Vegas odds on BYU and Utah

[PaloAltoCougar]

I notice BYU is a 1.5 or 2 point favorite. I expect that to drop to even or so by game time.

Utah is a 1 point or so dog. This surprises me. Does anyone recall a 5 seed ever being a betting 'dog to a 12 seed? I suspect this to go to even or better as game day approaches, but I'm really not much a betting analyst.

I confess that ordinarily I might delight in Utah losing to a 12, but given the way the MWC was disrespected by the Committee, I have reluctantly become a big Ute fan, at least for Round 1.

[Surfah]

I notice BYU is a 1.5 or 2 point favorite. I expect that to drop to even or so by game time.

Utah is a 1 point or so dog. This surprises me. Does anyone recall a 5 seed ever being a betting 'dog to a 12 seed? I suspect this to go to even or better as game day approaches, but I'm really not much a betting analyst.

I confess that ordinarily I might delight in Utah losing to a 12, but given the way the MWC was disrespected by the Committee, I have reluctantly become a big Ute fan, at least for Round 1.

Most common upset is 12 of 5.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Most common upset is 12 of 5.

It's certainly not all that unusual for a 12 to knock off a 5, but as you note, they're upsets. I'm curious if a 12 has ever been favored going into the game.

[jay santos]

I notice BYU is a 1.5 or 2 point favorite. I expect that to drop to even or so by game time.

Utah is a 1 point or so dog. This surprises me. Does anyone recall a 5 seed ever being a betting 'dog to a 12 seed? I suspect this to go to even or better as game day approaches, but I'm really not much a betting analyst.

I confess that ordinarily I might delight in Utah losing to a 12, but given the way the MWC was disrespected by the Committee, I have reluctantly become a big Ute fan, at least for Round 1.

Shows you Vegas believes Utah was overseeded and BYU underseeded.

[LiveCoug]

Most common upset is 12 of 5.

I don't think that is true. 10/7 is more common upest.

[Surfah]

I don't think that is true. 10/7 is more common upest.

8/9 and 7/10 aren't much of an upset.

[LiveCoug]

8/9 and 7/10 aren't much of an upset.

LOL.. ok, then what is your criteria?

[Surfah]

Of course they are technically an upset by virtue of the seeding, but there really is little discernible difference between most teams in the tournament until you get to 6-11 and 5-12 matchups. Thus a 9 over 8 or 7 over 10 is not that big an upset. In fact the 9 seed has a better than 50% win average over the 8 seed. And the 7-10 matchups are close as well.

[Surfah]

Of course they are technically an upset by virtue of the seeding, but there really is little discernible difference between most teams in the tournament until you get to 6-11 and 5-12 matchups. Thus a 9 over 8 or 7 over 10 is not that big an upset. In fact the 9 seed has a better than 50% win average over the 8 seed. And the 7-10 matchups are close as well.

After doing some more research, like I stated before the 9 over 8 seed is the most common at 54% of the time. The 10, 11, and 12 seeds upset about a third of the time. 4% points separate the three.

[il Padrino Ute]

I notice BYU is a 1.5 or 2 point favorite. I expect that to drop to even or so by game time.

Utah is a 1 point or so dog. This surprises me. Does anyone recall a 5 seed ever being a betting 'dog to a 12 seed? I suspect this to go to even or better as game day approaches, but I'm really not much a betting analyst.

I confess that ordinarily I might delight in Utah losing to a 12, but given the way the MWC was disrespected by the Committee, I have reluctantly become a big Ute fan, at least for Round 1.

I think a lot of the pundits have picked Arizona over Utah because the MWC conference told ESPN to stick it and started it's own network and most of these alleged experts haven't seen Utah play this year.

[jay santos]

I think a lot of the pundits have picked Arizona over Utah because the MWC conference told ESPN to stick it and started it's own network and most of these alleged experts haven't seen Utah play this year.

Vegas line AZ -1. Vegas doesn't rate teams based on their TV contract. BYU is -2 against T A&M 9 seed.

[il Padrino Ute]

Vegas line AZ -1. Vegas doesn't rate teams based on their TV contract. BYU is -2 against T A&M 9 seed.

I understand that. I was talking about the morons on ESPN.

[SeattleUte]

What stupid thread. Yes, this is not one of Utah's better teams. But clearly it was the best team in the MWC this year. That's been established. Arizona is vastly more talented at every position including center than Utah.

[il Padrino Ute]

What stupid thread. Yes, this is not one of Utah's better teams. But clearly it was the best team in the MWC this year. That's been established. Arizona is vastly more talented at every position including center than Utah.

Wait, you liked to bitch at me for saying there were times that I didn't know beyond all doubt that the Utah football team would win each and every game, I'm calling you out in saying that Arizona is a better team than the Utes.

You're either a Ute fan or not, right?

[PaloAltoCougar]

What stupid thread.

How dare you demean my thread, and using caveman language at that! I suspect you perceived a slight against Utah (such was not my intent), and you are as predictable as ecuaboy in rushing to your beloved's defense.

As for Utah "clearly" being better, yet again you overstate your case (yeah, I know you're trolling, but it's late so I'm happy to bite). Were Utah clearly better than BYU, it should not have required a missed Chris Miles free throw to win on its home court, should have had better overall record, and shouldn't have had any ugly losses (BYU didn't). I'm willing to concede the Utes the better season, maybe, but clearly better? Pshaw. Would you be willing to bet a substantial sum on the Utes, straight up, in a BYU-Utah rematch on a neutral court? I doubt Vegas would give more than a point or so advantage to either team, not exactly the stuff of clear superiority.