this Trojans team. They're a young squad but loaded with talent, led by Okongwu, forward Nick Rakocevic (14.7 points per game), and guard Jonah Mathews (11.2). I like USC to reach the finals and put a scare into Maryland. I'll be taking the Trojans in that potential matchup if they're getting six points or more.
Winner: Maryland. The Terps will be pushed throughout this tournament, but at the end of the day, Maryland simply has too much talent. With one of the deepest teams in the country led by forward Jalen Smith (14.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game) and guard Anthony Cowan (13 points and 4.6 assists per game), the Terps survive a couple of tough games to take the championship.
Thomas Casale is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. He's been following the sports betting industry for almost 30 years. A devoted fan of the wishbone offense, Thomas bets on all sports but specializes in college football, NFL, and college basketball. Find him on Twitter @TheTomCasale.
