It's that time of year again. College basketball's major conferences are writing their final regular-season chapters, while some mid-majors have already flipped the page to their respective conference tournaments.
The Mountain West is one of those mid-majors that's made the page-flip — it'll bring four games to the table throughout the second half of the day today, including two tips prior to the primetime evening hours.
Both of those games — Air Force vs. San Diego State (2:30 p.m. ET) and Boise State vs. UNLV (5 p.m. ET) — have also been early recipients of sharp action.
Let's take a look.
Odds as of Thursday at 10:30 a.m. ET and via FanDuel. Get up to a $500 risk-free bet at FanDuel today or see more offers and reviews for the best online sportsbooks.
Air Force vs. San Diego State
2:30 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Network
There was never a question of which team would be favored in this game, rather by how much. With just one loss on the year, San Diego State has been given a 17-point advantage over Air Force, a number that's actually come down a point from -18 at most books.
The spread, however, isn't what's caught the eyes of sharps.
This over/under opened at 144.5, and to this point has drawn two-thirds (67%) of bettors to the over. Yet the current line sits at 140.
A pair of Sports Insights Bet Signals — which track and record instances of sharp action in real-time — have confirmed two cases of smart money hitting the under, which helps explain the line move away from the popular side.
Also providing some explanation has been the impressive 90% of money generated by the 33% of bettors on the under. While that obviously creates a monetary liability for sportsbooks, it more importantly works to point toward the sharp side (since sharps are more likely to be the ones making bigger bets).
Sharp angle: Under (moved from 144.5 to 140) [Bet now at FanDuel. NJ, PA, IN and WV only.]
Boise State vs. UNLV
5 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Network
Now for a game that should be a bit closer.
UNLV opened as a 3-point favorite over Boise State, and with its superior conference record (12-6 vs. 11-7) and higher seed, not to mention a five-game win streak, 72% of bettors have been willing to lay the short spread with the Rebels.
Sharps have not been among that majority.
Like the total in the matchup above, this spread has moved away from the popular side, as UNLV is now listed at just -1 despite its heavy support.
Four SI Bet Signals have landed on Boise State, confirming the professional backing of the Broncos.
Sharp angle: Boise State (moved from +3 to +1) [Bet now at FanDuel. NJ, PA, IN and WV only.]
