It’s no Bet Online scam if you read a preview of Friday’s NCAA hoops contest between North Carolina and Michigan State and find out it’s on an aircraft carrier: it really is on the flight deck on the USS Carl Vinson in San Diego in honor of the military on Veteran’s Day. It is also a rematch of the 2009 national-title game, where the Tar Heels rolled to a championship and they come into this game as the No.1 team in the preseason rankings.

Michigan State North Carolina Odds – Friday, 7:00 PM ET

A Bodog review of last season will show that the Spartans weren’t the powerhouse you usually expect from Tom Izzo’s teams, and they stumbled into the NCAA Tournament where they lost to UCLA in the “second” round (the play-in rounds are now considered the first round). The Spartans may be more inclined to go inside to Draymond Green and Derrick Nix as Kalin Lucas has graduated, but forward Brandon Wood is a highly-touted freshman that gives the Spartans some flash. Keith Appling and Travis Trice will share the point-guard position, but they’re no Lucas and that is going to be the major hurdle. There isn’t much expected of the Spartans this season, and maybe that is a good thing.

The No.1 Tar Heels are the price per head favorites for the national title, and for good reason. All five starters from the team that lost to Kentucky in the Elite Eight are back, including forward Harrison Barnes and guard Kendall Marshall, two sophomores who may go into the lottery (Barnes would have been a lottery pick if he had come out after last year). North Carolina also has John Henson and Tyler Zeller, giving the Tar Heels a huge edge in the post. A group of freshmen gives the team depth, and watch out for P.J. Hairston, who will push Dexter Strickland at the shooting-guard position.

Expect North Carolina to be the pay head favorites in this contest, and they’ve won five in a row over Michigan State, including four straight in the Tournament. It’s going to be a tough hill to climb for the Spartans, who have to play No.6 Duke in their next match, and while Izzo knows it’s going to be a struggle, his team will be better for it. As for Roy Williams and North Carolina, they’re looking to come out and make an early statement on a nationally-televised game on an aircraft carrier. All eyes are on the Tar Heels and they should be able to roll if they play like they did in the second half of last season, especially Marshall and Barnes. Take North Carolina in your sports betting picks.

Online Belmont betting players will be going over the field of thoroughbreds for the final jewel in the Triple Crown on Saturday, but in the upcoming NCAA hoops season, it looks like North Carolina is the team with the leading thoroughbreds. The Tar Heels were boosted when their big trio decided to come back to school, and that should make North Carolina the team the beat for the 2011-12 campaign.

Harrison Barnes would have likely been a top-five pick if he decided to jump ship after his freshman season, but the talented forward led the charge to return to Chapel Hill, and he was followed by big men Tyler Zeller and John Henson, who were both flirting with the idea of leaving school. These three will be joined by Kendall Marshall, who really sparked the team when Larry Drew II left abruptly, and he made North Carolina a more efficient team. Coach Roy Williams will also have some depth as eight of his top 10 players are back from last season, and you shouldn’t even count Drew as he left after 21 games.

Kentucky, who beat the Tar Heels in the Elite Eight, is slated to be a threat for the NCAA title, along with Ohio State, Louisville, and of course North Carolina’s bitter rivals from down the road, Duke. But top to bottom, the Tar Heels may have the best combination of skill and experience in the country, and they’re going to be a popular pick at most sports betting sites.

It’s a big weekend for NCAA basketball betting players as Rivalry Week comes to an end, and here are the three games that should pique your interest.

Ohio State Wisconsin Betting – Saturday, 2:00 PM ET

The top-ranked Buckeyes are undefeated, but they’ll be underdogs on the road against the No.13 Badgers as they’ve never won at the Kohl Center. The Buckeyes haven’t won at Wisconsin since New Years Eve 2000, but they’re 5-3 ATS on the road. However, Wisconsin is 8-3 ATS at home.

Tennessee Florida Betting – Saturday, 6:00 PM ET

The No.17 Gators will be favored at home against the Volunteers, who are 3-2 SU and ATS in their last five trips to the O’Dome. Tennessee is 5-3 ATS on the road this season, while Florida is only 3-7 ATS at home, and this will be a close game as Bruce Pearl is one of the best coaches in the country at getting his team ready for a tough game. After losing at Kentucky in his return to the bench, Pearl knows his team needs a win on Saturday.

