N Iowa, Jacobson agree to long-term deal
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) -After leading Northern Iowa to the biggest win in school history, coach Ben Jacobson is sticking with the Panthers.
Northern Iowa and Jacobson have agreed to a new 10-year deal that includes a substantial pay raise, athletic director Troy Dannen announced Wednesday.
The agreement will increase Jacobson's annual salary to $450,000 starting next season, with annual raises of $25,000 throughout the length of a deal that runs through 2020.
Jacobson's old contract paid him $289,300 per year and ran through 2016. Northern Iowa said that no public funds will be used to fund the increase in the new agreement.
"We could not be more proud to have Ben Jacobson continue to lead our men's basketball program well into the future," Dannen said in a statement released by the school. "Ben is not only one of the top young coaches in the nation but he's also a great educator and mentor."
Jacobson, 39, is in his fourth season as the head coach at Northern Iowa and has won back-to-back Missouri Valley Coach of the Year honors. He served as an assistant under Greg McDermott at Northern Iowa for five seasons, taking over when McDermott left for Iowa State in 2006.
Jacobson led the Panthers to an NCAA tournament berth in 2008-09, and this season Northern Iowa (30-4) caught everyone's attention by stunning top-seeded Kansas 69-67 in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The team will play Michigan State (26-8) in the Midwest Region semifinals in St. Louis on Friday night.
Jacobson's name was thrown into the mix for a number of high-profile openings around the country - including one just down the road at Iowa - after leading the Panthers to their second straight Missouri Valley title.
Instead, Jacobson appears set for a long stay in Cedar Falls.
"I appreciate the continued support from our administration, community and student body. I'm thrilled to sign this new deal," Jacobson said in a statement. "The University of Northern Iowa is a special place made so by great people."
Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press.
Golden Nuggets: Should the NCAA Keep Teams Closer
When colleges are slashing staff and hiking tuition, the NCAA Tournament should keep teams closer to home. It would cut down on travel costs (which go on the NCAA's tab), and it would liven up arenas with more fans who have a rooting interest beyond their office pools.
"We'd love to have all of the teams stay as regionally close as possible," Dan Guerrero, chair of the NCAA Division I men's basketball committee, said on a Monday conference call. "But if you did that, you'd really be manipulating the seed lines."
Seed lines? We're talking about seed lines? Outside of the top three or four seeds — whom the committee has become quite adept at identifying and preserving— the tournament serves as an early-round crapshoot every March.
We need more than so-called upsets (see: No. 12-over-No. 5, No. 11-over-No. 6). We need more of a local touch.
Would it be so sacrilegious to make Cal a No. 6 seed in San Jose instead of the No. 8 status it'll take into Jacksonville (Fla.) on Friday night against Louisville?
Would Saint Mary's be offended if, instead of going as a No. 10 seed to Providence (R.I.), it received a No. 11 mark and a Thursday night date in San Jose?
San Diego State is an 11th seed, and UC Santa Barbara a 15th, and those automatic qualifiers (by virtue of winning their conference tournaments) certainly could have fit in San Jose. Instead, such spots feature No. 11 Washington (vs. No. 6 Marquette) and No. 14 Montana (vs. No. 3 New Mexico).
Non-California-grown teams also are having to dart cross country. Why? To fulfill the NCAA's motto: Play basketball, see the country at 30,000 feet, text your relatives back home, watch us collect television revenues at your fans' expense.
"I've always felt the people who support you, the parents of the kids, should be in a position to see their team play," Cal coach Mike Montgomery said in a Monday conference call. "When you move a team 3,000 miles, it makes it more difficult for everybody. I never thought that was right."
Copyright © 2010 Sportsblogs, Inc
College Hoops Lock Alert - #19 Georgia Tech at #9 Duke Blue Devils
No. 19 Georgia Tech (16-5 SU, 11-4 ATS) at No. 9 Duke Blue Devils (17-4 SU, 13-7 ATS)
NCAAb Betting Odds: Duke -12.5
Here are some NCAA Basketball Betting Trends which may impact this game:
Georgia Tech: 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games
Georgia Tech: Total has gone UNDER in the last 4 games
Duke: 11-3 ATS at home
Duke: Total has gone OVER in 3 of their last 5 games
Coming off an embarrassing loss last Saturday to Georgetown, the Duke Blue Devils are looking for a signature win. It won't be easy getting one Thursday, when they host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in exciting college basketball action.
