It’s only fitting that the Baylor Bears and Gonzaga Bulldogs one and only meeting of the season ultimately turns out to be the one with the most on the line after their scheduled regular season bout was canceled because of the coronavirus. These are undoubtedly the two best teams in the nation with them combining for 58 wins and only two losses to go along with eight pointspread covers in the NCAA Tournament. Betting odds for the Most Outstanding Player Award have been fine tuned for the ‘Natti, so let’s dig into the offerings and see where any value lies leading up to the big game. There isn’t much value to be had with the Zags, so two of my three suggestions come on the side dogged at online sportsbooks. The following are players I recommend investing in at online sportsbooks to take home the hardware come the conclusion of Monday night’s title fight.
Most Outstanding Player Odds
Jalen Suggs +100
Drew Timme +100
Davion Mitchell +250
Joel Ayayi +700
Jared Butler +700
Corey Kispert +1500
MaCio Teague +2000
Andrew Nembhard +5000
Adam Flagler +10000
Flo Thamba +10000
Mark Vital +10000
Matthew Mayer +10000
Favorite to Bet: Jared Butler +700
If the Bears are to win this game, it’s going to need to make hay from beyond the arc. Baylor simply just doesn’t possess the midrange shooting touch to take advantage of the Bulldogs defense like the UCLA Bruins just did. It also doesn’t have the horses to compete with Drew Timme and company on the glass for a full 40. What Baylor does possess however is a fantastic group of long range shooters, and Butler is one of them. His 4 of 5 showing from downtown allowed for the Bears to easily dispose of the Houston Cougars in the Final Four. While teammate Davion Mitchell also made hay in draining three of his six 3-point shots and is hitting at a near 40 percent clip from deep in the tournament, my moneys on Butler pacing the Bears on Monday night. His odds of winning the award have shortened up from +812 to +700 from the outset of the Final Four, but there’s still value to be had in the current offering.
Underdog to Bet: Corey Kispert +1500
Kispert was third in the Bulldogs pecking order to win the Most Outstanding Player Award heading into the matchup against the Bruins. After only managing 15 points on 6 of 13 shooting with the senior connecting on just 2 of 8 long range shots, his odds of pulling off the feat have swelled. By more than double to be exact! As the saying goes, buy low sell high. This is a major overreaction in my book! While Jalen Suggs and Drew Timme still ranking out ahead of him, Joel Ayayi leapfrogged him as well after scoring a much-needed 22 points to help the team advance. Baylor’s defense is going to have a whale of a time dealing with Timme down low. So much so that they might overcorrect and allow for a number of wide open shooters to take advantage from deep. You can bet your bottom dollar Kispert will be one of those wide open shooters looking to make the most of the situation. Kispert’s points prop only clocks in at 16, and I think that’s preposterous. Even if he only gets eight looks from deep once again – which he won’t – he’ll surpass that impost with ease. Baylor can be had from the perimeter and I’ve got a feeling No. 24 makes them pay!
Longshot to Bet: Matthew Mayer +10000
My dart throw of the night is on Mayer. This kid has really impressed me throughout the Bears march to the title game. While he’s only led the team in scoring once this tournament after going for a team-high 17 points in the win and cover against Wisconsin, he’s routinely come up with big shots or game changing plays that’ve allowed for his teammates to create separation on the scoreboard and go on to victory. Of all the Bears, it’s Mayer’s game that could be needed most close to the rim should Baylor have an off shooting night from deep. He’s consistently shown the ability and desire to finish in the paint, and that’s something Baylor will need to do to achieve success in this matchup. It won’t be able to simply rely on the 3-ball because Gonzaga will be ready, willing and able to match them at the other end of the court. Nothing more than a beer money investment, Mayer is worth the flier.
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