Crucial Big 12 clash features Kansas at Oklahoma

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

02/23/2009 - Norman, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The top spot in the Big 12 is on the line this evening in Norman, as the Kansas Jayhawks take on the Oklahoma Sooners in the battle of top-25 rivals at the Lloyd Noble Center.

Kansas is seeking its fifth straight Big 12 regular season crown and has certainly kept itself in the hunt, winning 11 of its first 12 league tilts. The Jayhawks bring a modest three-game win streak into this contest and are coming off a 70-53 win over Nebraska this past weekend.

The Sooners have been one of the most impressive teams in the country this year, with a mere two losses on the season. However, after winning the first 11 conference games on the docket, Oklahoma suffered its first defeat this past weekend, falling in Austin, to the Texas Longhorns, 73-68. The loss halted a 13-game win streak for OU and dropped the team into a tie with Kansas atop the league standings.

Kansas holds a 133-64 edge in the all-time series and has claimed victory in four straight meetings entering this contest. Since the inception of the Big 12, Kansas has won 12 of the 16 meetings with Oklahoma.

The defending national champions have seen a great deal of turnover from last year's squad, but the results have been similar, with Kansas thriving at both ends of the floor. The team certainly has enough offensive depth, rolling up 77.0 ppg this year, while also showing the ability to play tight defense, giving up a mere 64.3 ppg. Veteran guard Sherron Collins is the leader on the court and really brings this team together, both with his scoring prowess (18.0 ppg), as well as his distribution skills (135 assists). Cole Aldrich is a formidable presence down low, with his double-double average of 15.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per outing. Talented freshmen like Tyshawn Taylor (9.1 ppg) and Marcus Morris (7.6 ppg) have bright futures in Lawrence and will be instrumental to the team the rest of the way. It was once again the combination of Collins and Aldrich that led the charge against the Cornhuskers on Saturday, as Collins hit 8-of-12 shots from the floor to lead all scorers with 22 points. Aldrich recorded his 15th double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

The most important player in the country for any team has to be national player of the year candidate Blake Griffin. So when the big man left the game against Texas on Saturday with a concussion, it was no surprise that the Longhorns were able to earn a hard-fought victory over the Sooners. Griffin played just 11 minutes in the game and finished with a mere two points. Willie Warren did his best to keep his team rolling, hitting six three-pointers and tallying a game-high 27 points. Tony Crocker added 14 points in support, but without Griffin inside, OU lost the battle on the boards (36-35). The 6-10 sophomore is questionable for this game, but just how effective he will be if he is able to suit up is anyone's guess. When at full strength, there is no player in the nation who can contain him. Griffin leads the country with 22 double-doubles on the season and is currently averaging 22.0 points and 13.8 rebounds per game. Warren (15.4 ppg) and Crocker (10.2 ppg) definitely benefit from all the attention that must be paid to Griffin in the paint. The pair has combined for 100 of the team's 190 three-pointers to date.

Orientalcasoin NCAA Basketball Betting News

<< Cardinals and Hoyas meet in nation's capital
Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The seventh-ranked Louisville Cardinals invade the nation's capital tonight, as they clash with the Georgetown Hoyas in a Big East matchup at the Verizon Center. Since being blown out at Notre Dame on Febr

<< Hornets make a stop in Sacramento
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Hornets hope to salvage the finale of a three-game road trip tonight when they face off with the woeful Sacramento Kings at ARCO Arena. The Hornets fell to 0-2 on their trek in Salt Lake City

<< Clippers, Warriors square off in LA
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pacific Division rivals meet in Hollywood Monday when the Los Angeles Clippers host the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. The Clippers, who are embarking on a quick two-game homestand, dropped their third strai

<< Nuggets back at home to face Celtics
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Nuggets will play on their home court for the first time in nearly three weeks this evening, when the reigning world champion Boston Celtics pay a visit to the Pepsi Center. Denver just completed an

<< Out of the tank: Sharks hit the road to battle Stars
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks kick off a four-game road trip tonight with a visit to Dallas to take on the the Pacific Division-rival Stars at American Airlines Center. The Sharks had dropped three straight on the road (0-1-2) befor

Arteta suffers season-ending knee injury >>
Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Everton have confirmed that Mikel Arteta ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee during Sunday's scoreless draw at Newcastle and will play no more football this season. The influential Spa

Bruce blames scoring woes on duo's departure >>
Wigan, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wigan manager Steve Bruce believes his team's current dearth of goals can be traced back to last month's sales of Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios. The Latics have managed to find the net only on

Shawky eyes Boro exit >>
Middlesbrough, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Middlesbrough midfielder Mohamed Shawky appears to be on the move after admitting he was unhappy at the Riverside Stadium. The 27-year-old Egypt international has made only 16 starts

Liverpool boosted by good news on Gerrard >>
Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Liverpool have received a boost with the news that Steven Gerrard will travel to Spain for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid. The Reds skipper has been out of action for three wee

Hart believes Pompey will avoid relegation >>
Portsmouth, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Portsmouth caretaker manager Paul Hart believes there is enough character and resilience in the squad to avoid relegation. Pompey grabbed a precious point against fellow strugglers Stoke C

El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.