My Sports Betting News

Although online sports betting is a controversial activity in the US, that doesn’t stop me from picking my own personal bets for possible Naismith awardees. College basketball betting among friends can be fun—even if it’s just to determine who’s going for the next beer run.

I know my buddies think some players on this list shouldn’t be here, but this is MY Top 5 Naismith contenders list.

5. Herb Pope, Seton Hall

Season: 21.9 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 55.4% FG, 38.9% 3PT, 69.2% FT

When Herb Pope isn’t busy punching people in the genitals, he’s giving fans something far more memorable every game, when even at his worst, he still performs. Against St. Joseph’s, with 4 out of 13 shots, he still managed to score 17 points and get 10 rebounds.

4. Jeremy Lamb, UConn

Season: 20 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.2 SPG, 51.2% FG, 37.9% 3PT, 85.7% FT

Jeremy Lamb has solid stats when it comes to scoring—but he’s a great defender, too. Problem is, he can be inconsistent. UConn suffered a painful loss against Central Florida, when at one point in the game UConn was already up by 17. Lamb’s 15 points in 5-of-16 shots, three turnovers, and two rebounds was far from spectacular.

3. Doug McDermott, Creighton

Season: 24 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 62.6% FG, 60.6% 3PT, 78.3% FT

Doug McDermott scores a massive 24 points per game. And he does so with efficiency, consistently shooting more than missing, even on 3-pointers. His focused playing led Creighton to a 7-1 standing for the season.

2. Tu Holloway, Xavier

Season: 17.6 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.9 APG, 2.4 SPG, 40.3% FG, 39.1% 3PT, 87.5% FT

Looking at Tu Holloway’s stats, you wouldn’t be amazed straightaway. They’re good, but the numbers don’t really jump at you. However, he has been a personal favorite because of his impeccable performance and reliability in moments of extreme pressure.

At Vanderbilt, he connected on back-to-back three-pointers to pump up Xavier’s lead to 74-66. The Commodores simply couldn’t fight back.

Just a few days later, this time against Purdue, Holloway scored three consecutive triples in the final two minutes of the game.

With the power to upset games during critical moments, Tu Holloway is a force to reckon with.

1. Marcus Denmon, Missouri

Season: 21.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 53.3% FG, 49.2% 3PT, 91.7% FT

Marcus Denmon is a solid shooter even when it comes to three-pointers and free throws; and it seems that the young guardkeeps getting better.

The rising senior boasts of his the best season averages yet in three games against other BCS schools. Denmon averaged 25 points on 62.5 percent shooting against Notre Dame, California and Villanova.