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The 22nd annual
edition of the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Forecast (383
pages, 8x11 paperbound, $21.95) has arrived at Gambler’s Book
Shop.
If you’re
a college basketball bettor, there’s no better way to familiarize
yourself with which teams have slipped a notch or more, which have
improved, and which have plucked some gems from the ranks of the
junior colleges. The information in the Blue Ribbon book is more
up-to-date than most basketball magazines, which were put together
months ago courtesy of information that was available from sports
information directors. This is because the folks at Blue Ribbon
keep the pages open until minutes before they go to press.
Edited by Chris
Dortch, the Blue Ribbon Reference, originally founded by
Chris Wallace has been appreciated by coaches, scouts, sports talk
hosts, and writers as well as bettors, line makers and bet-takers
internationally. It’s that good! There are 325 teams playing
Division I college basketball this year, and they all get close
attention.
What does the
book examine? Let’s look at Arizona for an example, which
is ranked number one in the book and in coaches’ preseason
polls: Arizona has no starters lost, five returning; the coach (Lute
Olson) and the overall school program for the sport is examined;
the schedule is included (first game against Western Kentucky Nov.
23).Projected starters are listed. You get their jersey number,
last year’s statistics; their strengths and weaknesses with
comments on what we should expect this season. There are quotes
from the coach; background on players (example is Luke Walton is
the son of UCLA legend Bill Walton); indications of who is about
the become a potential NBA high draft pick if he puts his game correctly;
who the key reserves are; newcomers worth watching; key questions
worth noting—in this case, whether Arizona is too young or
over-hyped—and a rare factor worth considering—will
everyone get the ball enough to avoid ego problems on the court.
Each team is
rated in four categories—backcourt, frontcourt, bench and
depth and intangibles. Arizona rates B or better in each of them,
with an A plus in the backcourt.
The book is
arranged alphabetically, from Air Force to Youngstown State, with
31 conferences profiled; coaching changes in a separate listing;
an advanced look at the 2003 NCAA Tournament Bracket. A small but
important section (for those who love to look ahead) is a list of
200 top high school prospects, followed by the top 100 players of
the Class of 2002, some of which jumped right from high school to
pro ball.
This is a book
which must be read, highlighted and absorbed quickly because it
will help isolate teams which could pull early season upsets against
established, ranked teams, since line makers are more vulnerable
in underestimating teams in the first month of the season than at
any time. Smart, serious college bettors have learned the value
of pre-season research—they’re buying Blue Ribbons at
a record rate—some buy them as gifts, those running sports
services buy in bulk for their employees. It continues to be a must-have
reference.
Books reviewed
here are available from Gambler’s Book Shop, 630 South 11th
Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101. You may order using a Master Card,
VISA or Discover card (no American Express accepted) by calling
1-800-522-1777 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through
Saturday. You may also order via the store’s web site at www.gamblersbook.com
anytime, using the credit cards indicated, where you may also view
another 1,000 books in 30 other areas of gambling, plus videos and
computer software.
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