Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting
03/02/2009 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 30th-annual Horizon League Tournament will begin Tuesday, March 3rd and will come to a conclusion on Tuesday, March 10th. The Butler Bulldogs earned the regular season title and the top seed in the tournament with a regular-season ending victory over Cleveland State, 58-56. It was the third consecutive regular-season title for the Bulldogs, who will try to repeat as tournament champions.
The second seed belongs to the Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix, who will also enjoy a bye to the semifinals along with Butler. The Phoenix finished 22-9 overall and 13-5 in league play, which is the team's best regular-season showing since the 2004-05 campaign. However, the Phoenix have not captured a tournament title since 1995, which was UW-Green Bay's first season in the Horizon League.
The remainder of the teams will square off in first-round action, which will begin Tuesday. The first game will pit the 10th-seeded Detroit Titans on the road against the third-seeded Cleveland State Vikings, and that matchup will be followed by the sixth-seeded Youngstown State Penguins, who will host the seventh-seeded Illinois-Chicago Flames. The other two contests will have the forth-seeded Wright State Raiders hosting the ninth-seeded Valparaiso Crusaders and the Eighth-seeded Loyola-Chicago Ramblers traveling to Milwaukee to take on the fifth-seeded Panthers.
Postseason play will begin with the Vikings and Titans, as the two schools will collide Tuesday night at Wolstein Center. The Vikings swept the Titans in the season series for just the second time in school history, and that includes a convincing, 66-49 decision over Detroit at the Wolstein Center.
For the second straight season the Vikings have eclipsed the 20-win plateau, as the squad posted a 21-10 ledger this season, and that included a 12-6 mark in conference play. However, the team stumbled down the stretch, losing two of its last three games, including a 58-56 setback to 24th-ranked Butler in the regular-season finale. The Vikings have relied on tenacious defensive play all year, and come into this matchup third in the conference, allowing just 59.2 ppg. Offensively the team has leaned on the inside presence of J'Nathan Bullock, as the forward is leading the Vikings with 15.6 ppg, and 6.8 rpg. Norris Cole is contributing 12.5 ppg, while Cedric Jackson has done a little of everything, posting 9.9 ppg, to go along with 5.5 rpg and a team- high 169 assists.
The Titans have been one of the worst teams in the Horizon this season, and stumble into this matchup with CSU on a six-game losing skid. Detroit is at the bottom of the conference in scoring, netting just 56.9 ppg, which would explain the team's 7-22 overall mark and 2-16 conference ledger. The only real option on the floor this season for the Titans has been Thomas Kennedy, who is leading the team with 11.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg.
The next matchup will pit the seventh-seeded Illinois Chicago Flames against the sixth-seeded Youngstown State Penguins. The Penguins have been up and down throughout the season, but the team enter's the postseason on a low note, losing three of its last four games, including two in a row. YSU only finished 7-11 in league play but two of those victories came against the Flames. The Penguins are only producing 66.0 ppg on the year, and will lean on Kelvin Bright and DeAndre Mays. Bright is pacing the team with 11.6 ppg, while Mays is contributing 10.9 ppg, to go along with a team-high 99 assists.
UIC closed out the regular season with four wins in a row, finishing with a 7-11 mark against conference foes. The Flames possess one of the top scorers in the Horizon League in Josh Mayo, as the guard is averaging 16.9 ppg. Robo Kreps is contributing 12.1 ppg on the season, while Scott VanderMeer has been one of the top big man in the conference, posting 10.7 ppg, to go along with a conference-best 8.9 rpg.
The Raiders come into this tournament as one of the dark horses. Wright State finished with a respectable 12-6 mark in league action, and close out the regular season with four wins in its last six games. However, what makes this squad a dangerous team is its ability to play tenacious defense. Wright State is the top defensive squad in the HL, holding opponents to a meager 57.0 ppg on the year, and that is also good for fourth in the nation. All the attention paid to the defensive end of the floor, has left a void at the other end, as Wright State is netting just 59.7 ppg. Todd Brown is the only player posting double on the year, as the big man is netting 11.8 ppg, to go along with 5.0 rpg.
