Vaidisova reaches second round at Eastbourne

Tennis Betting Lines

06/18/2007 - Eastbourne, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fifth-seeded Czech slugger Nicole Vaidisova was among Monday's first-round winners at the $600,000 International Women's Open, a final Wimbledon tune-up.

Vaidisova overcame Aussie Samantha Stosur 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on the grass courts at Devonshire Park International Tennis Centre.

In other Day-1 play, Czech Lucie Safarova held off German Anna-Lena Groenefeld 7-6 (7-0), 7-6 (7-5) and Britain's Melanie South took out her fellow wild card Alicia Molik of Australia 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).

This week's top seeds are Wimbledon runner-up and reigning three-time French Open champion Justine Henin and Wimbledon titlist Amelie Mauresmo. The Belgian Henin beat Russian Anastasia Myskina in last year's Eastbourne finale.

Wwwlakings Tennis Betting News

<< Cabrera climbs to No. 17 in rankings
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Angel Cabrera's unexpected win at the U.S. Open on Sunday produced an expected result. After shooting a final-round 69 at brutal Oakmont to hold off Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk, the Argentine climbed 24 p

<< This Week in Golf - June 21st through June 24th
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - PGA TOUR - TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut - J.J. Henry made this tournament his first win last year when it was called the Buick Championship, shooting a final-round 67 to

<< Zvonareva withdraws from Wimbledon
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 19 Vera Zvonareva announced her withdrawal from Wimbledon 2007 on Monday, citing a left wrist injury. The 22-year-old Zvonareva, sidelined since April, also missed the recently- concluded

<< Wallace named GM of Grizzlies
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Memphis Grizzlies have named Chris Wallace their new general manager and vice president of basketball operations. "This is a great day for the Wallace family, and we are excited to become Memphians,"

<< Blue Jays release Ohka
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Blue Jays announced Monday they have released right-hander Tomo Ohka. Ohka, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the team in January, started just 10 games for the Blue Jays. H

Few changes mark newest women's rankings >>
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Georgia Tech's Young keeps his name in draft >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Georgia Tech forward Thaddeus Young announced Monday he will keep his name in the upcoming NBA draft. "I would like to thank everyone in the Georgia Tech family. They have been very supportive

Ljubicic advances at rainy Ordina Open >>
's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Second-seeded Croat Ivan Ljubicic highlighted Monday's first-round winners at the grass-court Ordina Open, a final Wimbledon tune-up. Ljubicic came from behind to beat Frenchman Ga

Washington's Hawes remains in NBA Draft >>
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - University of Washington center Spencer Hawes has decided to remain in the NBA Draft and forgo his remaining three years of collegiate eligibility. Hawes announced his decision to test the NBA waters on

Numerous College Basketball teams take final big step to March Madness betting

So, what turned on the lock spigot? Well, after what felt like weeks of teams treading water and slipping back into the bubble muck, a bunch of them finally decided to say "to heck with parity" and won games that should put them into the Big Dance.

Disagree with some of these? Then here's the challenge. Take all of the "should be ins" and make a legit case that each should be ahead of the team that's a lock. Then find 10 more teams that also should be placed in the bracket ahead of that lock team. Not so easy, is it?

If you want more evidence that these locks should be good to go, check out what our research department dug up. Since the NCAA Tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, only six teams from a "big six" conference have had a record of 10-6 or better in conference play and not been selected: Colorado (2004) and Nebraska (1999) from the Big 12, Boston College and Seton Hall (both 2003) from the Big East, Indiana (2005) from the Big Ten and UCLA, which somehow went 12-6 in the Pac-10 in 1988 and still missed out. (Note: Five teams went 11-7 and didn't get in, the latest being last season's Stanford team, which had a brutal nonconference run.)

Yes, 10 conference wins doesn't always mean what it used to because of unbalanced schedules, but this season, it should be plenty good in all but the extreme cases (see: Iowa).

