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01/27/2007 - Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 14th-ranked Butler Bulldogs continue to be the class of the Horizon League, and they hope to score yet another win in today's meeting with the Detroit Titans.
On Thursday, Butler once again showed its toughness by knocking off a solid Loyola-Chicago team on the road by a 70-66 final in overtime. The victory was the fourth in a row for the Bulldogs, who are a stellar 18-2 overall this season, including 6-1 against Horizon League foes.
With back-to-back wins, Detroit has managed to improve to 7-12 overall and 4-4 in conference. Like Butler, the Titans also recorded an overtime victory, as the 91-84 decision over Wisconsin-Milwukee featured the team's best offensive output of the season by a wide margin.
Butler holds a 33-27 edge in the all-time series with Detroit, and the teams will meet again next month.
A.J. Graves was the hero once again for Butler in the win over Loyola-Chicago just two days ago, as the standout guard nailed three shots from behind the arc in overtime. Graves finished with 26 points, and the fact that he missed two free throw attempts in the contest was surprising considering that he entered the contest as the nation's most efficient shooter from the charity stripe. Pete Campbell pitched in 12 points for the Bulldogs, who only committed seven turnovers in 45 minutes of action. Defensively, they limited Loyola to 34.3 percent shooting. All of the positives enabled the squad to overcome a 48-35 rebounding disadvantage. Graves is averaging 18.6 ppg this season and is undoubtedly a front-runner for Horizon League Player of the Year honors. Mike Green adds 13.4 ppg to the lineup for the Bulldogs, and Brandon Crone is contributing 10.6 ppg.
Prior to scoring 91 points on Thursday night, Detroit had been held to 66 or fewer points in nine consecutive outings and had not surpassed 73 points in any game. The Titans shot 50.8 percent from the floor against Wisconsin- Milwaukee, and they racked up 20 assists in the contest. A 41-22 rebounding advantage, including 17-9 on the offensive glass, certainly helped the team. Jon Goode scored a team-high 18 points off the bench to lead the way, and Ryvon Covile finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Detroit also got 14 points apiece from Chris Hayes, Brandon Bell and Brandon Cotton. Cotton is the team's leading scorer through 19 games with 17.9 ppg, and he is netting an even more impressive 19.5 ppg against league foes. As for Covile, he is averaging 13.2 ppg and 11.3 rpg overall. The Titans are far from explosive at the offensive end, as they are only scoring 61.9 ppg this season.
<< Trojans attempt to slay Golden Bears in Berkeley
Berkeley, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In an attempt to salvage something from
their trip to the Bay Area, the 25th-ranked USC Trojans will take on the
California Golden Bears in Pac-10 play from Haas Pavilion this evening.
The Tro
<< Top-25 Pac-10 tilt features Oregon at Washington State
Pullman, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A top-25 battle in the Pac-10 takes place in
the Pacific Northwest this evening, as the seventh-ranked Oregon Ducks
take on the 20th-ranked Washington State Cougars from Friel Court in
Pullman
<< Sooners attempt to continue mastery of Aggies
College Station, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sitting in a logjam atop the Big 12
standings, the sixth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies return home to the friendly
confines of Reed Arena, as they play host to the Oklahoma Sooners in
confere
<< Top-25 battle pits Tar Heels against Wildcats
Tucson, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A rare non-conference treat late in the season
takes place in the desert this afternoon, as the fourth-ranked North
Carolina Tar Heels come calling on the 17th-ranked Arizona Wildcats in
Tucson.
Memphis goes in search of ninth straight win >>
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The premier team in Conference USA is the
11th-ranked Memphis Tigers, and they welcome the Southern Miss Golden
Eagles to town this afternoon.
With back-to-back wins, Southern Miss has improve
Red Storm seek upset in Steel City >>
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. John's Red Storm are coming off a
big-time win over a league opponent, and they will attempt to score a Big
East upset on the road today against the ninth-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers.
St.
BYU puts lengthy home winning streak on line vs. Air Force >>
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.
Trailin
WAC rivals lock horns in Reno >>
Reno, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Utah State Aggies take on their toughest
opponent of the season tonight as they matchup against the 18th-ranked
Nevada Wolf Pack in Western Athletic Conference action from the Lawlor
Events
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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