College basketball betting fans know there's money to be made by tracking the Mid-Major teams, especially those outfits likely to make an appearance at March Madness. Let's take look at some of those NCAA Tournament candidates. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2008/09 season are in parentheses:
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
AKRON (23-13 SU, 17-13-1 ATS, 12-16-1 O/U): The Zips add heralded seven-footer Zeke Marshall to a conference champion team that returns four starters, including one of the best sixth men in collegiate hoops, Brett McKnight (11.2 PPG).
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite:4-4-1
Home Underdog:0-1
Away Favorite:4-2
Away Underdog:5-4
Neutral Site:4-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Zips were 9-6 ATS on the road.
Sports Betting Angle: The “under” was 11-6-1 when Akron was a favorite?
BUFFALO (21-12 SU, 15-16-1 ATS, 13-19 O/U): Four of five starters and several key reserves return to the team that was picked to finish last in the East Division but finished first a year ago. If Tony Watson can get the job done at the point, the Bulls will be tough to beat.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite:3-5-1
Home Underdog:2-0
Away Favorite:2-2
Away Underdog:3-6
Neutral Site:4-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Bulls were 3-6 as away underdogs.
Sports Betting Angle: The “under” was 12-4 when Buffalo was a favorite.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN (12-19 SU, 14-13-1 ATS, 11-17 O/U): Somebody has to win the weak West Division and the Chippewas, with a strong backcourt and at least one proven scorer up front, get the nod. But make no mistake, CMU isn't nearly as good as Akron or Buffalo.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite:3-4
Home Underdog:4-2
Away Favorite:0-0-1
Away Underdog:6-6
Neutral Site:1-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Chippewas were 8-5-1 ATS on three or more days rest.
Sports Betting Angle: The “under” was 8-2 when Central Michigan was a favorite.
OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE
MOREHEADSTATE (20-16 SU, 20-12 ATS, 11-18 O/U): The Eagles earned the OVC's first NCAA Tournament win since 1989 when they beat AlabamaState in the play-in game last season. Kenneth Faried (13.9 PPG, 13.0 RPG) the OVC's best player, is back to try a repeat visit.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite:6-3
Home Underdog:2-0
Away Favorite:0-2
Away Underdog:7-6
Neutral Site:5-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Eagles were 14-7 ATS in conference play.
Sports Betting Angle: MoreheadState was 12-6 as an underdog.
MURRAYSTATE (19-12 SU, 14-15 ATS, 12-15 O/U): The Racers return both the top Newcomer of the Year, Isacc Miles (10.6 PPG), and the top Freshman of the Year, Ivan Aska (10.3 PPG), from a season ago so the future is bright for Coach Billy Kennedy.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite:6-6
Home Underdog:0-0
Away Favorite:3-1
Away Underdog:4-2
Neutral Site:1-4
Sportsbook Buster: The Racers were 9-5 ATS in games after a pointspreadloss.
Sports Betting Angle: MurrayState was 11-7 ATS in games following a SU victory.
WEST COAST CONFERENCE
GONZAGA (28-6 SU, 15-16 ATS, 17-13-1 O/U): Having lost four starters, for the first time in recent memory, the Zags started the season unranked. Nevertheless, Gonzaga, which has 11 straight NCAA appearances, still is the team to beat in the West Coast Conference.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite:5-5
Home Underdog:0-0
Away Favorite:4-5
Away Underdog:1-0
Neutral Site:5-6
Sportsbook Buster: The “over” was 10-5-1 in Bulldogs conference games.
Sports Betting Angle: The “over” was 11-5 when Gonzaga played on three or more days rest.
PORTLAND (19-13 SU, 16-13 ATS, 17-10-1 O/U): All five starters, including all-stars Nik Raivio (16.0 PPG), T.J. Campbell(11.1 PPG), and Robin Smeulders (10.6 PPG) return, giving the senior-laden Pilots a legitimate chance to dethrone depleted Gonzaga.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite:4-5
Home Underdog:2-1
Away Favorite:3-0
Away Underdog:6-5
Neutral Site:1-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Pilots were 10-6 ATS in conference games.
Sports Betting Angle: The “over” was 12-2-1 when Portland was an underdog.
