Irish open Big East slate against Blue Demons

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

12/31/2008 - Rosemont, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The seventh-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish invade Allstate Arena tonight, as they tussle with the DePaul Blue Demons in the Big East opener for both teams.

The Irish return from their lengthy break and are set to compete for a Big East title after placing second at 14-4 last season. ND heads into league play on a winning note, as it trounced Savannah State, 81-49, in its last outing on December 22nd. It was the third consecutive victory for the Irish, who improved to 9-2 on the year.

As for DePaul, it was also successful in its final non-conference tuneup, capturing a 90-67 victory over Alcorn State on Sunday. The triumph was the fourth in the past five outings for the Demons, as they improved to 8-5 overall and 6-1 on their home floor. The team now turns its focus to the Big East, where finished just 6-12 a season ago.

Tonight's game marks the 99th all-time meeting between ND and DePaul, with the Irish holding a 54-44 edge in the series. ND has also won seven of the past nine meetings with DePaul, including both last season.

The Irish are one of the premier scoring teams around and they are currently averaging a healthy 83.2 ppg behind 46.5 percent shooting from the field and an impressive 42.0 percent from three-point range. Luke Harangody is the focal point of this attack and the preseason All-American is one of the top big men in the nation, averaging a double-double with 22.7 ppg and 12.0 rpg. Kyle McAlarney gives ND another solid scoring option at 17.2 ppg, only he does his work from the perimeter, knocking down 47.6 percent from long distance. Ryan Ayers chips in with 12.9 ppg, and Tory Jackson adds 11.2 ppg and a team-high 5.8 apg to the rotation. In the team's last outing, Harangody recorded a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds to lead ND in a romp of Savannah State. Jackson and Ayers each chipped in with 10 points for the Irish, who made 23-of-28 free throws and dominated the boards 44-21.

The Blue Demons connected on 42.1 percent of their attempts from the floor and 19-of-27 at the foul line, as they cruised past Alcorn State on Sunday. The team also won the battle on the boards, 56-32, and that included a 25-10 advantage on the offensive glass. Dar Tucker led the charge with 25 points and three steals, while Mac Koshwal had a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. On the year, Tucker leads DePaul in scoring with 19.8 ppg and he is also collecting 5.9 rpg. Koshwal averages a double-double with 13.8 ppg and a team-best 11.3 rpg for the Demons, while Will Walker chips in with 10.7 ppg. As a team, DePaul is turning in 69.0 ppg despite shooting a sub par 27.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Xportsbook NCAA Basketball Betting News

<< Spartans visit Gophers in clash of ranked Big Ten foes
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 10th-ranked Michigan Spartans and the 21st-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers begin Big Ten Conference play this afternoon in Minneapolis. Michigan State has played quite well recently, as the squad has wo

<< Duke puts extended win streak on the line in Durham
Durham, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The fifth-ranked Duke Blue Devils get a three- game homestand started today, as they welcome the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds to Cameron Indoor Stadium for a non-conference affair. The Blue Devils, who have won 65

<< Buckeyes begin Big Ten play at home against Hawkeyes
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Big Ten play begins for the 24th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and the Iowa Hawkeyes tonight, as they duel at Value City Arena in Columbus. The Buckeyes enter the tilt looking to rebound from their first loss of

<< Bulldogs battle Utes in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 16th-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs will try to get back on track tonight, as they close out 2008 with a non-conference bout against the Utah Runnin' Utes at the Huntsman Center. The Bulldogs have been idle

<< Toothless Tigers take on ferocious Bears
Waco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 19th-ranked Baylor Bears welcome the lowly Jackson State Tigers to Waco for a non-conference clash. Jackson State is a huge underdog heading into this contest, as the club has lost its last five outings and ow

Top-ranked Tar Heels bring act to Reno for clash with Wolf Pack >>
Reno, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Nevada Wolf Pack have the privilege of hosting the nation's top-ranked team, as the North Carolina Tar Heels arrive in Reno for tonight's non-conference clash. North Carolina has won its first 12 games to open

Pitt puts perfect mark on line in Big East opener against Rutgers >>
Piscataway, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One of the nation's few remaining undefeated teams will take the court in Piscataway, New Jersey today, as the third-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers open Big East Conference play against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Xavier hopes to stop slide in bout with Robert Morris >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 22nd-ranked Xavier Musketeers are heavily favored in this evening's clash with the Robert Morris Colonials. Robert Morris is a member of the Northeast Conference and owns a 6-6 overall record, which incl

No. 23 Michigan hosts Wisconsin in Big Ten lidlifter >>
Ann Arbor, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor is the site of today's Big Ten battle between the Wisconsin Badgers and the 23rd-ranked Michigan Wolverines, who have been much better than many expected. Wisconsin fell to 9-3 over

Cardinals collide with Rebels in Louisville >>
Louisville, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 18th-ranked Louisville Cardinals will try to close out 2008 on a high note this evening, as they entertain the UNLV Rebels in non-conference play at Freedom Hall. The Cardinals kicked off a three-game ho

Sportsbook accepts U.S. credit cards

Sportsbooks That Take US Credit Cards for NFL football betting

Sportsbooks that take credit cards are not always easy to come by....Everything from credit card companies denying gambling transactions to the fear of chargebacks by customers has slowed down sportsbook credit card transactions by a high percentage.

There are however still sportsbooks that take credit cards.

When using your credit card it is highly recommended that you try either: MySportsbook.com or Sportsbooks.com. Both sportsbooks have a high rate of accepting credit cards and will save you the time and hassle of looking around the web to make a credit card transaction.

Furthermore, Sportsbooks.com is one of the oldest sportsbooks on the web and Sportsbook offers security in that they are the biggest online sportsbook in the world! Publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange, they are ROCK SOLID!

Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

About MySportsbook.com MySportsbook.com  is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best US Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your basketball sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.