In most sports, when a score is near or at the end, the betting markets usually settle down. But in college basketball, sometimes the tension continues even after the game has ended. This is because there is often controversy regarding the final score of a game. It is not unusual for a game to end in a tie, but for various reasons, the count may not reflect reality. For example, a team may have fouled more than it would have normally allowed based on the circumstances of the game. So even though it appears to be a settled score, there is still some uncertainty regarding the actual outcome of the game.
What is A Tie?
When two or more teams have the same number of points at the end of a game, it is said to be a tie. In college basketball, ties are relatively commonplace. There have been 41 games in the last 10 seasons where both teams have had the same number of points at the end of the game. Ties are not necessarily bad as they usually mean one or both teams played well and should be commended for their teamwork. But in some cases, they can be a controversial ending to a game. Especially when both teams are considered to be “favorites” to win the game, it is not uncommon for there to be some disgruntlement regarding the result. After a tie game, the officials will usually sort of “even out” the score, by giving either team a free throw or allowing either team one or two more shots, depending on the situation. But in some cases, especially in the NBA, the game may end after a tie as scores often do, in a classic battle of who has the superior record. In the 2017 NBA Finals, the Toronto Raptors were the heavy favorites to beat the Golden State Warriors, based on how they had performed during the regular season. But after the Warriors scored 105 points in the first half, the betting markets shifted in favor of the underdog Raptors, who went on to win the series.
What is A -7?
To the layperson, a “seven” can mean something different depending on the sport and the context. In American football, for example, a seven on the scoreboard usually means a touchdown. But in basketball, a seven can also stand for a tie. As mentioned before, when two or more teams have the same number of points at the end of a game, it is said to be a tie. So if there is a score of 7-7 at the end of a game, it is typically considered to be a tie. But in basketball, a 7-7 score can also mean that one team dominated the game, significantly outscoring the other team. When a score is listed as a “7” on the board, it is usually an indication that the team who scored it dominated the game, and the other team did not live up to the expectations set by the betting markets. When a score is listed as a “-7”, it usually means the opposite. The team that scored the point dominated the game, but they had to fight hard to get the result they wanted. In the 2012 NCAA Tournament, Florida Gulf Coast University was the heavy favorite to win the entire tournament. But they met Virginia in the first round, and the betting markets showed that the Cavaliers were a much better team, despite the fact that FGCU scored a first-round upset victory. After the first round of the tournament, the point spread for the entire tournament changed, and Florida Gulf Coast came in as slight underdogs to win it all. They surprised everyone by advancing to the Sweet 16, where they were matched up against top-seeded North Carolina. In the end, it was close, but FGCU won 62-59.
One of the main reasons that a -7 can be considered an upset is because the team that scored it did not seem to belong in the position that they were in, usually either winning or losing by a large margin. In the case of Florida Gulf Coast, they lost by seven points, but it might not have been the same if they had lost by 20. In most instances, a -7 in basketball usually means that a team that was supposed to lose the game won it, so the entire result of the game was a complete shock to everyone, not just the people who placed the bet. Of course, as we know in life, nothing is ever easy. Even when things seem to have an obvious answer, there is usually some element of surprise, which keeps things interesting.