Notre Dame In State Poll

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Syracuse remained a solid No. 1 Monday in the Associated Press college basketball poll. The undefeated Orange (13-0) received 54 first-place votes, up one from last week, after beating Bucknell and Tulane in their final non-conference games.

Missouri, Connecticut and Florida rounded out the top 10 and were followed by Wisconsin, Georgetown, Indiana, Marquette, Mississippi State, Michigan State, Kansas, Michigan, UNLV, Murray State, Creighton, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Harvard and San Diego State to finish the top 25.

No. 24 Harvard was in the AP poll for only the second time. It lost its first- ever game as a ranked team to Connecticut three weeks ago and fell out of the poll.

Lincoln, NE (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Nebraska Cornhuskers get their first taste of Big Ten Conference play tonight as they tangle with 11th-ranked Wisconsin at home in the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln. Nebraska, which historically plays most of its non-conference games at home during the first month or so of the season, is in the midst of a four-game homestand right now and is carrying a four-game overall win streak into this meeting tonight. A week ago the Huskers had their problems with Central Michigan, but still managed to come away with a 72-69 triumph in order to move to 6-2 on their own floor.

The Huskers are ahead in the all-time series between the teams with a 10-6 mark, although the most recent matchup in 1998 fell in favor of the Badgers by a score of 78-41 on a neutral floor. Prior to that, the last win for Wisconsin came in 1955 (71-52).

The Huskers made good on 58.3 percent from the floor in the first half, but then dropped down to 40.9 percent in the second half against Central Michigan last week. Luckily, Nebraska saved itself by connecting on 19-of-25 at the free-throw line after the break as it dealt with not having two of its top scorers in action. All five starters scored in double figures as Bo Spencer and Brandon Richardson both delivered 15 points, the former also handing out nine of the team's 17 assists. Brandon Ubel, Toney McCray and Caleb Walker all tossed in 11 points for the group, with McCray clearing eight boards as well. Without Brian Jorge Diaz (10.9 ppg) and Dylan Talley (9.1 ppg) the Huskers are leaning more heavily on Spencer who is putting up a team-leading 16.0 ppg in his first season with the program. Spencer has also handed out 47 assists and made 17 steals which helps to compensate for his 41.5 percent shooting from the floor thus far. While the Nebraska defense isn't anywhere near as powerful as that of the Badgers, the Huskers have to be pleased with the fact that they've been able to limit opponents to only 61.1 ppg to this point.

As for Notre Dame, it is a rather mediocre 8-5 overall this season, but all eight home games have resulted in victory. The team has been idle since December 19 when it crushed Sacred Heart in a 106-65 final, the third win in the last four outings for the squad.

Notre Dame lost its best players, Tim Abromaitis, at the very beginning of the season, and several players have been asked to step up in his absence. Eric Atkins has emerged as the leading active scorer for the club with his 13.9 ppg, and he is second with 44 assists. Jerian Grant, who is tops with 57 assists, ranks second in scoring with 12.7 ppg. The Fighting Irish are generating 72.7 ppg while limiting opponents to 65.2 ppg on 41.5 percent field goal efficiency. In the 41-point romp over Sacred Heart last time out, five UND players reached double figures in scoring, and Jack Cooley led the way with 19 points and eight rebounds. Grant tallied 15 points and seven assists, while Atkins netted 13 points. The Irish shot 61.4 percent from the field and finished with 25 assists against only four turnovers in what was a tremendous offensive performance.

Charlottesville, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 23rd-ranked Virginia Cavaliers have an outstanding chance to add another victory to their record before the start of ACC play when the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks come to Charlottesville this evening. Maryland-Eastern Shore, a member of the MEAC, is 0-1 in conference action and a disappointing 3-9 overall. The Hawks have lost two of their last three games and are coming off a 64-60 setback at Air Force back on December 17.

comments

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•    Luck is what you have left over after you give 100 percent. - Langston Coleman #quotes

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•    notre dame whooped some tail tonight just by the way.

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•    Bae, I'm going home now. I can't feel my fingers. Tweet you in a few :)

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•    Hey urinals, give us something to aim at. Maybe a Wisconsin Badgers logo or somethin like that. I like to be competitive when I pee.

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•    Pitt State defeated MO Southern in mens and womens basketball #fuckinA

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•    - i remember las year i was outside at tha notre dame pep rally .

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•    This school plays notre dame though

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•    On the floor in ac >>>>

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