As for Valparaiso, it did not enjoy similar success this season, as the team finished with just nine overall victories, along with a pathetic 5-13 mark in league play. The poor showing against conference foes left the Crusaders with the ninth seed in the tournament and a date with Wright State, which earned two wins over Valpo this season. Valparaiso does not have much to rely on offensively, as the team is bringing just one double-figure performer to the postseason. Urule Igbavboa has been the only legitimate threat, as the forward is posting 12.1 ppg, to go along with a team-high 5.9 rpg.
The final first-round matchup will have the eighth-seeded Loyola-Chicago Ramblers tangle with the fifth-seeded UW-Milwaukee Panthers. The Panthers have won three of the last six conference tournaments, but if UWM wants its fourth, the team will have to win three games. Milwaukee collected 16 victories this season, and finished with a respectable 11-7 mark in league action, and that includes two wins over Loyola.
As for the Ramblers, they head into the postseason with eight losses in their last 10 games, including two in a row. The team finished 14-17 on the year, and that included a poor 6-12 mark against Horizon foes. Loyola's poor play offensively can be attributed to the lackluster season, as the team finished its regular-season schedule averaging a meager 63.2 ppg, behind a weak 40.9 percent shooting effort. obviously if Loyola plans on winning its first Horizon title since 1984-85, the team will need to improve in a hurry.
The defending Horizon League champion Butler Bulldogs will be a handful in this tournament, as the team will play out of the top-seed, while also enjoying a bye into the semifinals. Butler will host the tournament as well, which should be trouble for opponents, considering the Bulldogs finished 14-1 at the Hinkle Fieldhouse. Last season Butler collected its fifth league title, and barring an upset in the near future the Bulldogs are well on their way to their sixth Horizon League championship. Butler however, was not just dominant in conference play, but the team also finished with a 25-4 overall record and was ranked for much of the season.
The Bulldogs have been a terror at both ends of the floor, but what makes this team run is its stingy defensive play. Butler currently ranks fifth in the nation, allowing just 57.4 ppg, and is holding opponents to a weak 37.9 percent shooting effort from the field. At the other end, the team has relied on the play of Matt Howard, who is leading the way with 14.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 45 blocks. Gordon Hayward has also contributed, netting 13.8 ppg, while grabbing 6.3 rpg. Running the show on the floor has been Shelvin Mack, who is leading the team with 103 assists, while also chipping in 11.7 ppg.
The Phoenix did not close out their season on the right foot, falling to Wright State, 65-64. It was only the third loss in the last 11 games for Wisconsin-Green Bay, but the setback did snap a three-game winning streak, and also sent the team into the postseason on a down note. The Phoenix took a huge step forward this season, grabbing 22 victories, while finishing with a conference record above .500 for the first time since the 2004-05 campaign. The 13-5 mark earned UW-Green Bay the second seed in the tournament, and like Butler, the Phoenix will enjoy a bye into the semifinals.
Butler might be the favorite coming into this tournament, but the Phoenix have already defeated the Bulldogs once this season, and are definitely dangerous enough to pull off another victory over the defending champs. Green Bay, which is producing a conference best 72.9 ppg, comes into the postseason with four different players posting double figures, beginning with Ryan Tillema, who is netting 17.4 ppg, while shooting a very strong 45.4 percent from long range. Troy Cotton is contributing 12.7 ppg on the year, while Mike Schachtner is registering 11.4 ppg. Running the show on the court for the Phoenix has been Rahmon Fletcher, who has distributed a team-best 131 assists, while also showing his ability to score (10.6 ppg).
<< Turfway Park cancels Monday card with lack of entries
Florence, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A lack of entries for Monday's racing card has
forced Turfway Park to cancel for the day. Monday was added to the schedule to
make-up for lost days the last two months.
