There’s no doubt who the favorite is to take down the Cayman Islands Classic. The Cincinnati Bearcats are not just the only ranked team taking part in this tournament, but the only team that is currently receiving votes in the AP Top 25 poll as well. However, while Cincinnati is the favorite, other teams can use this tournament as a place to make their case for a postseason berth.
These games will take place at John Gray Gymnasium in George Town, Grand Cayman. The Cayman Islands Classic will take place from Monday, November 20 through Wednesday, November 22, 2017. We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game in the Cayman Islands Classic.
Opening College Basketball Odds at BookMaker.eu
This is the first iteration of the Cayman Islands Classic. The idea behind it is to give teams and fans a chance to go to a beautiful vacation destination in the middle of winter and the plan is for the tournament to get as big as the ones in the Bahamas, Maui, and Puerto Rico.
Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Iowa
This is the first game of the tournament and will feature an Iowa team that has been right on the bubble for the last few seasons under coach Fran McCaffery. McCaffery has done well since showing up in Iowa City and has another team that looks poised to compete. However, they will have to get it done in the early going without last year’s Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year. Nicholas Baer broke a finger in practice and is expected to miss about a month of action.
Louisiana-Lafayette went 21-12 last season and is looking to build off of that with most of last year’s team back. This team has some quality talent and decent big men too. The Ragin’ Cajuns did get crushed by Ole Miss in their season opener but have a chance to pick up a quality win here.
South Dakota State vs. Wyoming
The Jackrabbits were the team that caught fire at just the right time last season. South Dakota State finished at 8-8 in the conference in the regular season, but bested everyone in the conference tournament to earn a spot in the Big Dance. SDSU has the sensational Mike Daum back, a big man who has the versatility to crash the boards and shoot the three and he makes this team instantly competitive.
Wyoming’s Hayden Dalton is one of the few players in the country to have played every minute so far this season. Dalton has been phenomenal despite the workload and leads the team in all major categories, but you have to wonder if it will catch up to him. He is a big body, but at less than 200 pounds, Daum might abuse him in the paint if he matches up against him.
Richmond vs. UAB
Richmond has seemingly been a perennial mid-major contender, but that doesn’t look to be the case this season. The Spiders have already been blown out at home by Delaware and Jacksonville State and it might end up being a long season for this squad.
The Blazers are off to a hot start this season. UAB is 3-0 and has cruised in each of its three wins with Chris Cokley leading the way. The 6’8 senior is averaging a double-double and has an aspect that many big men don’t have. He is a terrific free throw shooter and will make you pay if you send him to the line.
Cincinnati vs. Buffalo
Unfortunately, the Bulls drew the short end of the stick and have to face the best team in the tournament in the first round. Buffalo is off to a 2-0 start and did beat a Jacksonville State team that crushed Richmond so it does know it has a good chance in the loser’s bracket, but a win would send this school into the stratosphere.
The Bearcats haven’t been tested by any of the patsies on their schedule thus far, but we will find out how good they are soon enough. Cincinnati has six players averaging double digits with Jarron Cumberland leading the way. This team is the deepest in the tournament and that will mean something later on as these teams play three games in three days.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Cincinnati is the team that everyone will be on in the tournament, and for good reason, but I like South Dakota State to get the job done too. If the Jackrabbits are an underdog against Iowa in the semifinals snag that.
College Basketball Odds: Ride South Dakota State and Cincinnati 2K in the Cayman Islands Classic
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