Betting Odds - Graffiti Wall

(Wednesday, December 31st)

Final Score: LSU 38, (14) Georgia Tech 3

Atlanta, GA - Charles Scott ran for three touchdowns and LSU, the reigning national champs, steamrolled the 14th-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 38-3, in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Scott finished with 65 yards on 15 carries for the Tigers (8-5), who capped a roller coaster-like campaign. LSU opened the 2008 season with four consecutive wins, but the Tigers dropped five of their next eight outings before Wednesday’s dominant performance. Offensive MVP Jordan Jefferson was a crisp 16-of-25 passing for 142 yards and a touchdown in the win. Josh Nesbitt struggled mightily under center for the Yellow Jackets (9-4), completing only 8-of-24 attempts through the air for 150 yards and one interception. Jonathan Dwyer totaled 67 yards rushing and had 66 yards on three receptions.

Final Score: (24) Oregon State 3, (18) Pittsburgh 0

El Paso, TX - Justin Kahut’s 44-yard field goal in the second quarter proved to be the only points of the game, as 24th-ranked Oregon State won the second-lowest scoring Sun Bowl ever, 3-0, over 18th-ranked Pittsburgh. Johnny Hekker totaled 10 punts for 450 yards — including five inside Pittsburgh’s 20-yard line — to help Oregon State (9-4) control the field position battle. Lyle Moevao battled the strong winds and completed 21-of-42 passes for 193 yards, with two interceptions, for the Beavers, who have won five straight bowl games since losing the 2002 Insight Bowl to Pittsburgh. Sammie Stroughter compiled 88 yards on six receptions, while Shane Morales had five catches for 79 yards in the win for OSU. Jeremy Francis led the Beavers’ rushing attack with 76 yards on 15 rushes in the absence of Pac-10 offensive player of the year Jacquizz Rodgers — who was out with a shoulder injury. Pittsburgh quarterback Bill Stull struggled with the wind all game, hitting on just 7-of-24 passes for 52 yards and an interception before leaving with a hand injury in the fourth for the Panthers (9-4), who have lost three straight bowl games since beating Oregon State in 2002. LeSean McCoy had 85 rushing yards on 24 carries in the loss for Pitt. Panthers punter Dave Brytus had nine kicks for 394 yards, but just one punt landed inside the Oregon State 20-yard line. Arizona State and Catholic played to a 0-0 tie in the 1940 Sun Bowl, resulting in the lowest-scoring Sun Bowl of all-time.

Final Score: Houston 34, Air Force 28

Fort Worth, TX - Case Keenum threw for 252 yards with a touchdown and ran for a pair of scores as Houston held on to edge Air Force, 34-28, in the Armed Forces Bowl at Carter Stadium. Keenum completed 22-of-33 passes and was intercepted once, while Bryce Beall rushed for 137 yards on 22 carries with a TD and also had four grabs for 92 yards for Houston (8-5), which snapped an eight-game bowl losing skid. The Cougars’ last bowl victory came in 1980, when they beat Navy in the Garden Bowl. Houston finishes the campaign having won four of its last five. Andre Kohn chipped in with three catches for 32 yards and a score, and Tyron Carrier had five catches for 49 yards in the win. Jared Tew led the Air Force offense with 149 yards rushing on 27 touches and two touchdowns, while Tim Jefferson completed 7-of-14 passes for 98 yards and ran for a score. The Falcons (8-5) lost for the second year in a row in this bowl game, having dropped a 42-36 decision to California a year ago. Asher Clark gained 66 yards on 16 carries and Spencer Armstrong had two grabs for 60 yards in defeat.

Final Score: Vanderbilt 16, Boston College 14

Nashville, TN - Bryant Hahnfeldt’s 45-yard field goal, and a late interception by Myron Lewis was the difference as Vanderbilt clipped Boston College, 16-14, at the Music City Bowl. Larry Smith completed 10-of-17 passes for 121 yards for the Commodores (7-6), who won their first bowl game since 1955 in their first postseason appearance since 1982. Coming into the contest, Vanderbilt had lost six of its last seven games, but rebounded to post its first winning campaign in 26 years. Chris Nickson rushed for 57 yards on eight carries and Sean Walker caught two balls for 68 yards in the win. Dominique Davis threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-36 completions but was picked off twice for the Eagles (9-5), who ended their season with two consecutive losses. Boston College also had its FBS-best eight-game bowl victory streak snapped, with its last defeat coming on New Year’s Eve 1999 as Colorado drubbed BC 62-28, in the Insight Bowl. Colin Larmond and Montel Harris each registered a TD reception in the loss.

