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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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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