The loss of forward Brandon?Davies from the BYU basketball team could not have come at a worse time for the newly voted No. 3 Cougars. In the middle of a historic season for the school, the BYU program did what they believe was the right thing do to in their situation. As a religious school that carries their beliefs above sports, BYU took a huge risk to their Final Four chances by dismissing Davies, who averages just over 11 points and a team-leading 6.2 rebounds per game.
In violating an “honor code” set down by the school, Davies did nothing “criminal,” the school said. Part of that honor code is avoiding alcohol, tobacco, tea and freaking coffee and attending church regularly, to name a few. In other words, they want their entire student body purified from society.
Look, BYU is still going to be a force in the tournament this season, I think. At Sportsbook.com, the Cougars are still 10/1 odds to win the entire tournament. I don’t think this is a great value bet because I doubt they’re good enough to win the entire tournament anyway, but 10/1 with a guy like?Jimmer Fredette is never bad.
Bodog has apparently adjusted to the Davies’ injury and has moved the Cougars down to 16/1 to win the tournament. Sportsbook’s favorites to win the tournament are Ohio State (7/2) while Duke and Kansas are both sitting at 4/1 odds.
Obviously this dismissal is going to hurt BYU. We'll find out just how important Davies was to the team tonight when the Cougars take the floor against visiting New Mexico. If you remember correctly, New Mexico is one of two teams to knock off BYU this season as they beat the Cougars 86-77 back in?January. Better believe the Lobos will be up for this game tonight.
Currently, BYU is favored by 11 points but the line opened up at -12. According to sportsbookspy.com, the Cougs are getting nearly 60% of the bets on the spread and the number is going down.
Overall to me, BYU is a bit overvalued right now, even with the loss of their sophomore starter - and suggesting looking ot fade.
BYU puts principle over performace [ESPN]
Comments . . .
Do you respect BYU's commitment to its values, or does it in some way turn you off?