Josh Hallman, one of Sandman Sports’ newest writers, has launched a fresh segment for us called Bet the House. From time to time, Josh will spotlight a wager in the college basketball world that feels too good to pass up. We are not sure yet how often these will appear, but whenever a line catches Josh’s eye, you can be sure we will feature it right here.
And what better way to kick things off than with the very first edition of Bet the House, featuring Bethune Cookman getting points on the road against the Miami Hurricanes.
Bethune Cookman may not be a household name in college basketball, but their relative obscurity is exactly why they could become one of the biggest surprises this season. They are coming off a tough overtime loss on the road at Auburn, a very good team, and they gave the Tigers all they could handle in a difficult environment. With a few breaks, they easily could have walked away with the win.
Auburn has been one of the top programs in the country for years, filled with elite talent, yet Bethune Cookman might have had the best player on the floor. Arterio Morris, a former five star recruit whose career has taken several turns, came off the bench and nearly led his team to victory. Morris began at Texas, transferred to Kansas, and was dismissed from the team before ever playing a game after being charged with sexual assault in 2023. Those charges were later dropped, and after a stint at the JUCO level, Morris has resurfaced at Bethune Cookman and looks ready to finally deliver on his potential.
Morris brings a level of talent the Wildcats rarely see, but he is not doing it alone. This is a quick, athletic team that plays with intensity and toughness. They might not have overwhelming size, but they make up for it with effort and physicality on both ends of the floor.
Miami, meanwhile, is in transition. The Hurricanes have an almost entirely new roster and a first year head coach trying to find cohesion. The talent is there, but chemistry takes time. Based on early results, this spread looks inflated. Bethune Cookman has more than enough athleticism and grit to keep this one close, and if things break right, they could even pull off the upset on the road. Keep an eye on the Wildcats. They might be one of the most profitable mid majors to ride early in the season.
*Please don’t actually “bet the house.” We like the Bethune-Cookman side here, but like any wager, it can go either way. Bet smart, have fun, and always play responsibly.
