For years, the college basketball games were only bet on using the point spread or money line. However, in recent years, sportsbooks have opened up their offices, and have decided to use totals as a means to make a profit on the games as well. Totals are often bet on by sharp handicappers, since many sportsbooks either don’t offer totals just yet, or set the limits on the amount of wagers per section of the total. In general, the tougher the odds are to beat, usually means the more bettors will wager on the actual game.

When the totals are released, you could see the line move significantly in either direction. Using colleagues Right Angle Sports as a reference, you will see, that depending on who their handicappers select, the NBA totals can move towards or away from the under line. In many cases, the line may move two or three points in one direction. For those new to betting on totals, a line move of three to four points is common. To put this into perspective, consider that half a point on the point spread is usually unheard of.

One of the first tips we tell college bettors new to totals is to look at more then just the box score, before placing a wager. Essentially, by watching plenty of games, you can determine which team is bound to score the most points. You can also tell when those teams will score the most points. For instance, good teams can score a lot of points during both the first and second half. At the same time, poor teams tend to score more frequently to start the game, before slowly fading in the second half.

The biggest edge sharps have over the sportsbook actually wouldn’t seem like an edge if you’d read about it somewhere else. That edge we are talking about is money management. The old adage we mentioned earlier is often used by squares, as they learn awfully quickly, that betting more doesn’t mean you are betting smart. For example, a person that has a $400 bank roll who risks $100 per bet, will lose more, then someone with a $400 bank roll who risks $50 a bet.

If you take sports betting seriously, then the first thing you will realize, is that no matter how much you risk you won’t always win. In other words, if your goal is to spend $400 total, why waste it on four bets, when you can double the amount of bets you are using by spending less?

As well, the majority of sharp bettors, tend to be able to find value over the casinos and sportsbooks for one simple reason, they are willing to shop around. The reason most casinos and sportsbooks make a profit is because many square bettors, would rather wager at on the NFL at one watering hole, then go somewhere else.

Firstly, it is important to know yourself and understand what you are comfortable with. For every betting system, there are 1000 different money management systems used to keep you from over spending. Simply put, find the right system for you and you will have nothing but success. For example, one system we enjoy using is the percentage system. The system requires that you breakdown your budget into a percentage, and then play within that percentage for your entire wager. Winning wagers go back into the budget, and then whether you win or lose you continue to play the percentage.

Another tip we can offer you is to keep track of everything and pick the safest NHL wager. What distinguishes the top bettors from the new bettors is the ability to document everything. As we noted before, people handicap every sporting event. In some cases, this means that you will simply read the injury report for your favorite NFL team. Conversely, you may also elect to read up on trends or coaching changes. The point is, you should do a ton of research before you make your bet, so that you are 100 percent confident in who will win the event you are wagering on. If you aren’t 100 percent sure, then you shouldn’t be wagering.

The 2012 Rose Bowl features two evenly matched teams, as the 11 and two Oregon Ducks go up against the 11 and two Wisconsin Badgers. Oregon is one of four teams, that was apart of the historical collapse a few weeks ago, that basically allowed Alabama to stay in the second seed overall and back in the National Title game. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Badgers have been a renaissance team this season. Despite being a co-Big 10 Champion a season ago, the Badgers flew under the radar this season, as they put together an impressive campaign.

On paper, the Oregon Ducks are a team that will likely feature more public NFL support, as they are led by offensive duo Darron Thomas and LaMichael James. Conversely, many people may not be familiar with the duo of Russell Wilson and Montee Ball. The duo was unbelievable in their 42 – 39 victory over Michigan State for the Big 10 Title. Wilson threw for 187 yards and three touchdowns, while Ball rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns.

If Wisconsin wants to have a shot against the Oregon Ducks, they will need to take to the ground early and often, as Oregon’s rush defensive isn’t very good. At the same time, the Badgers defense can’t be giving up 471 combined yards to Oregon, and only accumulating 345 themselves, or the game will be over quickly.

If the Final Four were to play today, the teams in the two semi – final matchups, would be North Carolina v Connecticut and Kentucky v Syracuse. On paper, it’s only been a couple of games, but already, these four teams are establishing themselves as powerhouses for the 2011 – 12 season. North Carolina entered the year as the team to beat, while Connecticut is the defending Champion. Meanwhile, Kentucky also returned a strong group, as did Syracuse. When these four teams pair off into two semi-finals, something will have to give.

In the first semi-final North Carolina v Connecticut, we get to watch a game, that would be featured in most NBA playoff series. The expected champion against the defending champion was a familiar site during last season’s NHL playoffs, as the Vancouver Canucks took on the Chicago Blackhawks in a classic series. Unfortunately for Connecticut, similar to Chicago, there time on top will only last one season, as North Carolina has a far deeper roster, that should be able to get the job done in knocking off the defending Champions.

