The Georgia Bulldogs finished the 2004-05 season with a record of 8-20 straight up and a Southeastern Conference record of a horrific 2-15, which was good for nothing and last place in the SEC East Division.
Incredibly enough, however, Georgia would prove to be far better on the board than on the court as they clearly outpaced their straight up record with a mark of 11-12 against the spread. Towards the end of the season, in fact, when they had their least amount of appeal with gamblers, the Bulldogs went on to cover seven of their final ten games in a classic lesson of college basketball gambling value.
Georgia’s strong finish against the board is a clear demonstration regarding the reactive nature of the mainstream gambling public and how they “handicap” (to be charitable) in a straight up rather than against the spread mentality. All the public could see was Georgia’s horrible record, which enhanced the Bulldogs’ value down the stretch as they were most profitable just as they were most unwanted.
Georgia Bulldogs Cranking cash
Georgia opened the 2005-06 season with a 65-74 loss at Old Dominion as 8.5-point neutral court dogs. But from there, they began cranking cash starting with a 79-68 neutral court win over Fordham as 3-point chalks. That was then followed by a 76-68 neutral court win over Eastern Kentucky as 3-point chalks. Next came a 69-65 win at Western Kentucky as 8-point dogs.
Georgia then took a couple of games off from the board, scoring unlined wins over Florida A&M (95-74), and Savannah State (84-48).
Back on the board against rival Georgia Tech as 2.5-point chalks, the Bulldogs scored a 91-75 win and cover. That was then followed by a 72-61 neutral court win over Georgia State as 10.5-point chalks and then a 60-64 loss to Oregon State as 2.5-point neutral court chalks.
The Bulldogs then resumed cranking cash with a 62-68 loss at Nevada as 10-point dogs. That was followed by a 72-69 home win over Clemson as 1-point dogs and then an 89-65 home win over Western Carolina as 17-point chalks for a eighth payoff in nine games. The last SEC tuneup was an unlined 78-72 home win over Howard.
SEC slowdown
Georgia had built up solid momentum in the non conference portion of their schedule and attracted the attention of gamblers with that great start against the board. But starting with a 72-90 home loss to eventual national champion Florida as 5.5-point dogs in the conference opener, the Bulldogs began a SEC slowdown.
Georgia next lost at Tennessee 76-89 as 8.5-point dogs before scoring a 64-61 overtime win at South Carolina as 8-point dogs. But that was followed by a 55-69 home loss to Kentucky as 1-point dogs. After a 72-65 home win over Mississippi as 6-point chalks, the Bulldogs lost at eventual Final Four qualifier Louisiana State 52-81 as 13.5-point dogs.
Enhanced value Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia’s 2-4 ATS start in SEC play made them an enhanced value as gamblers quickly soured on them. The Bulldogs got the cash beginning with a 65-66 loss at Auburn as 1.5-point dogs. That was then followed by an 88-79 home win over Alabama as 1-point chalks Next came a 74-73 win at Vanderbilt as 9.5-point dogs for a third straight payoff. After a 78-83 home loss to Tennessee as 3.5-point dogs, the Bulldogs came back with a 61-68 loss cover at Kentucky as 9-point dogs for a fourth payoff in five games.
Unable to maintain the payoff streak
Georgia Bulldogs next scored a 55-72 blowout home loss to Vanderbilt as 1.5-point overlays as they proved to be unable to maintain the payoff streak. The Bulldogs next scored a 48-47 home win over South Carolina as 1-point dogs but followed that up with a 68-83 loss at Mississippi State as 2.5-point dogs. Next came a loss/cover at Florida before back-to-back SU&ATS losses to Arkansas, first at home and then in the SEC tourney.