In a way, this is a welcome development, because this is a bubble watch, not a lock watch. We can finally be done with teams like Maryland and Virginia Tech and start really bearing down on at-large battles such as Syracuse-West Virginia and Appalachian State-Georgia Tech.

Interestingly, all the shifting of teams into lock status appears to be more administrative than impactful. The number of remaining available at-larges didn't change one iota. The only difference is that teams on the bubble now have a clearer idea of which team(s) they are competing with for those precious bids.

The Bubble Breakdown
CONFERENCE LOCKS SHOULD BE INS AT-LARGES TAKEN
(assuming no auto bid outlier)
ACC Betting Odds 6 0 5
Big East Betting Odds 5 0 4
Big Ten Betting Odds 2 2 3
Big 12 Betting Odds 3 0 2
Pac-10 Betting Odds 5 1 5
SEC Betting Odds 4 0 3
MVC Betting Odds 1 1 1
MWC Betting Odds 2 1 2
TOTAL 28 5 25

As always, I've tried to be as inclusive as possible while only including teams that would have a reasonable chance of at least being discussed if this were Selection Sunday. If your team's not on here, there's probably a good reason (or three) -- start with the RPI and SOS numbers and work your way down.

(Please remember, per selection committee criteria, that records displayed are Division I only. Next update: Feb. 28)

If you have a legitimate grievance, or just like talking bubble, send an e-mail. Polite ones with fact-based arguments have a much better chance of receiving a response. I apologize in advance if I can't get back to all of you.

Atlantic Coast Conference

Work left to do: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech

The ACC moves to six locks as BC, Va Tech and Virginia all got their 10th ACC wins, which should be more than enough this season, and Maryland rallied past North Carolina to get the final piece the Terps needed. After that? It could end there unless FSU, Ga Tech or Clemson picks things up in a hurry.

 

Work left to do:

Clemson [19-9 (5-9), RPI: 41, SOS: 42] The Tigers are closer to locking up the collapse of the year award (in a good battle with OK State) than they are to grabbing an at-large. Clemson's been very competitive, but there's no really positive way you can spin nine losses in 11 games. They now cannot get to .500 in ACC play and still must head to Virginia Tech in the season finale (after hosting Miami). Unless the Tigers win both and/or do some serious work in the ACC tourney, they very well could be left out. There are no great nonconference wins, but ODU, App State, Miss. State, South Carolina and Georgia are all respectable W's.

Florida State [18-11 (6-9), RPI: 48, SOS: 14] The Noles got thrashed at Maryland to run their losing streak to five, but then pounded NC State at home to set the table for what likely is an elimination game at Miami. You can at least make a case for the Seminoles at 7-9 in ACC play (and some work in the ACC tourney), but 6-10 is not going to cut it. Wins at Duke and over Florida will resonate, but the computer numbers remain questionable. Beyond Florida, FSU thrashed bubble buddy Providence, but there's not a ton beyond those two games that will help. They didn't show well in big-time opportunities against Pitt and Wisconsin (before the Florida win).

Georgia Tech [18-10 (6-8), RPI: 51, SOS: 46] The Jackets beat Wake on Wednesday but couldn't get it done at UVa on Saturday, which could be a crucial loss with UNC and BC (both at home) remaining and 8-8 almost a certain need for at-large consideration. A nonconference win over Memphis helps, but the RPI and SOS are not at-large quality right now; if you combine those with a sub-.500 ACC mark, that could spell NIT for GT.

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Barry Bonds Watch: Giants Slugger Says He'll Be Back

With only 21 home runs standing between him and Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds is indeed planning on coming back for more in 2007. At least, that's what his agent told the Los Angeles Times.

"Barry's going to play in 2007," Jeff Borris of Beverly Hills Sports Council told the Times on Tuesday. "I've had many discussions with Barry and he's going to play. My intentions are to see to it he's in a big-league uniform next season. Those are my marching orders."

Contract negotiations could get started as early as next week. Let's see which team has the deeper pockets. Will MLB baseball betting lines despite allegations of steroid use? Bet On It at www.MySportsbook.com .

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