Hughes, Bohannon may give Badgers tournament edge

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

03/17/2010 -

MILWAUKEE (AP) -It's perhaps the most oft-repeated nugget of conventional NCAA tournament wisdom and it bodes particularly well for Wisconsin this year: Experienced guard play can be a decisive edge.

The Badgers start one of the tournament's most experienced guard pairs, Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon. Both are seniors making their fourth straight NCAA tournament appearances. Going into Friday's first-round matchup with Wofford in Jacksonville, Fla., both must excel if the No. 4-seeded Badgers are to make an extended run this month.

``It always gives you a pretty good chance,'' Badgers coach Bo Ryan said. ``If you want to put it down as percentages when you make out the batting lineup - who bats first and who's in the third spot and who's batting before the pitcher - you take all the percentages and you say, 'What is it in tournaments?' Guard play is extremely important.''

Wofford starts three guards in Brad Loesing, Junior Salters and Jamar Diggs. Salters is a senior, but none of the guards has the experience of the Badgers' backcourt.

Hughes and Bohannon have played in all seven of Wisconsin's NCAA tournament games during the previous three seasons. Hughes played sparingly in the tournament as a freshman, but Bohannon hasn't played fewer than 26 minutes in any NCAA tournament game during his career.

The two have experienced highlight-reel highs, including Hughes' overtime game-winner against Florida State in the first round last year. And when they've struggled, so has Wisconsin: They shot a combined 5 of 28 from the field in last year's second-round loss to Xavier.

Now given one last chance to play in the tournament, they're looking to create a few more highlights.

``Obviously, we're excited,'' Bohannon said. ``Me and Trevon have been fortunate enough to play four years in the NCAA tournament consecutively, and that's a great accomplishment. We're really looking forward to another chance to go out there and perform again.''

Hughes said he expects to make some noise in the tournament, especially after following up his fireworks against Florida State with a disappointing performance against Xavier. Hughes was 3 of 16 from the field in that game, while Bohannon shot 2 of 12. The duo combined to go 1 for 14 from 3-point range.

``Every time we step on the floor, we feel like we could do some damage,'' Hughes said. ``Everybody on our team, the coaching staff, we feel like we could win every game. We prepare for everybody the same way, so we figure we've got a chance every time we go into a match.''

Hughes is a point guard who can play good defense, create his own shot and come through under pressure. Bohannon is mostly known for his outside shooting, including 40.2 percent from 3-point range this year. He hasn't found as many shooting opportunities of late, putting up only 12 3-point attempts in the Badgers' last four games.

Bohannon was 1 of 10 from the floor in an ugly Big Ten tournament loss to Illinois that ranks among Wisconsin's worst outings of the season. Hughes wasn't much better, shooting 4 for 16 from the field, but his late flurry of 3-pointers at least managed to make the game close.

``Even though we lost a game, we've got to bounce back stronger and better than we have before,'' Bohannon said. ``And we've done that throughout the course of the season. When we had a loss, we would bounce back very strong, and we've got to have the same mentality going into this one.''

Never one to gush, Ryan sounds optimistic going into Friday.

``If you just take a look over the years, I know there are a lot of people who subscribe to the theory that talent is what's really important because lack of preparation time, things like that,'' Ryan said. ``But that's not always true. You need defense to keep you in it and you need some players to get hot offensively. I haven't seen a team advance without a combination of those things, so, we've got senior leadership, we've got some guys who potentially can be very hot in a game.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Supersportsbook NCAA Basketball Betting News

<< Ark-Pine Bluff beats Winthrop in NCAA opener
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -When it mattered most, Arkansas-Pine Bluff turned into kings of the road.Losers of their first 11 games - all on the road - the Golden Lions turned their first trip to the NCAA tournament into one worth the extra packing. Allen Sm

<< Bell signs offer sheet with Eagles
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Eagles signed restricted free agent running back Mike Bell to an offer sheet on Thursday. The New Orleans Saints now have seven days to match the deal, which the Philadelphia Inqui

<< Murray, Roddick advance; Federer bows out at Indian Wells
Indian Wells, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 1 Roger Federer was upset by 27th-seeded Marcos Baghdatis in third-round action, while fourth-seeded Andy Murray and seventh-seeded Andy Roddick moved into the fourth round Tuesday at the $4.

<< Tavares scores twice as Islanders handle Canucks
Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rookie John Tavares posted two goals and three assists to lead the New York Islanders to a 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks at GM Place. Matt Moulson added a goal and an assist for the Islanders, wh

<< Bryant, Gasol help Lakers down Kings for 50th win of season
Sacramento, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kobe Bryant posted a near triple-double and Pau Gasol ended with 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting, as the duo led the Lakers past the Kings, 106-99, at ARCO Arena. The win was LA's fourth straight and 50th of

Lobos' NCAA history rife with stories of infamy >>
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -New Mexico has one of the most famous arenas in college basketball and a devoted legion of hoops-crazy fans.Something the Lobos have never had? Two straight victories in the NCAA tournament.``Never gotten out of the second ro

Red Sox prospect Westmoreland has successful surgery >>
Fort Myers, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boston Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland had successful brain surgery Tuesday. The procedure, which lasted five hours, removed a cavernous malformation that was diagnosed earlier this month after he ex

Devils try to extend domination of Penguins >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A huge battle in the Atlantic Division race is on tap tonight in Newark, pitting the host New Jersey Devils against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Prudential Center. The Penguins, of course, are the defending Stanley Cup champ

Avs attempt to extend win streak over Flames >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Avalanche will try for their fourth straight win overall as well as their seventh victory in a row over the Calgary Flames tonight when the two teams clash at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche's current winning stre

Blackhawks limp into Honda Center to battle Ducks >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago has had a hard enough time picking up victories in Anaheim without having injuries to worry about. Nonetheless, the Blackhawks could be without as many as four key skaters tonight when they visit the Honda Center to t

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.