Top-seeded Memphis can’t seem to impress the bettors

For most of the regular season, Memphis was the last undefeated team in Division I college basketball.

But after winning 26 consecutive games and 47 in a row at home, the Tigers lost, 66-62, to Tennessee and they suddenly turned into the nation’s most forgotten team.

That’s why Memphis will play its first game of this year’s NCAA tournament without much fanfare despite owning a No. 1 seeding and a 33-1 record.

But the Tigers are not considered a “sleeper” team to Las Vegas oddsmakers, who have them listed on most betting boards at 6-1 to win it all heading into their South Regional opening game against Texas Arlington today.

Texas Arlington -- playing in the NCAA tournament for the first time -- is not given much of a chance to pull off an upset.

The Mavericks are 24 1/2 -point underdogs against Memphis.

Like fellow top-seeded teams UCLA, Kansas and North Carolina, Memphis will enjoy a “home-court” type of advantage playing its first-round games in North Little Rock, Ark., which is a two-hour drive from campus.

Bodoglife.com, however, considers the Tigers a shakier bet to advance to the Final Four compared to the odds given to Kansas (1-1), UCLA and North Carolina (2-3). Memphis is listed at 3-2 to win the South Regional with enticing lines given to Texas (3-1), Stanford (4-1) and Pittsburgh (6-1).

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There are a couple of interesting NCAA tournament proposition bets available at Sportsbetting.com. Total wins by Pacific 10 Conference teams: Over 9.5 (-130) or under 9.5 (even). Total wins by Big East Conference teams: Over 11.5 (-150) or under 11.5 (+120). Total wins by Atlantic Coast Conference teams: Over 9 (-120) or under 9 (-120).

There are other proposition tournament odds listed at Bodoglife.com. The player who will be named the 2008 tournament MVP: North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough (5-1), UCLA’s Kevin Love (8-1), Memphis’ Chris Douglas-Roberts (8-1), UCLA’s Darren Collison (12-1). The player with the most total rebounds in the tournament: Hansbrough (4-1), Love (6-1), Memphis’ Joey Dorsey (8-1), Stanford’s Brook Lopez (18-1).

Hockey

The Detroit Red Wings may be the only team in the NHL with more than 100 points, but they’ve struggled against opponents from their Central Division.

Heading into Thursday night’s game against Nashville, the first-place Red Wings had a mediocre 11-11-2 record against Central teams.

But against the rest of the Western Conference, Detroit is 10-0-2. That’s why the Red Wings are still considered the favorite to represent the conference in this season’s Stanley Cup finals.

According to the updated odds posted at Sportsbetting.com, Detroit is listed at 8-5, followed by the Ducks at 3-1, the San Jose Sharks at 4-1 and Dallas Stars at 8-1.

In the Eastern Conference, the Pittsburgh Penguins lead the way with 11-4 odds, followed by the Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils at 7-2, and the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers at 9-2.

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lonnie.white@latimes.com