As far as predictions go, those made surrounding the 2010 NCAA Tournament have generally been less than successful than picking a Kentucky derby odds or a World Cup Betting winner.

Still, as we look ahead to Saturday’s Final Four, sportsbook odds makers are showing confidence in

both Butler and Duke. Butler, who hasn’t lost in 2010, will look to take on the Michigan State Spartans, another underdog team that’s made it far

further than most brackets – or the current injury report would have predicted. Butler have been literally unstoppable in 2010, having not lost since

before the midway break in the season. Their hot streak has extended into tournament play – they shocked the world by knocking off Final Four odds favorite Kansas in the Elite Eight. While the

game will be far from a blowout, famed Michigan State coach Tom Izzo will have to pull some serious tricks out of his bag to damage Butler’s seemingly

impenetrable defense: The Bulldogs have allowed opponents less than 60 points in each of their tournament games thus far.

On the other side, Duke will take on the West Virginia Mountaineers, the team responsible for bouncing the second overall tournament favorite Kentucky

from action. Duke are the team most likely to be here, and they will look to cement that status by shutting down the plucky West Virginia. The

Mountaineers have stellar defense and impressive size, but Duke’s formidable defense and stellar perimeter game will prove too much for the

Mountaineers.

In NBA news, the New Jersey Nets have avoided settling into the worst spot in the league – for now. And unlike soccer and Champions League Betting they won’t be relegated for the poor performance.

The team avoided the unpleasant distinction with their sportsbook upset 90-84 victory over the San

Antonio Spurs. Despite the fact that San Antonio was missing two of their best players, the win was an important one for the Nets, who have now won 10

games this season. This means they will avoid being paired in the history books with the 1972-73 Philadelphia Sixers, who finished that season with a

nightmarish 9-73 record. The small victories are important.

The team also showed an increased ability to grit it out in the game, outscoring the Spurs 18-7 down the stretch to post their surprising win. Still,

fans of sports betting know that San Antonio was playing without Tony Parker, who is still out with a fractured

right hand, and Manu Ginobili was pulled from the starting lineup suffering from back pain. Roger Mason was also out before the half with a sprained

pinky.

The game also saw the Nets display some improved defense – especially in the latter half of the game. San Antonio didn’t even get to the line in the

fourth quarter, a fact which speaks volumes of how tight New Jersey was playing.

For San Antonio, Tim Duncan continued to look rough, going 6-for-15 and giving up four turnovers, including a cross court pass that flew out of bounds

and into the stands with just under eight seconds remaining.

Despite the milestone 10th win, the team has little to celebrate – as Devin Harris pointed out, “It’s exciting to get to 10 wins, but then again, it is

10 wins.”