Commodores and Hoyas duke it out in "Sweet 16" matchup
NCAA Basketball Betting Lines
03/23/2007 - East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The second-seeded Georgetown Hoyas will attempt to knock off the sixth-seeded Vanderbilt Commodores in the NCAA Tournament's round of 16 from East Rutherford, New Jersey. Next up for the winner of this clash is a meeting with either top-seeded North Carolina or fifth-seeded USC in the "Elite Eight".
Vanderbilt crushed George Washington by 33 points in the first round of this event, but the Commodores found themselves in a much more competitive game in the second round. They needed two overtime periods to dispose of Washington State by a 78-74 final, earning the program's fourth trip to the "Sweet 16" in the last 20 seasons. The Commodores are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2004 and ninth in program history, and they are 9-9 all-time at college basketball's premier event. Their 10-6 SEC record during the regular season marked the first time since 1993 that the program reached double figures in league victories. Considering that Vandy beat mighty Florida by 13 points back in January, it is obvious that the talent and confidence to knock off any team in this field is present.
Georgetown has won 17 of its last 18 games and owns a stellar 28-6 record overall. After beating Belmont by 25 points in the first round, the Hoyas showed a great deal of poise and toughness in knocking off Boston College in a 62-55 final in the round two. Georgetown is making its 24th trip to the "Big Dance", and it hopes to improve on its 42-22 record in college basketball's premier tournament tonight. The Hoyas have reached the "Sweet 16" on 10 occasions, most recently last season.
Georgetown holds a 2-1 series lead over Vanderbilt after beating the Commodores in an 86-70 final earlier this season.
SEC Player of the Year Derrick Byars came through with 27 points for Vanderbilt in the victory over Washington State last Saturday. Shan Foster added 20 points for the Commodores, who got 12 points from Alex Gordon and 11 from Dan Cage. After shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor in the first half of play, Vandy improved to 46.2 percent in the second half and 60 percent in overtime. Foster tallied 18 points in the first-round game against George Washington, while Byars was limited to 12 points in that contest. Still, it was the defensive play of the Commodores that was the difference. Byars is averaging 17.0 ppg this season, and Foster checks in with 15.6 ppg. Together, they form one of the better duos in the nation.
Georgetown is led by a pair of standout frontcourt performers in Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert. Green, the Big East Player of the Year, is netting 14.2 ppg to go with 6.2 rpg. An outstanding passer and defender, Green is truly one of the most complete players at the collegiate level. Hibbert is a massive center who shoots 67 percent from the field and averages 12.7 ppg and 6.7 rpg to go with 83 blocked shots. Jonathan Wallace is a solid scorer from the backcourt with 11.0 ppg, and both Jessie Sapp and DaJuan Summers are capable of strong offensive numbers as well. In the second-round victory over BC, Hibbert scored 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. Wallace had 15 points in that tilt, and Green finished with 11 points and 12 boards. A 14-7 edge in points from the foul line played a major role in the hard-fought victory for the Hoyas.
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Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS
NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.
Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.
There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.
Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.
Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.
The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.
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