College basketball betting lines on Northwestern should be lower than they were last year when the Wildcats were a pathetic 2-14 in the Big 10. Head coach Bill Carmody said his team didn’t have enough talent last season but most experts that follow basketball betting think this year will be better.
College basketball betting experts see that sophomore forwards Kevin Coble and Jeff Ryan lead the returnees this season. The problem for Northwestern is that Coble, the team’s leading scorer (13.4 ppg) and rebounder (5.2 rpg) is taking a leave of absence to be with his mother who is battling breast cancer. Basketball betting fans will have to follow the situation because it is unknown when he will return. Senior Jason Okrzesik and juniors Craig Moore and Sterling Williams should be better this season for fans of Northwestern basketball betting odds. Freshman point guard Michael “Juice” Thompson could immediately upgrade the team according to college basketball betting experts. Freshman forward Mike Capocci should also see playing time according to college basketball betting experts. Redshirt freshmen Nikola Baran and Ivan Peljusic could end up seeing playing time according to experts that look at college basketball betting.
The key for Northwestern according to college basketball betting experts is to get Coble back and playing. He is the best player on the team. Jeff Ryan has the skill to get some shots as well and should be better according to college basketball betting experts. Thompson should keep the backcourt going and they should be improved with him running the show for fans of college basketball betting. Shooting could be a problem for Northwestern especially if Coble misses any significant time according to college basketball betting experts. Thompson and Capocci are going to upgrade the lineup according to college basketball betting experts and with Coble they could be a nice trio. Redshirt freshmen Nikola Baran and Ivan Peljusic will compete for the starting center position according to college basketball betting experts.
Northwestern is still going to struggle but they are not as bad as they were last year if Coble is back. If not, then it is going to take some time. College basketball betting experts are taking a wait and see approach with Northwestern. The young talent has the potential to make an impact on the basketball betting board but when that happens is the big question mark.