Pitt Villanova Betting – Saturday, 9:00 PM ET

In the nightcap, the No.9 Wildcats should be home favorites against the No.4 Panthers, who are 2-3 SU in their last five at Villanova, but a solid 3-2 ATS, although they may be without scoring leader Ashton Gibbs. The Panthers are 4-2 ATS away from home, while the Wildcats are 8-5 ATS at home, but anything can happen in the Big East, so be careful where you lay your sports bet

Underachieving: Harrison Barnes, Forward, North Carolina

Things have not gone as planned for Harrison Barnes. The 6’8 freshman out of Indiana was tabbed to be North Carolina’s next great player, following in a long line that includes names like Worthy, Carter, Hansborough and Jordan. Coach Roy Williams gushed about the young man’s athleticism, his astounding skill, his attention to detail. Barnes was slotted at the top of every NBA mock draft for 2011, and surprisingly, was named a preseason All-American – as a freshman. Well, 12 games into the season and Barnes looks nothing like the next Dr. J. The forward is averaging just over 12 points per game, not 20, is shooting a ghastly %36 from the field averages as many turnovers as he does assists. The Heels have stumbled as a whole, falling out of their top 25 ranking in the NCAA basketball standings with an 8-4 record. In losses against Minnesota, Vanderbilit and Illinois, Barnes shot a horrendous 6 of 33 before finally hitting %50 in a 16 point effort against Texas in a loss last Saturday. For many, Barnes’ underachievement is confounding, but when you watch the frosh play, it is easy to see why he has struggled. Barnes often forces his own shot, which is difficult for a player with limited ball handling ability. If Barnes limited his dribbles and allowed the game to come to him instead, he would find himself in position for easy scores on a regular basis. Being unable to create space for himself, Barnes often goes up awkwardly in traffic or with a hand in his face on the perimeter. Especially troubling is Barnes’ proclivity for shooting the three, which he only converts at a %28 clip. Barnes has taken no less than three three-pointers in every game this season, which proves that he isn’t learning much. If Williams and the Heels have any chance of salvaging the season, they will need Barnes to ignore the hype that surrounded his arrival in Chapel Hill and start putting in the work that made the Tar Heels greats truly successful.

Overachieving: Kemba Walker, Guard, Connecticut

It’s hard to claim Walker as an overachiever, considering he was a highly touted recruit coming in three years ago and has played well in his Husky career. Still, no one expected Walker and Connecticut as a team to be ranked in the top 10 and be undefeated thus far in theNCAA basketball schedule . The 6’1 guard currently leads the nation in scoring at 26.5 per game and while he has slowed down from his 30 and 40 point outings earlier in the season, he shows no signs of letting up on the opposition. Walker added a spark as a freshman, playing as the team’s third guard behind A.J. Price and Jerome Dyson. Now, Walker is the centerpiece; the focal point of the offense and the team’s leader. The Bronx-born guard has brilliant speed and handle, which allows him to penetrate at will, getting to the line and creating open shots for his teammates. In addition to this, Walker has vastly improved his jump shot and is now shooting over %50 from the floor and %42 from the three-point line. Flanked mostly by underclassmen, Walker has been given the keys by Coach Jim Calhoun and he has responded in leading the Huskies to a 10-0 record to start the year. Walker’s electric scoring ability and his energetic presence have Connecticut ready for Big East Conference battles in the winter and a deep run in the tournament in March.

It’ll be a long time before online betting players get to see this kind of dominance again, as the Connecticut womens’ basketball team bettered their male counterparts The Huskies romped to a 76-54 win over Louisville (their third blowout win over the Cardinals this year), completing a 39-0 season in which they beat all of their opponents by at least 10 points. Tina Charles, the Outstanding Player of the Final Four, capped a brilliant season with a 25-point, 19-rebound performance, as the Huskies held the Cardinals to 31% shooting from the floor.

Next year, the Huskies should be the basketball betting favorites once again. Charles could be back for her senior year, while Maya Moore is only a sophomore. Both could easily play in the WNBA, but they could return to be a part of a dynasty. Since Moore joined the team, the Huskies are 75-2. NBA betting players have been treated to a great season with teams like Cleveland and the Lakers, but you should definitely respect what the UConn women have done this year.

Well, North Carolina proved the Final Four odds right, romping past Michigan State 89-72 in Monday’s championship game. Here’s a look at the players who owned Detroit, and it’s no surprise that it’s loaded with Tar Heels and Spartans.

C -Goran Suton, Michigan State

The big man struggled with foul troubles in the Final Four betting upset over UConn, but he pulled off a double-double with 17 points and 11 boards, and was probably Michigan State’s best player. With his outside shooting skill, he could be a poor man’s Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the NBA.

F – Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina

Hansbrough saved his best for last, averaging 18 points and nine boards during the final weekend of the Tournament. He got the national championship he deserved after a highly-decorated career, and now all eyes will be on him to see where he lands in the NBA.

F – Wayne Ellington, North Carolina

Ellington may have the most talent on this squad, and he averaged 19.5 points during Final Four weekend. Ellington was instrumental in the Tar Heels’ fast start against the Spartans, as all 19 of his points came in the first half. He could prove to be an effective scorer off the bench in the NBA.

G – Kalin Lucas, Michigan State

The sophomore guard got a lesson in the Carolina loss, as he committed a game-high six turnovers. Still, Lucas averaged 17 points during the last weekend, and his 21-point performance pushed the Spartans past UConn. He should be one of the top guards in the nation next season, making Michigan State a Final Four betting favorite.

G – Ty Lawson, North Carolina

Ellington won the Final Four’s Outstanding Player, but it should have gone to Lawson, who set an championship-game record with eight steals against Lucas and the Spartans. Lawson put up 21.5 points, 7.0 assists and 5.5 assists, and he was the driving force behind this championship run. He’ll probably go to the NBA, but he’ll always be remembered for this run, as the team that were the Final Four betting favorites all season, came up with the trophy.

And if you missed “One Shining Moment”, here it is, the best part of the NCAA Tournament:

North Carolina has been the Final Four betting favorite all season, and Monday’s national-championship game against Michigan State should be a coronation for the NCAA’s best team.

Michigan State vs North Carolina odds – Monday, April 6, 9:21 PM ET

The Spartans went toe-to-toe with a bigger UConn team, and came away with an 82-73 win on Saturday. The Spartans definitely felt their homecourt advantage, as the majority of the 72,000-plus at Ford Field were backing Michigan State. Kalin Lucas led the way with 21 points, while Raymar Morgan had 18 points and nine boards while playing with a broken nose.

The Tar Heels continued their improved defensive play with an 83-69 win over Villanova, holding the Wildcats to 32.9% from the floor. Ty Lawson had a brilliant all-around game with 22 points, eight assists and seven boards for Carolina, who have won their five Tournament games by an average margin of 20.8 points.

Final Four odds have the Tar Heels as a 7.5-point favorite, and they’re 5-2 alltime against the Spartans, including 3-0 in the Tournament. Carolina have already played Michigan State at Ford Field this year, and it ended with a 98-63 romp for the Tar Heels. The Spartans are better now, but the scary thing is, so is Carolina. With the way they are playing defense right now, the Tar Heels would probably give some NBA teams a run for their money. The crowd will play a role, but Carolina has been destined to win this title, since Lawson, Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green all decided to come back and win a championship instead of playing in the NBA. Take North Carolina and their Final Four odds on Monday.

It’s time for Final Four betting picks….another NCAA tournament is winding down, and while there’ve been fewer upsets than usual, it’s good when the cream rises to the top. We know we’re being treated to some good quality basketball.

Michigan State vs Connecticut odds – Saturday, April 4, 6:47 PM ET

The Spartans beat Robert Morris, USC and Kansas before saving their best performance for last. Michigan State battered top overall seed Louisville all over the court for a 12-point win, holding the Cardinals to 38.3% from the field. Goran Suton is making a strong case to be on the All-Tournament team, as the big center is playing the best ball of his four-year career. Also, Michigan State isn’t worried about being a Final Four betting underdog: they’re 3-1 this season when the opposition is favored.

The Huskies have been the most impressive team in the Tournament, beating Chattanooga, Texas A&M, Purdue and Missouri by an average of 25.2 points. Only Mizzou really pushed the Huskies, who have outrebounded their opponents by 68. The Huskies have size, outside shooting, a great point guard in A.J. Price, and a future HOF coach in Jim Calhoun. And still, I’m picking against them.

UConn has a Final Four betting spread of four points, but they’ll face a unique problem in the Tournament: Michigan State’s campus is only 75 miles away. The Spartans’ faithful will be out in full force, serving as an extra man against the Huskies. UConn is used to having their way in the post, but they won’t with Michigan State, who is one of only two teams in the nation that is better than the Huskies on the boards. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is surely no slouch, and he’s had his boys ready for this moment all season. Bet on Michigan State for a Final Four betting upset on Saturday.

The biggest news in college hoops outside of Final Four betting has been an attempted return to glory by the University of Kentucky, who missed the NCAA tournament for the first time in 19 years this year, then got bounced from the NIT in the quarterfinals. Off came the head of Billy Gillespie after only two years, and in comes a coach that transformed a mid-major into a perennial Final Four betting contender.

John Calipari was given an 8-year, $31.7 million contract to take the programs with the most wins in NCAA history to the promised land, and he’s built a great reputation for himself. Back in 1998, UMass went 10-18 in Calipari’s first season, but by season two, they were in the NIT. Following another NIT appearance, UMass went to the NCAAs five straight years, capped by an appearance in the Final Four by a Marcus Camby-led squad. Then after a few years in the NBA, Calipari returned to take Memphis to the NITs in 2000, and they won a year later. Calipari ended his Memphis career with four straight invitations to the “Big Dance”, including a heart-breaking overtime loss in last year’s final, and that team won an NCAA-record 38 games. In fact, the last four years of Calipari’s reign saw the program win the most games in that time period for any NCAA team, but his loss should see the Tigers’ Final Four odds drop next year.

Now, does this mean an NCAA title will come to Kentucky? No…..well, not right away. Calipari’s never coached a “big” program, but his recruiting skills are lauded as some of the best in the nation. He could even persuade Jodie Meeks, a second-team All-American, and Patrick Patterson to come back, which would be a great foundation. Guaranteed, Kentucky’s Final Four odds for next year have gotten a giant boost from gaining Calipari. We know Ashley Judd will be ecstatic.

Two players make a repeat appearance in the Team of the Weekend as we head into Final Four betting, and although one of them won’t get to play this weekend, he probably played himself into a high draft pick in the NBA.

C – Goran Suton, Michigan State

The man in the middle for the Spartans averaged 19.5 points and 9.5 boards in wins over Kansas and Lousiville, and Suton is looking to close out his career at Michigan State with a national title. He’ll be counted on heavily if the Spartans are to stage a Final Four betting upset over Connecticut, but Suton can match up with UConn’s Hasheem Thabeet.

F- Sam Young, Pittsburgh

Young was easily Pitt’s best player during their NCAA run, and he put up 23.5 points against Xavier and Villanova, including 28 in the loss to the Wildcats. Young has an NBA-ready body and game, and staying four years at Pitt was definitely an asset. NBA betting players should keep an eye on this kid.

F- Blake Griffin, Oklahoma

Griffin was the first player since 1969 to put up 25 points and 10 boards in his first three Tournament games when he had 30 and 14 in Oklahoma’s Sweet 16 win over Syracuse, and he went down fighting in the loss to North Carolina, notching 23 points and 16 boards. We’ve surely seen the last of Griffin in the NCAA ranks, as a No.1 spot in the NBA draft awaits him, but Final Four betting players will remember the damage Griffin did in this Tournament.

G -Ty Lawson, North Carolina

It’s business as usual for the ACC Player of the Year, whose toe seems to be 100% now. Lawson averaged 19.0 points and 7.0 assists while leading the Tar Heels to double-digit wins over Gonzaga and Oklahoma, and he had only one turnover in each game. No one player is as important to one team’s Final Four odds as Lawson is to North Carolina’s, and they’re a much more relaxed and free-flowing team with him at the helm.

G – Scottie Reynolds, Villanova

Reynolds raised his game in the wins over Duke and Pitt, averaging 15.5 points, and he essentially sealed his spot in this team when he hit the game-winner against the Panthers to win the East region. Like Lawson, Reynolds is essential to his team’s Final Four odds, and the matchup between Lawson and Reynolds will likely decide the winner of the ‘Nova-UNC game.