Never mind that Providence won the Big East regular season title. The Friars were a popular fade against South Dakota State in their opening NCAA Tournament game on Thursday. Final score: Providence 66, South Dakota State 57. 

Early money has come against the Friars again in this matchup. Richmond is drawing support after the Spiders stunned Iowa, 67-63, as a 9 1/2-point 'dog on Thursday. 

This is the NCAA Tournament, but Richmond can't help but feel fat and happy after that tremendous upset. Teams that have pulled a first-round NCAA Tourney upset as a double-digit 'dog have covered just 24 percent of the time during the past 29 instances. 

Providence is better than it profiles. The Friars are so disrespected that there is now value to them.