Final Score: Kansas 42, Minnesota 21

Tempe, AZ - Todd Reesing threw for 313 yards and four touchdowns and Dezmon Briscoe set an Insight Bowl record with 14 receptions, as Kansas routed Minnesota, 42-21, to record back-to-back bowl wins for the first time in school history. Kansas was playing in a bowl game for the second consecutive year for the first time, and playing in a bowl game for the fourth time in the last six years. All the contests came under Mark Mangino, and the program has won five of its last six bowl games overall. Reesing finished 27-of-35 with an interception and Briscoe had 201 yards and three TDs for the Jayhawks (8-5), who closed out their season with two straight wins. Kerry Meier had 10 catches for 113 yards with a score and also threw for a 32-yard touchdown. Johnathan Wilson had a TD catch and Jake Sharp ran for a TD. The Golden Gophers were playing in a bowl game for the eighth time in the last 10 years, and the program is now 5-8 all-time in postseason play. The most recent appearance for Minnesota was in the 2006 Insight Bowl. Adam Weber was 19-of-34 passing for 176 yards and a touchdown for the Golden Gophers (7-6), who ended their season on a five-game slide. Weber also led the way on the ground with 31 yards on 12 touches. Jon Hoese had two rushing scores in defeat while Eric Decker tallied 149 yards receiving and a TD on eight grabs.

(Wednesday, December 31st)

Final Score: Orlando 113, Chicago 94

Chicago, IL - Rashard Lewis finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists, as the Orlando Magic got back in the win column with a 113-94 win over the Chicago Bulls. Dwight Howard added 15 points and 14 boards for the Magic, who rebounded from a loss Monday to Detroit that snapped a seven-game win streak. Hedo Turkoglu ended with 18 points and nine boards as Orlando wrapped up a road trip with a 2-1 mark. Joakim Noah had 19 points and 11 rebounds to pace Chicago, which has lost four of its last five games. Ben Gordon was the highest-scoring starter for the Bulls, with 18 points, as the other four starters combined for just 26 points.

Final Score: Detroit 83, New Jersey 75

Auburn Hills, MI - Tayshaun Prince finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists, as the Detroit Pistons held on for an 83-75 win over the New Jersey Nets. Allen Iverson added 19 points, four boards and four assists for Detroit, which extended its winning streak to five games. Rodney Stuckey ended with 11 points and Arron Afflalo had 10 in the win for the Pistons, who again played without Richard Hamilton, who missed his third consecutive game with a groin injury. Brook Lopez ended with 23 points and 12 rebounds to pace the Nets, who have dropped two in a row and three of four. Devin Harris added 19 points and nine assists in the loss.

Final Score: Houston 85, Milwaukee 81

Houston, TX - Yao Ming finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds, as the Houston Rockets held on for an 85-81 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Luis Scola had 11 points and 10 boards for Houston, which has won two of its last three. Ron Artest scored 15 points in the win, while Tracy McGrady ended with 10 assists to go with seven points. Milwaukee had five players reach double figures, led by Michael Redd with 20 points. Richard Jefferson scored 16, and Luke Ridnour filled the scoresheet with 11 points, 11 assists and seven boards, but the Bucks fell short for the second time in their last three contests.

Final Score: Denver 114, Toronto 107

Toronto, ON - Nene had 21 points and seven rebounds to help lead the Denver Nuggets to a 114-107 win over the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Carmelo Anthony went for 20 while Chauncey Billups scored 18 and dished out seven assists for the Nuggets, who improved to 2-1 on their four-game road trip and won for the third time in four tries. J.R. Smith had 16 points and Kenyon Martin 15 with seven boards as Denver will also visit Oklahoma City on Friday to close out the trip. Chris Bosh logged 24 points and 11 rebounds while Andrea Bargnani netted a game-high 26 points for Toronto, which lost for the third straight time in opening a three-game homestand. The Raptors will also host Houston and Orlando. Jose Calderon had 18 points and a game-high 11 assists while Anthony Parker chipped in 12 points as the Raptors also dropped their eighth game in the last 10.

Final Score: Oklahoma City 107, Golden State 100

Oklahoma City, OK - Jeff Green had 26 points and Kevin Durant gave 25 to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 107-100 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Durant also had 10 rebounds and six assists for the Thunder, who snapped a five-game slide. Chris Wilcox logged 23 points and nine boards in the win while Russell Westbrook and Earl Watson had 11 each. Kelenna Azubuike recorded 24 points for the Warriors, who have dropped two of three and four of six. Andris Biedrins chipped in 15 points and 13 rebounds in defeat. Stephen Jackson had 17 points and nine helpers.

