You wouldn't think that one of the most important days of the college basketball season isn't on the postseason or regular season schedule. In fact, it's not even a game or an actual event. It's more of an ambiguous deadline, on which the fates of thousands of supports and millions of dollars is tossed into the air and left to float in the winds of fate.

Monday, June 18 was the final day on which college hoopsters could withdraw from the NBA Draft. The afternoon came and went without much fanfare, but there were several interesting decisions that will have far-reaching ramifications when the season tips off this November. Here are some highlights:

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1) Dominic James realized that NBA teams aren't keen on undersized guards that shoot 27 percent from 3-point land and 38 percent from the field. Weird. James is headed back to Marquette, giving the Golden Eagles the best three-guard attack in the country and virtually ensuring that they'll be rocking the Sweet 16.

2) Sean Singletary is going back to Virginia, and folks will assume that his presence will keep them on their perch among the ACC elite. Not so much. Without mate J.R. Reynolds and role players like Jason Cain we can expect a big drop-off from the Cavs. But because Singletary is back that give gamblers an outstanding "Team to Fade" as the season approaches.

3) Nevada's hopes of ditching its "Cute Story" and "Good Team - For a Mid-Major" labels took a monster hit when Marcellus Kemp decided to return but guard Ramon Sessions didn't.

4) Aaron Bruce satisfied literally dozens of Baylor fans by announcing his intentions to come back to the Bears. This is significant because a majority of the country didn't even realize that Baylor had a team.

Again, maybe the day lacked any Major announcements for the bobbleheads. But it was full of pertinent information for degenerate gamblers like myself. With rosters now (pretty) firmly set for the 2007-08 we can take a look at odds to cut down the nets in San Antonio next April. I've taken a gander of the posted futures odds for next year's title contenders and selected a few teams and numbers that jumped out at me. Here are the clear favorites to rock the Alamodome for my 2007 college basketball predictions, as well as a few sleepers and some teams to avoid when considering a long-term play:

BEST BETS:

Memphis (10-to-1) - Take this bet NOW. The Tigers have been on the cusp for two consecutive seasons, but have come up just short in the Regional Finals. They are the best team in the country right now, and their core of Chris Douglas-Roberts, Joey Dorsey and Co. didn't come back to school because they like to study. They have talent, a great system, chemistry and experience. I see them cutting them down and these are outstanding odds compared to what they will be closer to the season.

Kansas (15-to-1) - This is still a Choke Team, and I have absolutely zero faith in Bill Self. But their talent is equal to Carolina's and they have three times the odds. But beware: the Jayhawks are one feather (or one Brandon Rush knee ligament) away from being a Sucker Bet.

North Carolina (5-to-1) - Brandan who? As long as Psycho T is back - and angry - then the Tar Heels have to be considered one of the favorites to cut down the nets. The odds are light, but when they're in San Antonio for the Final Four next April you're going to be dreaming about 5-to-1.

UCLA (8-to-1) - If there were no such team as Florida, it is conceivable that the Bruins would be shooting for three consecutive national titles. OK, so that's a bit of a reach. But the Burins have retained six guys that have been on the bench and/or floor of the last two Final Fours, they have a potential breakout star in Russell Westbrook. Throw in Kevin Love and a weakened USC and the Bruins should be coming out of the West yet again.

Georgetown (15-to-1) - I actually don't like this bet without Jeff Green, but the Hoyas have to be considered one of the favorites next season. Look for DaJuan Summers to make The Leap, Roy Hibbert to dominate and for the backcourt to consistently control the tempo.

DARK HORSE BETS:

Tennessee (30-to-1) - If you have the best two-guard and the best shooter in the country (who happen to be the same player in Vols guard Chris Lofton), you have a chance. I know Bruce Pearl is like a coke-speed-mescaline freak all hopped up on the sideline, and that he likes his teams to play with the same frantic tone, but if Pearl can teach some defense then this team has Final Four pieces.

Washington State (35-to-1) - No, I'm not getting caught up in Tony Bennett's dreaminess. These boys can ball. The Cougars are a bit light on the interior, but if they can come up with a big body to rebound and provide presence they could be worth the gamble.

Alabama (40-to-1) - This is all about the "Year After" team. The Tide were a preseason favorite heading into last season before injuries, death, inconsistency and locusts derailed their season. They lose their top interior scorer, but if Ron Steele and the boys can regain some confidence and come back focused, they could be a force in the suddenly weakened SEC.

Arkansas (35-to-1) - There's still no chance in hell that this team should have made the NCAA Tournament over Syracuse (yes, I'm still bitter). But there's also no chance in hell they aren't dancing next season. They have exciting scorer Pat Beverly, veteran guards Gary Ervin and Sonny Weems and, unlike 'Bama and Tennessee, the Razorbacks have plenty of power underneath. Their starting frontcourt - measuring 6-feet-8, 6-10, and 7-0 - returns intact.

Marquette (40-to-1) - Now that Dominic James has (wisely) returned to school these odds are enticing. The Golden Flashes may have the best three-guard offense in the nation but the season will be determined by the development of another trio - forwards Ousmane Barro, Dan Fitzgerald and Lazar Hayward.

Gonzaga (45-to-1) - When he's not popping caps - the hippie way, not the gansta way - Josh Heytvelt is one of the top five forwards in the country. He'll have other offensive playmakers around him, so if Mark Few can come up with one or two frontcourt enforcers then the Bulldogs could be in business.

SUCKER BETS:

USC (20-to-1) - The O.J. Mayo Show is a solo act, and don't think for a second that it didn't' have something to do with Nick Young and Gabe Pruitt deciding to go pro early. If those two had come back to school the Trojans would have been my pick to play Memphis in the Finals. Instead they're going to be a team to fade due to their (and Mayo's) inflated expectations.

Duke (15-to-1) - Listen, Duke is going to be an outstanding team next year. And you know I loathe the Blue Devils. If they had brought back Josh McRoberts they would have to be one of the favorites, but without him they lack the go-to big man that a title team needs.

Connecticut (30-to-1) - These odds should really be double this. It's not that I don't think the Huskies will be good - they have Big East sleeper potential - but they don't have a clutch scorer (or, really any scorer for that matter) and teams generally don't win the title a year after missing the postseason.

Louisville (8-to-1) - I was a huge Cardinals supporter last year, and I think they will devastate some opponents this winter. But we're buying low and selling high. These odds are too thin for the risk of betting on a team without a pure superstar to rely on. Also, if Derrick Caracter doesn't make it back from April knee surgery (or if he relapses into a head case) then this is a ticket I don't want to be holding.

Stanford (25-to-1) - Stanford's NCAA bid was one year premature. But now that they have that experience it can only help. They have one of the five best frontcourts in the country, and with a year of playing together under their belt they could wreak havoc on foes next year. But Trent Johnson is a pathetic game manager and this team has zero shooting to speak of. I like the Cardinal, but not to cut down the nets.

Questions or comments for Robert? E-mail him at robert@docsports.com or check out his Insider Page here.