The Horizon League sometimes stays off the radar in faculty basketball till March Insanity, which is when informal followers analysis double-digit seeds and attempt to choose the suitable upsets of their brackets.
However the Inexperienced Bay Phoenix have discovered their means into many conversations, discuss reveals and columns over the previous few months, and it has nothing to do with their Cinderella potential.
As a substitute, their athletic director and head coach have drawn criticism, which has mounted with each loss — and there have been a lot.
Fox Sports activities radio host Doug Gottlieb was employed final spring as Inexperienced Bay’s head coach, however didn’t relinquish his broadcasting duties. He nonetheless hosts his two-hour radio present each single weekday. That predictably irked many purists, who questioned his workload and dedication to every vocation.
Including gasoline to that fireplace is Inexperienced Bay’s 4-27 file, together with 2-18 in convention play.
The low level arguably was dropping to Division II Michigan Tech as a 9.5-point residence favourite. In equity, that was the Phoenix’s first recreation after dropping star participant and nationwide scoring chief Anthony Roy to a leg damage. The senior guard has not performed since.
Then once more, some would argue {that a} 21-game dropping streak or 0-13 begin in Horizon play are decrease factors.
Horizon League Match: Inexperienced Bay vs. Oakland odds
| Group | Unfold | Moneyline | Whole |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inexperienced Bay | +11.5 (-120) | +500 | o145.5 (-112) |
| Oakland | -11.5 (+100) | -700 | u145.5 (-108) |
Nonetheless, the Phoenix appear to have discovered a groove. They received two of their ultimate 5 regular-season video games, whereas masking the purpose unfold in all 5.
Inexperienced Bay does look higher coached than a few of its opponents. They do lack athleticism, except for freshman guard Jeremiah Johnson, who can create his personal shot at any time
Offensively, their units generate open appears and Inexperienced Bay has capitalized recently, though the shortage of athleticism reveals on protection.
However that’s the reason we have now a degree unfold. I’m backing Inexperienced Bay +11.5 at Oakland within the first spherical of the Horizon League convention event, which isn’t performed at a impartial website.
Coincidentally, they simply ended the common season towards each other and the Phoenix practically received outright as an 8.5-point residence ’canine, earlier than dropping in time beyond regulation.
The Grizzlies had been a event darling final yr, because of Jack Gohlke’s 10 3-pointers towards Kentucky in a memorable upset. However the sharpshooter is gone and that is a median Horizon crew.
Betting on School Basketball?
I feel the Phoenix can preserve this contained in the quantity, as I hope to proceed my 30-15 ATS run in The Put up sports activities part.
Gottlieb isn’t going to obtain any Coach of the 12 months votes, and the Phoenix aren’t going to money any 250/1 tickets by successful the Horizon event.
Nevertheless, they’re outperforming expectations proper now, and I don’t assume the betting market has caught up. Thus, I see worth on the Phoenix with the factors.
BET: Inexperienced Bay +11.5 (-120, DraftKings)
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Why Belief New York Put up Betting
Doug Kezirian is a New York Put up contributor who presently serves because the Chief Content material Officer for Solely Gamers, a sports activities betting media firm. Doug has over twenty years of expertise within the betting area, together with spending 11 years at ESPN as a bunch, columnist and betting analyst. He’s additionally the uncommon persona who has documented success – 14th place in 2023 Circa Million and Las Vegas SuperContest ($37K), two top-10 finishes in 2022 William Hill School Soccer Problem ($58K) and in addition grabbed headlines with a $297K win on the 2021 NFL Draft.
