Wichita State Shockers

A generation ago, the Wichita State Shockers were known as a near elite and top shelf basketball program but scandal had put them in the college basketball wilderness for a number of years. The 2004-05 season, however, showed that Wichita State was resurgent and on their way back to prominence as they finished with a record of 22-10 straight up, including 12-6 in the Missouri Valley Conference, which was good for a second place finish.

In a clear demonstration of college basketball value, or lack thereof, The Shockers finished just 13-16-1 against the spread, however, as they covered just two of their final nine regular season games. They did go 3-2 both straight up and against the spread in post season play, as they were eliminated in the third round of the NIT.

Profitable start

Wichita State Shockers began the season at home, with three consecutive unlined games beginning with an 83-55 blowout win over Oklahoma Panhandle State. That was followed by an 86-54 win over Texas Southern and then a 97-66 win over Texas Pan-American.

In their first lined game of the season they met up with Illinois and lost a 54-55 decision as 8.5-point neutral court dogs. That was followed by a 62-44 neutral court win over Delaware State as 9-point chalks and then an 82-74 home win over Providence as 8-point chalks.

Wichita State was then off the board for a 57-55 home win over Northwestern State before they scored a 75-67 win at San Francisco as 3-point chalks. The Shockers then suffered their first loss against the board all season with a 64-83 neutral court defeat at the hands of Michigan State as 7.5-point dogs.

After a 77-55 unlined win at UMKC, the Shockers returned home and scored a 55-46 home win over Miami-Ohio as 8.5-point chalks for a profitable start of 4-1-1 against the spread.

A brief market correction

Wichita State Shockers next hosted Indiana State and scored a 66-62 win as 9-point overlays as a brief market correction set in on the board. They next beat Bradley 69-67 in overtime as 6-point overlays. That was followed by a 49-58 loss at Southern Illinois as 3.5-point dogs and then a 61-75 home win over Northern Iowa as 2-point chalks to compete an 0-4 stretch against the spread.

Back in black

The Shockers got back on track, however, starting with a 56-47 win at Illinois State as 3-point chalks. That was followed by an 86-76 win at Bradley as 5.5-point dogs. Wichita State then scored an 81-57 home win over Missouri State as 2-point chalks to get back in black with three consecutive payoffs against the books.

After a 69-62 win over Evansville as 9-point home overlays, the Shockers next scored a 68-62 win at Missouri State as 5.5-point dogs. That was followed by an 85-62 home win over Drake as 9-point chalks. Next was a 55-57 win at Creighton as 4-point dogs for a sixth cover in seven games against the board.

Value began to fade

Wichita State failed to cover just six of their first seventeen games and was in the thick of the MVC race. But starting with a 74-66 win over Evansville as 15.5-point overlays their value began to fade. The next beat Southern Illinois 71-63 in overtime as 5-point chalks. That was followed by a 56-68 loss at Northern Iowa as 5.5-point dogs and then a 77-58 win at Indiana State as 5-point chalks.

Out of gas and value

Wichita State went on to finish the regular season 3-1 straight up but 0-4 against the spread as they were out of gas and value at the end.

Post season profits

The Shockers we went 3-2 both SU&ATS in the post season, being eliminated in the “Sweet Sixteen” round of the NCAA.