BYU puts lengthy home winning streak on line vs. Air Force

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

01/27/2007 - Provo, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The BYU Cougars put the nation's third-longest home winning streak on the line today as they battle the 16th-ranked Air Force Falcons in Mountain West Conference action from the Marriott Center.

Trailing only Gonzaga and Air Force, BYU has strung together 26 straight victories in the Marriott Center, with the most recent win in the building coming on January 16 against Wyoming in an 89-81 decision. Since then, BYU has split a pair of road tests, losing to Colorado State by 12 points and then taking out New Mexico in Albuquerque on Wednesday night, 70-49. With the triumph against UNM, the Cougars are now 14-6 on the year and 4-2 in conference, compared to a streaking Falcons squad that is already 19-2 and leads the MWC with six wins in seven tries.

Air Force, owner of a 27-game win streak at Clune Arena, topped TCU on Tuesday night in an easy 72-39 performance, marking the team's second straight win and the 15th in the last 16 outings.

With respect to the all-time series between these two schools on the hardwood, both teams won on their own floor a season ago, which didn't help Air Force gain any ground against the Cougars who now hold a commanding 43-12 edge.

In addition to holding TCU to a woeful 5-of-19 shooting from the field in the first half and 32.6 percent from the floor overall earlier this week, the Falcons themselves knocked down a sizzling 61.9 percent from the field and 7-of-14 behind the three-point line in cruising to the win. The academy put a total of 15 players on the floor in the blowout, with Dan Nwaelele posting a team-high 13 points, while Matt McCraw and Tim Anderson tallied 11 points apiece. With four players having started every game this season, the Falcons generally know what they are going to get from night to night, although Jacob Burtschi (14.3 ppg), 5.6 rpg) failed to score in double figures in the win over TCU. Then again, he really didn't have to seeing as how the outcome was never in doubt. Nwaelele, a 50.5 percent shooter from three-point range, leads the squad with his 15.0 ppg and even though the team has just two losses on the campaign, they are still seventh in the conference in scoring with 72.6 ppg. However, as has been the case in recent years, the defense for the Falcons is unmatched, limiting opponents to a scant 55.2 ppg to again place near the top of the category on a national scale.

New Mexico was no match for the Cougars the last time out, especially with Lobo star guard J.R. Giddens aggravating an injury that had him out of the lineup for a few games earlier this month. Jonathan Tavernari came off the bench to tally 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field for the visiting team, while Trent Plaisted and Jimmy Balderson chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively. BYU shot better than 50 percent from the field and made have of its 18 attempts beyond the arc, all while holding the Lobos to just 37.7 percent from the floor and 4-of-16 out on the perimeter. In their home games this season the Cougars have completely crushed the competition with a scoring average of 81.8 ppg, while limiting foes to a mere 62.8 ppg. Keena Young has tallied 16.6 ppg in those meetings, adding a team-high 7.6 rpg as well, while Plaisted contributes 11.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg. Overall, BYU is ranked first in the conference in scoring with 77.6 ppg and is tops in field goal defense, permitting opponents to convert 42.2 percent from the floor. Although the squad doesn't have one dominant man on the inside to clean the glass, Young, Plaisted and Lee Cummard (5.8 rpg) have done well enough to get the team to 38.5 rpg, tops in the conference entering the weekend.

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MySportsbook.com : Fortune Favors Favorites in March Madness betting?

Just like Day 1 of the “Sweet 16”, Friday’s games are chock full of some of the nation’s elite.  Unlike Thursday’s games, there is a little bit more of a “Cinderella” feel as #7 seed UNLV and #6 seed Vanderbilt will attempt to move on to the Elite Eight.  With powerhouses Florida, UNC and Georgetown looking to continue their momentum against lesser known teams, it isn’t surprising that once again the “betting public” is backing most of the favorites.  As the early coin rolls in, 56% of Sportsbook.com bettors prefer Georgetown (-7.5) as they take on Vanderbilt; 84% of the early money is backing Oregon (-3) as they square off against UNLV; and a slight majority (52%) of the early cash is on Florida (-10.5) against Butler as the Gators continue their quest for another National Title. The only favorite the public don’t seem confident in is UNC, as 59% of the cash is backing the underdog Trojans (+8).

