Betting Value in Big Sky Conference Tonight

Feb 17, 2014

Professional sports bettors and betting groups alike wasted no time in grabbing Idaho State as 4.5-point home underdogs tonight against Weber State.  While the current line is down to +3, we still believe the Bengals offer excellent value for sports investors.  The Big Sky Conference provides a great opportunity tonight to build one’s bankroll.

Idaho State (+3) (-110) over Weber State

The fundamental analysis is fairly even in this contest as Idaho State is 1.8 points per game worse than average offensively (71.1 points per game against teams that would combine to allow 72.9 points per game), while the Wildcats are 3.8 points per game better than average defensively (65.0 points per game to teams that would combine to average 68.8 points per game).  However, Idaho State is better offensively at home (73.4 points per game; 38.5% 3-PT), whereas the Wildcats are worse defensively on the road (71.6 points per game).

Meanwhile, Weber State is 0.6 points per game worse than average offensively (73.0 points per game against teams that would combine to allow 73.6 points per game), while the Bengals are 0.3 points per game worse than average defensively (70.2 points per game to teams that would combine to average 69.9 points per game).  However, Idaho State is 7-3 at home this season where the Bengals are limiting opponents to just 63.9 points per game, which is good enough to completely shut down a pedestrian Weber State attack.  With that said, Weber State does arrive in town having won and covered four of its last five games over which time the Wildcats are averaging 77.8 points per game on 50.8% shooting from the field and 46.0% from beyond the arc.

From a technical standpoint, Idaho State is 4-0 ATS versus teams with a win percentage above .600, 6-0 ATS versus teams with a winning record and 9-4 ATS in its last thirteen conference games.  The Bengals are also 9-2 ATS versus teams making more than 45% of their field goal attempts and 6-0 ATS versus foes who are outscoring their opponents by four or more points on the season.  Sports bettors may be influenced by the fact that Weber State is coming off a 75-55 waxing of Southern Utah, but that knee-jerk reaction would be misplaced as the Wildcats are a money-burning 1-10 ATS on the road following a win by 15 or more points.  With Idaho State standing at 8-2 ATS as an underdog and 6-0 ATS following a win by ten or more points, we recommend a solid investment on the Bengals plus the points.