No. 4 Villanova comes to Big Apple to battle St. John's
NCAA Basketball Betting Lines
01/23/2010 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Still unbeaten in Big East Conference play, the fourth-ranked Villanova Wildcats invade the Big Apple today to do battle with the St. John's Red Storm at Madison Square Garden.
Villanova opened the season with nine consecutive wins before finally tasting defeat against local rival Temple. The Wildcats have run off eight straight wins since, and they are now 17-1 overall and 6-0 in conference. On Wednesday, they whipped Rutgers on the road, 94-68.
St. John's had a two-game win streak halted on Wednesday with a 75-59 loss to UConn on the road. The Red Storm are 1-4 in true road games, but they do own an 8-2 mark at home. While St. John's can take pride in its 12-6 overall record, the club needs to improve a 2-4 ledger against Big East opposition.
The Red Storm own a 58-43 series advantage over Villanova, but the Wildcats have won the last five meetings.
The Wildcats are an explosive offensive team, as they have five double-digit scorers in the fold and they have helped the squad average a robust 85.2 ppg. Fortunately, 'Nova gets the job done defensively as well, limiting opponents to 70.4 ppg on 39.5 percent shooting. Strong rebounding has been key to the Wildcats' success, as they are ripping down seven more boards per game than the opposition. Scottie Reynolds is averaging 18.7 ppg on the strength of his 43.6 percent from three-point range, and the standout guard is handing out 3.4 apg. Corey Fisher, who dishes 4.3 apg, is scoring 12.8 ppg, while Antonio Pena (10.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg), Taylor King (10.2 ppg) and Reggie Redding (10.0 ppg) are all solid performers as well. Dominic Cheek tallied 17 points for Villanova on Wednesday against Rutgers, and Corey Stokes added 16 points. The Wildcats earned a commanding 52-28 rebounding advantage in that clash and shot 50 percent from the floor.
St. John's is not an explosive offensive team by any means, as the club is scoring a modest 67.7 ppg on 42.5 percent field goal efficiency. Fortunately, the Red Storm have played quite well defensively, holding opponents to 63.3 ppg on 41 percent shooting. DJ Kennedy is the top scorer for St. John's with his 15.6 ppg, and he is pulling down 6.6 rpg to go along with 59 assists as well. Dwight Hardy is the only other double-digit scorer in the fold, as he is netting 11.4 ppg. The Red Storm shot just 34.3 percent from the field against UConn earlier this week, and converted a mere 2-of-17 three-point attempts. Defensively, they allowed the Huskies to knock down 56.9 percent of their shots. Kennedy tallied 19 points to lead the way in the setback.
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 16th-ranked Temple Owls will attempt to remain unbeaten in Atlantic 10 Conference play as they take on the Fordham Rams in the Bronx this afternoon. Temple won its fifth consecutive game and improved to 4-0 i
<< Crimson Tide seek upset of 23rd-ranked Bulldogs
Tuscaloosa, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 23rd-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs
are back in the Top-25, and they will attempt to continue their recent string
of strong play when they tangle with the Alabama Crimson Tide this afternoon
in SEC actio
<< Buckeyes battle Mountaineers in Morgantown
Morgantown, WV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of top-25 foes take a break from
conference play this afternoon, as the 21st-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes invade
Morgantown to collide with the 11th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers from the
WVU Coliseum.
<< Longhorns and Huskies clash in non-conference showdown
Storrs, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Coming off their first loss of the season, the
top-ranked Texas Longhorns take a break from Big 12 action, as they travel to
the New England area to take on the Connecticut Huskies from the Gampel
Pavilion.
Aft
<< Vols head to Athens to battle Bulldogs
Athens, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two teams at opposite ends of the SEC spectrum
collide in Athens this evening, as the eighth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers meet
up with the Georgia Bulldogs at Stegeman Coliseum.
The hometown Bulldogs have yet to
Manhattan, KS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Coming off their biggest win in recent memory, the 10th-ranked Kansas State Wildcats welcome the Oklahoma State Cowboys to Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan for a Big 12 Conference clash. Oklahoma State opened t
Hoyas host Scarlet Knights in Big East affair >>
Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 12th-ranked Georgetown Hoyas welcome
the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to the Verizon Center today for a Big East affair.
The Hoyas are coming off their biggest win of the campaign, as they upset
ninth-ranke
Bears step out of conference to battle Minutemen >>
Waco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 25th-ranked Baylor Bears take a quick break
from their grueling Big 12 slate to host the Massachusetts Minutemen at the
Ferrell Center today.
The Bears gave third-ranked Kansas all it could handle on Wednesday
Streaking Sens take on struggling Bruins >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The red-hot Ottawa Senators will try to extend their
longest winning streak of the season today when they visit the sliding Boston
Bruins for a Northeast Division battle at TD Garden.
The Senators have won five in a row fo
Staal's Hurricanes make a stop in Philly >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Eric Staal made a big splash in his first game as
Carolina's captain and will try to repeat that performance when his Hurricanes
visit the Philadelphia Flyers for today's clash at Wachovia Center.
Staal was named team capt
FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract
Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.
NFL Betting
After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."
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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends
We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS. Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned. For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go. As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190). Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet. For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction. On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later. Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick. Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com
New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season.
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times.
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season.
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS.
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”. With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit. Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.
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