Harris, Wolverines pull away at end to down Illinois

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

01/04/2009 - Ann Arbor, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Manny Harris was one of five Wolverine players to reach double figures, as 23rd-ranked Michigan grinded out a 74-64 victory over Illinois at Crisler Arena.

Harris had 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals for the Wolverines (11-3, 1-1 Big Ten), who have won six of their last seven games. DeShawn Sims totaled 13 points and nine boards, while Laval Lucas-Perry also scored 13 and added five assists.

Zack Novak and Zack Gibson contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Michigan, which hit 11 baskets from beyond the arc and outscored Illinois 12-2 down the stretch.

Calvin Brock poured in 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Fighting Illini (13-2, 1-1), who had won their last seven outings. Demetri McCamey donated 11 points, 10 assists and five boards in defeat.

Consecutive three-pointers by Sims and Novak gave the Wolverines a 16-9 lead less than six minutes into the contest, then Illinois responded with an 11-0 spurt, and a Mike Davis basket put the visitors up by six at 29-23 with six 1/2 minutes remaining in the opening frame.

Michigan tied the score at 31 as Harris hit a pair from the foul line, but the Wolverines returned to the locker room trailing 39-38.

Both clubs led by as many as six early in a back-and-forth second half. A McCamey deuce evened things up at 62 with just over six minutes left in regulation before Michigan pulled away en route to the win.

Game Notes

Illinois owns an 81-71 series lead over Michigan...Davis and Alex Legion scored 10 points apiece for the Fighting Illini...Michigan shot 49.1 percent (26-of-53) from the field...Illinois made 45.2 percent (28-of-62) of its baskets and held a 33-30 edge on the glass.

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Football Betting Lines

The 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds have been released and Denver Broncos' running back Knowshon Moreno has been made the opening favorite.

Bet NFL Sports Lines

Moreno was selected in the first round of April's NFL draft and is expected to carry the rushing load for the Broncos this season. And with Jay Cutler now in Chicago, Moreno might be expected to be Denver's entire offense.

Betting Lines from sports betting lines have made Moreno a 5/2 favorite to win this year's Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Fellow running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (Arizona Cardinals) is right behind Moreno at 7/2, while Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts) and receiver Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) are 5/1 to win. Quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) and Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) are 7/1 and 8/1, respectively.

A couple of players who present some value are Josh Freeman, Shonn Green and Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Freeman needs to beat out Byron Leftwich to become the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but if he does, he has a lot or raw talent and could use the weapons around him (i.e. Kellen Winslow Jr. and Antonio Bryant) to be very successful in his first season.

Green enters a crowded backfield in New York, but considering both Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are unhappy about their contract situations and might holdout, the former Iowa product could become the Jets' primary back.

Everyone was shocked when Al Davis took Heyward-Bey with the eighth overall pick in April's draft, but the kid has a tremendous amount of talent and if quarterback JaMarcus Russell takes the next step this year, the former Maryland product could blossom. Plus, Heyward-Bey will be looking to prove the people wrong who said Oakland should have taken Michael Crabtree with the No. 8 pick.

And if you're looking for a deep sleeper, check out Pat White at 30/1. He enters the Miami Dolphins vaunted “Wild Cat” offense and could be a big time playmaker.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, see below.

2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds to Win

Ramses Barden (NYG) 40/1

Andre Brown (NYG) 20/1

Donald Brown (IND) 5/1

Kenny Britt (TEN) 20/1

Glenn Coffee (SFO) 30/1

Chase Coffman (CIN) 50/1

Michael Crabtree (SFO) 5/1

Josh Freeman (TB) 14/1

Shonn Green (NYJ) 14/1

Percy Harvin (MIN) 10/1

Darrius Heyward-Bay (OAK) 18/1

Juaquan Iglesias (CHI) 30/1

Cornelius Ingram (PHI) 50/1

Rashad Jennings (JAC) 30/1

Johnny Knox (CHI) 40/1

Jeremy Maclin (PHI) 18/1

Mohamed Massaquoi (CLE) 30/1

LeSean McCoy (PHI) 12/1

Knowshon Moreno (DEN) 5/2

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) 18/1

Brandon Pettigrew (DET) 30/1

Brian Robiskie (CLE) 20/1

Mark Sanchez (NYJ) 7/1

Matthew Stafford (DET) 8/1

Jason Smith (STL) 40/1

Mike Thomas (JAC) 25/1

Patrick Turner (MIA) 50/1

Mike Wallace (PIT) 50/1

Chris Wells (ARI) 7/2

Pat White (MIA) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 9/1

Betting Line

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