If you're like me, your approach to college basketball handicapping has changed somewhat over the years. While the lottery and the Super Bowl still hold special significance, my focus in college basketball handicapping now moves more toward injuries and team form. Of course, every sports fan wants to take a flyer on his favorite team, but I've learned that it's much more fun to pick teams according to their overall depth and potential. The good news is that college basketball has the best depth of any sport in terms of returning stars. This gives every team an opportunity to assemble a star-studded nucleus that could win several games in a row, even if that star or two or three don't come to the surface right away.
Another aspect of college basketball handicapping is the level of play. A team's performance at the beginning of the season can make or break it, as the outcome can either give the team a huge boost or a quick exit. This is why the starting line-up and bench are so important. In order to choose the right starting five, you must analyze each player's statistics from last year, the team's strength and weaknesses, plus how well each of the players rebound.
