UC Santa Barbara drops Long Beach State in Big West final

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

03/14/2010 - Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Orlando Johnson finished with 20 points as UC Santa Barbara pulled out a 69-64 win over Long Beach State in the Big West Conference Tournament final.

James Nunnally added 19 points for the top-seeded Gauchos (20-9), who secured the automatic NCAA Tournament berth with their second-ever Big West tourney title. UCSB's only other victory in this tournament came in 2002.

"I thought back to all this hard work that we put in, I figured it had to pay off," Johnson said. "We worked so hard, nine months strong, ever since the beginning of the summer we had one goal, which was to get here and make the tournament."

Casper Ware had 19 points to pace the third-seeded 49ers (17-16), who were looking for their fifth Big West tourney title. T.J. Robinson and Greg Plater added 15 and 14 points, respectively, in the loss.

"We just didn't quite play good enough," Long Beach State head coach Dan Monson said. "You can sit here as a coach and bemoan our execution or your rebounding or whatever. But the bottom line is they made plays and they beat us."

UCSB led 47-37 after James Powell connected on a three-pointer with a little under 13 minutes to play, but Long Beach State charged back with a 10-0 run to even the game. Ware's fastbreak layup with 9 1/2 minutes left capped the rally.

The game remained close down the stretch, and with 2:09 left, Robinson's layup had the 49ers within 60-59. However, at the other end, Nunnally drained a three to provide a two-possession edge for UCSB.

Ware then sank two free throws with 1:45 on the clock, and neither team scored again until Robinson went to the line with 28.8 seconds remaining. He made just 1-of-2 to keep Long Beach State down a point, 63-62.

The 49ers fouled Powell, who made both attempts to make it a three-point game. Instead of trying for the long-distance shot, Long Beach State tried to get a quick basket. However, Ware missed a floater, and Stephan Gilling was called for an offensive foul going back up with the rebound.

Powell and Nunnally each sank two more free throws in the remaining time to seal the win.

The Gauchos built up a 10-point lead late in the first half, but Long Beach State ended the period on a Plater three and Robinson layup to get within 35-30 at the break.

UCSB continued to play in front in the second half, and consecutive baskets from Jaime Serna about three minutes in had the Gauchos up 41-32.

Game Notes

UCSB will go into the NCAA tourney on a three-game win streak. The Gauchos have won nine of their last 10...Long Beach State had won its previous three...The teams split the regular season series.

Vegaas NCAA Basketball Betting News

<< Nadal, Djokovic move on at BNP Paribas Open
Indian Wells, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were both second-round winners Saturday at the $4.5 million BNP Paribas Open, an ATP World Tour Masters event. Nadal, the reigning titlist and third seed, ea

<< Report: Jets head coach Ryan undergoes lap-band surgery
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan reportedly underwent a procedure Saturday at NYU Medical Center to help him battle his obesity. According to the New York Daily News, Ryan was released following the sur

<< Curry and Ellis lift Warriors over spiraling Raptors
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rookie Stephen Curry finished with 35 points and Monta Ellis had 31, as the guards helped the Golden State Warriors end a six-game slide with a 124-112 win over the Toronto Raptors. Curry, who was one po

<< Canucks rip Senators in return home
Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mikael Samuelsson scored twice, as the Vancouver Canucks returned home to GM Place with a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. The Canucks were forced to play 14 straight games on the road, spannin

<< Houston Baptist takes inaugural Great West title
Orem, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jake Thomas scored 24 points and South Dakota earned a postseason trip with a 91-86 victory over Houston Baptist in the championship game of the inaugural Great West Conference Tournament. Kendall Cutle

Red Sox prospect Westmoreland to have brain surgery >>
Fort Myers, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boston Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland is scheduled to have brain surgery Tuesday after being diagnosed with a cavernous malformation in his brain, the team announced Saturday. Westmoreland, 19

Record-setting Ruangkit wins European Seniors event >>
Nakhonpathom, Thailand (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Thailand's Boonchu Ruangkit fired a seven-under 65 and set multiple records Sunday in winning the Chang Thailand Senior Masters. Ruangkit finished three rounds on the Royal Gems course at 21-und

Taiwan's Tseng wins Women's Australian Open >>
Melbourne, Australia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Taiwan's Yani Tseng fired a flawless seven-under 66 on Sunday to capture the Women's Australian Open. The two-time LPGA Tour winner finished four rounds on the Commonwealth course at nine-under 283

Capitals visit Blackhawks in clash of NHL powerhouses >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Capitals and Blackhawks could very well meet this year in the Stanley Cup Finals, but neither probably feels like a championship- caliber club right now. Both Washington and Chicago will try to bounce back from disappo

Predators aim to extend series win streak over Kings >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - There is a chance that the Predators could visit the Kings in the postseason's opening round depending on how the Western Conference shakes down. Los Angeles would prefer that didn't happen. Currently seeded seventh in the

American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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

American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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