There hasn't been a worse loss in the college basketball betting odds all season for Duke, which entered the game Saturday against Georgetown as a slight favorite, only to get run out of the gym. In the game, Georgetown shot a staggering 71 percent from the field, while Duke shot just 31 percent. Don't be fooled by the final score, this one was way uglier than the 12 point margin might indicate.
Duke -12.5 vs Georgia Tech >> Join to Bet Now
For Duke to rebound, it will obviously have to start on the defensive end, and they'll especially need to be tougher in the paint. Saturday, Georgetown's big men did whatever they wanted, as center Greg Monroe dropped 21 points on them. They'll need better games than they got from starting forwards Lance Thomas and Miles Plumlee, who combined for just 14 points against the Hoyas.
It won't come easy against a Georgia Tech team chalk full of size and athleticism, including a guy who absolutely owned Duke in the team's first matchup. That'd be forward Gani Lawal, who scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds on the evening. He certainly isn't the only bulk down low however, as Georgia Tech has maybe the best forward prospect in the sport of college basketball right now, Derrick Favors. While Favors is hardly a finished product, he has shown flashes this season, averaging 11.5 points and 8.6 rebounds a contest. Again, he's been up and down on the year, but is finally figuring it out, as he's scored double figures in his last three ACC contests, and had double-doubles in two of those games.
While the clear size advantage goes to the Yellow Jackets down low, if Duke is to get the win on Thursday, they'll need to do it on the perimeter with Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith, two super hot guards. On the season, the two combine for 36 points per game.
With one win already under their belts against the Blue Devils, can Georgia Tech pull off another Thursday? Probably not. But they should be able to cover the betting odds.
Duke most certainly has their deficiencies, and while they play differently at home, 12.5 points is a lot to be giving to a team as good as Georgia Tech.
While Duke should win, take Georgia Tech cover the point spread.
Lock Alert Pick: Georgia Tech +12.5
(c) 1994-2009 BetUS.com. All Rights Reserved.
College Basketball Betting - Louisville at #9 West Virginia
WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, WV
The Week That Was: Louisville
The Cardinals played only one game in the past week, and while they were less than emphatic, they did snap a three-game losing streak by topping Cincinnati, 68-60. The U of L prevailed at Freedom Hall because of an ability to get to the foul line and success in transition.
Louisville's field-goal percentage defense wasn't all that special in this Jan. 24 encounter; Cincinnati hit 43 percent of its shots and drained 10 of 20 3-pointers. On most Sunday afternoons, those kinds of numbers will lead to a loss. Coach Rick Pitino's club was able to compensate for such alarming defensive deficiencies by resorting to other avenues of attack: thievery and muscle.
In terms of stealing, UL did a lot of it against the visiting Bearcats. The Cards plucked 11 steals from Cincinnati's shaky ballhandlers and used those takeaways to create fast break opportunities which either led to baskets or foul shots. While UC did thrive as a jump-shooting team in this game, the Bearcats sacrificed power inside, and that's where Louisville took advantage. While Cincy attempted just four free throws, UL attempted 19 and made 15 of them. In an eight-point game, such a differential loomed large.
Louisville vs West Virginia
The Week That Was: West Virginia
The Mountaineers played two teams with different levels of star power, but they won twice to reinvigorate their season.
On Saturday, Jan. 23, WVU hosted nationally-ranked Ohio State and Player of the Year candidate Evan Turner. The visiting Buckeyes came into Morgantown, W. Va., and raced to a 40-28 halftime lead, but the Mountaineers dug in their heels on defense to pull out a gritty 71-65 triumph.
West Virginia allowed only one Ohio State field goal in the final eight minutes of regulation. Turner did finish with 18 points and 11 boards for the Buckeyes, but those numbers are actually very pedestrian for a player of Turner's caliber. OSU's star forward went just 6 of 17 from the field, as West Virginia defenders hounded him and perfectly executed the game plan established by coach Bob Huggins. With no one else on Ohio State stepping up in support of Turner, WVU smothered the Bucks at crunch time and -- with 10 made 3-pointers -- found just enough scoring punch to prevail.
