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03/08/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Of the 14 teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference, 12 have been invited to participate in the league tournament which begins on Tuesday night. The first round will take place at campus sites of the higher seeds.
While a few of the A-10 squads figure to earn NCAA Tournament bids regardless of the outcome of this event, every squad would love to capture the crown and earn the automatic bid to the "Big Dance". Temple, the two-time defending champ of this event, has earned the top seed this year, and it figures to face the stiffest competition from second-seeded Xavier and third-seeded Richmond, teams that have been nationally ranked at one point this season. Fourth-seeded Saint Louis has hit its stride over the last month and will undoubtedly carry a great deal of confidence into the event. Those four teams have earned byes to the quarterfinal round, which begins on Friday, March 12th in Atlantic City.
The first round kicks off on Tuesday, and all games will be played on the home court of the higher-seeded team. Fifth-seeded Rhode Island suffered a pair of painful losses at the end of the regular season, and it will need to get back on track in a hurry. Sixth-seeded Charlotte, seventh-seeded Dayton and eighth- seeded St. Bonaventure all have talented performers, especially the Flyers, who were the preseason favorite to win the league title. Rounding out the tournament's participants are ninth-seeded Duquesne, 10th-seeded George Washington, 11th-seeded Massachusetts and 12th-seeded Saint Joseph's, none of which are considered serious threats to reach the semifinals, let alone win the tournament.
The first of four first-round games pits the eighth-seeded St. Bonaventure Bonnies against the ninth-seeded Duquesne Dukes. The Bonnies have never won this tournament and are 12-26 all-time in the event. As for the Dukes, they captured their lone title back in 1977, and the 19-30 record in A-10 Tournament games is far from impressive. St. Bonaventure is led by Andrew Nicholson, a standout sophomore, who is eighth in the conference in scoring (16.2 ppg) and 10th in rebounding (7.1 rpg). Damian Sanders leads Duquesne with 14.9 ppg, and he is tied for the conference rebounding lead with 11.4 rpg. The fact that Sanders leads the league in both blocks (3.1 bpg) and steals (2.8 spg) is proof of his tremendous versatility.
The fifth-seeded Rhode Island Rams just missed out on a top-four seed that would have given them a first-round bye, but they now must face 12th-seeded Saint Joseph's on Tuesday. URI won this tournament back in 1999 and is still in search of its second title. The Hawks have two conference tournament championships to their credit, but the most recent came back in 1997, so there has been a long stretch since coach Phil Martelli's program last claimed the prize. Rhode Island is second in the A-10 in scoring (77.1 ppg), but the team is dead last in field goal percentage defense (.472). SJU ranks 11th in the league in scoring (68.8 ppg) and 12th in scoring defense (74.8 ppg), as this has been a season to forget. The Hawks are also the worst rebounding team in the conference.
The seventh-seeded Dayton Flyers and the 10th-seeded George Washington Colonials will meet in the first round, and while Dayton's lone title came back in 2003, the Colonials have won the tournament twice, most recently in 2007. Chris Wright (14.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg) has been the best player for Dayton, which leads the league in rebounding margin (+6.6 rpg) but is next-to-last in blocked shots. GW doesn't have a player ranked among the top 15 in the league in scoring, and the fact that the Colonials are ranked in the middle of the pack in most statistical categories speaks to the mediocrity of the squad.
In the final first-round pairing, sixth-seeded Charlotte will attempt to treat the home crowd to a victory over 11th-seeded Massachusetts. Charlotte is a relative newcomer to the conference, and the team owns a 2-4 record in this event. As for the Minutemen, they have won five A-10 Tournament titles, but it has been 14 years since the last one. The 49ers are led by Shamari Spears, a Boston College transfer, who ranks seventh in the league in scoring with 16.3 ppg. Charlotte is the best free throw shooting team in the conference, and that could come in handy in this tournament. As for UMass, it ranks 13th out of 14 A-10 teams in scoring defense (75.4 ppg), but the club is tied for the conference lead in three-pointers made per game (7.1).
The winner of the Duquesne/St. Bonaventure game will move on to face top- seeded Temple on Friday in the quarterfinals. Temple has won eight A-10 Tournament championships, the most of any league member, and the Owls are a stellar 49-19 all-time in the event. Last season, they knocked off Duquesne by a 69-64 final in the championship game, and they beat Saint Joseph's in 2008's title game by the same score. Temple has a few steady leaders in the fold, as Ryan Brooks (14.5 ppg) and Lavoy Allen (10.8 rpg) can be counted on by coach Fran Dunphy to put forth maximum effort every time out. The Owls lead the conference in scoring defense (56.8 ppg), overshadowing the fact that they are the third-worst scoring team in the league (65.4 ppg).
The fourth-seeded Saint Louis Billikens will take on either Rhode Island on Saint Joseph's in the quarterfinals. Saint Louis has only played seven A-10 Tournament games since joining the conference and is 3-4 in those affairs. Obviously, the program is still in search of its first title. Like Temple, SLU relies heavily on its defense to win games. In fact, the Billikens are the lowest-scoring offensive team in the conference (63.8 ppg), but they rank second in scoring defense (59.7 ppg). Kwamain Mitchell paces the club with 16.1 ppg, and he is clearly the go-to guy at the offensive end. Willie Reed is a solid contributor at the defensive end for Saint Louis, as he ranks third in the conference in blocked shots.