Midwest

#1 Florida vs. #5 Butler

The defending National Champs have been on a mission since last April.  Joakim Noah and Al Horford turned down millions of dollars for one reason, to REPEAT.  After a late season hiccup which saw them lose three out of four, the Gators have won six straight by an average of 20.3 points. More importantly, they covered in five of those six games.  Behind their stymie defense that yields only 56.9 PPG, Butler has been a very pleasant surprise this season.  As their 20-11 ATS record will indicate, “surprise teams” like Butler are often good bets for gamblers.  Playing in an average conference, Butler wasn’t and underdog too often but when they were, they covered (6-0 ATS).  Butler’s defense will have its hands full against a Gators offense which averages 80.1 PPG on an amazing 52.9% shooting from the field.  With Florida’s tournament experience over the last few years, it isn’t surprising that they are 5-1 ATS this season, 20-4 ATS over the last three seasons and 38-20 since 1997 in tournament action.

#3 Oregon vs. #7 UNLV

As a #7 seed, UNLV is the closest thing to a “Cinderella” we have this year.  If you bet on UNLV this season with any regularity, you most likely cashed in. Behind their guard oriented attack, the Rebels are an impressive 20-11 ATS this season.  As an underdog they covered in 8 out of their ten games which isn’t surprising since they are 52-30 ATS as a ‘dog since 1997. The Rebels have been a consistent cover during the month of March as well.  This March they are 6-0 ATS, 11-3 ATS over the last three seasons and 24-11 since 1997. Their impressive ATS trends don’t end there; versus teams with a winning record they are 15-6 ATS this season and 41-21 over the last three seasons.  Although Oregon hasn’t been as generous to gamblers as UNLV this season, they have been covering consistently as of late.  There is no question that they are playing their best ball of the season having won their last 8 straight up (SU) by an average of 14.5 points. Not surprising they covered in 7 of those games.  It is interesting to note how similar these teams are in regards to scoring and scoring defense. UNLV averages 75 PPG while giving up 66.5 PPG and Oregon scores 75.8 PPG while yielding 65.5 PPG.

East

#6 Vanderbilt vs. #2 Georgetown

“Hoya Paranoia” is officially back! After a decent start, Georgetown has rolled through the second half of the season.  Over their last 18 games, they are 17-1 SU.  They have definitely improved ATS as the season has progressed as well. After opening the season 1-4-1 ATS, the Hoyas have covered 78.3% of their games.  With their great interior play of Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the Hoyas as a team shoot 50.5% from the field.  Like the Georgetown teams from years ago, they also excel on defense.  Hoya opponents averaged only 56.8 PPG on 38.2% shooting from the field and an extremely low 30.4% from beyond the arc.  The last stat could be of some concern to Vanderbilt considering they shoot 37.7% from long-range.  Ranking second to last in the SEC in rebounding margin, Vanderbilt will have its work cut out for them against the Hoya trees. As far as covering is concerned, Vanderbilt has been almost a “sure thing” (7-1 ATS) versus good defensive teams that allow less than 64 PPG.

#1 UNC vs. # 5 USC

The Tar Heels are as talented and as deep as any team in the country.  Going ten deep and chock full of HS All-Americans, UNC averages 86.1 PPG and scored 100+ seven times.  Led by All-American forward, Tyler Hansbrough (18.6 PPG 7.9 RPG) UNC has a very balanced attack which can kill you on the inside as well as on the perimeter.  UNC only real concern is their youth as eight of their rotation players are either sophomores or freshmen.  UNC was a reliable cover this season going 20-13 ATS.  An intriguing covering trend for the Tar Heels in recent years has been how they fared after non-conference games.  This season they are 11-3 ATS after non-conference games and over the last three seasons they are 31-13 ATS.  USC is also a pretty deep team which is loaded with swingman types.  An match-up to keep an eye on will be freshman forward Taj Gibson (12.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG) as he squares off against the AA Hansbrough.  USC has been a covering machine this season achieving a 21-10 record ATS.  They have thrived in the underdog role, having covered 10 out of 12.  When playing a team with a winning record, the Trojans are an incredible 20-6 ATS. Keep in mind, USC dedicated their season to former star to Ryan Francis who passed away before the season so as they get closer to the ultimate goal, emotion could definitely be on their side.

With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action.  Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at this sportsbook “Betting Trends”.  By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.

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