Summit League Conference Tournament Discussion and Picks...

This tournament starts tomorrow night with the play in game between Oral Roberts and my ala matter University of South Dakota Coyotes. Yes I know confusion as a South Dakota State Jackrabbits fan. What can I say the University was very different when I went there with little effort to foster athletic support (back in the D3 days) and when I moved to Brookings, South Dakota many many many years ago that town 100% rallies around their Jackrabbits so hard to no follow suit eventually. Plus they were the first in the Dakotas to go D1 for football and basketball and the rest is as they say history.

I have always followed this league closely and often time we have a great chance to make good money in the conference tournament. Often times I would put in a fav and a dark horse to win the tourney with one usually cashing. This year however the fav being the usual South Dakota State Jackrabbits sadly I don't see it. At least no value in it (+115 is awful). This might be the worst draw the Jackrabbits have had since the league tournament moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

What I mean is that the first round for the Jacks they face the winner of Oral Roberts (who isn't as bad as they have played at time and if they get hot could be a live dog) or their in state rivals (who will have plenty of home fan support as well) in the Yotes. I doubt if I am catching 9 points or more I am backing anyone but the dog in this match. But assuming the Jacks survive this matchup (and they should) they are going to then face the winner of St. Thomas (who I think definitely can beat the Jacks) or NDSU (who did beat the Jacks in Frost earlier this year). Finally lets assume they get to the finals then likely waiting for them are the hot UMKC squad or who I like as the darkhorse UND who is capable of beating anyone. 

Long story short I put a smallish 3 unit bet on UND to win the Summit League title at +950. We will see what happens. Tommies are +310 (not enough value either), Roos are interesting at +650. The rest I wouldn't both with. Even if OR or USD beat the Jacks then I think Tommies take them out in the second round. Usually the cream rise to the top in this tourny.

If anyone has any thoughts on this future please post. Once game lines are out I will discuss each and every one of them. If you have anything you want to say, contribute, debate or even just release your picks please do so in this tread. I made a thread like this for the college baseball world series and there was so much good info provided that as a whole I think everyone make 30+ units, even if we were not always on the same page.

BOL and Go Big! Go Blue! Go Jacks!!!

Well for pete's sake WTF. Sorry for the triple posts. I clicked on it and nothing happened. Clicked on it again and nothing happened. Finally on the third click all three went through. Sorry all.

@gman21000

BOL today gman21000!

Site is whacked right now...been hiccuping all morning thus far

@jerson1269

love the write up on the summit. What are your thoughts on taking both North Dakota and NDSU spreads today? 

GL on your plays @jesron1269

Here's a suggestion jesron: when you click to set your thread and it doesn't do anything let it hang first, do not click again & again or it will show up as double or triple threads either the Covers server is hanging or busy . . . . be patient hope that helps.

Just saw this post. I love betting this league. 2 out of 3 so far (jackrabbits and Tommies winning and losing UMKC which was red hot). I’m leaning UND tonight. Will be following this thread. 

Sorry I had to go back home (ironically not for the Summit League even thought that was were it was at) and can't bet outside of AZ so didn't get to post. I would have been on USD (loss), SDSU (win), St Thomas (win) and UND (loss). So mixed results so far should I have bet these game.

I will be on SDSU ML to win 5 units (they looked great and I see the crowd propelling them to the victory today) and uncertain about Denver/Omaha. Passing for now. 

GL today,

Is there a home team in this Tour.?

@jesron1269

How come 5 units? Can you explain why that spread is so low?

Swept them during reg szn and 12-4 #1 seed playing quasi-home game vs 9-7 #4 seed. Shocked this opened at nearly a pickem.

The games are played in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Which is about a 45 minute drive south of Brookings, South Dakota (home of South Dakota State University). Between the Jacks fans in Brookings, the Jacks fans in Sioux Falls and frankly all the ones that travel from all over the country to Sioux Falls to cheer on the Jacks (my flight from Phoenix to Sioux Falls was damn near full of Jacks fans based on their attire last Friday night) the arena will be very pro Jacks and trust me the Jacks will feed of it.

Of course this is basketball and turnovers, hot shooting team, blunders, etc chance dictate the game but I am taking the bait. Played 7.5 wins to win 5 units on the Jacks ML. BOL!

I think the side is low because St. Thomas kicked the living shit out of NDSU who was playing good basketball too. My line was -4.5 to -6.5. That is why I am only putting 5 units on it. Seems artificially low too. But I checked with my friends within the program and no one is hurt. So can chalk it up to linemakers not knowing much about a small conference like the Summit league. But I don't want to absolutely hammer it and get tons of egg on my face either.

@Cu2020

@Macwestie1

Sorry I was MIA and missed both of your posts.

@Bookie_Crushers

Also it is hard being a team three times in one season. Normally I would lay off. But I got the ML at -150 and the Jacks history in the Summit League tournament in Sioux Falls. Plus they are playing well right now. I guess I will bite and if I am wrong I am wrong. I will live with those results. But I will feel very very very stupid if I took St. Thomas to be a sharp and get rolled or stay off it all together and Jacks win. So here I am.

@jesron1269

 GL on your team, years ago wasn't this an over league? Seems like I bet over when the chance was there.

Sounds like all teams will be represented if your plane ride is the norm for fans getting to SD.

Tough call. Should be a great game. These guys are so evenly matched. As you said, tough to do a three game sweep. 

BOL

@JEG53

Haha yeah good point. It sure was. I haven't bet an over or under in this league in years for the reasons you said. I just play sides only. If Jacks are down big at half they will make a comeback so take the points (live points not 2H line I mean). But I expect them to have a lead at half and pour it on in the 2H. BOL!

Yep. I might regret it. But it is almost impossible to get the Jacks in Frost or Sioux Falls at this price. That is why we gamble right. BOL today wmi799!

Oh also I am back in Zona now. Went back last night. I flew in for the weekend on the last minute as my kid had space on the team bus for me to watch him play hockey. He plays for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL.

@jesron1269

 You got a son I assume, I have Daughters that are engineers, both graduated From your new State, Ari. St., Straight As 5 years running and do not watch or ever played sports. I did play 9 holes of golf with them as they had Golf for there PE, had to turn in a scorecard, I took them to Pebble Beach for scorecard, far as I know that was the end of sports. lol

I have two sons and two daughters. My son I was referring to is 18 and plays Junior A level hockey. Lives with a sponsor family and has since he was 14. Will play for UND in two years. We will see where he goes from there.

My other son is like me. All heart when it comes to sports but little talent. So he doesn't play anymore except intermurals and such. My oldest daughter will probably compete at the collegiate level for pole vault as she has set state record after state record but is a couple years away. She is looking at ASU or even U of A. My youngest daughter broke the mold. She isn't athletic or heart to be in the least. 

Sports can be overly consuming. Sometimes I wish my kids weren't so heavily involved. Too much for the heart, soul and pocket book.

Jacks faded late and only up 3 at half. Hope my prediction about them pouring it on and pulling away in the 2H holds true. The scoring being as low as it is though isn't an encouraging sign for the Jacks. I can't recall the last time they only scored 28 points in the 1H of a game in South Dakota (whether Frost or SF). Lets see what the 2H brings.

Well outsmarted myself. Should have pounded Jacks. They really never trailed in the game. Wire to wire win. Congrats Jack backers. Nothing on the 2nd Summit League match. I might jump in at half. I lean Denver only because they looked really good the last game. 

Nice call.