The Mountaineers then traveled to suburban Chicago on Jan. 26 and whipped lowly DePaul, 62-46. WVU allowed just 18 second-half points and sent the Blue Demons to 1-7 in Big East competition.
Outlook & Pick
Last year, Louisville went into WVU Coliseum on the final day of the Big East regular season and defeated the Mountaineers to claim the outright conference championship. This year, it's a different story. UL has no low-post presence or, for that matter, the dynamic wing players (Terrence Williams and Earl Clark) who can shoot over the top of smaller guards and drive the ball on bigger defenders. West Virginia knows how to lock down opponents at the defensive end of the floor, and that pattern should continue in a relatively comfortable Mountaineer victory.
College Basketball Betting Pick: West Virginia
(c) 1994-2009 BetUS.com. All Rights Reserved.
College Basketball Lock Alert - Pepperdine vs. #10 Gonzaga
After losing several players off of last year's Sweet 16 team, it was assumed that No. 10 ranked Gonzaga would struggle in 2010. Apparently, no one told the Bulldogs, who will look to try and stay hot in conference play in Thursday night's NCAAB Betting Odds.
With a big front line, the Zags dominate the low post, and have one of the highest powered offenses in college basketball.
Here are some NCAA Basketball Betting Trends which may impact this game:
Pepperdine: 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games
Pepperdine: 1-4 ATS on the road
Pepperdine: Total has gone OVER in 3 of their last 4 games
Gonzaga: 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games
Gonzaga: Total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 5 games
Leading the way is freshman Elias Harris, a guy who's totally come off the radar in his first year in Spokane. Harris is leading the Zags in both points (15.5) and rebounding (7.9) and is quietly playing himself onto the radar of NBA scouts. Center Robert Sacre also averages double-digits, while a deep backcourt including Matt Bouldin and Steven Gray balance out the Bulldogs. On the season, Gonzaga is ranked 12th in college basketball, shooting a staggering 49 percent from the field.
As for their opponents Thursday, there's no nice way to put it, Pepperdine has been awful this year. However, things appear to be turning around, as they've won their first three games in West Coast Conference play, and are tied atop the standings with Gonzaga.
Pepperdine's best player is versatile 6'3 sophomore Keion Bell. Bell does a little bit of everything for the Waves, not only leading the team in scoring and assists, but is also an excellent rebounder for his size, averaging five per game. Junior forward Mychel Thompson is Pepperdine's best player inside, averaging 12 points per game.
The Waves biggest problem, which could rear its head Thursday night, is a questionable defense. On the year, they give up 73 points per game, and allow opponents to shoot 47 percent from the field. Both are ranked in the 200's in college basketball.
It seems like simple math really, one of the best shooting percentage teams in college basketball (Gonzaga) is playing a team which allows one of the worst percentages on defense. Is there any reason to think the Zags shouldn't be comfortable favorites in this one?
It's also important to note that Gonzaga has been playing great basketball of late, winning eight of their last nine games. The only loss in that stretch was to the No. 5 ranked Duke Blue Devils, a team that's playing as well as anyone in college basketball.
With Gonzaga at home, and playing as well as they have been of late, it shouldn't be surprising seeing them as favorites in Thursday's betting odds.
Expect them to not only win, but to cover the point spread as well. And come Friday, they'll be alone atop the West Coast Conference standings after defeating Pepperdine in Spokane.
Aaron's Pick: Gonzaga by 12
(c) 1994-2009 BetUS.com. All Rights Reserved.
College Basketball Betting - First Half Player Awards
And the award goes to... BetUS Sportsbook takes a moment to look at the best and worst players from the first half of a very exciting college basketball betting season...
Most Impressive Freshman: John Wall, Kentucky Wildcats ... Was there any doubt about the winner of this award? With all due respect to Kansas' Xavier Henry, Wall is clearly the most valuable frosh in the land, and he's leading one of the most exciting teams to watch in the entire country. Not only is the freshman leading the Cats in scoring (17.5 points per game) and assists (6.9 per game), but he's also tops in steals at 2.1 per game. This is one of the most electrifying players in the entire nation, and he has the capability of putting a very good team on his back and making it a Final Four squad. If you haven't watched this kid play, you'd better do so, because he's surely going pro after this year.
