Battle helps Penn State upset No. 14 Purdue

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

01/07/2009 - University Park, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Talor Battle scored 21 points, dished out nine assists and grabbed five rebounds, as Penn State notched one of its biggest victories in the Ed DeChellis era, downing undermanned and 14th-ranked Purdue, 67-64, at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Battle's backcourt mate Stanley Pringle added 18 points, while Jamelle Cornley and Danny Morrissey collected 10 points apiece for the Nittany Lions (13-3, 2-1 Big Ten), who have won three straight home games against ranked teams.

Andrew Jones grabbed 11 rebounds -- eight on the offensive end -- to highlight the Nittany Lions' 41-27 edge on the backboards, including a 22-6 edge in the offensive rebound department.

The rebounding advantage illustrated the absence of Purdue's All Big Ten star Robbie Hummel, whose 13.8 points and a team-high 8.1 rebounds were missing due to a back injury.

E'Twaun Moore led Purdue (11-4, 0-2) with 21 points, Namanja Calasan added 11 points and five rebounds and Lewis Jackson collected 10 points and dished out five assists.

Jones showed his presence early as Penn State got multiple opportunities on several offensive trips and began the contest with an eye-opening 14-0 edge.

A jumper by Cornley, a bucket by Pringle and a three from Pringle capped the early burst. Purdue went over five minutes until its first basket, but Penn State maintained its 14-point edge, 31-17, on a three-point play by Battle.

The Boilermakers cut the deficit to six points several times in the first half, but Penn State still held a 41-33 lead at the half.

Moore's jumper cut the deficit to 46-45 early in the second half, and the Boilermakers took their first advantage of the game at 50-49 on Moore's bucket with 11:54 to go.

Purdue even held a 55-51 edge before Morrissey's three and Battle's free throw tied the contest at 55-55. The Boilermakers went approximately eight minutes without a field goal, and Penn State turned the 55-51 deficit into a 64-55 lead thanks to a friendly homecourt roll on Morrissey's three-pointer with just over three minutes remaining.

The Nittany Lions held on for the victory from there.

Game Notes

Penn State made just 38.7 percent of its shots, compared to 45.8 percent shooting from the Boilermakers...Purdue still leads the all-time series, 20-10...DeChellis, the head coach of the Nittany Lions, went to a zone defense for part of Purdue's shooting struggles in the second half.

Wwwislandcasino NCAA Basketball Betting News

<< Nowitzki leads Mavs to win over visiting Clippers
Dallas, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dirk Nowitzki dropped 34 points, going 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, as Dallas got by the Los Angeles Clippers, 107-102, behind a late fourth-quarter surge. Josh Howard had 22 points and six rebounds for

<< Adams and Tulsa crush Ball State in GMAC Bowl
Mobile, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tarrion Adams set a school record, gaining 3,653 career rushing yards, and matched another with his 32nd rushing touchdown, as Tulsa won its second straight GMAC Bowl with a 45-13 romp over 23rd-ranked Ball St

<< Kings' road woes continue in Chicago
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ben Gordon scored a team-high 24 points and Drew Gooden added 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, as Chicago downed Sacramento, 99-94 at the United Center. Derrick Rose littered the scorebook with

<< Huet, Blackhawks blank Coyotes
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cristobal Huet made 22 saves for his second shutout of the season as the Chicago Blackhawks dominated the Phoenix Coyotes, 6-0. Jonathan Toews had two goals and an assist while Adam Burish added a goal and

<< Reynolds shines as Villanova downs Seton Hall in OT
Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Scottie Reynolds' four free throws down the stretch of overtime finished off his brilliant 40-point performance, as the 18th-ranked Villanova Wildcats posted a grueling 89-85 victory over Seton Hall in anot

Washington, Arkansas upend No. 7 Texas >>
Fayetteville, AR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Michael Washington scored 22 points and pulled down nine rebounds, leading the sizzling Arkansas Razorbacks to a 67-61 triumph over seventh-ranked Texas at a raucous Bud Walton Arena. Stefan Welsh had

Flames douse Sharks in battle of Western Conference powers >>
Calgary, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Daymond Langkow scored twice to lead the Calgary Flames to a 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks in a battle of Western Conference powers at Saddledome. Curtis Glencross, Mark Giordano and David Moss als

