No. 2 seed Kansas State begins tournament play against North Texas

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

03/18/2010 - 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.

Seeded second in the West Regional, the Wildcats tore through non-conference foes this season and ended with an overall mark of 26-7 under the direction of fiery head coach Frank Martin. However, KSU did have a serious probable trying to keep pace in the Big 12 Conference, and in-state foe Kansas, as the top team in the nation took care of the Wildcats in all three of their meetings, including the conference tournament championship game last weekend, 72-64.

K-State is 28-27 in this event over the years, landing in the Final Four four times and one title game, but the squad is just 1-2 in the Ford Center all- time.

Tied for the third-longest win streak in the nation entering play on Thursday at 11 straight, the Mean Green have already recorded a school record for wins in a single season with their 24-8 mark. The squad ripped through the Sun Belt Conference Tournament with wins over ULM, Denver and Troy in the title game nine days ago, although two of those contests were decided by just three points.

In their two previous appearances in the NCAA Tournament the Mean Green have been 15th seeds both times as well, losing to North Carolina in 1988 by a final of 83-65 in Utah and then Memphis three years ago (73-58) in New Orleans.

As far as an all-time series between these two teams is concerned, KSU has won five of the previous six encounters, posting an 84-70 win in 2001 for its fourth in a row over the Mean Green.

The winner of this meeting will be back in action in the second round on Saturday against the winner of the Florida/BYU contest.

North Texas failed to place a player on the All-Sun Belt Conference First Team, although George Odufuwa did find his way to the Second Team and the trio of Tristan Thompson, Eric Tramiel and Josh White all made the cut for the Third Team this season. Odufuwa ranked among the best in the nation in rebounding with his 10.7 per game in 2009-10, averaging a double-double for UNT with his 11.5 ppg as well. At the top of the scoring list for the group is White with his 14.9 ppg, stemming from his 39.9 percent accuracy behind the three-point line. White also holds the title for top passer with his 112 assists, while Thompson (14.1 ppg) and Tramiel (13.0 ppg) were sure to step up their efforts on offense as well. However both players, along with Odufuwa, finished with more turnovers than assists and that meant the squad as a whole was charged with close to 15 miscues per outing.

Just the second Kansas State player to be named All-Big 12 First Team, after Michael Beasley two years ago, Jacob Pullen led the Wildcats in scoring this season with his 18.9 ppg, stemming from a team-best 93 three-pointers. Pullen also stepped up to aid his teammates with 116 assists, second only to Denis Clemente (139 assists), who was also named all-conference after producing 16.2 ppg. Between the two, they accounted for 170 of the unit's 222 three-point baskets. More than just an offensive force, Pullen was also named to the all- defensive team in the Big 12 as he registered a team-best 53 steals. Jamar Samuels and Curtis Kelly chipped in with 11.9 and 11.1 ppg, respectively, handling the action closer to the rim as they both shot about 56 percent from the floor and combined for 11.5 rpg as well. As a team, KSU easily handled opponents on the glass by an average of more than five rebounds per game this season.

Ganblenet NCAA Basketball Betting News

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

Bet on NFL Football

Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

NFL football gambling

To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.

Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.