The Loyola Marymount Lions have suffered quite a fall since their days as a Cinderella “Sweet Sixteen” team that captured the hearts of the nation, media, and gamblers in 1990 as they have since degenerated into a second division team that operates in virtual anonymity in the West Coast Conference.
In 2004-05 the Lions had reached the pits, or make that the basement of the WCC as they finished 11-17 straight up, which included a conference mark of 3-11.
The Lions fared little better against the board as they finished 11-14 against the number, getting the cash in just eight of their final twelve games of the season.
Low expectations
The Lions’ poor performance over the years had done nothing to enhance their appeal with gamblers and kept expectations at a low. And with those low expectations both on the court and at the sportsbook came the possibility that Loyola Marymount might eventually emerge as a bargain value with enhanced odds. But the Lions had been so weak over the years that that would be a most optimistic take on their potential.
Dreadful beginning
Loyola Marymount began the 2005-06 season with a promising 83-71 win at Brigham Young as 5.5-point dogs. But from there it was to be a dreadful beginning for the Lions.
Loyola Marymount Lions next scored a 75-81 home loss to Montana as 12-point overlays. That was then followed by a 65-112 debacle at Washington as 18-point dogs. Problems continued at home with an 80-81 overtime loss to South Alabama as 5.5-point chalks. That was then followed by an 85-93 loss at Long Beach State in a pick’em affair for a fourth straight failure against the board.
The Lions got a brief break in their misery with a 77-60 home win over Santa Barbara as 1.5-point chalks but they then went right back into the tank with a 61-79 loss at Montana as 6-point dogs. The misery seemed to never end as Loyola Marymount next lost at home to rebuilding Southern California 69-71 as 1.5-point chalks. They then took a break from the board and scored a 76-63 unlined home win over Northern Colorado.
There was another brief respite for Loyola Marymount Lions in the form of a 63-66 win at Hawaii as 15-point dogs. They then got a neutral court 61-62 loss push against Western Michigan before the red ink resumed its flow with a 50-54 neutral court loss to South Florida as 2-point chalks. This horrific stretch ended with a 60-79 blowout loss at UNLV as 9.5-point dogs and then a 68-84 loss at San Diego State as 7-point dogs as the Lions began the season with just three payoffs in thirteen games.
Unwanted bargain basement dogs
Loyola Marymount Lions gushing of red ink turned them into one of the board’s leading “go against” teams, which served to enhance their value and transform them into unwanted bargain basement dogs beginning with an 86-84 win over San Diego as 3-point value-added home dogs. That was then followed by an 84-75 overtime home win over San Francisco as 4-point chalks. Next came an 84-68 win at Portland as 5.5-point dogs, followed by an 80-92 win at Gonzaga as 17.5-point value-added pups. The payoffs continued with a 72-62 home win over Santa Clara as 3.5-point chalks followed by a 78-70 home win over St. Mary’s in a pick’em affair for a sixth straight cover.
After a brief break in the form of a 62-70 loss at Pepperdine, the Gaels got back on track with three consecutive wins and covers beginning with a 74-63 triumph at San Francisco as 4-point dogs. That was then followed by a 94-76 win at San Diego as 8.5-point dogs and then an 89-78 overtime home win over Pepperdine as 8.5-point chalks for a ninth payoff in ten games.
Down and up
LMU finished the regular season out of gas, going 0-4 SU&ATS and then going 1-1 SU and 2-0 ATS in post season for a down and up finish.