Michigan uses balanced attack to beat Illinois

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

02/12/2012 - Ann Arbor, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tim Hardaway, Jr. led a balanced attack with 15 points, as No. 22 Michigan downed Illinois, 70-61, at Crisler Arena.

Trey Burke added 14 points, Evan Smotrycz had 13 and Zack Novak totaled 12 points with nine rebounds for the Wolverines (19-7, 9-4 Big Ten), winners in three of their last four.

Brandon Paul's game-best 21 points weren't enough for the Illini (16-9, 5-7), who skidded to their sixth loss in seven outings. Tyler Griffey clocked in with 18 points and Meyers Leonard pulled down 12 boards in defeat.

The Wolverines surged to victory thanks to an early run and only surrendered the lead once thereafter.

A 10-4 run was kicked off by Hardaway's trey, Smotrycz added a triple plus a pair of free throws and Hardaway capped the burst with a layup for a 17-12 game just prior to the midway point of the first half.

Though Griffey's bucket moments later gave Illinois a 20-19 edge, an 11-1 run ensued, during which Smotrycz bookended with two foul shots and a three- pointer to give the hosts a 30-21 edge.

Michigan led by nine once more, 37-28, on another Hardaway make from beyond the arc, but Griffey responded before the break to get Illinois within six.

A Stu Douglass bucket less than seven minutes into the second half provided a 10-point edge for the hosts. It would reach as high as 14, at 58-44 with 6:55 to play after a Jordan Morgan jumper, before the Wolverines coasted home.

Leonard scored the game's first four points and Paul hit from long distance as the Illini were up 7-2 inside with just over 3 1/2 minutes played.

Game Notes

Michigan has reeled off 15 straight wins at home...Illinois has lost its last three against the Wolverines...The hosts shot 50 percent (23-of-46) from the floor and 7-of-16 from beyond the arc, while holding the Illini to 39 percent efficiency...Paul committed a game-high seven turnovers in defeat.

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SPORTS BETTING

NFL Football Betting Online

In terms of sports wagering, the NFL is "the most popular game in town." The explanation behind that is easy.

It is called the "pointspread."

Many years ago, NFL games, as well as the more popular college games, used straight odds as a vehicle for betting. For example, if the Bears were playing the Giants, and it shaped up as a competitive contest, the Bears might be, say, a 7/5 favorite. If they were playing an also-ran, it might be 10/1. Well, there is a point where a line becomes prohibitive, as far as betting the favorite. And who would waste money betting an underdog that has virtually no chance? Such a setup did not contribute to promoting betting action.

But in modern sports betting, a "pointspread" is used.

A NFL pointspreads are exactly that, a pre-established point difference between the two sides that will, for all intents and purposes, create a handicap that evens things out, and in doing so, produces comparable wagering activity on both sides of that proposition. So in lieu of a odds figure in which to bet the team to win outright, the Bears might be a three-point favorite over the New York Giants, and a 17-point favorite over the also-ran. Now that the team that is the underdog can "get" points, there can be equal action on both sides.

In sportsbooks, this is usually done with efficiency by charging the losing bettors 10% extra - in effect, bettors are laying 11/10 on those games. So they are actually betting $110 to win $100. If they lose, they pay the "vig." If they win, they simply collect.

The establishment of the pointspread as the corner stone around which team sports like football can be wagered upon was truly what brought gridiron betting into the stratosphere for online football betting .

Don't believe it? Just take a look at what happens around the Super Bowl.

Stay with us here as we take you through the best in NFL action on a consistent basis, with advice columns as well as handicapping selections. If you're looking for college football betting, that's in our NCAA section, which you can reach by clicking here. And if you're looking for a different kind of football, such as the Canadian Football League, which we'll deal with occasionally, or the Arena Football League, which we really like, you can find it in our Miscellaneous section by clicking

Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting odds .
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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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