VCU not only did it on the court but also proved kindest to college basketball betting devotees of the CAA last season. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2007/08 season are in parentheses:
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH (24-8 SU, 17-11-1 ATS, 11-18 O/U): Eric Maynor (17.9 PPG, 5.5 APG) and a bunch of heralded frosh should keep the Rams on top.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 7-4-1
Home Underdog: 0-0
Away Favorite: 5-2
Away Underdog: 3-1
Neutral Site: 2-4
Sportsbook Buster: The Rams were 8-3 ATS on the road last season.
Sports Betting Angle: The “under” was 13-7 in VCU association games last season.
OLD DOMINION (18-16 SU, 13-18 ATS, 17-14 O/U): Gerald Lee (12.9 PPG) heads the CAA’s best frontcourt but the backcourt needs to step up.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 6-7
Home Underdog: 1-0
Away Favorite: 3-4
Away Underdog: 3-3
Neutral Site: 0-3
Sportsbook Buster: The Monarchs were 2-10 ATS in games following a pointspread defeat.
Sports Betting Angle: The “over” was 12-7 in ODU association games.
NORTHEASTERN (14-17 SU, 13-15 ATS, 14-14 O/U): All five starters return, including smooth shooting Matt Janning (16.1 PPG).
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 3-5
Home Underdog: 1-1
Away Favorite: 1-2
Away Underdog: 7-6
Neutral Site: 1-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Huskies were 4-10 ATS after a SU loss.
Sports Betting Angle: Northeastern was 3-5 as a home favorite.
GEORGE MASON (23-11 SU, 12-16-3 ATS, 17-13-1 O/U): The backcourt is solid and there’s presence in the paint. The Pats will contend again.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 6-5
Home Underdog: 0-0
Away Favorite: 3-5-2
Away Underdog: 0-2
Neutral site: 3-4-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Patriots were 3-7-2 ATS on the road.
Sports Betting Angle: George Mason was 7-12-3 ATS after a SU victory.
DELAWARE (14-17 SU, 12-14 ATS, 12-13-1 O/U): Three of the top four scorers return so the Hens could be cackling at an improved season.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 1-5
Home Underdog: 2-1
Away Favorite: 0-1
Away Underdog: 7-6
Neutral Site: 1-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Fightin’ Blue Hens were 1-6 as favorites.
Sports Betting Angle: Delaware was 3-9 ATS after a SU win.
HOFSTRA (12-18 SU, 15-10-1 ATS, 15-11 O/U): Charles Jenkins is talented but the Pride will miss the CAA’s top scorer, Antoine Agudio (22.7 PPG).
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 4-2
Home Underdog: 2-2-1
Away Favorite: 0-0
Away Underdog: 8-4
Neutral Site: 1-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Pride was 11-1 ATS on fewer than three days rest.
Sports Betting Angle: Hofstra was 7-1 ATS after a pointspread loss.
GEORGIA STATE (9-21 SU, 15-9-1 ATS, 8-17 O/U): Four returning starters and five major college transfers make the Panthers and intriguing longshot.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 3-1
Home Underdog: 5-1
Away Favorite: 1-0
Away Underdog: 5-5-1
Neutral Site: 1-0
Sportsbook Buster: The Panthers were 12-6-1 ATS in association games.
Sports Betting Angle: Georgia State was 10-3-1 ATS on three or more days rest.
UNC-WILMINGTON (20-13 SU, 15-14 ATS, 14-14-1 O/U): The Seahawks are more athletic but another 20-win season will be a difficult assignment.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 4-6
Home Underdog: 2-1
Away Favorite: 0-0
Away Underdog: 5-6
Neutral Site: 3-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Seahawks were 10-4 ATS following a pointspread win.
Sports Betting Angle: UNC-Wilmington was 12-8 ATS in association play.
JAMES MADISON (13-17 SU, 10-16 ATS, 11-15 O/U): Four starters return to a team that collapsed after a 9-3 start last season.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 3-4
Home Underdog: 2-2
Away Favorite: 1-1
Away Underdog: 4-7
Neutral Site: 0-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Dukes were 5-14 ATS in CAA play.
Sports Betting Angle: JMU was 3-12 ATS after a pointspread defeat.
TOWSON STATE (13-18 SU, 13-13 ATS, 16-9-1 O/U): The Tigers have a couple of reliable scorers and some promising transfers.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 5-2
Home Underdog: 3-2
Away Favorite: 0-0
Away Underdog: 3-9
Neutral Site: 2-0
Sportsbook Buster: The Tigers were 8-4 ATS at home but 3-9 ATS on the road.
Sports Betting Angle: The “over” was 14-5 when Towson was an underdog.
WILLIAM & MARY (17-16 SU, 14-11-2 ATS, 9-18 O/U): The Tribe probably has lost too much talent to escape a losing season.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 6-3
Home Underdog: 0-2
Away Favorite: 0-0
Away Underdog: 6-5-1
Neutral Site: 2-1-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Tribe was 8-5-2 ATS after a SU victory.
Sports Betting Angle: The “under” was 14-8 in William & Mary CAA games.
DREXEL (12-20 SU, 7-19-3 ATS, 12-17 O/U): The Dragons always play inspired defense but they don’t score enough to be a real threat.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 3-6-1
Home Underdog: 0-1-1
Away Favorite: 1-0
Away Underdog: 2-8-1
Neutral Site: 1-4
Sportsbook Buster: The Dragons were 4-12-3 ATS in association games.
Sports Betting Angle: Drexel was 2-11-2 as an underdog.
