Top-10 foes collide in Big 12 showdown
NCAA Basketball Betting Lines
02/08/2012 - Waco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Ferrell Center is the venue for a top-10 showdown for the second time in less than a month, as the sixth-ranked Baylor Bears play host to the seventh-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in a crucial Big 12 battle this evening in Waco.
These two teams are tied for second place in the Big 12 standings at 8-2, just a half game behind league-leading Missouri (9-2). This marks the 20th all-time meeting in a series that has been dominated by Kansas, 17-2. The Jayhawks have won each of the last three meetings and are seeking the regular season sweep after posting an impressive 92-74 rout over Baylor in Lawrence back on January 16th.
Bill Self's Jayhawks have proved to be unbeatable at home this season thus far (12-0), but the road has been a different story, as Kansas is 6-5 when not at the Allen Fieldhouse. The team has dropped two of its last three games, with setbacks at Iowa State (72-64) and most recently, at Missouri (74-71).
Scott Drew's Bears are 11-1 at home, with the lone loss at the Ferrell Center coming on January 21st to then fifth-ranked Missouri (89-88). Since then, Baylor has won four straight games, including last weekend's 64-60 victory at Oklahoma State.
Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor did what they do best, but a combined 46 points between them still wasn't enough in a three-point setback to Missouri in Columbia this past weekend. Robinson once again did his damage down low, finishing with his 16th double-double of the season, posting 25 points and 13 rebounds. Taylor poured in 21 points, but the two also combined for 11 of the team's 15 turnovers. Elijah Johnson added 11 points for Kansas, which despite shooting 53.6 percent from the floor, was unable to earn the win.
Robinson's name is certainly on everyone's short list when it comes to potential National Player of the Year nominees. The 6-10 junior power forward is converting nearly 55 percent of his shots this year, leading the Jayhawks in scoring (18.0 ppg) and the Big 12 in rebounding (12.0 rpg). Taylor is both a prolific scorer (16.9 ppg) and deft distributor (5.2 apg) and can really extend defenses, preventing them from collapsing down on Robinson, as he is shooting a healthy .440 from behind the arc (37-of-84). Travis Releford (9.6 ppg), Johnson (9.2 ppg) and Jeff Withey (8.1 ppg) round out the starting five. The Jayhawks have played well at both ends of the floor and enjoy a solid +14.1 scoring margin as a result.
The Bears are similar in their offensive approach, as they can score both inside and out as well. Baylor may have a bit more depth however, with a strong frontcourt trio, as well as a balanced backcourt. Forward Perry Jones III leads the team in scoring (14.8 ppg) and rebounding (7.9 rpg), converting just over 55 percent from the floor. Fellow forwards Quincy Acy (12.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Quincy Miller (12.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg) add depth up front. Point guard Pierre Jackson (12.7 ppg, 5.9 apg) is charged with running the offense and has the ability to both distribute and find his own shot. Fellow guard Brady Heslip (9.6 ppg) gives the team a second long range threat, as he and Jackson has combined for 101 of the team's 166 three-pointers to date.
Baylor displayed its strong defensive skills in the win over Oklahoma State this past weekend, holding the hometown Cowboys to just 40 percent from the floor and outrebounding OSU 39-29. In addition, BU was able to score 22 points off of 14 Oklahoma State turnovers. Jones and Acy both recorded double-doubles in the win, as Jones finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Acy posted 11 points and 12 boards. Jackson tied for team-high in scoring with 16 points of his own.
Chapel Hill, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One of the greatest rivalries in all of sports adds another chapter to its storied history this evening, as the 10th- ranked Duke Blue Devils and fifth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels square off in ACC action
<< Nebraska entertains No. 22 Michigan
Lincoln, NE (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Meeting for the first time in nearly 20 years,
the 22nd-ranked Michigan Wolverines and Nebraska Cornhuskers square off in
Lincoln tonight for a Big Ten Conference tussle at the Bob Devaney Sports
Center.
Michi
<< Sabres open homestand against Bruins
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The surging Buffalo Sabres will try to open a four-game
homestand on a positive note when they host the Boston Bruins this evening at
First Niagara Center.
The Bruins, meanwhile, will try to record consecutive wins for the
<< Western Illinois offensive coordinator resigns
Macomb, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Western Illinois is seeking an offensive
coordinator following the resignation of Doug Ruse on Tuesday.
He held the position over the the last two years, including the Leathernecks'
2010 FCS playoff season.
"
<< Zvonareva, Kirilenko advance at Pattaya Open
Pattaya City, Thailand (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two-time champion Vera Zvonareva and
fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko were second-round winners Wednesday at the
$220,000 Pattaya Open tennis tournament.
The top-seeded Zvonareva moved on with
Chestnut Hill, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 15th-ranked Florida State Seminoles look to remain in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings tonight as they head to the Conte Forum to take on the Boston College Eagles. This will be
Top-25 matchup pits Orange against Hoyas >>
Syracuse, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 12th-ranked Georgetown Hoyas will attempt
to tarnish the second-ranked Syracuse Orange's perfect home record tonight as
the two square off in a Big East battle at the Carrier Dome.
This will be the 87th en
Demon Deacons and Cavs meet in ACC affair >>
Charlottesville, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Wake Forest Demon Deacons will
attempt to snap their four-game losing streak tonight as they head to the John
Paul Jones Arena for an Atlantic Coast Conference battle against the 19th-
ranked Virginia
Penn State comes calling on No. 11 Michigan State >>
East Lansing, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two teams at opposite ends of the Big Ten
Conference standings meet in East Lansing this evening, as the Penn State
Nittany Lions challenge the 11th-ranked Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin
Center.
P
Motoring: Red Wings seek 18th straight home win vs. Oilers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Red Wings will put the NHL's longest home
winning streak since the mid-1970s on the line tonight, as they welcome the
Edmonton Oilers for a battle at Joe Louis Arena.
It's been over three months since the Red W
Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards
Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.
Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.
Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.
Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.
All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.
A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.
2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1
Ron Brace (NE) 25/1
Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1
Darius Butler (NE) 40/1
Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1
Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1
Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1
Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1
Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1
Larry English (SD) 15/1
Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1
Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1
Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1
Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1
James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1
Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1
Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1
Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1
Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1
Roy Miller (TB) 20/1
Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1
Fili Moala (IND) 30/1
Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1
Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1
B J Raji (GB) 7/1
Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1
Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1
David Verkune (CLE) 20/1
Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 6/1
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.