Mid-Major Moneymakers
By Chase Rutting
Covers.com
Mid-major money. Small conference cash. Every season in college basketball there are small schools that provide value ATS that are overlooked to bettors. Whether it be a lack of television coverage, or playing in a small conference with a lack of marquee names, these teams might not be thought of as quality bets despite churning cover after cover.
Today we look at four schools that have been killing it ATS this season and are worth a look for those interested in diversifying what conferences they bet on.
Wichita State (Missouri Valley Conference, 12-3-1 ATS)
Wichita State is actually one of the most consistent mid-majors in terms of success at the NCAA tournament and are currently an undefeated 19-0. The Shockers are also a very impressive 12-3-1 ATS. Led by Cleanthony Early (15.5 PPG) and a balanced group of returning players, the Shockers could very well finish the regular season undefeated. If spreads get inflated and teams start getting more and more motivated to end their undefeated streak we could see more ATS losses which is a concern. For now, the Shockers are the giants of the mid-majors on the court and against the spread.
New Mexico State (WAC, 7-2 ATS)
New Mexico State, most known for having 7'5" center Sim Bhullar and Johannesburg-born Tshilidzi Nephawe down low, have no problems using their size to dominate opponents in the WAC. With their only ATS loss in their last ten meetings being against the Arizona Wildcats, it is no secret that the Aggies' size creates value when they are facing smaller opponents. With Nephawe averaging 7.4 rebounds and Bhullar averaging 3.4 blocks per game, the Aggies are simply dominant in the post most nights. Add in Daniel Mullings 16.2 PPG and the Aggies have more than enough on the perimeter to support the interior defense and rebounding of their Twin Towers.
Air Force (Mountain West, 9-3 ATS)
Air Force has been a top underdog in the Mountain West in the opening month of conference play, covering four-straight spreads of 7.5 or more recently. Air Force has also covered while favored, covering as 9-point favorites against San Jose State. While the team is a pretty average 9-8 SU and is fairly pedestrian when it comes to statistics, they appear to stay in games and have three players averaging points in the double digits including scoring leader Tre Coggins who is averaging a steady 17.5 PPG. That "Big Three" is keeping them in games, and while handicappers keep them as underdogs there is value.
UTEP (C-USA, 10-3 ATS)
A betting scandal hasn't slowed down the Miners from being solid both in the C-USA and ATS. After stumbling in a loss to Charlotte and failing to cover against Western Illinois in the fallout of the scandal, UTEP has won and covered four of the last five. Holding teams to a 37.8 percent from the field and 28.7 percent shooting behind the arc, the Miners' defense has kept them in the C-USA race and as the best ATS team in the conference.