Ed Cooley was hired by Georgetown to “return [the program] to prominence within the Big East and nationally,” Hoyas’ athletics director Lee Reed said on Tuesday in a buzzword-filled statement proclaiming a bright future that more closely resembles the one he left behind at Providence than the one Patrick Ewing left behind for Cooley.
That’s great. But what will Cooley do in college basketball betting? Will he bring betting success to a program that was often an auto-fade under Patrick Ewing?
The Hoyas went 14-17 against the spread in Ewing’s last regular season, failing to cover by an average of more than three points per game – only four high-major teams had a worse average cover margin.
They were horrible at home, again – going 5-12 ATS to lower their home ATS winning percentage to 41% since 2017, dead last among high-major teams. And they were horrible in many other areas, too, as they have been for most of the last six seasons.
Only 11 high-majors have a worse regular-season ATS winning percentage (.468) since the 2017-18 season. And only seven high-majors have a worse regular-season average cover margin (-0.7 points).
Cooley’s Providence teams weren’t dominant at the book, nor were they even above .500 in some notable areas, including as a favorite and after a loss. But they were consistent, finishing at or above .500 against the spread in eight of the last 11 regular seasons.
The Friars went 18-13 against the spread in Cooley’s last regular season, covering by an average of two points per game – only 12 high-major teams had a better average cover margin.
They were great at home, again – going 10-7 to raise their home ATS winning percentage to 53% since 2011, 24th among all high-major teams. And they were steady in many other areas, too, as they have been for most of the last 11 seasons.
Only eight high-majors have a better regular-season ATS winning percentage (.528) since the 2011-12 season. And only one high-major has a better regular-season average cover margin (+1.1 points).
Will Cooley bring that betting success to Georgetown?
You can view updated college basketball odds and more online sports betting opportunities at the BetMGM online sportsbook.