Many early entries will likely go undrafted

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

05/28/2010 -

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -A record wave of college basketball players have left school early for the chance to get paid by the NBA - despite the league's uncertain labor situation.

For some, like Kentucky's John Wall and Ohio State's Evan Turner, it's probably a good idea. They are the likely top two picks.

Some of the others? Not so much.

A record 74 players, including 23 from overseas, declared for the June 24 NBA draft. That means the number of undrafted players will likely go up, too. A year ago, 49 players left school early and 17 went undrafted.

Some players jumped in because the NBA's current collective bargaining agreement runs only through 2010-11, leaving open the possibility of a lockout or at least a reduced rookie salary scale.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 The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Sporsillustrated NCAA Basketball Betting News

<< Hurricanes agree to one-year deal with Tlusty
Raleigh, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to terms with forward Jiri Tlusty on a one-year contract worth $500,000. Tlusty was acquired by the Hurricanes from Toronto last December in exchange for the rights to

<< UConn basketball charged with eight violations
Storrs, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Connecticut has received a notice of allegations from the NCAA in regard to possible recruiting violations in the men's basketball program. UConn officials and the NCAA have be

<< Carmona, Indians open road series in the Bronx
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The last time Fausto Carmona stepped on the mound at new Yankee Stadium, the Indians' offense erupted in a record-tying performance. Given how Cleveland's offense struggled in its last game, the club hopes its hurler

<< Blue Jays, Orioles set to begin stretch of divisional games
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Already 18 games out of first place in the American League East, the Baltimore Orioles can at least try to have some fun by shaking up the standings with 12 straight matchups against their division opponents. The Orioles w

<< Rockies aim for sixth straight win vs. LA
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Rockies go for a sixth straight win this evening when they open a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. The Rockies continued to roll on Thursday, as Seth Smith, Carlos Gonz

Fiery Westhoff rebuilding Jets' special teams unit >>
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -Mike Westhoff is trying to rebuild the New York Jets' special teams unit after losing several key players, including the kicker, long snapper and special teams ace.Westhoff tells The Associated Press he is probably facing th

Four comprise 2010 Hall of Fame class >>
Saratoga Springs, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Horses of the Year Point Given and Azeri, along with Best Pal and retired jockey Randy Romero, have been elected to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame. The four will be inducte

AL Central: Cleveland a target for jokesters >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When your team has the second-worst record in the American League and boasts the lowest attendance totals in all of baseball, you're bound to be the butt of a few jokes. That seems be the case for the Cleveland Indians, wh

Astros place Norris on DL >>
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One day after announcing that Bud Norris will miss his next scheduled start, the Houston Astros placed the right-hander on the 15-day disabled list with bursitis and biceps tendinitis in his right arm.

Hurricanes agree to terms with D Harrison >>
Raleigh, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Carolina Hurricanes announced Friday an agreement with defenseman Jay Harrison on a one-year, $500,000 contract. In 2009-10, Harrison set career highs with 38 games played, one goal and five assists f

MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

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