Smart people set the line. From there it's not as difficult. Vegas don't like bad opening lines or they'd have me do them.
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Iowa State opens as a 2.5 point favorite over Iowa
- Thread starter ChrisMWilliams
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Smart people set the line. From there it's not as difficult. Vegas don't like bad opening lines or they'd have me do them.
It seems the line was set to get the public on ISU, like Vegas was expecting the sharp money to come in on Iowa.
Sbrforum.com, you can get everything you'll need from stats, line movement numbers, picks, etc.
First this isn't the super bowl so not too many casual fans are betting this game. So Vegas has to set a line that will get both sides involved. I would also guess they factor in that more money would come in on the Iowa side because they are better known, and B1G conference member. So they set the line at a point that the money on ISU will even out for people who look at things like home court, rankings and the like.
Don't take it is as a slap in the face of ISU other than the fact that ISU isn't known to much outside of Iowa. Regardless of the fact it has been the better basketball school for quite some time. I would also guess the money that is going to come in on Iowa would come in regardless once again visibility factor, more people know the name Iowa than ISU, and the B1G conference factor. If Vegas can get equal money then they are happy and don't care who wins. If they feel they can't get equal money they will set the line at a point where they think the smaller side will win, in this case ISU.
I don't believe Vegas thinks this is more than a pick'em but feels the money wouldn't be equal at that so slide to the Hawk side hope for equal money, and if not they have the small side being the home school.
What Vegas doesn't want is this line to jump to ISU - 5 or more that means they miss judged the public perception and likely would stand to lose a substantial amount of money.
Don't take it is as a slap in the face of ISU other than the fact that ISU isn't known to much outside of Iowa. Regardless of the fact it has been the better basketball school for quite some time. I would also guess the money that is going to come in on Iowa would come in regardless once again visibility factor, more people know the name Iowa than ISU, and the B1G conference factor. If Vegas can get equal money then they are happy and don't care who wins. If they feel they can't get equal money they will set the line at a point where they think the smaller side will win, in this case ISU.
I don't believe Vegas thinks this is more than a pick'em but feels the money wouldn't be equal at that so slide to the Hawk side hope for equal money, and if not they have the small side being the home school.
What Vegas doesn't want is this line to jump to ISU - 5 or more that means they miss judged the public perception and likely would stand to lose a substantial amount of money.
Iowa has thus far had more exposure with 11 games, all of which were victories, but for OT loss to highly respected Nova team. Iowa also gets props, probably more than deserved, from BTN announcers. Like it or not (I love it), BTN is big business with lots of eyeballs. That is why I would agree that Vegas has set this line lower than what it should be. Computers are meaningless this time of year, but have probably also impacted the line. I like the hawks at +7.5, nothing less at Hilton. Good luck Clone fans. Hope to see a good one.
Obviously they want it all, but I'd like to hear the logic on why a bookie would stand to make more money by doing it this way.
We are favored; I couldn't care less about the margin.
If you offered me two options right now:
A) 100% chance that ISU wins by 1 point
B) 99% chance that ISU wins by 25 points and 1% chance that Iowa wins
I would take Option A every time. Just win baby.
If you offered me two options right now:
A) 100% chance that ISU wins by 1 point
B) 99% chance that ISU wins by 25 points and 1% chance that Iowa wins
I would take Option A every time. Just win baby.
Regardless of the outcome, there is one absolute certainty. Iowa fans will claim they are the better team.
Scoreboard settles all arguments....unless it's with an Iowa fan.
Scoreboard settles all arguments....unless it's with an Iowa fan.
Tomorrow night should be a good game. If the hawks gain the lead with their tempo they need to keep pushing tempo or we'll lose. White really struggles with the ball in the half court. If we do decide to slow it down it'' be another Villinova.
Do you really think that there are going to be many people betting on this game that don't now anything about Iowa State? This isn't a nationally prominent game, the people who are going to be betting on this game likely know quite a bit about each team. As others have said, IMO it seems like Vegas is trying to get the public to bet on ISU.
- Jun 20, 2006
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Because history proves Iowa has more betting power than ISU. They induce an ISU bet to smooth out the money that follow a BigTen team. A good reason why ISU covers the spread against Iowa many many times.
This is a huge game for Iowa, and they need it badly since there is a good chance they will be a bubble team. Winning at Hilton would be a huge notch on their belt. They have been pointing to this game for months. This will not be easy.