Final Score: Philadelphia 100, LA Clippers 92

Los Angeles, CA - Andre Iguodala netted a season-high 28 points with seven boards and as many assists to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 100-92 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Thaddeus Young logged 20 points and Andre Miller chipped in 15 points and nine assists as Philadelphia resumed a grueling six-game road trip by snapping a four- game losing streak. The Sixers are now 1-3 on the swing and will finish the trek with visits to Dallas and San Antonio. Al Thornton led the way with 24 points, nine rebounds and four blocks for the Clippers, who dropped their fifth straight game. Eric Gordon contributed 21 points while Marcus Camby logged 16 points, 17 rebounds and six assists. Baron Davis was just 5-of-16 shooting for 11 points to go along with eight assists for Los Angeles, which has dropped six of its last seven contests overall.

(Wednesday, December 31st)

Final Score: (1) North Carolina 84, Nevada 61

Reno, NV - Tyler Hansbrough scored 22 points to lead No. 1 North Carolina past Nevada, 84-61, at Lawlor Events Center. Wayne Ellington added 15 points for the Tar Heels (13-0), who have won each of their games by at least 15 points. Ty Lawson chipped in with 11 points and five rebounds. Luke Babbitt tallied 22 points and seven boards for the Wolf Pack (7-6), who have lost two of three. Armon Johnson ended with 15 points and Malik Cooke added 13 in defeat.

Final Score: (3) Pittsburgh 78, Rutgers 72

Piscataway, NJ - Sam Young scored a team-high 18 points in a balanced scoring attack, and the third-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers used a late burst to defeat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 78-72. Brad Wanamaker had 15 points, five rebounds and four assists in the win for Pittsburgh (13-0, 1-0 Big East), who had been idle for the past 10 days but remained unbeaten. Gilbert Brown and Levance Fields each had 11 points in the win for Pitt. Mike Rosario had 22 points to lead Rutgers (9-5, 0-1), which has lost two straight after a four-game win streak. Anthony Farmer contributed 20 points, while Corey Chandler had 17 points and eight rebounds in the loss.

Final Score: (5) Duke 92, Loyola-Maryland 51

Durham, NC - Kyle Singler had 20 points and eight rebounds, as the fifth-ranked Duke Blue Devils dominated Loyola-Maryland, 92-51, at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Gerald Henderson scored 19 points, while Brian Zoubek had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Duke (11-1), which has won 66 straight home games against non-conference opponents. Jon Scheyer recorded 12 points in the victory. Brian Rudolph had a team-high 13 points for the Greyhounds (4-9), who have lost six of eight and fell to 1-2 on a five- game road trip. Isaac Reid recorded nine points, while Jamal Barney had eight points and seven rebounds in the loss.

Final Score: (7) Notre Dame 92, DePaul 82

Rosemont, IL - Luke Harangody posted game-highs with 26 points and 16 rebounds as seventh-ranked Notre Dame cruised past DePaul, 92-82, in the Big East opener for both schools at Allstate Arena. Zach Hillesland picked up 17 points for the Irish (10-2, 1-0 Big East), winners of four straight games. Tory Jackson added 12 points and seven assists. Mac Koshwal was strong with 26 points and 11 boards for the Blue Demons (8-6, 0-1), losers in two of three. Dar Tucker added 24 points and Jabari Currie poured in 15.

Final Score: (10) Michigan State 70, (21) Minnesota 58

Minneapolis, MN - Kalin Lucas scored a career-high 24 points and Chris Allen added 13, as 10th-ranked Michigan State handed No. 21 Minnesota its first loss of the season with a 70-58 decision in the Big Ten opener for both schools at Williams Arena. Goran Suton contributed 11 points with 12 rebounds and Raymar Morgan chipped in 10 points with 10 boards for the Spartans (10-2, 1-0 Big Ten), who have won six straight since a 98-63 drubbing at the hands of top-ranked North Carolina on December 3. Al Nolen scored 14 points and dished out seven assists for Minnesota (12-1, 0-1), which was off to its best start since the 1948-49 team won its first 13 games. Lawrence Westbrook added 11 points in defeat.

