No. 1 seed Kentucky opens NCAA Tournament against 16th-seeded ETSU

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

03/18/2010 - New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The top-seeded Kentucky Wildcats begin play in the 2010 NCAA Tournament with first-round clash against the 16th-seeded East Tennessee State Buccaneers in the East Region.

The winner of this clash will take on either eighth-seeded Texas or ninth- seeded Wake Forest in the second round.

ETSU enters this event on a major roll, as it has won its last six games and recently captured the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament championship. The Bucs, who are 20-14 overall, are making their ninth NCAA Tournament appearance. They own a 2-9 record in the "Big Dance", and while no 16 seed has ever beaten a top seed, ETSU came as close as anyone has in 1989, losing to Oklahoma by one point.

As for Kentucky, it is making its record 50th NCAA Tournament appearance after capturing its 26th SEC Tournament title with a dramatic win over Mississippi State. The Wildcats, who are 32-2 overall, are led by many newcomers to the program, including first-year head coach John Calipari and a tremendous trio of freshmen. The No. 1 seed is the 10th in school history for Kentucky, and the squad has its 12th 30-win campaign. The 'Cats are 98-44 all-time in the NCAA Tournament and happy to be back in the "Big Dance" after appearing in the NIT a year ago.

Kentucky beat East Tennessee State in both previous meetings between the two programs, the most recent of which took place in 1985.

While ETSU is averaging 69.2 ppg this season, the team is limiting its opponents to 66.5 ppg on 41.5 percent shooting from the field. There are three double-digit scorers in the fold, and Tommy Hubbard leads the way with 14.1 ppg. In addition to his offensive ability, Hubbard also paces the squad with 8.3 rpg and 54 steals. Micah Williams checks in with 12.5 ppg, and Justin Tubbs provides 12.0 ppg. Tubbs scored 18 points to lead the way for his team in the A-Sun title game against Mercer, a contest that resulted in a six-point win. Prior to that tilt, Williams had led his team in scoring in three straight outings. The last time Hubbard paced the squad in scoring was 10 games ago, and he is the only player on the roster that has started all 34 games.

There is a wealth of offensive talent in the fold for Kentucky, which is averaging 79.2 ppg on 47.9 percent shooting from the floor. Fortunately, the team also excels at the defensive end, limiting foes to 65.3 ppg on 38.1 percent shooting. Point guard John Wall recently became just the second freshman in SEC history to earn that league's Playe of the Year award. He is averaging 16.9 ppg and has dished out 210 assists in the 33 games that he has played. Wall also has 60 steals to his credit and may only get one shot to win the national title if he answers the early call from the NBA. The same can be said of DeMarcus Cousins, a prototype power forward who provides 15.3 ppg and 10.1 rpg. Cousins, the 2009-10 SEC Freshman of the Year, has also blocked 62 shots for the Wildcats, and he gets help inside from junior Patrick Patterson, who brings 14.7 ppg and 7.3 rpg to the floor. Eric Bledsoe, the third standout freshman, adds 10.8 ppg to the mix.

Waskjeeves NCAA Basketball Betting News

<< No. 2 seed Kansas State begins tournament play against North Texas
Oklahoma City, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Expecting big things in the 72nd NCAA Tournament, the Kansas State Wildcats begin play in their 24th appearance in the event as they tangle with the North Texas Mean Green at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City

<< Hoyas and Bobcats clash in Midwest Regional
Providence, RI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 14th-seeded Ohio University Bobcats are out to continue their magical run tonight, as they lock up with the third- seeded Georgetown Hoyas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Dunkin' Donuts Cen

<< Irish and Monarchs open tournament play in New Orleans
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Thanks to a late run down the stretch, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish earned the six seed in the South Region and will open the NCAA Tournament with a first round meeting against the 11th-seeded Old Dominion Mo

<< Coyotes shoot for historic win in Florida
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes set their sights on a history-making win when the surprising playoff contenders skate into the BankAtlantic Center this evening to take on the Florida Panthers. One of the NHL's great success stories of

<< Flyers vie to end 13-year winless drought in Dallas
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Flyers have goaltender Michael Leighton to thank for keeping them alive in the postseason race. However, the team will be without its waiver-wire gem when it goes for its first win at Dallas in over 13 years

Grizzlies battle Lobos in first round of 2010 NCAA Tournament >>
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament's East Region features a matchup between the third-seeded New Mexico Lobos and the 14th-seeded Montana Grizzlies. The winner of this tilt will battle either sixth-se

Top-seeded Kansas opens tournament play against Lehigh >>
Oklahoma City, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks begin their quest for a national title tonight, as they take on the 16th-seeded Lehigh Mountain Hawks in the first round of the NCAA Tournament's Midwest Regional at the Ford C

Cougars and Gators collide in West Regional action >>
Oklahoma City, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Back in the NCAA Tournament after a two- year absence, the Florida Gators open first-round play of the 72nd annual event this afternoon as they tangle with the BYU Cougars in the West Regional at the Ford Ce

Upset-minded Racers open tournament play against Commodores >>
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first team in Division I to reach 30 wins this season, the Murray State Racers now have their sights set on number 31 as they take on the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first round of the 72nd annual NCAA Tourn

Midwest Regional affair pits Panthers against Rebels >>
Oklahoma City, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The ninth-seeded Northern Iowa Panthers mix it up with the eighth-seeded UNLV Runnin' Rebels in the first round of the NCAA Tournament's Midwest Regional tonight at the Ford Center. The winner of this game w

American Idol Betting Season 6 Strategies  

It's that time of year folks.  Betting on American Idol Season 9.  And we have plenty of American Idol Season 6 strategies appearing below.  With the Top 24 finalists revealed, online gambling sites will be offering betting odds on each of them, including MySportsbook.com.

