Under head coach John Thompson, III, son of legendary Georgetown Hoyas coach John Thompson, Jr. the Hoya basketball program began to show the promise of returning to its status as a “name brand” college basketball power program.
In 2004-05 Georgetown improved to 19-13 straight up and 16-12-1 against the spread and got back into post season play with an NIT appearance and a decent run in which they made the third round before losing to South Carolina.
The Hoyas were a streaky team against the sportsbooks as after they dropped their opener against the spread they covered three straight, then lost three straight ATS before covering five of their next six. They then dropped three more consecutive games against the spread before going unbeaten in their next four versus the sportsbooks. They then proceeded to lose four straight against the oddsmakers before leaving a good taste in everyone’s mouth with five straight payoffs to close the year.
Increased public profile and Georgetown Hoyas expectations
Georgetown Hoyas was certainly no secret as they entered 2005-06 as they had an increased public profile and expectations. Georgetown’s on court opponents, gamblers, and the oddsmakers would not be caught napping with the Hoyas, which meant that a drop in value was likely and that sharp gamblers would be careful not to step out too far.
No value early on
Georgetown scored an unlined win at Navy in the season opener and then beat James Madison 73-66 as 13.5-point road overlays. This was followed by a 61-68 upset home loss to Vanderbilt as 3-point favorites. They Hoyas rebounded with a 71-57 win at Oregon as 7-point dogs but then lost at Illinois 48-58 as 7-point pups to demonstrate that they had no value early on with a 1-3 mark against the spread.
Mixed signals Georgetown Hoyas
After a 76-51 blowout home win over Fairfield as 20.5-point chalks the Georgetown Hoyas scored three consecutive unlined wins. They then beat Texas El Paso 76-64 as 2.5-point chalks as they entered Big East play standing at 3-3 against the spread and with mixed signals to gamblers.
Down and up to start league play
Georgetown opened conference play with a 72-62 win over Providence as 11-point home overlays. They then got the cash with a 79-65 win at St. John’s as 3.5-point chalks. After a loss both SU&ATS as West Virginia the Hoyas got a loss/cover at Connecticut as they were down and up to start league play. Georgetown Hoyas value hit rock bottom with a 50-47 win over South Florida as 17-point overlays.
Inconsistent play enhanced their value
Georgetown next hosted a high profile non-conference game against Duke. They were rather hefty 8-point home dogs to the top ranked Blue Devils as Georgetown’s inconsistent play enhanced their value at the sportsbooks as proven by their 87-84 upset win. They went on to win and cover the three games that followed starting at Notre Dame, then at home versus Cincinnati and then at DePaul. Georgetown Hoyas then beat Pittsburgh 61-58 as 4-point home overlays before getting the cash with a 64-41 win over St. John’s as 10.5-point home chalks.
Georgetown Hoyas Free fall
Georgetown was riding a seven-game straight up unbeaten streak with five covers before they were upset at home by West Virginia 56-69 as 4.5-point chalks, which began a three-game free fall both SU&ATS. Georgetown responded with back-to-back home wins and covers before blowing the regular season finale both SU&ATS at South Florida.
Mixed March
In the Big East tournament the Hoyas won and covered over Notre Dame and then scored a win/push against Marquette before losing both SU&ATS to Syracuse. They made the “Big Dance” and beat both Northern Iowa and Ohio State both SU&ATS before losing to eventual champion Florida 53-57 as 2.5-point dogs to end up 3-2-1 ATS for a mixed March.