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Frozen Assets: Betting Big XII Hoops Game 6

Disclaimer: This article is solely for entertainment purposes, and does not reflect any wagering in the real world by the author, nor should it be viewed as an encouragement for gaming or as a tip sheet. It is not intended as a betting source, and the opinions expressed are mine and should not be attributed to anyone else.

"Mom, can I have my allowance a day early?"...

Kansas 87, Oklahoma 80 (under 171) WIN +$84
West Virginia (-10) 74, Texas 72 LOSS
Baylor (+2) 77, Kansas State 68 WIN +$63
TCU 84, Iowa State (+1) 77 LOSS
Oklahoma (even) 84, Texas Tech 75 WIN +$105

Bank after bets ($484) plus wins (+$252) = bank for Game 6 (($736)
Bet record - Game 5 3-2 (.600), +$32 --- overall 14-18-1 (.439), -$264

Pizza money again, but that's still better than a losing set. We're starting to get into the meat of the schedule, which means that some Big XII games will be scheduled on Monday, instantly wreaking havoc on time-specific posts like this series. I knew this was coming, so I planned for it (sort of); the full article will be posted in time for the first game(s), and the betting lines will be filled in as they come available (as in previous posts for the Tuesday-Wednesday sets). Let's have a look at the Game 6 lineup, then (those virtual bills aren't going to pay themselves, after all)...

(January 16, 2017)

#2 Kansas (16-1 overall, 5-0 conference) at Iowa State (11-5, 3-2)
Line: KU -2.5, o/u 154

Most observers believed Kansas would move up to #1 in the new polls after Baylor's loss, and the coaches' poll followed that line of thinking. The writers' poll disagreed; Villanova jumped KU to become the new #1 in the AP poll, while Kansas remained second. This sets up an interesting matchup in Ames; the Cyclones defend their homecourt extremely well, and the Jayhawks might feel slighted by the voting (although they'll never say so publicly). ISU needs this game to pull Kansas back to the pack, while KU wants to stay one game clear in the conference; I'm betting that Kansas gets it done. BET - Kansas -2.5 ($100), OVER ($100) (-$220)

(January 17, 2017)

#4 Baylor (16-1, 4-1) at Texas (7-10, 1-4)
Line: TBA EDIT: Baylor -14, o/u 130.5

Baylor did not have a good week, getting thumped by West Virginia and scratching out a difficult win against a scrappy Kansas State squad. Texas, however, has still not learned how to win the close games, the last example being against West Virginia on Saturday. The Bears will not let the Longhorns stay close in this one in my estimation; Baylor by eleven, over/under at 141. EDIT: Baylor giving fourteen is too much in Austin, and DANG, that's a low over/under; the call by the books is BU 72-58 or so and Baylor is one of three teams that has held opponents to under sixty points in league play (the others being Iowa State and TCU) while Texas have scored at least sixty in every game so far. Let's go out on a limb again. BET - Texas +14 ($50), OVER ($50) (-$110)

(January 18, 2017)

Oklahoma (7-9, 1-4) at #7 West Virginia (15-2, 4-1)
Line: TBA. EDIT: WVU -16.5, o/u 152

Oklahoma finally got in the conference win column against Texas Tech on Saturday, and the Mountaineers held on for a two-point win over Texas. Even at full strength, the Sooners are no match for West Virginia this year, and this contest could get out of hand quickly; WVU by thirteen, over/under 151. EDIT: Right where I thought it would be for the over/under, and the books believe that this WILL get out of hand...so I'll go there. BET: WVU -16.5 ($20) (-$22)

TCU (14-3, 3-2) at Texas Tech (13-4, 2-3)
Line: TBA EDIT: TTU -4.5, o/u 137

These two teams have been pleasant surprises so far this year; TCU are in the top half of the conference, and TTU just missed a chance to join them with a loss in Norman on Saturday. At this point, I think that the Red Raiders are a tick better than the Horned Frogs, so I'm going with Tech and the homecourt advantage; TTU by three, over/under 131. EDIT: Pretty close guess, and it looks like first team to seventy wins this one. BET: UNDER ($30) (-$33)

Kansas State (13-4, 2-3) at Oklahoma State (10-7, 0-5)
Line: TBA. EDIT: OKSU -3, o/u 155

KSU gave Baylor all they wanted before running out of gas late, while OKSU stayed competitive for most of their game against Kansas. K- State is just outside of the upper echelon of the conference and wants to gain that higher ground, while the Cowboys are desperate to get off the schneid in conference play. The friendly confines of Gallagher-Iba will help the second scenario; OKSU by two, over/under 138. EDIT: I like the spread well enough, but that over/under is interesting; what do the oddsmakers know that I don't? I'm confident enough that I'll stay out on that limb from the Texas game. BET: OKSU -3 ($50), UNDER ($50) (-$110)

Game 6 starting bank ($736) minus outstanding bets/house percentage (-$495) = current bank ($241)

Spread-out schedules like this are bad for the amateur bettor, because the tendency is to try to make up for early games if they go the wrong way. I have to avoid this gambler's trap, and hopefully the first games will go well and I can relax and try to come back to level terms for the year; if not, I'll be panicking and looking up the address of the nearest virtual payday loan outlet (which is why those who do this in the real world should never bet more than they can afford to lose). There are a couple of really good contests in this set; time to enjoy some of the best college basketball to be found anywhere...LET'S PLAY FORTY!