No other “event” has been growing as fast as wagering on American Idol. It has turned into a huge betting event with reasonably high limits and all sorts of profit-making potential for sharp bettors. Last year, MySportsbook.com experienced unprecedented traffic as a result of the American Idol betting craze.

Every week there will be odds to win American Idol, various elimination props and contestant versus contestant match-ups at the MySportsbook.com website.

Whether a fan of America’s top-rated show or watching only because of a wife or girlfriend, here are some of basic strategies to use when betting American Idol.

Odds to Win

There are a few things to consider when looking for the right win bet. First off, remember that this bet is for the long haul. Many people make the mistake of picking the performer who sang the best the previous week. This strategy leads to an underlay situation – betting a price, which is less than what it should be.

All Idol contestants struggle at some point in the competition, so you should always look for value. In last year’s competition alone, two performers who had some of the best performances early in the series were subsequently bet down to low prices - Lisa Tucker and Ace Young. After just a few weeks, Tucker had already been eliminated, while Young quickly became a huge long shot to win America’s largest talent search.

A better strategy is to look for performers who don’t necessarily get the praise from the judges, but show flashes of the talent necessary to go the distance.

Another important thing to remember when betting any contestant to win is the demographic breakdown of the voters, the viewing public and potential future CD purchasers. Unlike sporting events, American Idol is not decided on the field of play – it’s decided by the American public under the guiding influence of the shows producers.

Understand that the great state of Alabama has a mighty edge when it comes to American Idol. 

Therefore, to be successful betting on American Idol, put any personal opinions or prejudices aside and think like the majority of the voting public. Remember that the typical voter is young, female and quite often, Southern.

If a contestant cannot appeal to this demographic, no matter how much talent he or she possesses, they’ll struggle for votes. Looks, demeanor and charisma are extremely important. And it’s no coincidence that every Idol winner so far has hailed from a Southern state.

Elimination Props

Every week MySportsbook.com anticipates offering a prop on who’ll be eliminated from the show each Wednesday night. A suggestion to handicap this is to gauge an overall feel for who’s the least popular contestant left in the competition. Generally the least popular performers have recently appeared in the bottom three and will have been the target of repeated criticism from the judges.

Last year, resources included dialidol.com and votefortheworst.com. Dialidol.com measures the volume of each contestant’s voting line. While by no means a perfect science, it does give a good indication of who is generating votes and who isn’t. Meanwhile, votefortheworst.com is a site that attempts to build support for the worst competitor to keep them in the competition for ‘entertainment’ value. The site has a proven track record of keeping performers around who most feel should have been voted off a long time ago.

Contestant vs. Contestant Match-ups

The best strategy for doing well on match-ups is to assess how close either of the contestants is to being eliminated. If neither is expected to be voted off of the show in the coming weeks, the value is almost always on the underdog. If both are expecting an imminent exit in the near future, the favorite in the match-up might offer value.

Watch for American Idol betting odds on each of the contestants shortly and good luck with these American Idol betting strategies.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.

Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Odds

Will he or won't he?  Now that the Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, the big question will be: Does Terrell Owens stay with the team.

Jerry Jones continues to suggest that Terrell Owens will remain with the team.

"I've said that he's back, he's here, he's under contract," Jones said. "In the interviews I've just been through (to hire a new coach), it was very clear to me how highly he's thought of and how much of an impact he had on our offensive success."

Just to be sure though, Terrell Owens cleared out his locker and removed his name plate.

Terrell Owens was among the Cowboys most productive players this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,180 yards and a league-best 13 touchdowns.

But T.O. is due a $3 million roster bonus in June, then a $5 million salary this season. Cutting him before then would save a lot of money and headaches.

Aside from the questions surrounding Terrell Owens, the oddsmakers at MySportsbook.com have concerns over starting quarterback Tony Romo's state of mind and whether he will remain a starting quarterback.  It is also not known how players will adjust to new head coach, Wade Phillips.

Here are the football odds as seen at MySportsbook.com and subject to change after February 10, 2007 if not locked in prior to that date.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1


Atlanta Falcons 50-1


Baltimore Ravens 15-1


Buffalo Bills 50-1


Carolina Panthers 18-1


Chicago Bears 10-1


Cincinnati Bengals 15-1


Cleveland Browns 100-1


Dallas Cowboys 15-1


Denver Broncos 15-1


Detroit Lions 100-1


Green Bay Packers 50-1


Houston Texans 100-1


Indianapolis Colts 6-1


Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1


Kansas City Chiefs 30-1


Miami Dolphins 40-1


Minnesota Vikings 75-1


New England Patriots 10-1


New Orleans Saints 18-1


New York Giants 20-1


New York Jets 30-1


Oakland Raiders 100-1


Philadelphia Eagles 18-1


Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1


Saint Louis Rams 60-1


San Diego Chargers 6-1


San Francisco 49ers 75-1


Seattle Seahawks 20-1


Tampa Bay Buccanneers 75-1


Tennessee Titans 40-1


Washington Redskins 50-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook credit cards needs.