Second-seeded Xavier is slated to take on either Dayton or George Washington on Friday, and the Musketeers are gunning for their fifth A-10 Tournament title. They last won this event in 2006 and own a 22-10 record in the tourney all-time. Xavier leads the conference in scoring offense (79.9) and scoring margin (+11.7 ppg). The Musketeers are shooting 47 percent from the field, best in the A-10, and is certainly helps to have the league's leading scorer in the fold. Jordan Crawford is racking up 19.7 ppg as a sophomore, tied with UMass senior Ricky Harris for the top output in the conference. Players such as Jason Love (8.6 rpg) and Terrell Holloway (4.0 apg) help to take pressure off Crawford.
Finally, Richmond will begin tournament play on Friday evening against either Charlotte or UMass. The Spiders are one of the six active members of the A-10 that have never won this event, and they are 6-8 in the event over the years. The duo of Kevin Anderson and David Gonzalvez will make Richmond a tough out in this tournament. Anderson ranks fifth in the league in scoring with 17.8 rpg, and Gonzalvez provides 14.3 ppg. The Spiders are ranked second in the A-10 in field goal percentage defense (.390). On a down note, they are next to last in rebounding margin, as they are being outboarded by more than five caroms per contest.
<< Mountaineers battle Terriers for SoCon title
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Wofford Terriers make their first-ever
appearance in the title game of the Southern Conference Tournament tonight as
they tangle with the Appalachian State Mountaineers for the right to move on
to the NCAA T
<< Stags and Saints meet in MAAC championship game
Albany, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Siena Saints make their fourth straight
appearance in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament championship
game as they clash with the Fairfield Stags tonight in familiar surroundings
at Times Union C
<< Gaels and Zags duke it out for West Coast Conference crown
Las Vegas, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - As expected, the top-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs
and the second-seeded Saint Mary's-CA Gaels will meet this evening in the
championship game of the 2010 West Coast Conference Tournament.
This game is a rematch of
<< Tribe take on Monarchs for CAA title
Richmond, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The William & Mary Tribe are one win away from
claiming their first-ever Colonial Athletic Association Tournament title, but
for that to happen they will have to get past the Old Dominion Monarchs this
evenin
2010 Southland Conference Tournament Preview >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Eight Southland Conference teams will
gather in Katy, Texas this week to compete for a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The quarterfinal round, featuring all eight teams, will take place on
Wednesday, followed
2010 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament Preview >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jackson State has played in the last three
Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament Championship games and the top-
seeded Tigers have a strong chance to reach that point again in the 33rd-
annual SWAC Tou
Mighty Caps host sliding Stars >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Capitals were struggling heading into the
Olympic break but the NHL's point leaders seemed to regain their swagger last
week.
The Caps will shoot for a fourth straight victory tonight, when they host the
Da
Kings try to bounce back against Blue Jackets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Kings will try to avoid a three-game losing
streak when they host the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at Staples
Center.
The Kings won their first game following the Olympic break, pounding Dallas,
5-1
Super Bowl XLIII is now set, the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers will meet each other on February 1st in Tampa's Raymond James Stadium to battle it out for the coveted Lombardi Trophy. The game kicks off at 6:00pm ET on NBC with announcers Al Michaels and John Madden covering the on-field action. Super Bowl XLIII betting odds at online bookmaker MySportsbook.com have the Steelers listed as an early -6.5 against the spread favorite.Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds
Pittsburgh earned their passage to the big game by beating their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, 23-14 in yesterday's AFC Championship Game. The Steelers jumped on Baltimore early, building a 13-0 first half lead, and never let up on their way to a fairly easy win. Although the Ravens did close to within two points in the fourth quarter, it never appeared as if they had enough offense to pull off the upset.
The Steelers dominating defense held Baltimore to a total of 198 yards while allowing them to convert just three third downs in 13 attempts. Pittsburgh also forced quarterback Joe Flacco into three interceptions, one of which safety Troy Polamalu returned fourty yards for a touchdown.
The Cardinals, by far the playoff team with the longest odds to reach Super Bowl XLIII, did so yesterday with a 32-25 upset of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship. Arizona charged out of the gates and built a 24-6 halftime lead that had the Eagles venerable defense reeling. Quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald did most of the damage, connecting on three first half touchdowns.
Arizona, however, could not sustain their momentum and the Eagles took a 25-24 with 10:45 left to play in the fourth. The Cardinals, with the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance hanging in the balance, mounted a fourteen play, 72 yard touchdown drive that consumed 7:52 off the clock. Warner hit running back Tim Hightower on a short screen for the go-ahead, game clinching score that will forever live in Cardinal infamy.
MySportsbook.com's Super Bowl XLIII Betting Odds:
Pittsburgh Steelers -6.5 (-110), Over 46.5 (-110), -260 (Money line)
Arizona Cardinals +6.5 (-110), Under 46.5 (-110), +220 (Money line)
Matt Foust won both of his conference championship plays yesterday and he is ready to serve up plenty of Super Bowl action. Each individual play costs $15.00, however, MySportsbook.com recommends purchasing Matt's NFL Playoff Package which includes all of Matt's Super Bowl props and picks from just $45.00.
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Many fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.)
"To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good."
Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins
There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida.
Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins
Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October.
USC Trojans - 10.5 wins
A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention.
Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy
Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2
He won it last year, so it's no surprise he's the favorite to do it again, making him just the second player to go back-to-back. Ohio State's Archie Griffin turned the trick in 1974 and 1975, and Tebow's coach, Urban Meyer, is pretty sure his star quarterback can match the Buckeyes legend.
"There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach."
Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1
The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines.
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1
If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J.
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