07/24/2008 - Portoroz, Slovenia (Tennis Betting) - Top-seeded Russian Maria Kirilenko needed little time to advance to the quarterfinals of the $145,000 Banka Koper Slovenia Open, but second-seeded Katarina Srebotnik wasn't so fortunate on her home turf Thursday.
Srebotnik was downed in straight sets by German Julia Goerges, 6-4, 6-2. Srebotnik, a resident of Slovenia, reached two previous finals here in 2007 and 2005, but will be on the outside looking in this time around.
Kirilenko, meanwhile, cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over unseeded Italian Roberta Vinci.
In other second-round play, eighth-seeded Italian Sara Errani bested countrywoman Mara Santangelo, 6-2, 6-4.
The match of the day featured a pair of unseeded players. France's Camille Pin rebounded to force a deciding third set, but was ultimately topped by Elena Bovina. The Russian needed a tiebreak to finish off her 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (8-6) win.
The 2008 Slovenia Open champion will claim $22,900.
<< Broncos' Smith announces retirement
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith
announced his retirement in a Thursday press conference, marking the end of a
12-year career as one of the most consistently productive receivers in the
NFL.
<< Wright State gives Brownell new six-year deal
Dayton, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wright State University signed head men's
basketball coach Brad Brownell to a new six-year contract on Thursday, keeping
him with the Raiders through the 2013-14 season.
Brownell, the Co-Coach of the Year
<< Royals place Gathright on DL
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Royals placed
outfielder Joey Gathright on the 15-day disabled list with a bone bruise in
his right shoulder and recalled outfielder Mitch Maier from Triple-A Omaha.
Gathrig
<< Padres reinstate Bard, recall Hampson, option Carlin and Thatcher
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres reinstated catcher
Josh Bard from the 15-day disabled list and recalled pitcher Justin Hampson
from Triple-A Portland on Thursday.
Bard has been shelved since May 22 with a left
MLS board approves expanding to 18 teams by 2011 >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Major League Soccer's Board of Governors
approved expanding by two teams by 2011, MLS Commissioner Don Garber
announced following the Board of Governors meeting in Toronto on Thursday.
At the
Warriors match Clippers offer to Azubuike >>
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Golden State Warriors matched the
contract offer the Los Angeles Clippers offered restricted free agent guard
Kelenna Azubuike Thursday. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not
disclos
Four share lead in Columbus >>
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kelly Grunewald, Bill Lunde, Bryce Molder and
Dave Schultz each shot rounds of four-under 67 on Thursday to share the lead
after the first round of the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational.
Rich Barc
Yun takes out medalist at U.S. Junior >>
Shoal Creek, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Andrew Yun, 17, parred the third extra hole
on Thursday to eliminate medalist Jorge Fernandez Valdes in the third round of
match play at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.
Yun trailed 2-down with two ho
MySportsbook.com: New College Football Clock Rules Examined
Coaches and bettors alike are desperate to make sense of the new time-keeping rules on the NCAA gridiron. One of the big stories to come out of the Ohio State-Texas clash last weekend was Texas coach Mack Brown's criticism of the NCAA's new clock rules that are intended to shorten the duration of college football games, therefore affecting college football betting.
"They scored with six minutes left and the game was over before we had a chance to do anything," Brown told ESPN.com. "I really hope whoever made these changes will go back and look them over."
Sure, it might be sour grapes; the Buckeyes thoroughly trounced the defending national champion Longhorns 24-7. However, Brown isn't alone in giving the changes their due thought. Bettors are also wondering about them, albeit for a completely different reason. Most experts agree that the changes will result in games being shortened by anywhere from 10 to 20 plays. The obvious consequence is lower scores, with more time rolling off the clock during changes of possession. (The Ohio State-Texas game flew well under the total of 52.)
According to research at the online sportsbook MySportsbook.com, more than 18 plays a game disappeared last weekend into thin air. That's a 10-percent reduction. In 2005, a typical game had 168.58 plays. For 2007 already, it's down to 150.26.
As a result, teams combined to gain an average of about 100 fewer yards a game last weekend versus the 2005 openers. Scoring was also down by about 4.5 points (attention Las Vegas sports lines).
Of course, oddsmakers were able to adjust to the changes before the season started. Proof of that came as the over went a balanced 8-9 at My Sportsbook on Saturday.
Other angles to consider:A shorter game should theoretically result in shorter lines. Whereas Team A might have been a 14-point favorite in a 168-play game (last year), if there are 10 percent less snaps in 2007, the line should also be reduced by 10 percent (to 13 or 12.5). Of course, this is an over-simplification of the matter, but something to keep in mind.
Less possessions means a better chance the game will be decided by three or seven points. For example, what might have been a 20-10 final score in 2005 may end at
17-10 in 2007. Granted, a 24-17 game last year might end at 21-17 these days, but the former - a three- or seven-point advantage being preserved as opposed to created - is the most likely scenario.
*UPDATE* - Sept. 25, 2007
New Clock Rules Boon for online bookmakers
By adjusting the time-keeping rules to shorten the duration of college football games, the NCAA hoped to make its product more enjoyable for the fans. While the NCAA's success in this regard is still up for debate, bookmakers couldn't be happier with the results.
"We are seeing a massive jump in college football betting," noted the MySportsbook.com management team. "With all the early Saturday games (12 a.m. ET) ending before the second wave begins (3:30 p.m. ET) - something that didn't always happen before the changes - bettors are now able to re-invest their winnings from the morning session in the afternoon games."
While not all bettors will choose to roll over their winnings, it doesn't take much for an impact to be seen on the bottom line. "Not all of the millions of dollars in morning payouts get re-bet. In fact, it's probably only 10 to 20 percent," noted the sportsbook management team. "Still, the increased football betting lines window will create a ton of growth for us over the course of the season."
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Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.
Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.
Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.
Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.
Arizona 20-1
Butler 20-1
Duke 30-1
Florida 7-2
Georgetown 30-1
Indiana 35-1
Kansas 15-1
Marquette 25-1
Maryland 40-1
Memphis 50-1
Nevada 50-1
UNC 9-2
OSU 8-1
Oregon 30-1
Pittsburgh 15-1
Texas 30-1
Texas A&M 18-1
UCLA 6-1
Wisconsin 10-1
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