Odds on 2006 Wooden Award

[BangTheBook]

PINNACLESPORTS.COM RELEASES ODDS ON 2006 WOODEN AWARD
Duke Duo & Gonzaga Star Favorites To Be Named College Basketball Player of
the Year

WILLEMSTAD, CURACAO (December 1, 2005)-Now that the major pre-season
tournaments have concluded, the play of several top candidates has allowed
them to stake their claim as serious contenders to win college
basketball's top honor, the John R. Wooden Award. Although the season is
only weeks old, leading Internet sportsbook PinnacleSports.com has entered
the early player of the year debates by announcing odds on who'll be named
the 2006 Wooden Award winner.

The largest sports betting site on the Internet, PinnacleSports.com
currently has two teammates on the top-ranked team in the nation as the
early favorites to earn college basketball's most prestigious award. After
earning MVP honors while leading Duke to the NIT Season Tip-Off
championship, Sheldon Williams has been made the early favorite to win the
Wooden Award at 11/4 odds. PinnacleSports.com currently lists Williams'
teammate and last year's runner-up J.J. Redick with the second-best odds
at 3/1 to be named the nation's top collegiate player. Adam Morrison's
explosive offensive display in the Maui Invitational earned him tournament
MVP honors despite Gonzaga's loss in the championship game and positioned
him as a solid contender for player of the year honors, currently listed
at 7/2 odds to win the award. Viewed by many experts as the most talented
player in college basketball, Connecticut sophomore Rudy Gay is currently
a 9/1 long shot to take home the Wooden Award at PinnacleSports.com.

"Duke's dynamic duo of Sheldon Williams and JJ Redick are widely
considered the frontrunners to become the Blue Devils fifth Wooden Award
winner," said Simon Noble of PinnacleSports.com. "Although he finished
second in last year's voting, Redick may not be the most valuable player
on his own team as Williams' inside presence is something Duke cannot win
without. While he may not play in a major conference like the ACC or Big
East, Adam Morrison has already proved that he's one of the best scorers
and all-around players in the nation, worthy of serious consideration on
every Wooden Award ballot."

Texas sophomore sensation Daniel Gibson may appear on several pre-season
All-American teams, but PinnacleSports.com believes the Longhorns point
guard is a long shot to be named college basketball's top player, listing
Gibson at 19/2 odds. Other players the online sportsbook lists as large
underdogs to capture the Wooden Award include: Boston College's Craig
Smith (15/1); Kentucky's Rajon Rando (15/1); Illinois' Dee Brown (30/1)
and West Virginia's Kevin Pittsnogle (100/1).

Current Odds: *All Odds Subject To Change*

Odds To Win 2005-06 Wooden Award
Sheldon Williams, Duke 11/4
J.J. Redick, Duke 3/1
Adam Morrison, Gonzaga 7/2
Rudy Gay, Connecticut 9/1
Daniel Gibson, Texas 19/2
Craig Smith, Boston College 15/1
Rajon Rando, Kentucky 15/1
Dee Brown, Illinois 30/1
Kevin Pittsnogle, West Virginia 100/1