Final Score: Utah 66, (16) Gonzaga 65

Salt Lake City, UT - Luke Nevill scored 15 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked three shots to help Utah upend No. 16 Gonzaga, 66-65, at the Huntsman Center. Luka Drca chipped in 14 points and seven assists for the Utes (8-5), who have won two in a row and three of four overall. Lawrence Borha had 11 points in the win. Jeremy Pargo and Josh Heytvelt had 14 points apiece for the Bulldogs (8-4), who have dropped three straight games and four of five overall following a 7-0 start to the season. Will Foster had 10 points and 10 boards.

Final Score: UNLV 56, (18) Louisville 55

Louisville, KY - Oscar Bellfield hit the game-winning shot with 17 seconds left as UNLV upended 18th-ranked Louisville, 56-55, at Freedom Hall. Rene Rougeau led the way with 17 points for the Rebels (12-2), who reeled off their seventh straight win. Tre’Von Willis posted 16 points Preston Knowles had 11 points for the Cardinals (8-3), who have dropped two of three. Samardo Samuels and Earl Clark each contributed 10 points.

Final Score: (19) Baylor 113, Jackson State 78

Waco, TX - Kevin Rogers made 10-of-13 field goals and finished with 21 points and five rebounds, as 19th-ranked Baylor routed Jackson State, 113-78. Henry Dugat added 20 points, while LaceDarius Dunn ended with 16 points and 10 rebounds for Baylor (12-1), which has won six in a row since its lone loss of the season against Wake Forest on November 30. Josh Lomers added 14 points, while Tweety Carter contributed 12 points and six assists in the win for the Bears. Jeremy Caldwell had a game-high 25 points and 11 boards, but Jackson State (1-11) lost its sixth consecutive contest since its only win of the season, against NC Central on November 29. Grant Maxey scored 16 in the loss for the Tigers.

Final Score: (22) Xavier 78, Robert Morris 57

Cincinnati, OH - Brad Redford shot 5-of-8 from long range for 15 points, and the 22nd-ranked Xavier Musketeers defeated Robert Morris, 78- 57, at Cintas Center. Jason Love posted a career-high 15 points and six rebounds for the Musketeers (10-2), who snapped a two-game losing streak following setbacks to Duke and then Butler last Tuesday. B.J. Raymond had 13 points, while Derrick Brown chipped in with nine. Jeremy Chappell had a game-high 17 points for Robert Morris (6-7), which has lost two straight and fell to 3-4 on the road this season. Rob Robinson had 12 points, while Jimmy Langhurst, Ifeanyi Ehirim and Josiah Whitehead each had six points in the loss.

Final Score: Wisconsin 73, (23) Michigan 61

Ann Arbor, MI - Marcus Landry and Trevon Hughes each scored 16 points, as Wisconsin upended 23rd-ranked Michigan, 73-61, in the Big Ten opener for both schools. Jon Leuer added 12 points for Wisconsin (10-3, 1-0 Big Ten), which rebounded from a loss to Texas on December 23. The Badgers shot 58.7 percent from the floor for the game, and 6-of-14 from three-point range. Joe Krabbenhoft contributed nine points and eight rebounds in the win for Wisconsin. Zack Novak finished with a game-high 20 points and pulled down eight boards for Michigan (10-3, 0-1), which had its five-game win streak halted. It was the Wolverines’ first home loss of the season, as they had been 8-0 entering Wednesday’s contest. DeShawn Sims added 14 points for Michigan in the loss.

Final Score: (24) Ohio State 68, Iowa 65

Columbus, OH - Jon Diebler scored a career-high 27 points, 19 in the second half, as 24th-ranked Ohio State escaped Iowa, 68-65, at Value City Arena. Diebler hit 8-of-12 from the floor, including a game-best 7-of-10 from beyond the arc for Ohio State. William Buford had 16 points for the Buckeyes (10-1, 1-0 Big Ten), who rebounded after a loss to West Virginia on Saturday. Evan Turner added 11 points. Matt Gatens picked up 22 points for the Hawkeyes (10-4, 0-1), who lost despite draining 14-of-28 three-pointers and have dropped two of three overall. Devan Bawinkel recorded 15 points and Jake Kelly netted 11.

(Wednesday, December 31st)

Final Score: NY Islanders 4, Florida 2

Uniondale, NY - Mike Comrie scored twice and Mark Streit had a goal and an assist as the New York Islanders defeated the Florida Panthers, 4-2, at Nassau Coliseum. Sean Bergenheim also tallied, while Kyle Okposo chipped in with a pair of assists for the Islanders, who have split their last four games after dropping the previous 10. Joey MacDonald was solid between the pipes for New York, turning aside 27-of-29 shots. It was the netminder’s first win since a 4-2 victory over Ottawa on November 29. Brett McLean and Nathan Horton accounted for the Panthers goals. Florida has lost four straight and six of eight. Tomas Vokoun made 19 saves before being replaced by Craig Anderson for the start of the third period. Anderson stopped 12-of-13 shots.

