Coming off a 28 point and 13 rebound performance in their Elite Eight victory over Louisville, it isn’t surprising that Tyler Hansbrough is Sportsbook.com’s 2-1 favorite to be named the 2008 Men’s Basketball Tournament MVP. Averaging 21 points and 9.5 boards in their four tournament games, the 6’9” junior has been his usual dominant self. Considering the last time Tournament’s MVP came from a team that didn’t win the Championship was way back in 1983 (Akeem Olajuwon), Hansbrough’s UNC squad will most likely have to cut down the nets Monday evening in order for him to win the award.
Sportsbook.com’s odds-makers have UCLA’s Kevin Love as the next likely to win the MVP award at 7-2. The freshman center has been outstanding in the Big Dance thus far averaging 21.8 points and 11 rebounds per game. Considering Love’s lofty numbers along with the fact that he has been UCLA’s only consistent performer in their four games, in addition to UCLA’s 3-1 odds to win it all, there might be some good value in his odds.
Another freshman, Derrick Rose, is on Love’s heels checking in at 4-1. Averaging 20.5 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in their four games; it isn’t surprising that the Memphis guard is the most likely Tiger to win the award. However, fellow Tiger, Chris Douglass Roberts is averaging 22.5 PPG so he can’t be ruled out if Memphis wins two more games.
Thanks to Kansas’ extremely balanced attack, two Jayhawks have extremely generous odds. Guard Mario Chalmers (10-1) has led the Jayhawks in scoring with 15 PPG while fellow backcourt mate Brandon Rush (15-1) is averaging 14.5 PPG. Kansas is a solid 3-1 favorite to win it all, so there appears to be pretty good value in both players odds even though their statistics aren’t as impressive as the other players previously mentioned.
Sportsbook.com’s Odds to win the MVP award:
Tyler Hansbrough 2-1
Kevin Love 7-2
Derrick Rose 4-1
Field 5-1
Darren Collison 7-1
Chris Douglass-Roberts 7-1
Wayne Ellington 10-1
Ty Lawson 10-1
Mario Chalmers 10-1
Brandon Rush 15-1
