Tigers go in search of 20th straight win

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

02/28/2009 - Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The fifth-ranked Memphis Tigers put the nation's longest winning streak on the line today, as they entertain the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles in Conference USA play at the FedExForum.

Since losing to Syracuse back on December 20th, the Tigers have ripped off 19 straight wins to move all the way up to No.5 in the nation. The most recent of the team's triumph came on Thursday, a 71-60 besting of UAB that delivered Memphis its fourth straight outright C-USA regular-season title. It was also the 55th straight C-USA victory for the Tigers, who last lost to a conference foe came three year ago. Now at an impressive 25-3 overall, Memphis returns back to the friendly confines of the FedExForum, where it has gone 14-1 thus far.

As for USM, it comes to town on a major decline having dropped two straight and seven of its past eight outings. The team was last in play on Tuesday, when it suffered a 73-59 setback versus Tulane to fall to just 4-9 in conference play. To make matters worse, the Eagles now return back to the road, whey they have won just once in seven opportunities.

The all-time series between Memphis and USM is led by the Tigers, 57-23, and they have won the last 11 meetings with the Eagles dating back to the 2003-04 campaign.

The Eagles led 28-20 at the break, but allowed Tulane to shoot a blistering 65.4 percent from the floor over the final 20 minutes in what turned out to be a 73-59 loss on Tuesday. USM made just 37.9 percent of its attempts from the floor in the game and was also outscored at the foul line, 16-12. Jeremy Wise paced the team in the loss with 16 points, and R.L. Horton had 14 and four assists. On the season, Wise heads the Eagles in scoring at 16.0 ppg and he is also dishing out a team-high 4.8 apg. Courtney Beasley has formed a solid one- two punch with Wise and he checks in with 14.8 ppg and a team-best 7.0 rpg. Horton adds 12.7 ppg to the lineup, while Craig Craft contributes 11.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg.

Down by a point, Memphis ripped off a 22-10 run over the final 5:40 of regulation, as it defeated UAB for yet another C-USA title on Thursday. The Tigers knocked down 46.2 percent of their attempts from the floor and 17-of-21 at the foul line, in addition to holding a 41-32 advantage on the boards. Doneal Mack led the charge with 17 points and five boards, and Antonio Anderson posted 16 points. Robert Dozier notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 boards, while Shawn Taggart recorded one of his own with 13 points and 11 rebounds. The only Tiger starter that failed to reach double figures was freshman sensation Tyreke Evans, who finished with just eight points and a whopping nine turnovers. Despite that performance, Evans has been nothing short of spectacular in his rookie season and he leads Memphis in scoring (16.8 ppg) and steals (58), to go with 3.6 apg and 5.3 rpg. Dozier puts forth 12.5 ppg and 6.8 rpg, and Anderson adds 10.7 ppg and a team-best 4.1 apg to the mix. Taggart rounds out the double-digit scorers at 10.3 ppg and he is also pulling down a team-high 7.3 rpg.

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

Bet on NFL Football

Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

NFL football gambling

To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.