Big East action pits Mountaineers at Friars

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

02/20/2007 - Providence, RI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In need of a quality win, the Providence Friars host the 22nd-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers in a key Big East showdown from the Dunkin' Donuts Center tonight.

The Friars have had a solid campaign thus far, but they still have a lot of work ahead of them to earn an invite to the NCAA Tournament. Providence, which hasn't defeated a ranked opponent since beating Marquette (74-59) in its Big East opener, enters the contest fresh off a 71-66 victory over St. John's on Saturday. The win put an end to a brief two-game slide and improved the team to 16-9 overall and an even 6-6 in league play. It was also the Friars' 15th home win in 17 games at the Dunkin' Donuts Center this season.

As for WVU, barring a major collapse, it seems pretty certain it will make an appearance in the NCAA Tournament behind a 20-6 record. On Saturday, the Mountaineers defeated Seton Hall, 81-71, to improved to 8-5 in league play. WVU, which has now posted three straight 20-win seasons for the first time since 1985-87, takes to the road, where it has gone just 3-4 thus far.

In terms of the all-time series, Providence owns an 10-9 edge over WVU, although the Mountaineers have won the last four meetings.

The Mountaineers possess one of the best turnover margins in the Big East, as they are forcing their opponents into 17.2 turnovers per game, while committing just 11.4 tpg themselves. Another area WVU has excelled in has been defense, as it is allowing just 59.5 ppg. Offensively, Frank Young leads the way with 14.2 ppg and he is shooting 40.6 percent from three-point range. Joe Alexander has provided a nice complement to him and he is turning in 12.2 ppg and a team-high 4.6 rpg. Darris Nichols adds 10.2 pg and 4.3 apg, while Da'Sean Butler chips in with 10.1 ppg off the bench. In the team's last game, Young tallied 18 points and collected five caroms in leading WVU to a 10-point win over Seton Hall. Nichols posted 17 points and five assists for the Mountaineers, who shot 57.4 percent from the field, including a 9-of-23 effort from long range.

The Friars have a definite advantage on the boards in this game, and they are outrebounding their opponents to by a solid 7.6 rpg on the season. The team has also fared well at the offensive end of the court, where it is averaging a hardy 77.1 ppg on an efficient 49.3 percent shooting from the floor. Herbert Hill currently leads the team in scoring with 17.0 ppg and he is also ripping down 8.3 rpg. Sharaud Curry is second on the roster in scoring (16.9 ppg) as well as assists (4.9 apg), while Weyinmi Efejuku adds 13.9 ppg and 4.4 rpg. Geoff McDermott is another player worth mentioning, as he leads the team in rebounding (9.4 rpg), assists (5.5 apg) and steals (51) to go along with his 10.9 ppg average. In the squad's previous outing, Efejuku poured in 22 points and recorded three steals, as the Friars earned a five-point win over St. John's. Curry netted 18 points, while Hill notched a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Providence converted 18-of-20 free-throw attempts in the game and dominated the boards 39-24.

Wwwsportsbetting NCAA Basketball Betting News

<< Badgers take top-ranking into East Lansing
East Lansing, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The now top-ranked Wisconsin Badgers have made the trip to East Lansing for tonight's Big Ten Conference clash with the Michigan State Spartans. Five consecutive wins have enabled W

<< Lone Star State rivals meet in Austin
Austin, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Intrastate and Big 12 rivals will collide in Austin this evening, as the 19th-ranked Texas Longhorns welcome the Texas Tech Red Raiders to town. Back-to-back wins have enabled Texas Tech to

<< Falcons soar into Sin City
Las Vegas, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - No longer the only member of the Mountain West Conference among the nationally-ranked, the Air Force Falcons put their three-game win streak on the line tonight as they visit the UNLV Runnin' Rebels

<< Toronto Argonauts (CFL)
Signed quarterbacks Mike McMahon and Tom Arth.

<< Lakers' Radmanovic out at least eight weeks
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Lakers forward Vladimir Radmanovic will be sidelined at least eight weeks after separating his right shoulder. The Los Angeles Times reported that the 26-year-old Radmanovic sustaine

Argonauts ink QB McMahon >>
Toronto, Ontario (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Argonauts signed former NFL quarterback Mike McMahon on Tuesday. In 29 career NFL games, spread over five seasons with Detroit and Philadelphia, McMahon completed 229 of 515

Pistons visit Central Division-rival Milwaukee >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Central Division-leading Detroit Pistons try to get back on the winning track tonight when they hit the road to visit the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center. Detroit had its seven-game winning streak halted with las

Nuggets, Spurs clash in San Antonio >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Antonio Spurs have recovered from their eight-game road trip and return to the AT&T Center this evening to host the Denver Nuggets. San Antonio, which is second in the Southwest standings, went 4-4 on the swing a

Wild try to end futility against Dallas >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Wild will try to stop their longest current losing streak against any team in the league when they host the Dallas Stars this evening at Xcel Energy Center for the final time this season. Minnesota has droppe

Murray goes for win No. 600 as Senators host Oilers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two teams headed in different directions face off tonight at Ottawa's Scotiabank Place, where the Senators wrap up a three-game homestand with a matchup against the slumping Edmonton Oilers. Ottawa has won the first two ga

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

Bet on NFL

Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard

MySportsbook is considered one of the finest football betting sportsbooks according to several surveys performed by independent industry analysts considering such factors as payout accuracy and timeliness, overall quality of website, and bettor satisfaction.

MySportsbook is a large company with strong financial backing. Considered the best sportsbook for betting football online You will find their customer service is second to none and their web site is extremely user friendly and easy-to-use. All major professional sports games are available. Once you signup with MySportsbook, you may never use another online sportsbook again.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football wagering needs.