By Larry Rupp
March Madness is going to get here faster than you think. Selection Sunday is set to take place in just under two months and soon the field of 68 teams is going to become official. With that being said, a lot could change from right now to that point in the season.
It’s always fun to take a look back at the preseason championship odds and figure out which teams were underrated or overrated. Here are two of the biggest fallers in NCAA Basketball Championship odds in 2021-22, with all odds according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Michigan Wolverines
It doesn’t get much simpler than this. The Michigan Wolverines were talked about as if they had already locked up the 2022 title this past offseason. In fact, head coach Juwan Howard’s team came into the season trailing just the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the Championship odds (+1200). It made a lot of sense given Michigan made a run to the Elite 8 last March and landed a couple of key players in the transfer portal. Those odds have dropped all the way down to +7000, though.
The Wolverines have been hovering around the .500 mark all year and have fallen completely out of the AP Top 25. Believe it or not, Michigan’s points per game average ranks outside of the top 150 Division 1 programs in the country. Their lack of reliable shooters outside of big man Hunter Dickinson has come back to bite them. Early Big Ten losses to teams such as the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Rutgers Scarlet Knights truly show what kind of state the Wolverines are in right now. They have the talent and depth needed to go on a run at the end of the season, but it’s anyone’s guess as to whether or not that will actually happen.
One game at a time.
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) January 19, 2022
〽️🏀 | #GoBlue | #ForCompetitorsOnly pic.twitter.com/lcv1Sbma6a
Memphis Tigers
Things seem to be unraveling week by week down in Memphis. The Tigers just cannot put it all together right now and find themselves toward the bottom of the AAC Conference. The struggles even caused head coach Penny Hardaway to go into a fit of rage during a January press conference. The former NBA pro turned college basketball coach has a reason to be questioned, though. Hardaway has brought in two No. 1 recruiting classes, yet has still not made the NCAA Tournament. The way his team is playing right now, it’s hard to see them breaking that trend.
It’s worth noting that Memphis has suffered a number of injuries to key players. Dynamic guard Emoni Bates has missed most of December with a finger injury and big man Jalen Duren has been dealing with a nagging hip issue. This roster is also filled with freshmen adjusting to playing at the college level. However, none of that matters when it comes down to it. This team entered the year ranked in the AP Top 25 and had odds set at +2000 to win it all. Those odds have since plummeted to +10000. There’s no denying that Memphis has been an outright disappointment so far.
"Stop disrespecting me, bro. … I work too f–king hard"
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 21, 2022
Penny Hardaway wasn't having it after Memphis' loss 😳
(via @CassieCarlsonTV)pic.twitter.com/I5MWMgwYu7
Picture Credit: Wikimedia
