Orange play host to Friars in Big East affair
NCAA Basketball Betting Lines
02/02/2010 - Syracuse, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The third-ranked Syracuse Orange will try to continue their winning ways tonight, as they entertain the Providence Friars in a Big East clash at the Carrier Dome.
After starting the season unranked, Syracuse has pushed its way to No.3 in the nation courtesy of a sparkling 21-1 record. Since losing its only game to Pittsburgh on January 2nd, the Orange have run off eight straight victories, including a narrow 59-57 triumph at DePaul on Saturday. Syracuse will now gun for its first 22-1 start under head coach Jim Boeheim.
As for the Friars, they upended then 19th-ranked UConn on Wednesday, but were unable to build off that victory, falling 92-88 at Cincinnati on Saturday. Providence has now dropped three of its past four decisions and sits at 12-9 overall and just 4-5 in conference play.
In regard to the all-time series, Syracuse holds a 41-10 advantage over Providence and that includes a 17-3 record when playing at home.
Providence committed 13 turnovers that led to 22 points for Cincinnati, which also shot an efficient 57.1 percent from the floor in a 92-88 decision this past weekend. The Friars kept things close by knocking down 13 three-pointers, but hurt their cause with a poor 9-of-18 effort at the foul line. Sharaud Curry paced the squad in the loss with 27 points on 5-of-10 long-range buckets, while Jamine Peterson posted 19 points and five boards. For the season, Peterson is one of the few players in the Big East currently averaging a double-double, as he puts forth team highs of 18.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg. Curry is second with 15.5 ppg and 3.7 apg, while Marshon Brooks tacks on 14.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg for the Friars.
Tough defense and timely shooting helped the Orange survive DePaul this past weekend and improve to 21-1 for the first time since the 1979-80 campaign. Syracuse, which trailed by as many as 18, limited DePaul to just 22 points in the second half and a modest 40.7 percent shooting effort from the floor for the game. Wes Johnson led the charge with an all-around effort of 16 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. The Iowa State transfer has been as good as advertised and he is leading the Orange with 17.1 ppg and 9.2 rpg for the season. Andy Rautins and Kris Joseph both add 10.4 ppg, with Rautins also dishing out a team-high 5.0 apg and Joseph collecting 5.2 rpg.
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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South
In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
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