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College Basketball Betting: Best Trends of 2009

Written January 26, 2009 by Evan Altemus

college-basketball-betting-trends-012609 Every college basketball season has small trends that eventually get noticed by the betting public if they develop into long-term trends. The most influential trend of this season though has been the success that road teams have experienced. As conference play has continued, road teams have been having more and more success, especially in the bigger conferences. Teams have not only failed to cover as favorites at home, but they have also lost outright routinely.

Sunday’s games saw Pittsburgh, Michigan State, Louisville, and Florida all win outright on the road as either small favorites or underdogs. Pittsburgh was hardly overwhelmed by West Virginia’s home court advantage, as they cruised to a double digit road win. Ohio State’s home court edge wasn’t enough to hold off Michigan State, as the Spartans got an easy 11 point victory. Louisville was able to use their size and defensive ability to control Syracuse throughout. Florida absolutely crushed Vanderbilt in the 1st and 2nd half. The biggest surprise in those games was how Michigan State and Pittsburgh really handled their home opponents in the 2nd half. Usually home college basketball teams are able to have an advantage as the game progresses, but Ohio State and West Virginia completely folded. In addition, Saturday’s games also had several home favorites that failed to cover as home favorites. In fact, SEC home teams were just 1-5 straight up and 0-6 against the spread on Saturday. Big East home teams were 1-3 against the spread. Big 12 Conference home favorites were just 1-3 against the spread too, with Nebraska, Missouri, and Texas all failing to cover as the favored team at home. The average bettor must take note of this trend, as it should continue throughout the season. Bet on college basketball tonight with BetUS!

This trend will arguably continue throughout the season, as teams become more and more acclimated to playing in hostile road environments. However, there are certain situations where the home favorite should be strongly looked at, despite the overwhelming success of road underdogs. First and foremost, look to back home teams that have some kind of a decided match-up advantage and playing with a motivational factor. The best example of this theory is when Syracuse played at Pittsburgh in the middle of January. The Panthers had a decided size advantage over the Orange. In addition, they had much better overall defense and one of the strongest home courts in the country. Pittsburgh was also coming off of a loss at Louisville. Consequently, they hammered Syracuse in a double digit home blowout. However, the Panthers had several factors pointing to them. Many home favorites do not have several advantages over their opponent, despite receiving points.

Overall, don’t be discouraged from taking road favorites/underdogs just because of them playing away from home. If deciding to take a home favorite, make sure that they have several advantages which will allow them to win by margin.

Get more out of your NCAA basketball betting this season. Our college basketball picks and comparative college basketball odds are two great resources for you to utilize.