Big Ten battle pits Fighting Illini against Buckeyes

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

02/22/2009 - Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Big Ten rivals collide in Columbus today, as the Ohio State Buckeyes play host to the 18th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini.

Illinois coach Bruce Weber is hoping his team puts forth a much better offensive showing than it did in a recent loss to Penn State, as the Illini scored a mere 33 points, by far their worst effort of the season. Despite the setback, Illinois is still having a sensational campaign, going 21-6, which includes a 9-5 mark in conference. The Illini, who haven't lost consecutive games this year, are an even 4-4 in true road games, winning two in a row outside of Champaign. Consistency is the key to UI's success as the team has run out the same starting five in 25 straight games.

Ohio State will try to put the brakes on a two-game slide, and the team should be confident coming in as it sports a 13-2 home record to this point in the season. At 17-7 overall and 7-6 in Big Ten play, coach Thad Matta's club can significantly improve its chances of securing an NCAA Tournament bid with a win over the Illini this afternoon. The Buckeyes are 5-4 against ranked foes this season, and have won two in a row over such opponents. Going back a bit further, OSU has won seven of its last 11 against teams in the Top-25.

These two teams met in Champaign back on January 20th, with the Illini taking a 67-49 decision. As a result, Illinois' lead in the all-time series stands at 101-64. Ohio State owns a 40-39 advantage in games played in Columbus over the years, and the Buckeyes have won three straight versus the Illini at Value City Arena.

Balance on offense and one of the stingiest defenses in the country are the reasons Illinois is in position to challenge for the Big Ten regular-season title as well as a favorable seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Demetri McCamey leads the team in scoring (11.8 ppg) while ranking second to Chester Frazier in assists (130). Frazier has dished out 144 helpers and has come up with a club-best 37 steals. Mike Tisdale (11.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), Mike Davis (10.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg) and Trent Meacham (10.0 ppg) round out the unit's double-digit scorers, demonstrating the total team concept rather than relying on one or two star players. The Illini are allowing just 55.7 ppg and the team ranks second in the conference and 28th nationally in FG percentage defense (.392) while sitting atop the league and placing eighth in the country in three-point FG percentage defense (.286). The Illini certainly did the job defensively in the recent loss to Penn State, holding the Nittany Lions to 28.3 percent shooting from the floor and only 38 points. Unfortunately, Illinois couldn't find open shots, and missed the majority of the ones it did, netting 33 points (UI's lowest point total in more than 60 years) on only 30 percent FG efficiency.

Ohio State's Evan Turner is one of the more productive players in the Big Ten, averaging 17.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game to lead his team in all three categories. William Buford (11.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and Jon Diebler (11.3 ppg, 3.3 ppg) are both netting double digits for the Buckeyes, who put up 67.8 ppg while permitting 61.3 ppg. The team is knocking down its field goals at a 48.3 percent clip while allowing the opposition a 40.3 percent success rate. Diebler went off in OSU's recent 72-69 loss at Northwestern, scoring 28 points on the strength of eight three-pointers, the team as a whole converting 52.6 percent from out on the perimeter. Turner added 14 points, six assists and five boards in the setback, while B.J. Mullens came off the bench to log a double-double with 11 points and the same number of rebounds. The Buckeyes led by double digits in the second half, but the Wildcats rallied to put an end to OSU's 11-game win streak in the series.

Wwwvacationspot NCAA Basketball Betting News


<< Bulls, Pacers square off in Indy
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls aim for their third straight win this afternoon on the road against the Central Division-rival Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Bulls recorded their second straight victory by handing the

<< Rangers return home to take on Maple Leafs
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York's recent road woes have attributed to its fall in the Eastern Conference standings. The Rangers hope a return to Madison Square Garden can get them back on track, as they play host tonight to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

<< Blackhawks try to extend win streak to five in test with Wild
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Blackhawks will try to stretch their winning streak to five games tonight in a battle with the Minnesota Wild at the United Center. The Blackhawks visited the Dallas Stars last night and left town with a 3-1 v

<< Sliding Bruins close out road trip in Tampa
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Bruins will bring to a close this evening what has been a very disappointing road trip, as they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning and St. Pete Times Forum. The Bruins kicked off this five-game trek with a 1-0 loss i

<< Avs hope to continue turnaround and extend dominance over 'Canes
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 2008-09 season has been an up-and-down one for the Colorado Avalanche, but the club has been doing its best to turn things around as of late. Colorado aims for its first four-game winning streak since October when it

Surging Badgers come calling on sixth-ranked Spartans >>
East Lansing, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The sixth-ranked Michigan State Spartans continue their quest for the Big Ten regular-season title as they host the red-hot Wisconsin Badgers this afternoon at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Wisconsi

Wake Forest visits Duke in pivotal ACC showdown >>
Durham, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A battle of ACC heavyweights takes place in Durham tonight, as the ninth-ranked Duke Blue Devils host the eighth-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons. With back-to-back victories, Wake Forest has silenced some criti

No. 13 Clemson in Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are underdogs on their home court as the 13th-ranked Clemson Tigers are in town for an ACC clash. Clemson has won two of its last three games to improve to 21-4 overall and 7-4

Wildcats challenge Orange at Carrier Dome >>
Syracuse, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 24th-ranked Syracuse Orange will go for win number 20 today, as they host the 12th-ranked Villanova Wildcats in Big East play at the Carrier Dome. Under legendary head coach Jim Boeheim, Syracuse has poste

