The Iona Gaels began the 2005-06 season with an unlined 80-68 neutral court win over Howard and followed that up with another neutral court win, this time over Portland State, 81-75 as 6-point chalks for a push.
From their the Gaels took to the road and scored a most impressive 89-72 win at Iowa State as 13.5-point dogs in a stunning upset. That was followed by a 71-70 win at Fordham as 2.5-point chalks for a start of 4-0 straight up and 1-1-1 against the spread.
Iona Gaelsnext took a game off from the board as they hosted Vermont and scored a 68-56 win before returning to the college basketball betting boards for the rest of the 2005-06 season.
Cranking cash
back on the board at home against Rider, the Gaels scored an 80-59 win as 10-point chalks. That was followed by a 79-66 win at Marist as 2-point chalks and then a 67-73 neutral court loss to Kentucky as 9.5-point dogs for a third straight cover.
Iona’s loss to Kentucky was a great college basketball gambling lesson about “name brand” values, or lack thereof, along with the bargain values that mid major teams can often be in such matchups.
The Kentucky team in that matchup was decent, but nowhere near a powerhouse but because of Kentucky’s reputation as a college basketball traditional power and elite team, compared to Iona, who operated in virtual anonymity, the difference made the Gaels MORE Valuable on the board than they actually should have been.
The college basketball gambling masses simply are loathe to take a team such as Iona Gaels against a “name brand” power, regardless of value, and this attitude is often costly, as was proven to be the case here.
Iona next traveled to Seton Hall and suffered a 59-73 loss as 2-point dogs. That was followed by a 70-69 win at Fresno State as 1.5-point dogs. Metro Atlantic Conference play began in earnest next, as Iona lost at home to Manhattan 68-87 as 5-point chalks.
The blowout loss to Manhattan only served to enhance Iona Gaels overall board value as they resumed cranking cash with a 73-55 win over Niagara as 9.5-point chalks that was followed by an 83-75 loss at St. Peters as 3.5-point chalks. Another payoff followed with an 88-73 win at Canisius as 3-point chalks.
After an 89-77 home win over Fairfield as 12-point chalks for a push, Iona continued to provide value with an 86-68 win over Loyola-Maryland as 10.5-point chalks. That was followed by an 85-78 win at Siena as 2-point chalks as the Gaels finished a stretch in which they lost just two out of twelve games against the spread.
Value depleted
Iona Gaels consistency in delivering payoffs finally caught up with them as their value depleted as interest in them increased with the college basketball gambling public.
Iona’s problems on the board began with a 71-69 overtime win at Niagara as 4.5-point chalks. That was followed by a 72-76 home loss to St. Peter’s as an 11-point chalk. Iona briefly halted the bleeding with a 95-58 home win over Canisius but then stumbled again with an 81-87 home loss to Marist as 7.5-point chalks for a 1-3 stretch against the spread.
Back in black
Iona Gaels was back in black for their next game at Loyola-Maryland, which was a 101-85 win as 4-point chalks. That was followed by an 89-66 win at Fairfield as 6-point chalks. After an 83-79 win at Rider as a 6-point chalk, the Gaels scored a 93-75 home over Buffalo as 8-point chalks for a third payoff in four games. They ended the regular season with two SU&ATS losses. After going 3-0 both SU&ATS to win the MAAC tourney, the Gaels lost to LSU 64-80 as a 7.5-point dog in the NCAA tourney.