Longhorns come to City of Brotherly Love

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

01/20/2007 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 21st-ranked Texas Longhorns of the Big 12 and the Villanova Wildcats of the Big East will meet at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia today.

Texas took part in arguably the best game of the college basketball season on Tuesday, and although the result was a 105-103 triple-overtime loss to Oklahoma State on the road, the Longhorns showed a great deal of toughness and poise. That loss halted a five-game winning streak for Texas, which is 13-4 overall and 3-1 in league play.

Villanova is a solid 12-5 overall, but that record is overshadowed a bit by the team's 2-3 mark against Big East opposition. The Wildcats are coming off a 102-87 victory over nationally-ranked Notre Dame on Wednesday, and the hope is that the squad will be able to carry that momentum into this tilt. Texas beat Villanova last season by a score of 58-55 in the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

We are now three weeks into January, and it is quite clear that a freshman is the best player in college basketball. Texas forward Kevin Durant was playing high school ball at this time last year, and now he is averaging 24.5 ppg and 11.1 rpg while blocking nearly two shots per game. Durant has been the leading scorer for the 'Horns in eight straight outings, and he has tallied 34 or more points in three of the last four. Durant tied his career high with 37 points in the marathon loss to Oklahoma State, and he pulled down 12 rebounds as well. All five Texas starters scored in double figures, as D.J. Augustin showed off his all-around game with 19 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Justin Mason had 18 points, A.J. Abrams scored 13 points and Damion James finished with 10 points and 11 boards. The Longhorns turned the ball over 20 times and shot a lackluster 40.2 percent from the field. Abrams is averaging 16.5 ppg, while Augustin is contributing 13.7 ppg and nearly seven assists per contest.

Scottie Reynolds has emerged as a major offensive contributor for Villanova recently, as he has led the team in scoring in three of the last four games. In the big win over Notre Dame, Reynolds poured in 27 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor and 9-of-10 from the foul line. Curtis Sumpter netted 21 points for the Wildcats, and Dante Cunningham posted 19 points. Rounding out a foursome of double-digit scorers was Mike Nardi with 18 points, and he dished out seven assists as well. Villanova shot 56.7 percent from the floor in the contest, including a 10-of-21 effort from three-point range. The Wildcats also earned a 40-26 rebounding advantage, and they shot 24-of-28 from the foul line. Sumpter leads the club with 18.9 ppg, and he is pulling down 6.8 rpg. Nardi checks in with 14.1 ppg, and Reynolds has bumped his average to 10.9 ppg on the strength of his strong play recently.

Wwwteleport NCAA Basketball Betting News

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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. 

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