Conversely, Kentucky v Syracuse features two teams that can put up a ton of points, but also put an emphasis on defense. This series will be similar to the Tampa Bay v Boston series of last year’s NHL Eastern Conference finals. Theoretically, the blue collar Orange team should be able to knock off the brand name Wildcats. Leading to a North Carolina v Syracuse March Madness Finals for the ages.

Kentucky looks to be the favorite again this season, as John Calipari has added several players that should make the National title game this season. Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb return to help guide new recruits Anthony Davis and Marquis Teague and Michael Gilchrist to one of the most impressive seasons in Kentucky history. All five players have the potential to not only be drafted to the NBA in the next few years, but also be lottery picks for several lucky NBA teams. Kentucky should dominate the SEC, as most of the teams are in rebuilding years.

However, with that being said, do not underestimate the likes of Vanderbilt or Florida. The Commodores return basically the same roster last season, except for one injured player.  Vanderbilt’s lineup is made up of juniors and seniors, who have been able to form good chemistry over the last couple of seasons. After getting bounce from the March Madness tournament early last year, the Commodores will be entering the 2011 – 12 season with a chip on their shoulder. If Kentucky struggles, look for Vanderbilt to slide in and take the SEC crown.

Florida Gators are another interesting team, as they have the talent to go far in a tournament like March Madness. One of the main concerns for Florida is that they have a ton of talented defenders, but not enough offense. The Gators inability to score could be their undoing as the season progresses.

California Golden Bears – The Golden Bears are expected to be the class of the conference this season, as they have several marquee veterans returning for their senior season. With the NBA lockout proceeding, Jorge Gutierrez, Harper Kemp and the Golden Bears, should at least on paper be the most dominating team in the Pac 12 this season. By all accounts, if any team is going to win the March Madness title this season, it should and will be the Cal Golden Bears.

Arizona Wildcats – With the loss of Derrick Williams to the NBA draft, this offseason seemed like a daunting one for the Arizona Wildcats. However, that being said, if freshmen recruits Josiah Turner and Nick Johnson can live up to their potential, the Wildcats should be just fine this season. Last year, as you may recall, as the March Madness tournament carried on, the Wildcats depth proved to be too much of a match for the likes of Duke. With the majority of the depth players returning and the additions of Turner and Johnson, a final four berth isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

UCLA Bruins – One dark horse in the Pac 12 this season, is the UCLA Bruins. The Bruins have been in rebuild mode since a run to the finals in 2008 where they lost to the Florida Gators. Three years later, this is the season that the Bruins have to put up results, or coaching and player changes may need to be made.

Michigan Wolverines – Fielding one of the youngest rosters in the NCAA, expectations weren’t very high for the Michigan Wolverines in 2010 – 11. However, as the season progressed, the youthful Wolverines continued to pull off upset after upset. Last season, Michigan not only made the March Madness tournament, they came within three points of advancing to the Sweet 16 with a come from behind loss to Duke.

This season, the Wolverines come in looking to win the Big 10 title. The loss of Darius Moore will hopefully be countered by the returns of sophomores, Tim Hardaway Jr. John Horford, and Jordan Morgan, along with seniors Stu Douglass and Zack Novak appear to be a daunting starting five. Look for Michigan to continue their climb towards the top of the Big 10 standings.

Purdue Boilermakers – Another team to look out for this season will be the Purdue Boilermakers. With the departures of JuJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore, to the Boston Celtics in the NBA draft, all of the NHL stock will rely on the oft-injured Robbie Hummel this season. Coming off of back to back ACL surgeries, if Hummel can play at 100 percent, he could be this season’s Jimmer Fredette.

The Kansas Jayhawks dominated the conference a year ago before being upset in the NCAA national title tournament, and will be hungry to do even better this season. Standing in their way is a talented Baylor Bears’ team that return six of their top seven leading scorers from a year ago, including Perry Jones III. That’s a lot better of a score than the Jayhawks registered this past offseason, as Kansas has lost seven players from last year’s team. Head coach Bill Self always has his teams prepared so the drop off shouldn’t be too drastic, but nonetheless it will be a tough fishing battle for the Jayhawks to keep pace with Baylor.

A little further down the line are Texas A&M and the Missouri Tigers, two teams with several quality returning players and the talent to make a run. Both clearly have an edge over the Texas Longhorns, which don’t return a single starter, with A&M perhaps having the best chance to compete against Baylor and Kansas at the top of the conference thanks to Khris Middleton and a new and enthusiastic sports betting bonus coaching staff.

While the Phillies boast the best pitching staff in the majors, any sports betting rotation will struggle with the likes of Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz, and the rest of the highest scoring team in baseball. The Red Sox have all of the weapons of a championship team, and with Josh Beckett and Jon Lester leading a potential three-man rotation in the playoffs, Boston will have options on who to seed as the third arm. Reigning National League Cy Young award winner Roy Halladay will lead a staff that will likely be shortened to himself, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels in the World Series, but the problem is that if any of those pitchers struggles, the Phillies don’t have the offensive firepower to make up for it when it matters the most.