Charlie Spoonhour passes away

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

02/01/2012 - Chapel Hill, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Missouri State, Saint Louis and UNLV head coach Charlie Spoonhour has died after his battle with lung disease. He was 72.

Spoonhour began his coaching career at Missouri State in 1983 -- then known as Southwest Missouri State -- and guided the Bears to a 197-81 mark and five NCAA Tournament appearances in nine seasons with the school

"The entire Missouri State University family is deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Spoonhour," MSU athletic director Kyle Moats said. "His legacy is one of class, distinction and achievement, and he will be dearly missed by the many lives he touched in his many endeavors."

Spoonhour then brought his popular brand of offensive basketball -- known as "Spoonball" -- to Saint Louis in 1992. In seven seasons with the Billikens, Spoonhour compiled a 122-90 record and led the school to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the school's first tournament appearance in 37 years in 1994. He also won the National Coach of the Year Award that season.

"Charlie was truly a great Billiken," Saint Louis athletics director Chris May said. "His commitment to his student-athletes, the University community and the St. Louis region helped energize the program like none other. Charlie was an unbelievably positive force in the history of our department. We are so proud that he will forever be associated with Billiken Basketball."

Spoonhour also served as UNLV's coach from 2001-2004, leading the Rebels to a 54-31 record.

Over 19 years as a Division I head coach, Spoonhour compiled a career mark of 373-202.

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If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

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"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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