Player that You Hope Makes the NCAA Tournament: Artsiom Parakhouski, Radford Highlanders ... Look, we realize that Radford isn't exactly a household team, and even if it does go dancing, it's surely going to be one-and-done, but how cool would it be to see the 6'11'' Belarus native playing in the Big Dance? All Parakhouski is doing right now is ranking third in the country in scoring (24.1 points per game) and is first in rebounding (12.9 per game). Oh, the big man has an outside game as well. He's shooting 43% from beyond the arc on the year.
Most Valuable Player: Evan Turner, Ohio State Buckeyes ... The proof is in the pudding on this one... Do the math on Turner. When he's in the lineup, Ohio State is 9-2 with wins against Purdue, Florida State, and Cal. When he's out of it, the Bucks are only 3-3 with college basketball betting losses to Butler, Wisconsin, and Michigan. It's hard to argue with a guy who is averaging 18.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, especially considering the fact that he is shooting 59% from the floor as well. Turner was the reason that the Buckeyes were ranked nationally before his injury, and he'll be the reason, one way or the other, that Ohio State either succeeds or fails in the rest of the '09-'10 season.
Best Single Game Performance: Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall Pirates vs. West Virginia Mountaineers ... Yes, Seton Hall lost this college basketball betting battle against the Mountaineers, but there wasn't a more impressive performance in the entire country and there may not be one for the rest of the year either. On the day after Christmas, in the only NCAA basketball game on the slate, Hazell shot 14/33 from the floor and scored a whopping 41 of his team's 84 points against a stellar West Virginia defense. He made all of the critical shots down the stretch that forced overtime, but when his fellow starters began to foul out of the game, his team lost hope and ultimately gave in to the WVU pressure.
(c) 1994-2009 BetUS.com. All Rights Reserved.
NCAA Basketball Betting - Colorado Buffalos vs. #2 Texas Longhorns
After Texas' football season ended disappointingly Thursday night, the school's No. 2 ranked basketball team will look to boost morale on campus when they take on the woeful Colorado Buffaloes Saturday.
Texas comes into this game as one of only four undefeated teams in college basketball, and may be its most talented overall. They are productive on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court, as they have the second highest scoring offense in the sport (87 points per game) and also allow the fourth lowest field goal percentage to opponents.
Here are some NCAA Basketball Betting Trends which may impact this game:
* Colorado: 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
* Colorado: Total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 5 games
* Colorado: 0-5 ATS on the road
* Texas: 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
* Texas: 5-0 SU in their last 5 games against Colorado
* Texas: 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games against Colorado
The Longhorns have a deep and aggressive frontcourt, led by a pair of seniors, Damion James and Dexter Pittman. The two are both future NBA superstars, and have had very productive senior years combining to average over 31 points and 17 rebounds per game. J'Covan Brown leads a talented freshman class, averaging 11 points per game, while Turkish point guard Dogus Balbay runs the offense, dishing out 4.5 assists a contest.
As for Colorado, former NBA head coach Jeff Bzdelik is in charge in Boulder, but now in his third year has come under fire because of the lack of progression from his team. The Buffaloes head into league play in last place at 9-5, this a 9-22 year in 2009 that saw the team win just one Big XII game.
Colorado is led by junior guard Cory Higgins, one of the highest scorer's in the Big XII averaging 18 points per game. He is also an 86 percent free throw shooter. It is important to note that Higgins scored a lot of those points early in the season against second tier competition. He has hit that 18 point mark only once in Colorado's last four games, and was held to 13 just a few days ago against Miami (OH).
The Buffaloes biggest problem, which will almost certainly plague them Saturday, is an undersized front line. On the season, only one player on this roster- guard Alec Burks- is averaging over four rebounds per game, and they don't have a single player that is over 6'9.
Looking at this game, there just doesn't seem to be any way that Colorado will be able to keep up, especially at the Irwin Center, where Texas is nearly unbeatable.
Expect the Longhorns to feature a balanced scoring attack, and win this one relatively easy. The question isn't whether Texas will win, but whether Rick Barnes will keep his starters in long enough to make this a blowout.
Aaron's Pick: Texas by 18
(c) 1994-2009 BetUS.com. All Rights Reserved.
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