"Hindsight is 20/20," said Turfway pr
<< Irish need to make their own luck against Wildcats
South Bend, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Still in need of as many wins as possible,
the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will try to get the job done against the
Villanova Wildcats in Big East play at the Joyce Center tonight.
The Irish are coming off a c
<< Bears and 'Horns duke it out in Lone Star State showdown
Austin, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Longhorns have been a bit inconsistent
this season, and they will play host to the Baylor Bears this evening in a Big
12 Conference affair.
On Saturday, Texas fell to Oklahoma State in a 68-59 final, a
<< NBA's top two scorers meet as Cavs travel to Miami
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NBA's two top scorers matchup in South Beach on Monday
as the class of the NBA's Central Division, the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron
James, finish off a four-game road trip in South Beach when they face off with
Dwyane W
Knicks give C Samb 10-day contract >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Knicks signed free agent center
Cheikh Samb to a 10-day contract, the team announced Monday.
Samb joins his fourth team this season, having been traded from Detroit to
Denver on November 3
Carolina F Jokinen to miss time following father's death >>
Raleigh, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carolina Hurricanes forward Jussi Jokinen will
be out indefinitely after traveling to Finland following the death of his
father.
"Our thoughts are with Jussi and his family in this difficult time," t
Coyotes recall Turris >>
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes recalled center Kyle
Turris on Tuesday from San Antonio of the AHL.
Turris, the third overall pick of the 2007 NHL Draft, recorded six goals and
10 assists in 50 games this season f
Report: Charges against Broncos' Marshall dropped >>
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall
apparently won't face charges for disorderly conduct.
According to the Denver Post, charges against Marshall were dropped Monday
after a hearing in an Atlanta
Albert Pujols to be This Year's Home Run Champ Says Online Sportsbook
Barry Bonds is a 50-1 long shot to be this year's home run champ odds. The favorite to be this year's home run champ is none other than Albert Pujols, however.
Now that Barry Bonds is signed and in Giants camp, it is on to his pursuit of all of sports most prestigious records: the all-time home run mark. Bonds sits just 21 homers shy of tying Hank Aaron for the career mark at 755. Word out of Giants’ camp is that Bonds is the healthiest he has been in a few years. Bonds is just two seasons removed from his injury riddled 2005 campaign where he played in only 14 games and hit only 5 home runs. He did come back last year and had a solid season hitting .270 with 26 bombs. All eyes will be on Bonds this spring and summer not only because of his home run chase but his highly publicized steroid abuse allegations. If and when Bonds breaks the record, he surely will not get the positive attention one should for breaking a record that was once thought of as “unbreakable”. Despite Bonds decent season last year, he is just 50-1 at MySportsbook.com to lead the MLB in long balls this season.
Not surprisingly, the favorites to go deep the most times this season are Albert Pujols 5-1, Ryan Howard 6-1, David Ortiz 8-1 and Alex Rodriguez 12-1. With 49 homers, Pujols finished second in the National League behind Howard (58). Pujols is considered the favorite due to the consistent power numbers that he has posted since breaking into the league in 2001. Also one must consider the fact that he played in 16 fewer games then Howard did due to an injury. Howard smashed 58 homers in his first complete season of big league play en route to the National League MVP odds award. He silenced his critics by successfully hitting left-handed pitching. Howard also displayed the ability to use his power to the opposite field. Two attributes which should keep Howard amongst the league leaders in long balls for years to come. From the American League representatives, David Ortiz leads the field. Ortiz was second in the majors last year with 54 home runs. Except for 1999 when he only played in 10 games, Ortiz has improved on his home run numbers each year he has been in the majors (1997).
Be sure to log onto online sports betting site MySportsbook.com to check out the odds for who will lead the MLB in home runs this season. Below is just a sample of the players listed. With the highest credit card rates in the industry, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on baseball this summer.
