Another No. 1 seed bites the dust, and the loss could be costly for San Diego State. But the bettors who backed Fresno State at 8-1 odds to win the Mountain West tournament are cashing tickets.
Basketball
Las Vegas’ relationship with postseason college basketball is good — for the players, fans, schools, conferences and seemingly all parties involved. But, because of legalized sports wagering, is this madness in Las Vegas still viewed as evil by the NCAA?
Bookmakers always hope for upsets, and this March, it’s not just wishful thinking. There certainly are going to be shockers, and there probably will be a No. 2 or a No. 3 seed go down. What we are witnessing now is a preview of the real madness.
Sometimes, the so-called square bettors are sharper than the oddsmakers. Fresno State’s no-sweat cover in a victory over UNLV, which did get a spirited effort out of Patrick McCaw, served as an example that the public is not always wrong.
The Rebels are 3-point underdogs against Fresno State when they meet in the MW Tournament tonight at the Thomas & Mack.
Several times a hero in March, Steve Alford is a goat this time. The UCLA coach leaned back in his chair, rolled his eyes and watched his team get rocked by rival Southern California for the third time this season.
The Rebels are 10 1/2-point favorites when they open the MW Tournament against Air Force today at the Thomas & Mack.
This is a treacherous time to be a No. 1 seed in a conference tournament. Major upsets are happening daily across the nation, and San Diego State is on upset alert as the top seed in the Mountain West tournament, which tips off Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center.