23rd-ranked Minnesota hosts High Point

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

12/28/2008 - Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 23rd-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers are off to their best start in over three decades, and they will put that fast start on the line this evening, as they play host to the High Point Panthers in non-conference action from Williams Arena.

The Panthers have been idle since December 19th when they dropped a 64-61 decision to Youngstown State. That loss was the second in a row and third in the last four outings for High Point, which is 4-7 overall, including 0-2 in Big South Conference action.

As for Minnesota, it will begin the Big Ten portion of the schedule after tonight's clash. The Golden Gophers are a perfect 11-0, their best start since the 1976-77 campaign. Tubby Smith has turned the program around, although critics will point out that the schedule thus far has been awfully soft and 10 of the wins have come at home. Smith's team was most recently in action on Tuesday when it defeated Southeastern Louisiana by an 80-71 final.

This game marks the first-ever meeting between Minnesota and High Point on the hardwood.

It is a bit surprising that High Point is three games under .500 thus far, as the squad has outscored and outrebounded its opponents on average. The Panthers have played stellar defense, limiting foes to 62.5 ppg on 39.8 percent shooting from the floor. Unfortunately, they have turned the ball over too much and are shooting 57.3 percent from the foul line. The leading scorer for High Point is Eugene Harris, as he is posting 13.5 ppg despite his 38.8 percent field goal efficiency. The only other double-digit scorer in the lineup is Nick Barbour, as he posts 10.5 ppg. In the three-point loss to Youngstown State last time out, Barbour scored 21 points to keep his team close. Unfortunately, no other player on the roster had more than eight points, and the Panthers shot 39 percent from the floor. They were a woeful 9- of-21 from the charity stripe, the most obvious reason for the setback.

Overall this season, Minnesota is scoring 74.1 ppg, while limiting opponents to 62.1 ppg on 39.1 percent shooting from the field. The Golden Gophers are led by Lawrence Westbrook, as he is scoring 13.0 ppg. Damian Johnson checks in with 11.0 ppg, and Blake Hoffarber tallies 10.4 ppg. Minnesota was far from dominant in the win over Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday, as the Golden Gophers were outrebounded in that tilt and did just enough to finish on top. Westbrook and Hoffarber didn't start the game, but both players scored 15 points off the bench. As for Johnson, he posted 13 points in 31 minutes of action. Minnesota hit eight three-pointers and finished with 19 assists against only 10 turnovers.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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