Depth is such a key factor in athletic competition. A team could be at a serious disadvantage if they have one big man against a team that has three big bodies to throw into the low post. Granted, this may not be a factor early in the game, especially if all those players are very good. But the wear and tear of a game, not to mention foul trouble, could tip things into the favor of the team with depth.

Of course, if a coaching staff doesn't know how to exploit an advantage like that, it won't make a difference. But if a team's lone big man picks up three fouls and heads to the bench, then the opposing coach can change strategy and pound the ball down low, looking for high percentage shots and free throws.

This is a significant edge that large, big-name schools can have. Top coaches can recruit depth, stockpiling a sharp-shooting guard off the bench, for example, a role playing rebounder, or a defensive specialist. Maybe that specialist doesn't play often, but a coach has the luxury of using that player when needed during the season, as a defensive stopper, for example, against an opposing tough offensive guard.

Injuries, of course, are also a major element in college basketball depth. I bring this up because my Main Event Saturday was on Washington, a one-point favorite at UCLA. It's no secret that a very good UCLA squad has been banged up with injuries this season, and it's getting worse!

Sophomore forward Josh Shipp found out last week that he will miss the rest of the season because of continuing pain in his right hip. Guard Jordan Farmar is playing on a sprained his right ankle, and Cedric Bozeman (shoulder) is out several weeks. In addition, Lorenzo Mata injured his right knee late in the game Thursday vs. Washington State and will be out six-to-eight weeks.

That was a significant part of my thinking in making a play on Washington. UCLA was playing Washington State Thursday, a rugged defensive team, then had to play two nights later against this uptempo Washington club. The situation alone is difficult for UCLA to face Washington, which averages 88 points per contest. But having so little depth made it far worse for depleted UCLA. I didn't handicap another injury occurring, of course, but notice that the Bruins lost Alfred Aboya with a sprained ankle with 7:11 to play in the first half. The wounded keep falling for the unlucky Bruins. Washington got the money in a 69-65 win.

A lack of depth played another key role in a game I had last week. Poor Arkansas State, like UCLA, has had a ton of injuries lately. In a game last week, the Indians had to use 5 players over the final 12 minutes of their game at Little Rock! I went against this depleted team the next game, and it was no surprise to see them tire out late in a non-cover loss at Middle Tennessee State. Then on Saturday, Western Kentucky utilized a deep bench and strong rebounding to overmatch a tired Arkansas State squad, 87-63.

Depth is a key advantage that schools like Duke and North Carolina often have, along with their star power said james from BetBubbles. But injuries need to be kept track off, even seemingly insignificant minor ones like sprained ankles and hamstrings. You may recall a badly banged up North Carolina team a few years ago before Roy Williams took over. Injuries can be devastating to small schools that rely on one or two key players, but it can also sap the depth of top-name schools, too.