College basketball Top 6: Best conference bets
By Jason Logan
Covers.com
College basketball conference play has begun, which means a lot of what we learned during the non-conference schedule can go out the window.
Some teams thrive inside their own league and that doesn’t just pan out in the standings. Bettors have benefited from wagering on these programs during conference competition.
Here’s a look at the best in-conference bets in college basketball over the past four seasons:
St. Peter’s Peacocks (46-26-1 ATS inside the MAAC past four seasons)
Anyone who told you peacocks can’t fly obviously never bet on St. Peter’s. The Peacocks have covered in 63 percent of their lined conference games since the 2007-08 season, most notably going 14-3-1 ATS during the 2008-09 campaign. This year, St. Pete’s is 1-1 ATS in its first two MAAC games and 5-3 ATS on the season.
Morehead State Eagles (45-29-0 ATS inside OVC past four seasons)
The Eagles broke into the national spotlight with an upset over Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last March, but sharp college hoops bettors have known about Morehead State for a while. The Eagles made waves at the window with a 13-7 ATS mark during conference play in 2007-08 and last year they finished with a 10-8 ATS mark despite having most of their value sucked away by the polls.
Pittsburgh Panthers/Louisville Cardinals (44-27-1 inside Big East past four seasons)
Despite being amongst the country’s elite, Pitt and Louisville are the most profitable bets in the Big East. They’ve posted identical ATS records during conference play the last four years, including 2010-11 when they each went 11-7 ATS inside the Big East. To add to the mirror images, both programs opened this year’s conference calendar with a SU and ATS loss.
Indiana State Sycamores (44-27-1 inside the MVC past four seasons)
Most people haven’t looked twice at the Sycamores since Larry Bird left for Beantown, but Indiana State has been one of the best conference bets over the past four seasons. It went 13-5 ATS against Missouri Valley foes last season and returns four starters from that NCAA Tournament squad this year. The Sycamores dropped their conference opener SU and ATS to Drake Wednesday.
Weber State Wildcats (42-22 ATS inside Big Sky last four seasons)
The Wildcats have covered in 65 percent of the Big Sky contests over the past four seasons, including a 13-3 ATS mark in 2008-09. Weber State is expected to win the Big Sky title with star Damian Lillard back in action after breaking his foot last year. The Wildcats opened conference competition against Idaho State Thursday.
SMU Mustangs (41-23 ATS inside C-USA past four seasons)
The Mustangs could be the most consistent breadwinner in college basketball. Southern Methodist has covered in 64 percent of its conference games over the past four seasons, going 11-5 ATS last year, 12-4 ATS in 2009-10, 8-8 ATS in 2008-09, and 10-6 ATS in 2007-08. If this were the football team, the NCAA would have released the hounds a long time ago. The Mustangs are just 3-5 ATS overall this year, opening C-USA play against Tulsa on Jan. 7.