There should be a lot of volatility in the SEC, forcing college basketball betting aficionados to stay on their wagering toes this season. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2006/07 season are in parentheses:
EASTERN DIVISION
TENNESSEE (31-5 SU, 16-15-1 ATS, 13-18-1 O/U): The Volunteers will have a new look but the “Controlled Chaos” defensive pressure still will be intense.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 9-3
Home Underdog: 0-0
Away Favorite: 2-5-1
Away Underdog: 3-0
Neutral site: 2-7
Sportsbook Buster: The Volunteers were 9-3 ATS at home last season.
Sports Betting Angle: The “under” was 9-4-1 when Tennessee played in the conference last season.
FLORIDA (24-12 SU, 14-12-1 ATS, 13-14 O/U): Versatile Nick Calathes (15.3 PPG, 6.1 APG, 5.2 RPG) leads a resurgent Gator team.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 7-5
Home Underdog: 0-0-1
Away Favorite: 2-0
Away Underdog: 4-4
Neutral Site: 1-3
Sportsbook Buster: The Gators were 7-4 ATS in the game after a pointspread victory.
Sports Betting Angle: The “under” was 7-3 when Florida played non-conference teams.
KENTUCKY (18-13 SU, 15-13 ATS, 13-15 O/U): The Cats will purr up front but young guards will need to step up for Kentucky to excel.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 8-4
Home Underdog: 1-2
Away Favorite: 1-0
Away Underdog: 5-4
Neutral Site: 0-3
Sportsbook Buster: The Wildcats were 12-5 ATS in SEC play.
Sports Betting Angle: Kentucky was 3-8 ATS versus non-conference opponents.
VANDERBILT (26-8 SU, 16-17 ATS, 18-15 O/U): The Commodores have a stud in A.J. Ogilvy (17.0 PPG) but outsider shooters are needed.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 7-10
Home Underdog: 1-0
Away Favorite: 2-0
Away Underdog: 3-5
Neutral Site: 3-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Commodores were 6-11 ATS on three or more days rest.
Sports Betting Angle: The “over” was 16-7 when Vanderbilt was a favorite.
SOUTH CAROLINA (14-18 SU, 14-14 ATS, 12-16 O/U): All but one regular returns and now is the time to match potential to performance.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 3-7
Home Underdog: 0-3
Away Favorite: 0-0
Away Underdog: 5-4
Neutral Site: 6-0
Sportsbook Buster: The Gamecocks were 3-10 ATS at home.
Sports Betting Angle: South Carolina was 6-0 ATS on neutral courts.
GEORGIA (17-17 SU, 16-14 ATS, 12-18 O/U): The Bulldogs lost their two best players and this is still a football school.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 4-4
Home Underdog: 1-1
Away Favorite: 1-0
Away Underdog: 4-6
Neutral Site: 4-3
Sportsbook Buster: The Bulldogs were 6-3 ATS on two or fewer days rest.
Sports Betting Angle: The “under” was 13-7 in Georgia conference games.
WESTERN DIVISION
ALABAMA (17-16 SU, 12-15 ATS, 14-13 O/U): In an evenly matched division, the Tide may have the athleticism to prevail.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 4-6
Home Underdog: 0-3
Away Favorite: 0-1
Away Underdog: 3-5
Neutral Site: 4-0
Sportsbook Buster: The Crimson Tide was 5-9 ATS at home.
Sports Betting Angle: The “over” was 10-3 when Alabama was a favorite.
LSU (13-18 SU, 11-15 ATS, 13-13 O/U): Marcus Thornton (19.6 PPG) leads a veteran team that must adapt to a new head coach, Trent Johnson.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 2-4
Home Underdog: 2-2
Away Favorite: 0-3
Away Underdog: 7-3
Neutral Site: 0-3
Sportsbook Buster: The Tigers were 1-8 ATS versus non-conference foes.
Sports Betting Angle: LSU was 2-8 as a favorite.
MISSISSIPPI (24-11 SU, 14-16 ATS, 18-12 O/U): The Rebels have quick strike potential in the backcourt but need some beef up front.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 8-7
Home Underdog: 0-0
Away Favorite: 1-2
Away Underdog: 4-3
Neutral Site: 1-4
Sportsbook Buster: The Rebels were 6-11 ATS in SEC play.
Sports Betting Angle: The “over” was 10-5 in Ole Miss home games.
AUBURN (14-16 SU, 9-12-1 ATS, 14-8 O/U): Unless the Tigers improve their last place SEC defense, another losing season is in store.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 1-3
Home Underdog: 3-3
Away Favorite: 0-0
Away Underdog: 5-4-1
Neutral Site: 0-2
Sportsbook Buster: The War Eagles were 2-5 ATS after a pointspread win.
Sports Betting Angle: The “over” was 12-6 when Auburn was an underdog.
MISSISSIPPI STATE (23-11 SU, 16-15 ATS, 13-16-2 O/U): The Bulldogs lost 45 points in scoring and look to be in for a rebuilding season.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 6-8
Home Underdog: 0-0
Away Favorite: 4-0
Away Underdog: 3-3
Neutral Site: 3-4
Sportsbook Buster: The Bulldogs were 7-3 ATS on the road.
Sports Betting Angle: MSU was 11-7 ATS on three or more days rest.
ARKANSAS (23-12 SU, 13-17-1 ATS, 16-15 O/U): With no seniors on the roster, the Razorbacks will suffer a steep decline this season.
By the Numbers (2007/08 Season)
Home Favorite: 6-5-1
Home Underdog: 0-0
Away Favorite: 1-1
Away Underdog: 0-5
Neutral Site: 5-4
Sportsbook Buster: The Razorbacks were 0-5 as away underdogs.
Sports Betting Angle: Arkansas was 3-10 ATS on two or fewer days rest.