State bragging rights on line as Sun Devils host Wildcats >>
Tempe, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 14th-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils will try to cap a perfect three-game homestand tonight, as they host the Arizona Wildcats in key Pac-10 matchup at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils own a 10-2 record on t

MySportsbook.com favors Bears, Bengals, Chargers and Colts to remain perfect

LAS VEGAS , Sept. 28 - Two big match-ups of undefeated teams have fans salivating at the Week Four schedule in the NFL. The Chicago Bears stifling defense looks to provide a less than hospitable welcome to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night in a battle of two 3-0 teams in the NFC conference. In the AFC, the San Diego Chargers (2-0) head to Maryland to face the surprising Baltimore Ravens (3-0) as both try to keep pace atop the conference standings. Betting Lines makers at MySportsbook.com, online sportsbook and casino, have set the Bears as 3.5 point favorites while the Chargers are a 2.5 point bet.

Of the three remaining undefeated teams, only one, New Orleans, enters this week's game as an underdog. Despite an emotional and resounding win over Atlanta on Monday night, the Saints are a 7.5 point underdog against the struggling Carolina Panthers. Indianapolis looks to stay perfect when they face the New York Jets as a 9 point road favorite while the Cincinnati Bengals are a 6 point favorite at home to the New England Patriots.

Six teams enter the week still looking for their first win, with a seventh, Tampa Bay, on a bye week. The prospect of dropping another game would not bode well for a potential playoff run. Since 1990, just three teams -- the 1992 Chargers, 1995 Detroit Lions and 1998 Buffalo Bills -- have overcome losing their first three games of the season to earn a postseason berth. And only the Chargers managed to accomplish the feat after starting 0-4.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.

MySportsbook.com Favors Fighting Irish to win College Football betting odds

According to odds makers at MySportsbook.com, on January 8, the Fighting Irish faithful may be toasting their 14th national title in Arizona – Notre Dame’s first national championship in close to 20 years.

Although MySportsbook.com has listed Notre Dame as the 5-1 favorite to win thecollege football College Football betting, fans in Columbus do not need to cancel their tickets to Glendale just yet.  The Ohio State Buckeyes, listed right behind the Irish at 7-1, are also heavy favorites to win college football’s most coveted prize, while West Virginia, USC and the 2007 National Champion Texas Longhorns - all listed at 8-1 – are strong contenders as well.

MySportsbook.com has also posted gambling odds on the conference championships for the ACC, Big 12 and SEC.  In the ACC – it could be anyone’s title, particularly for the two schools from the Sunshine State.  Florida State and Miami, both listed at 2-1, are favored to win the ACC Championship Game odds, with the ‘Noles hoping to finish in the nation’s top 10 for the first time in five years, and the ‘Canes looking to avenge their 10-7 loss against FSU in last year’s ACC Championship betting.

Moving west to the Big 12, MySportsbook.com has betting lines listing Texas as 7-5 favorites to repeat as conference champions, even though the Longhorns lost their national championship-winning quarterback Vince Young to the NFL.  In the south, the Auburn Tigers – led by Heisman-hopeful senior running back Kenny Irons – have been given the best odds to win the SEC Championship odds at 5-2.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.


ODDS TO WIN THE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Notre Dame
Ohio State
West Virginia
Texas
USC
Florida
California
Auburn
Oklahoma
Iowa
Louisville
Florida State
Michigan
Miami (FL)
LSU
Penn State
Virginia Tech
Nebraska
Tennessee
Georgia
Arizona State
Oregon
Clemson
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Alabama
Arkansas
Boston College
Michigan State
Maryland
South Carolina
Colorado
Purdue
Georgia Tech
TCU
UCLA
Arizona
Pittsburgh
Iowa State
Wisconsin
North Carolina State
Virginia
North Carolina
Fresno State
Hawaii
Northwestern
BYU
Oregon State
UNLV
Field (Any Other Team)
5-1
7-1
8-1
8-1
8-1
12-1
15-1
15-1
18-1
20-1
20-1
20-1
20-1
20-1
25-1
40-1
40-1
50-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
70-1
70-1
100-1
100-1
100-1
100-1
100-1
150-1
200-1
200-1
200-1
200-1
200-1
250-1
250-1
300-1
300-1
300-1
300-1
300-1
300-1
400-1
500-1
500-1
500-1
500-1
1000-1
1000-1
40-1



ODDS TO WIN ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Miami (FL)
Florida State
Virginia Tech
Clemson
Georgia Tech
Boston College
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina State
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Duke
2-1
2-1
3-1
7-1
15-1
15-1
15-1
30-1
30-1
30-1
50-1
500-1



ODDS TO WIN BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Texas
Oklahoma
Nebraska
Texas Tech
Colorado
Iowa State
Texas A&M
Kansas State
Missouri
Kansas
Baylor
Oklahoma State
7-5
9-5
9-2
12-1
14-1
15-1
15-1
30-1
30-1
35-1
100-1
100-1



ODDS TO WIN SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Auburn
Florida
LSU
Georgia
Tennessee
Arkansas
Alabama
Mississippi
South Carolina
Mississippi State
Kentucky
Vanderbilt
5-2
11-4
4-1
6-1
7-1
7-1
9-1
20-1
28-1
75-1
100-1
300-1

For complete NCAA football odds please visit Mysportsbook.com.