I have 3 National Title futures bets includng my biggest ever with write-ups...

Well guys the season is fast approaching. LY the futures plays I had looked good.  Gonzaga got to the Elite 8 missed a lay-up which killed them against Duke.  And Wisconsin led Duke by 9 in the title game and Duke came back to beat them. This year I have 3 futures plays. How I bet these is I like to predict who will play for the national title and bet those 2 teams. My plays are:

1. Kansas 10-1 for $200

I'm picking Kansas to make it to the title game and lose. The last 2 years have been "dip" years for the Jayhawks as they won 25 games 2 years ago and 27 LY. They went 27-9 13-5 in the Big 12{The most Big 12 losses under Coach Self}They shoot for their 12th straight BIG 12 regular season title. Self made the comment to Blue Ribbon that he felt KU wasn't"whole" LY with injuries and struggles on defense and the Cliff Alexander saga

A lot of teams went on international trips this offseason which you're allowed to do once every 4 years. Kansas got a unique opportunity to represent our country in the World University Games in South Korea. They took home the Gold winning 8 games in 11 days. The defense was great for KU as they allowed 0.76 points per possession over there

In terms of the talent Self feels that Frank Mason is becoming a point guard.LY he emerged as their MVP. Self said Mason could also challenge Sherron Collins as his best PG at Kansas. Wayne Selden disappointed some LY but came on with a fury in S.Korea averaging 19.3 ppg on the trip. Self believes Perry Ellis is becoming a Georges Niang a guy who can play anywhere Kansas wasn't the same after his late in the year injury

Devonte Graham should start at SG for KU this year. The offense looked better when he was out there. I don't really have a thought on the Cheick Diallo situation.I'm not picking KU because of him so if he gets cleared by the NCAA that's a bonus. Self said he plans to play smaller some this year having 2 PG's on the floor at the same time

The Jayhawks have won 24 straight at home{Last  HM loss Jan 5th 2014 vs San Diego State. Last conference HM loss Feb 2nd 2013 vs OK.State} A tough NC schedule playing Mich.State.  The Maui event where you're likely to play UCLA in game 2 and either Indiana or Vandy in the final. Kentucky at home in January and at San Diego State. This Jayhawks team IMO is under the radar when you consider the new coaches at Iowa State and Texas,Oklahoma being looked at as KU's top challenger and the mess at Kansas State. Hell they may be the 3rd most talked about program in Kansas this offseason when you consider K-State's mess and Wichita State

An under the radar Bill Self team is a dangerous Bill Self team. I think they get to the Nat'l title game

Next 2 plays coming up

2. UCONN 35-1 for $100

This isn't the team I think will play Kansas. This is a value play.LY they went to the NIT and lost the 1st game. They have 4 starters back plus 2 transfers in Sterling Gibbs from Seton Hall and Shonn MIller from Cornell. With SMU getting a postseason ban who can really challenge UCONN in the American? Plus a NC schedule that includes Ohio State,Texas Georgetown,Maryland and the Battle 4 Atlantis event. I get a team who a couple years ago won it all and they're at 35-1 this year? Too much value here IMO

The 3rd play is the biggest futures bet I've ever had and they're my pick to win the National title

3.Michigan State 20-1 for $1,000

Everyone loves to talk about how Tom Izzo is 1 of the great HC's if not the best HC in the country. He'll get his 500th win some point early in the year but consider this. He took a team in a bridge year to the Final 4..... Who does that? Who goes to a final 4 in a bridge year?.

The Spartans were maddening at times from Losing at home to Texas Southern, To being swept by Maryland, To losing at Nebraska, Multiple games not fouling up 3 in the final seconds, 3-5 in OT games, The Illinois free throw debacle. Free throw shooting killed them as they shot 63.2% at the foul line 336th it if 351 D-1 teams{Only TCU worse among power 5 teams}

In terms of the players Tum Tum Nairn will likely be the starting PG. In terms of leadership Izzo compares him to Draymond Green and Mateen Cleaves. He started the last 16 games MSU went 12-4. Got to give MSU some offense. Denzel Valentine has become a point forward. I love Valentine. He slowed down late LY and in April had 2 hernia surgeries. He did play on MSU's Int'l trip and on the US Pan-American games team

Eron Harris the West Virginia transfer is eligible. He can flat out score the ball but got himself fin trouble with reckless driving this offseason. Izzo he was the best scout team player he's ever had LY. Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling have another year under their belt. Costello had arthroscopic knee surgery in the offseason

in terms of the bench the 6th man will be Bryn Forbes who Izzo called the MVP of the summer. He has improved his defense and added 15 pounds of muscle to his frame. He avg'd 16.5 PPG on their int'l trip to Italy and LY  was a 43% 3 point shooter They should have a really good bench wth Forbes,Marvin Clark JR.and the freshmen Deyonta Dabis and Matt Mcquaid. They could go 10 deep

With the shot clock being reduced to 30 seconds Izzo said he will go to the dark side and play zone at times. 2-3 zone in the half court and 2-2-1 full court pressure. Another brutal NC schedule playing Kansas,The Wooden Legacy event where you could play Boise State in game 2 and either Arizona or Providence in game 3. Home games with Louisville and Florida plus a weird game at Northeastern. I have 3 predictions for Michigan State 2 of which will surprise you:

1. Michigan State wins the national title

2. They win the title with a 40-0 record

3. Izzo come May or June will leave to be the next HC of the Minnesota Timberwolves

BOL this season guys Your thoughts are welcome