Booker leads the way as Clemson stays perfect >>
Clemson, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Trevor Booker scored 19 points and the 12th- ranked Clemson Tigers remained undefeated by surviving a pesky Alabama squad, 66-59. K.C. Rivers and Terrence Oglesby netted 12 points each for the Tigers (15-0

Giambi to re-join Oakland, pending physical >>
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oakland Athletics have signed first baseman Jason Giambi to a one-year contract worth a reported $4 million. The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting the deal has a club option for the 2010 seaso

West, Hornets end Lakers' home win streak >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - David West tied a career-high with 40 points -- scoring 27 in the second half -- as the New Orleans Hornets snapped the Los Angeles Lakers' 15-game home winning streak with a 116-105 victory at Staples

American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines. 

FOOTBALL BETTING : Crabtree's base deal: six years, $32 million

Football Betting

In the wake of the news that the 49ers have signed receiver Michael Crabtree after an extended holdout, there has been not a hint of the dollars to be paid to Crabtree.

And since this means that his agent hasn't leaked the numbers, it means that his agent feels no specific motivation to do so.

Possibly because his agent isn't all that thrilled to have his name on the deal.

So the numbers will come from sources other than Crabtree's agent. And we've gotten our mitts into them.

Per a league source, Crabtree has signed a six-year, $32 million contract. (The total includes guaranteed money, base salaries, and the one-time incentive based on achieving minimum playing time.)

The deal also includes $17 million in guaranteed money.

As reported elsewhere, the deal can void to five years based on performance triggers, wiping out a final year base salary of $4 million. But they won't be easily reached.

The source tells us that, in his first four seasons (including 2009), Crabtree must either qualify for two Pro Bowls, or he must qualify for one Pro Bowl in one year and he must participate in 80 percent of the offensive snaps in a separate year in which the team makes the playoffs.

In other words, if in 2010 he qualifies for the Pro Bowl and the team makes the playoffs and he participates in 80 percent of the snaps, he'll still need to make it to the Pro Bowl or achieve the 80-percent/playoffs in another season.

Since the chances of Crabtree making the Pro Bowl or participating in 80 percent of the offensive snaps this year is roughly zero percent, he'll have three years to get it done.

And it won't be easy. Frankly, he'll be hard pressed to make it to one Pro Bowl in three years with the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, Anquan Boldin, Steve Smith, the other Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, DeSean Jackson, Johnny Knox, Percy Harvin, Greg Jennings, Roddy White, T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the same conference for sportsbook betting.

So, by all appearances, it's a six-year deal. And at $17 million in guaranteed money, the per-year guarantee is a tepid $2.83 million per year.

There's another problem with the deal -- it has no mid-tier incentive package. Instead, the additional $8 million that Crabtree can earn (pushing the max value to six years, $40 million) requires the kind of unrealistic, mega-star performances that no rookie is likely to ever achieve.

So while the contract paid to Packers defensive tackle B.J. Raji covers five years and pays $22.5 million, he has the ability (if he's a solid player) to make up the difference between his base deal and Crabtree's five-year, $28 million haul via the mid-tier incentive package in Raji's deal.

And unless Crabtree meets the performance thresholds necessary to void the sixth year, he'll be stuck under contract for another year at a base salary of only $4 million.

There's one other area of concern with the deal. Crabtree, per the source, received no option bonus. Instead, he has significant money tied to a fairly new device known as a "discretionary salary advance," which unlike an opition bonus is subject to forfeiture if Crabtree decides in a year or two that he wants to hold out for a better deal. (We're also told that the 49ers have included language that would make certain escalators subject to forfeiture, too.)

Meanwhile, the deal falls well short of the mark for which Crabtree and agent Eugene Parker were aiming -- the five-year, $38.25 million contract paid by the Raiders to receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, the seventh overall pick in the draft.

Even if Crabtree successfully voids the final year, he'll make more than $2 million per year less on average than Heyward-Bey.

Thus, as we explained earlier in the day, this is a deal that Crabtree could have done in July, which would have given him a much better chance of making a contribution to the 49ers during his rookie year.

So while the final outcome can be described as win-win, the broader view suggests that it's really a lose-lose situation.

NFL Betting Lines

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