Illini host Spartans in clash of ranked Big Ten foes

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

03/01/2009 - Champaign, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two of the top teams in the Big Ten Conference will collide this afternoon, as the 20th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini host the ninth-ranked Michigan State Spartans at Assembly Hall.

The Spartans currently sit atop the Big Ten standings with a 12-3 ledger and with a victory today the team will move one step closer to the top seed in the conference tournament. Michigan State comes into this meeting with five wins in its last six contests, and that includes a 62-54 decision over Iowa on Wednesday.

As for the Illini, they have also collected five of their last six matchups, including two in row. The most recent win for Illinois was a 52-41 victory over Minnesota. The Illini currently sit behind Michigan State with an 11-5 mark in league play, and are tied with the Purdue Boilermakers.

The Fighting Illini hold a slim 53-52 edge over Michigan State in the all-time series and that included a 34-16 advantage for Illinois in Champaign. However, the Spartans have won the last three matchups, including a 63-57 decision over Illinois back in January.

The Spartans have not allowed more than 55 points in any of their last five victories, and are coming off a win over Iowa in which they limited the Hawkeyes to just 54 points. Iowa shot 45.0 percent in the contest, but the Spartans held Iowa to just 6-of-21 shooting from long range, and also forced 16 turnovers. Throughout the season the Spartans have used a tenacious defensive approach to stifle the opposition, as Michigan State is limiting teams to just 62.9 ppg on the year. At the other end of the floor the team has relied on Kalin Lucas, who is producing 14.4 ppg, despite shooting below 40.0 percent for the season. Raymar Morgan is contributing 11.2 ppg on the year, while also grabbing 5.8 rpg. Goran Suton has done a terrific job down low for MSU, and is chipping in with 10.1 ppg, while also collecting a team-best 7.7 rpg. In the win over Iowa, it was Delvin Roe who led the way, netting 16 points, while Korie Lucious added 12 points off the bench. Suton tallied nine points for MSU, while Lucas and Morgan chipped in only four points apiece.

The Illini pride themselves on strong defensive play, and that has been the goal of coach Bruce Weber at Illinois. Since taking over in Champaign back in 2004, the Illini have finished first in scoring defense in the Big Ten three different times, and are well on their way to repeating that achievement this season. Illinois is currently surrendering just 55.5 ppg against conference foes, but overall the team is one of the best in the nation, holding teams to only 55.7 ppg, which ranks third in the entire country. Illinois' stifling defensive play continued in its win over Minnesota, as the Illini held the Golden Gophers to just 41 points. Weber's squad limited Minnesota to a pathetic 31.7 percent shooting effort, which included a 1-of-14 clip from long range. Illinois also forced 20 turnovers in the victory, which turned into 20 points for the Illini. Adding to the scoring for Illinois was Mike Davis who led the way with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Trent Meacham contributed 13 points in the win, while Demetri McCamey tallied 10 points. McCamey comes into this game as the team's leading scorer, netting 11.8 ppg, while also contributing 139 assists. Davis is averaging 11.1 ppg and is pulling down a team-best 7.9 rpg, while Mike Tisdale and Meacham are chipping in 10.7 and 10.3 ppg, respectively.

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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.