Final Score: Minnesota 3, San Jose 2 (OT)

St. Paul, MN - Brent Burns scored 1:38 into overtime to lift the Minnesota Wild over the San Jose Sharks, 3-2, at the Xcel Energy Center. Owen Nolan, who missed the last 10 games with a leg injury, returned and scored as did Krystofer Kolanos for Minnesota, which had lost three of four coming in and closed the books on a disappointing December in which the club went 4-9-1. Burns and Mikko Koivu each registered two helpers. Niklas Backstrom was solid in making 32 saves to get the win for the Wild, who will next host Detroit on Saturday before embarking on a four-game road trip. Devin Setoguchi and Milan Michalek had the goals for San Jose, which had won three of its last four coming into play Wednesday. Joe Thornton had two assists. Evgeni Nabokov was tested often down the stretch, making 29 saves in a losing effort.

Final Score: Carolina 3, Atlanta 1

Raleigh, NC - Sergei Samsonov collected a pair of goals and one assist as Carolina topped Atlanta, 3-1, at RBC Center. Joe Corvo also tallied for the Hurricanes, who have won three of five. Cam Ward needed to make just 20 stops for the win. Ilya Kovalchuk provided the lone goal for the Thrashers, who have dropped four in a row. Kari Lehtonen took the loss after allowing all three goals on 28 shots.

Final Score: Phoenix 3, Colorado 1

Glendale, AZ - Peter Mueller scored twice and Mikael Tellqvist made 28 saves, as the Phoenix Coyotes defeated the Colorado Avalanche, 3-1. Olli Jokinen also scored and Shane Doan collected two assists for the Coyotes, who have lost in regulation just twice their last 11 outings (6-2-3). Tellqvist made 10 stops in the third period as the Avalanche worked feverishly to produce the equalizer. T.J. Hensick lit the lamp for Colorado, which had won three games in a row. Peter Budaj allowed three goals on 29 shots in defeat.

Final Score: Dallas 4, New Jersey 2

Dallas, TX - Loui Eriksson scored twice and Marty Turco made 25 saves to lift the Dallas Stars to a 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils at American Airlines Center. Brad Richards had three assists while Mark Parrish and Landon Wilson notched the remaining scores for the Stars, who have won three of the last four and five of seven overall. Dallas ended its three- game homestand 2-1 and won for the fifth time in six tries at American Airlines Center. The Stars start the new year with four straight on the road. Mike Mottau and David Clarkson lit the lamp for New Jersey, which had won two straight entering play Wednesday. Scott Clemmensen stopped 40-of-43 shots in taking the loss. Brian Gionta notched two assists. The Devils failed to secure a point for the first time in seven road games, finishing with a 5-1-1 mark over that stretch. New Jersey is now 10-5-2 overall as the road team this year.

Final Score: Columbus 2, Anaheim 0

Anaheim, CA - Rookie sensation Steve Mason turned aside 27 shots to record his third consecutive shutout, as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Anaheim Ducks, 2-0, at Honda Center. The 20-year-old Mason now leads the NHL in both goals-against average (1.69) and save percentage (.938) and has not allowed a goal in a franchise record 182 minutes, eight seconds, becoming the first Columbus netminder to post shutouts in three consecutive games. A third-round selection in the 2006 draft, Mason now has five career shutouts in just 20 starts and his latest performance moved him into a tie with injured Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo for the league lead. Craig MacDonald and Michael Peca scored for the Blue Jackets, whose last five games have all ended with someone getting blanked (3-2-0). Anaheim netminder Jean-Sebastien Giguere took the loss despite a 27-save effort as the Ducks lost for the fourth time in five games.

Final Score: Calgary 6, Edmonton 4

Calgary, AB - Jarome Iginla and Michael Cammalleri both registered two goals and three assists, leading the Calgary Flames to a 6-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers at the Pengrowth Saddledome. Dustin Boyd and Adrian Aucoin also found the back of the net for the Flames, who have won four in a row and earned points in nine straight games overall (6-0-3). Daymond Langkow and Craig Conroy both collected two assists, while Miikka Kiprusoff made 28 saves to notch his league-best 22nd win of the season. Denis Grebeshkov posted a goal and three helpers for the Oilers, who have dropped five of their last eight games. Erik Cole had a goal and an assist, while Dwayne Roloson yielded five goals on 36 shots.