UConn shocks 'Nova
NCAA Basketball Betting Lines
02/15/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kemba Walker had a career-high 29 points to go with nine rebounds, and the struggling Connecticut Huskies snapped out of their funk and stunned third-ranked Villanova, 84-75, at Wachovia Center.
Walker went 3-of-7 from three-point range for a team that ranks out of the top-100 in three-point shooting, as Connecticut (15-11, 5-8 Big East) won for the first time since head coach Jim Calhoun returned from a seven-game medical leave. The Huskies lost to Cincinnati in his first game back on Saturday.
Connecticut's struggles date back to the start of conference play, as the team had been 0-6 in true road games and 1-5 in its last six contests overall. Monday's victory marked the first road win for the school since February 25, 2009 at Marquette and halted what would have been a third three-game losing streak this season.
Jerome Dyson added 15 points and six assists for UConn, which went 5-of-13 overall from long distance in the game. Stanley Robinson and Alex Oriakhi each scored 10 in a victory that could go a long way toward improving the Huskies' NCAA Tournament hopes.
Scottie Reynolds had 18 points to lead the Wildcats (22-3, 11-2), who lost their first game at home this season in 12 games and squandered a chance to take a one-game lead over Syracuse in the conference standings.
Corey Fisher contributed with 14 points, while Antonio Pena had 10 before fouling out, as Villanova got into quick foul trouble throughout the game. The undisciplined play allowed UConn to attempt 44 free throws, of which they made 35.
The Wildcats attempted only 20 free throws in comparison, making 16.
UConn's win isn't the first recent upset in the Big East, as then-No. 5 West Virginia, then-No. 2 Syracuse and then-No. 7 Georgetown all suffered losses over the weekend. The Mountaineers were beaten in triple overtime by Pittsburgh on Friday, while the Orange and the Hoyas were defeated by Louisville and Rutgers, respectively, on Sunday.
The Huskies held a slim 36-35 lead at halftime but got hot early in the second half to create some distance between them and Villanova.
UConn made its first seven shots of the period; Walker's second three-pointer in as many attempts in the first three minutes opened up a 44-37 advantage, and Villanova was unable to get closer than four in the first 10 minutes.
Walker drilled yet another three with just under 10 minutes to play for a 62-54 lead, and Oriakhi's pair of free throws with 5:15 remaining gave the visitors a surprising 69-58 lead.
The Huskies failed to record a field goal in the final four minutes, but it didn't matter, as they used trip after trip to the line to keep the Wildcats at bay. They attempted 16 free throws in that timeframe, making 14 to seal the victory.
The first half went back-and-forth between both squads.
Villanova scored six straight points early to grab a four-point lead, but an ensuing 10-2 burst by UConn gave the visitors a 12-8 edge after a Gavin Edwards layup.
The Huskies then used a quick scoring attack to score six points in a minute, with Oriakhi's dunk providing a 21-15 lead midway through the frame.
The Wildcats surged in front, though, behind a 9-1 spurt, and a pair of free throws from Maurice Sutton provided a slim 24-22 edge with 6 1/2 minutes to go.
Villanova led 35-31 with 1 1/2 minutes left, but a Jamal Coombs-McDaniel three and Dyson layup gave UConn a 36-35 advantage at halftime.
Game Notes
This was the only meeting between the schools this season...Villanova had won its last five games at the Wachovia Center...The Wildcats still lead the all- time series, 32-28...Robinson had seven rebounds and seven turnovers for UConn...Reynolds had three steals...The Huskies outrebounded the Wildcats, 40-29...Walker went 14-of-16 from the free throw line.
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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
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Last two contestants will be?
1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)
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