The Weber State Wildcats had two factors that were very much in their favor as far as being a top value in the Big Sky Conference. First, Weber State was a poor basketball team that had very little appeal with either the mainstream gambling public or even with college basketball betting “sharps.”
Second, being a bad team in the Big Sky Conference only enhances a team’s value on the college basketball betting boards as they operate in virtual anonymity with the gambling public, unwanted and unknown.
Quiet value early
Weber State Wildcats began the 2005-06 season with an 77-66 unlined home win over Montana Western. That was followed by a 66-61 upset win at Boise State as 12-point road dogs, which served as a portent of things to come as the Wildcats would serve as a quiet value early in the season.
Weber State next beat Montana Tech 82-51 in an unlined home win, which was followed by an impressive 62-67 overtime home loss to Utah as 6-point dogs for their second straight cover to open the season.
The Wildcats seemed to be suffering from a hangover effect in their next game, however, a 47-68 loss at Southern Utah that was unlined. The Utah hangover continued with a 66-74 home loss to Boise State as 3.5-point home overlays.
Weber State next lost at Utah Valley State 49-68 in an unlined game but picked themselves back up with a 60-69 loss/cover at home against Utah State as 12.5-point dogs. That was followed by a bad 54-80 loss at Brigham Young as 14-point dogs.
Weber State Wildcats went back off the boards for their next three games starting with an 85-72 home win over Southern Utah. That was followed by a 74-67 win at IUPU-Ft. Wayne and then a 69-62 home win over Utah Valley State. Weber State returned to action on the boards with a 48-58 loss/cover as 11-point dogs at Wyoming.
Struggling in conference Weber State Wildcats
Weber State began Big Sky Conference play with a 65-81 loss at Montana State as 8.5-point dogs. That was followed by a 65-71 loss/cover at Montana as whopping 14.5-point dogs.
Weber State would find themselves struggling in conference, however, as they next lost at home to Northern Arizona 82-88 in a pick’em affair. That was followed by a 66-73 loss to Sacramento State as 1-point home dogs and then a 59-73 loss at Portland State as 7-point dogs for their third consecutive loss against the spread.
Bargain bounceback
At this point Weber State had reached rock bottom as far as results and appeal with gamblers, which was the cause of them becoming a bargain bounceback team starting with a 50-59 loss/cover at Eastern Washington as 9.5-point dogs.
The Wildcats next scored a 66-61 win over Idaho State as 2.5-point chalks, which was followed by a 72-67 win over Montana as 6.5-point dogs. Weber State continued to roll against the betting boards with a 67-56 home win over Montana State in a pick’em affair.
The payoffs continued even as the Wildcats hit the road, starting with a 76-73 overtime win at Sacramento State as 9-point dogs. That was followed by a 69-77 win at Northern Arizona as 8.5-point dogs as the Wildcats covered their sixth straight game to reach their value peak for the season. From this point, it would prove to be all downhill.
Depleted value
Weber State’s strong run ended up translating into depleted value as more gamblers took notice. The Wildcats first lost at home to Eastern Washington 73-76 as 2-point chalks. That was followed by a 66-77 loss to Portland State as 3-point home chalks and then a 74-81 loss at Idaho State as 5.5-point dogs to finish with three straight losses ATS.