A number of media shops nonetheless record Walter Clayton Jr. as a projected second-round choose. Nearly each mock draft predicts the Florida famous person will likely be a post-lottery choice.
If solely he had been an inch taller and three years youthful, Clayton may need the identical invisible ceiling as Frank Ntilikina.
If solely there have been similar-sized stars within the league who ought to have been drafted larger, like Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson.
And we surprise why there are such a lot of draft busts.
Florida (-1.5) over Houston (-102, BetMGM)
The unfold precisely displays the truth that little or no separates two groups worthy of reducing down the online.
It isn’t onerous to ascertain Houston doing what Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler and Elvin Hayes couldn’t, capturing its first nationwide title at school historical past.
It isn’t onerous to think about the nation’s greatest protection taking part in to its potential, outworking and outmuscling the Gators, because it most lately did in opposition to Duke, and has completed for the higher a part of the previous decade beneath Kelvin Sampson.
However the extra reliable offense — ranked second nationally — is the higher wager within the greatest sport.
Whereas Houston has suffered three of its 4 losses this season to prime 5 offenses, Florida has gone 5-1 in opposition to top-10 defenses.
Whereas Houston has gone 2-4 in video games it allowed at the very least 69 factors, Florida has scored fewer than 70 factors simply as soon as this season, averaging 89.5 factors throughout its present 11-game win streak.
The Cougars make life troublesome for his or her opponents, but additionally for themselves, rating 292nd in 2-point share and 320th in free-throw price. Houston makes up for it with its aggression on the offensive glass, however Florida’s deep and lengthy frontline can stand up to the stress of the undersized Cougars, rating seventh nationally on the boards.
Houston’s top-ranked perimeter shooters can even battle to match their season common in opposition to the nation’s sixth-ranked 3-point protection, which holds opponents beneath 30 %.
Historical past isn’t on Houston’s aspect.
Betting on Faculty Basketball?
There hasn’t been a nationwide champion in 11 years with a protection that’s extra environment friendly than its offense. Seven straight title sport underdogs have misplaced outright. And the Remaining 4’s most emotional semifinal winners in current historical past ultimately led to heartbreak.
The buzzer-beaters of Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs and San Diego State’s Lamont Butler preceded title-game blowouts. North Carolina ended Coach Ok’s profession, then collapsed in opposition to Kansas. Wisconsin ended Kentucky’s undefeated season, then fell to Duke. Aaron Harrison’s string of heroics for Kentucky led to an upset in opposition to UConn.
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Houston pulled a miraculous comeback in opposition to Duke due to its poise. Florida is simply as skilled, however even higher within the greatest moments due to Clayton, the nation’s prime possibility in a very powerful possessions, coming off the primary back-to-back 30-point video games within the Elite Eight and semifinals since Larry Chicken.
I might dwell with shedding to Houston. However I couldn’t forgive myself for betting in opposition to the perfect participant within the match.
PICK: Florida -1.5 (-110, BetMGM)
This season: 24-31
2011-24 document: 378-340-12
Why Belief New York Put up Betting
Howie Kussoy has lengthy been the New York Put up’s foremost handicapper in school basketball (since 2011) and school soccer (since 2013).