World Series odds
Adam Dunn 15-1
Albert Pujols 5-1
Alex Rodriguez 12-1
Alfonso Soriano 15-1
Andruw Jones 25-1
Barry Bonds 50-1
Carlos Delgado 40-1
David Ortiz 8-1
Jermaine Dye 40-1
Ken Griffey Jr. 100-1
Lance Berkman 40-1
Manny Ramirez 20-1
Richie Sexson 40-1
Ryan Howard 6-1
Travis Hafner 20-1
Vladimir Guerrero 40-1
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
Check out all of the NFL football betting promotions at the best online sportsbook MySportsbook.com. At this Sportsbook they provide the best NFL & College Football betting lines, promotions, and free contests.
More Props Equals More Fun
There is quite simply no one else in the World that offers you more proposition and futures wagers than we do. Player Props, Scoring Titles, Scoring by Quarter and by half. Dozens of daily Golf Matchups. Racing Fans will be in heaven with our selection. There is quite simply only one way to show you.
If Win and If Action Sports Betting
On an NFL Sunday there are less than 15 minutes between the morning games and the afternoon games. How do you get your second bet down? We have just the solution for you, If Bets. Its a simple bet in which you wager a fixed amount on one team and if that team wins, then the same amount as your original wager is placed on a different team.
Football Teasers up to 15 Teams
You can tease together up to 15 teams removing as many as 10 points off the spread. We offer 6, 6.5 and 7 point teasers as well as 3 team 10 point teasers. Click here to see our full Payout Table. You can tease NCAA & Pro games together as well.
Football Parlays up to 12 Teams
We offer parlays from 2 to 12 teams, paying up to 1,800 to 1. You can parlay teams from different sports, you can parlay totals and sides and you can even parlay together our huge selection of proposition wagers.
Progressive Parlays - Football betting
We were the first to create Progressive Parlays and now the world has followed. Play an 8 team parlay and if 6, 7, or 8 teams win, you win. Play a 4 team parlay, if 3 or 4 teams win, you win. Even if you dont win all the games in your parlay, you can Still Win!
Double Your Money Mondays NFL Football Betting
Free contest for Members! Double your winnings with our Sportsbook during football season! On specific football games throughout the year, our Sportsbook will have regular contests where you can double your winnings on selected games.
$1,000.00 Weekly Pigskin Payout NFL Football Contest
Make a free football bet on us! We're giving our members a chance to walk away with a part of $1,000.00 in v-chips for free every week this football season. Simply fill out our weekly $1,000 Pigskin Payout entry form and you're eligible to win.
Free NFL Football $10 No Risk Bet
We offer a risk free football prop bet to active members. It is posted on the main page once you login. Make a $10 bet and enjoy the profits if you win and we'll refund the wager if it loses. The refund is credited automatically to your account.
Buy Points - Adjust the spread for Football Betting
We offer you the chance to adjust the odds in your favor. You can now buy up to 3 points off the "spread" and "total" numbers for football and basketball games. Get the advantage in your betting with our Sportsbook.
$100,000 Weekly Football Challenge
As a member you can "log in" and pick 13 teams from our selection of listed games under the heading $100,000 Challenge and when they all win against the spread, you win the ultimate handicapping prize, $100,000.00 CASH.
Football In Game Betting
We are now proud to bring you LIVE In Game Betting odds. Follow the plays and put a wager down as the game goes. Odds will be posted on our site under "In Game Betting" once the game starts and throughout the whole game.
NFL Player to Score First Contest
If our randomly selected player scores the first Touchdown in a selected game, we'll refund the wagers on ALL other players in our "Player to Score First" future.
No Juice College Football Game of the Week
Every Saturday we will pick one afternoon nationally televised game and offer the game at even odds, lay $100 to win $100. No Juice! What better way to kill a Saturday afternoon and make some quick cash.
NFL Football Betting Shutout Refund
We have to be the only place to bet the Money Lines. If your NFL team is shutout, we will refund All Money Line Bets. It's that simple, a shutout means a Full refund!
Free Printable NFL Office Pool Sheets
Run your own NFL Football Office Pool. Create your own pool, invite your friends to join. Compete with your with co-workers, friends or family for bragging rights every week.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting