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:

March Madness betting players know the importance of team play, but most champions have at least one player that can take over a game when they need to. Here is a look at the top stars of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, and they should already be familiar to sportsbook players.

C- Cole Aldrich, Kansas

The sophomore put up the first triple-double since Dwayne Wade did it in 2003 for Marquette, as he ripped Dayton for 13 points, 20 boards and 10 blocks in a 17-point romp. Of course, there may have been some motivation for Aldrich, who is from Minnesota, where the Jayhawks played their first two games. Aldrich put up 18.0 points, 16.5 boards and 6.0 blocks over the first weekend, and he’ll be need to be just as good in the Sweet 16, where Kansas will face Michigan State.

F- Terrence Williams, Louisville

Everyone talks about Earl Clark as an NBA player, but it’s Williams who makes the No.1 overall seeds go. Williams had 18.5 points, 12.0 boards and 3.5 assists over the first weekend, and his 24-point, 15-rebound performance against Siena in the second round was brilliant. The Cardinals will meet Arizona next, and if Williams has a big game against the Wildcats’ Chase Budinger, who is being touted as a lottery pick, March Madness betting players will have to look for Williams in the NBA next year.

F- Sam Young/DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh

Rather than waste time picking one, both of Pitt’s forwards deserve a spot here for the struggling Panthers, who barely avoided a pair of March Madness betting upsets. Blair, the Big East co-Player of the Year, was the star in the first round, powering his way to 27 points and 16 boards against East Tennessee State, and then it was Young who lit up Oklahoma State for 32 points in the second round. The Panthers aren’t playing their best ahead of their Sweet 16 matchup with Xavier, but with these two in the lineup (along with point guard Levance Fields), Pitt is never out of a game.

G – Ty Lawson, North Carolina

You saw just how important Lawson, the ACC Player of the Year, who missed a first-round blowout of Radford, is to the March Madness betting favorites, as they struggled to play with LSU in the second round. But Lawson shook off the pain in his jammed toe and scored 21 of his 23 points after halftime, and the Tar Heels cruised to a 14-point win. When Lawson is in the lineup, the Tar Heels play more freely, and it’s doubtful that anyone can stop that offense if he’s even close to full strength. With Gonzaga looming in the Sweet 16, the Tar Heels need Lawson as much as any team needs an individual player.

G- A.J. Price, Connecticut

The Huskies were the dominant team of the first weekend, beating Chattanooga and Texas A&M by an average of 41 points. Price is trying to make up for lost time, as he was injured early in last year’s first-round loss to San Diego, which many people say was the reason UConn was bounced. Price has put up 24.5 points and 5.5 assists over the first two games, and he’s had to assume an even bigger role since Jerome Dyson went down in February. UConn will face a tough Purdue defense in the Sweet 16, but having a healthy and motivated Price is a huge boost to the Huskies’ March Madness betting chances.

Well, what a first March Madness betting weekend….my pick to win is still in it (Memphis), while my pick to bow out early (Duke) ruined a perfect online betting day on Saturday. Here is a look at the top team over the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, as well as the biggest disappointment.

UConn had no problems with Chattanooga in a 103-47 romp, outrebounding the No.16 seed 57-33 as three of their players scored 20 points or more. Then the Huskies shot 57.9% and outrebounded Texas A&M 36-22 in a 92-66 thumping on Saturday. UConn covered the March Madness betting spreads easily, dominating their opponents on both ends of the floor, but the road will get tougher in the Sweet 16, where they’ll meet a tough Purdue team, and March Madness odds are giving the Huskies a 6.5-point spread in this contest.

Pittsburgh has been known as one of the great underachievers among March Madness betting players, and they proved why in wins over East Tennessee State and Oklahoma State. The Panthers had a 20.5-point line against ETSU, and had to overcome 18 turnovers to win by 10, then they just missed the 8.5-point spread against the Cowboys, winning by eight points. Next up is Xavier, and the Huskies are favored by seven points according to sportsbook odds, but they’ll have their hands full with the Muskateers, who are just as physical as the Panthers and have a great Tournament pedigree, so don’t be surprised by a March Madness betting upset.

I wonder if Barack Obama has ever done any March Madness betting? I’d be willing to bet that he has, you know, before this whole political career and being the President-type thing got in the way. But President Obama is still a big fan, and we all know the dude can probably ball better than any leader on the world stage:

Obama filled out a bracket on ESPN.com, and his Final Four includes three No.1s (Louisville, North Carolina and Pittsburgh) and a No.2 (Memphis, who I’m backing to win it all). In the final, the President has the March Madness betting favorites, North Carolina, taking down the top overall seed, Louisville. Surely, he knows that Ty Lawson will miss the first game of the Tournament and may not be 100% at any point. Sportsbook players (and probably Obama as well) are watching the March Madness odds on North Carolina very closely to see if they fall, as they should if Lawson misses the Tournament.

Now, Obama: Get on that BCS playoff.

