North Carolina overwhelming favorite versus High Point

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

12/09/2006 - Chapel Hill, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The third-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels return to action for the first time in a week, as they host the High Point Panthers in a non-conference showdown from the Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

The Tar Heels were last in play on December 2nd when they defeated Kentucky, 75-63, in a battle of the two winningest programs in college basketball history. It was the third straight win by UNC, which defeated then undefeated and nationally-ranked Ohio State (98-89) in its outing prior to the Kentucky game. Now at 6-1, the Tar Heels will try to remain undefeated at home (3-0) where they are in the midst of playing five straight games.

As for High Point, it concluded a perfect three-game homestand with a thrilling 59-57 triumph over Longwood on Wednesday. The win was the third in a row and the fifth in the past six games by the Panthers, who now stand 6-3 on the season. High Point, however, has never defeated UNC before, going 0-7 all- time. The two schools haven't met since 1947.

The Panthers enter the game averaging 71.0 ppg on 45.3 percent shooting from the field, with two players currently turning in double-figure points. Arizona Reid heads the club with 17.0 ppg and he is also ripping down a team-high 9.4 rpg. Mike Jefferson trails him with 12.2 ppg and he has also been responsible for setting up his teammates with a club-best 5.8 apg to his credit. In the squad's last game, Reid notched a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds and he also scored the go-ahead bucket with five seconds left, lifting High Point to a two-point win over Longwood. Jefferson also tallied 16 points for the Panthers, who overcame a lackluster 35.6 percent shooting effort from the floor by forcing Longwood into 20 costly turnovers.

There are very few teams around that can match the explosiveness of this Tar Heel club that is averaging a robust 89.6 ppg behind 49.6 percent shooting from the field. Leading the potent attack is Tyler Hansbrough, who is not only the team's top scorer (18.7 ppg), but rebounder (8.7 rpg) as well. Brandan Wright ranks second to the sophomore sensation with 15.7 ppg and 6.7 rpg, and he is also shooting a sizzling 61.6 percent from the floor. Wayne Ellington adds 13.9 ppg, while Ty Lawson rounds out the unit's double-digit scorers with 10.1 ppg. In the squad's previous outing, Ellington poured in 17 points and Terry and Wright tallied 16 points apiece, as UNC posted a 12-point win over Kentucky. The Tar Heels connected on 9-of-21 shots from long range in the game and also forced 22 Kentucky turnovers, while committing just nine themselves.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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