The Appalachian State Mountaineers finished the 2004-05 season with a record of 18-12, including a Southern Conference record of 9-7, which was good for a second place finish in the North Division.
The Mountaineers also had a solid run against the board as they lost just nine out of twenty-five games against the spread as they got the cash in eleven of their last thirteen regular season games. Appalachian State made the championship game of the Southern Conference tournament before losing to Chattanooga 51-57 as 4.5-point dogs to miss out on a NCAA bid.
Overall, it was a solid season for Appalachian State and a season that would prove to be difficult to replicate. Many lower to middle-major programs have proven to have a difficult time sustaining success either on the court or especially at the sportsbooks as their overall board value fluctuates much like a tech stock.
In fact, a good rule of thumb for lower mid-major teams is that just when they are finally respected they are virtually worthless as a play on the board and to be avoided. Often times it is the least respected mid-major teams that are the most valuable from a gambling perspective.
Quick Start foAppalachian State Mountaineersr
Appalachian State opened the 2005-06 season with a 75-65 home win over Arkansas-Little Rock as 9.5-point chalks. That was then followed by a 51-47 home win over Virginia Commonwealth as 1.5-point home favorites. Appalachian State then got a 78-91 loss/cover at Wake Forest as 15-point dogs for a quick start of three covers in three games.
Unable to maintain pace
The Mountaineers, however, were unable to maintain pace as they next lost at James Madison 79-81 in overtime as 1.5-point chalks then followed that up with a 69-102 home loss to Davidson as 1-point dogs.
Back on the board at Tennessee, the Mountaineers lost an 81-89 decision as 16-point bargain dogs, but then went on to North Carolina State and were bombed out 68-92 as 20.5-point pups. They then rebounded with a 73-65 win at Marshall as 1-point dogs.
Appalachian State Mountaineers Sinking lower
Appalachian State next traveled to Arkansas-Little Rock and scored a 63-78 loss as 5.5-point dogs and continued sinking lower as they then lost to Niagara on a neutral court 70-79 as 1.5-point dogs.
The Mountaineers got a brief break from their misery in the form of a 71-68 win at Duquesne in a pick’em affair but went right back in the red with a 60-64 home loss to Marshall as 8.5-point chalks. That was then followed by a 59-65 loss at Elon University as 3.5-point dogs.
Unable to gain traction
Appalachian State next scored a much needed win over Western Carolina 68-53 as 6-point chalks and followed that up with an unlined home win over Montreat-Anderson. But back on the board against Chattanooga, the Mountaineers were unable to gain traction as they lost 57-73 as 6-point chalks. That was then followed by a 60-62 loss at NC-Greensboro as 2-point dogs for a push. Appalachian State then scored a 90-84 overtime win over Georgia Southern as 1-point chalks.
Appalachian State Mountaineers Falling further behind
Appalachian State next scored a win at the Citadel 66-65 as 7.5-point overlays and continued falling further behind with a 53-64 loss at Charleston as 9-point dogs. That as then followed by a 59-6 loss to Wofford as 4.5-point home chalks and then a 64-76 loss at Furman as 8-point dogs as the Mountaineers had earned just five payoffs in eighteen lined games.
Appalachian State next scored a 71-60 win over Elon University as 3.5-point home chalks and followed that up with an 83-66 win at Western Carolina as 5.5-point dogs. They ended the season by going 4-2 straight up and 3-3 against the spread as they made it to the third round of the conference tourney before losing SU&ATS to Chattanooga.