After getting through the first day of March Madness betting on Thursday, online betting players should be all warmed up and ready to go on Friday. Here’s what you should take in your sportsbook:

No.9 Oklahoma State vs No.8 Tennessee (East, 12:25 PM ET)

The Volunteers are 2-point sportsbook favorites after reaching the SEC tourney final, but Oklahoma State’s high-powered offense will give them a run. Go with Tennessee.

No.11 Utah State vs No.6 Marquette (West, 12:30 PM ET)

The Aggies are 4.5-point underdogs according to March Madness odds, but the Golden Eagles have been terrible since losing Dominic James. Take Utah State in an online betting upset.

No.11 Dayton vs No.6 West Virginia (Midwest, 3:00 PM ET)

The Flyers, who are a 8.5-point underdog, were a sweet Cinderella pick before slipping down the stretch. West Virginia also happens to be playing very well right now, so go with the Mountaineers.

No.12 Arizona vs No.5 Utah (Midwest, 7:10 PM ET)

The Wildcats were just brutal in the homestretch, but March Madness odds are still making this game a PICK. Arizona is really streaky, while the Utes won the Moutain West. The Wildcats also have motivation as they just barely made the Tournament. Take Arizona in another upset.

No.10 USC vs No.7 Boston College (Midwest, 7:20 PM ET)

No knock on the Eagles, who are 2-point underdogs despite being a No.7 seed with wins over UNC, Duke and Florida State, but the Trojans have won five in a row en route to the Pac-10 title. Freshman DeMar DeRozan is coming into his own, and he’ll be the difference in a USC victory.

No.12 Wisconsin vs No.5 Florida State (East, 9:55 PM ET)

The Seminoles are 2.5-point favorites in their first Tournament game since 1998, and in Toney Douglas, they have one of the most explosive scorers in the region. Wisconsin is another team that barely made it in, and the Seminoles will have to much for them. Make Florida State your March Madness betting pick on Friday night.

March Madness betting players, get on your marks. The most wonderful time of the online betting season is finally here, and after a rough go in the conference tournaments, I’m here to try and guide you through the sportsbook Madness. Here are a few of the games to watch out for on Thursday:

No.4 Washington-No.13 Mississippi State (West, 5:00 PM ET)

-State are ride the wave of an unlikely SEC tourney win, but the Huskies should edge them.

No.7 California-No.10 Maryland (West, 2:55 PM ET)

-The Terrapins have one of the best all-around players in the country in junior guard Greivis Vasquez, who will power Maryland to an upset.

No.7 Clemson-No.10 Michigan (South, 7:10 PM ET)

-The Tigers started fast and stumbled late, while the Wolverines pulled it together late in the season. Momentum is huge for online sports betting players, so go with the Wolverines.

No.5 Illinois-No.12 Western Kentucky (South, 9:55 PM ET)

5-12 matchups always cause March Madness betting players some stress during the Tournament, and here is your upset special. The Hilltoppers rolled to the Sweet 16 last year, and have won 11 of their last 12 games.

No.7 Texas-No.10 Minnesota (East, 7:10 PM ET)

The Longhorns and Golden Gophers have been inconsistent all season, but Minnesota’s offense is atrocious. Go with Texas in your March Madness betting picks.

Some thoughts on All-Star Weekend before you start looking over March Madness odds in your sportsbook:

Rookie Challenge – The sophomores won a surprisingly competitive game behind a record 46 points from Kevin Durant. If he’s not in the Sunday game next year, something’s wrong.

HORSE - Durant edged out O.J. Mayo in another entertaining affair. This kid can score from anywhere.

Shooting Stars – Detroit beat the hometown team from Phoenix. This needs to cut, and soon.

Skills Challenge – Derrick Rose beat Devin Harris, and Rose didn’t even look awake until his double-pump reverse to cap off the event.

Three-Point Shootout – Daequan Cook beat Rashard Lewis in overtime, and Lewis’ seven-point

performance in that round was embarrassing.

Slam Dunk Contest – Nate Robinson was the Kryptonite to Dwight Howard’s Superman by jumping over the 7-footer, but what should be talked about is how Rudy Fernandez got hosed in the first round.

All-Star Game – The West won in a blowout, but Shaq’s dance with the Jabbawockeez during introductions was the most entertaining part. It was also good to see Shaq and Kobe Bryant together again while receiving co-MVPs of the game. To paraphrase LeBron James, it’s gonna be a sad day when the big fella hangs ‘em up. The most entertaining player and person the NBA has ever had.

Elton Brand of the Philadelphia 76ers will have plenty of time to go over his March Madness odds, as the former Blue Devil who won Player of the Year honors at Duke is being shut down for the rest of the season. It could be karma as Brand allegedly convinced Baron Davis to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, only to sign with the 76ers a few days later. It’s been an awful couple of seasons for the big power forward, who was sidelined all of last season with an Achilles injury, and now it’s a separated shoulder that is forcing him to go under the knife once again.

The best part? He can afford nice suits while sitting on the sidelines, as he makes an average of $29.1 million a season. I need his agent (but not his luck).