Big Ten semifinals feature Buckeyes against Illini

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

03/13/2010 - Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Semifinal round action in the Big Ten Conference Tournament will begin this afternoon when the top-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes battle the fifth-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The Fighting Illini snapped a three-game slide with a quarterfinal victory over Wisconsin on Friday. Illinois, which finished with a 10-8 mark in league play, has won this event twice, with the last title coming back in 2005.

As for the fifth-ranked Buckeyes, they avoided a huge upset against Michigan, but grabbing a thrilling, 69-68 decision over the Wolverines. Ohio State claimed the first seed with a 14-4 mark in conference play, and will try to grab its third Big Ten tournament title, and the team's first since 2007.

The Buckeyes pounded the Illini by double figures in both meetings this season, but despite the losses, Illinois still holds a commanding, 99-60 edge over Ohio State in the all-time series.

The Illini overcame a 17-turnover performance by shooting 52.5 percent from the floor in their victory over Wisconsin. Illinois finished 6-of-10 from behind the arc and also won the battle on the glass by a 40-33 margin. Mike Tisdale led the way with 21 points and eight boards, while Demetri McCamey tallied 13 points, to go along with eight assists. D.J. Richardson finished with 12 points, while Mike Davis tallied a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. On the season the team is being paced by McCamey, who is netting 14.9 ppg, to go along with 218 assists. Tisdale is contributing 11.9 ppg and 6.1 rpg, while Davis is averaging 10.3 ppg, to go along with a team-best 8.8 rpg.

Evan Turner made another statement for his case to be named Player of the Year, as Ohio State's guard drilled a three-point basket as time expired to lift the Buckeyes to a thrilling, 69-68 victory over Michigan. Turner finished with 18 points and eight assists, while David Lighty and William Buford added 15 points apiece. Jon Diebler also got involved in the win by netting 11 points. Turner has been one of the best players in the nation and is currently leading Ohio State in scoring (19.5 ppg), rebounding (9.1 rpg), assists (154) and steals (47). However, Turner has not done it all by himself, as Buford is also contributing a healthy 14.3 ppg, to go along with 103 assists. Diebler and Lighty come into this game posting 12.6 and 12.5 ppg, respectively.

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2007 NFL Football Betting Preview


“You play to win the game!”

Those are the words of notoriously intense head coach Herman Edwards. Unfortunately, from a bettors’ perspective, most coaches don’t feel that way about the NFL preseason. August is a time to evaluate young players, finalize the depth chart and pray your star players stay healthy.

The trick to making money during the exhibition schedule is identifying coaches – like Edwards – who can’t stand losing even when there's nothing on the line.

The New York Jets betting won 15 of 21 preseason games and went 14-7 against the spread (ATS) during Edwards’s five-year tenure with the club. In his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs field boss, the team improved from 0-4 to 2-2.

Identifying win-a-holics like Edwards is a good start if you plan betting the preseason – even though most say you shouldn’t ... but what the hell do they know anyway?

Here’s a brief rundown of two teams that have a habit of winning during the second-stringers’ season, and another club that has a good chance of exceeding this year.

New York Giants betting lines

Playing in the media hub of North America can be stressful but the press can’t write anything negative about the way Tom Coughlin’s boys play in the preseason. The Giants won and covered all four games last summer, improving their record to 7-1 both straight up (SU) and against the spread over the last two years.

Coughlin has shown he’s not afraid to give his starters more time in the second preseason game than most of his colleagues, no doubt one of the reasons his team has been so dominant.

Dallas Cowboys betting lines

Bettors can count on America’s team early on. The Cowboys are 14-6 both SU and ATS since 2002 in warm-up contests. Former coach Bill Parcells, the coach of the team the last four years, has an intimidating, in-your-face presence – surely a reason Dallas has had so much early success.

The Big Tuna won’t be strolling the sidelines with looks of disgust, but new coach Wade Phillips will be anxious to make a good first impression for owner Jerry Jones.

Dallas plays the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos before things get serious. They then face the Houston Texans in their third contest (the game starters see most game time) and finish off with the Minnesota Vikings.

Expect a Dallas team able to walk away with another 3-1 preseason record.

Oakland Raiders betting lines

This team scored a league-worst 12 offensive touchdowns last season, so the rookies and veterans each have something to prove. There’s a bounty of first-unit jobs up for grabs and plenty of bodies competing for those slots.

First-time head coach Lane Kiffin will be eager to impress an owner who employs the philosophy, “Just win, baby!”

The 32-year-old Kiffin has to command respect from a locker room full of players older than him. All of these factors should lead to purpose in preseason. 

Don’t forget: before playing like a team that belonged in NFL Europe, Oakland went 4-1 (both SU and ATS) in exhibition games.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football wagering needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.