07/01/2010 -
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Just one day after getting a qualifying
offer from the team, forward Rudy Gay has agreed to stay in Memphis as he will
sign a five-year deal with the Grizzlies.
It is being reported that the deal could net the 23-year-old a little more
than $82 million over the length of the contract.
Gay, the eighth overall pick in the 2006 draft, ranked second on the
Grizzlies' scoring list last season with 19.6 points per game, adding 5.9
rebounds and 1.5 steals in 80 contests.
Over his four-year career, Gay has averaged 17.4 points and 5.5 boards in 318
contests -- all with Memphis.
He had a visit to Minnesota scheduled for Thursday afternoon, but cancelled
the trip after agreeing to the deal.
<< Flyers bring in O'Donnell
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Flyers made yet
another move to add depth to their defense, signing veteran blueliner Sean
O'Donnell to a one-year contract on Thursday.
Terms of the deal were not disclo
<< Derksen goes low for lead in Paris
Paris, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Robert-Jan Derksen fired an eight-under 63 on
Thursday to take the opening-round lead of the Open de France at Le Golf
National.
Defending champion Martin Kaymer, Alejandro Canizares and Frenchman Jea
<< Chris Simms arrested
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tennessee Titans quarterback Chris Simms was
reportedly arrested early Thursday morning and charged with driving under the
influence of marijuana.
The New York Post reported the 29-year-old Simms was drivin
<< Injured Henin will miss U.S. Open
Brussels, Belgium (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former world No. 1 Justine Henin says an
elbow injury will force her to miss the final Grand Slam event of the year --
the U.S. Open.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion, a two-time U.S. Open titli
<< Canucks sign C Malhotra
Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Vancouver Canucks signed veteran center
Manny Malhotra to a three-year contract on Thursday.
The 30-year-old Malhotra scored a career-high 14 goals and added 19 assists in
71 games with San Jose last se
Zaleski tabbed interim athletic director at Towson >>
Towson, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ted Zaleski Jr. has been named the interim
director of athletics at Towson University.
Zaleski replaces Mike Hermann, who resigned from his position on June 15.
Zaleski has been chief of staff to the
Rodriguez's late homer lifts Yankees over Seattle >>
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alex Rodriguez slugged a two-run homer to snap a
tie in the eighth inning as the New York Yankees rallied late to down Seattle,
4-2, in the finale of a three-game series from Yankee Stadium.
Robinson Cano homer
Coyotes sign Morris >>
Glendale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes have re-signed defenseman
Derek Morris to a four-year deal on Thursday. The total contract is reportedly
worth $11 million.
Morris, 32, is in his second stint with Phoenix after getti
Habs bring in Auld for one year >>
Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Montreal Canadiens brought in goaltender
Alex Auld on a one-year deal Thursday.
Terms of the pact were not disclosed, but the Montreal Gazette reported it is
worth $1 million.
Auld, who split last
D.C. United signs Argentine forward Hernandez >>
Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - D.C. United signed Argentine forward Pablo
Hernandez on Thursday.
Hernandez, 23, joins United on loan from Club Defensor Sporting of the Uruguay
first division and will be available to play upon receipt of
Numerous College Basketball teams take final big step to March Madness betting
So, what turned on the lock spigot? Well, after what felt like weeks of teams treading water and slipping back into the bubble muck, a bunch of them finally decided to say "to heck with parity" and won games that should put them into the Big Dance.
Disagree with some of these? Then here's the challenge. Take all of the "should be ins" and make a legit case that each should be ahead of the team that's a lock. Then find 10 more teams that also should be placed in the bracket ahead of that lock team. Not so easy, is it?
If you want more evidence that these locks should be good to go, check out what our research department dug up. Since the NCAA Tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, only six teams from a "big six" conference have had a record of 10-6 or better in conference play and not been selected: Colorado (2004) and Nebraska (1999) from the Big 12, Boston College and Seton Hall (both 2003) from the Big East, Indiana (2005) from the Big Ten and UCLA, which somehow went 12-6 in the Pac-10 in 1988 and still missed out. (Note: Five teams went 11-7 and didn't get in, the latest being last season's Stanford team, which had a brutal nonconference run.)
Yes, 10 conference wins doesn't always mean what it used to because of unbalanced schedules, but this season, it should be plenty good in all but the extreme cases (see: Iowa).
In a way, this is a welcome development, because this is a bubble watch, not a lock watch. We can finally be done with teams like Maryland and Virginia Tech and start really bearing down on at-large battles such as Syracuse-West Virginia and Appalachian State-Georgia Tech.
Interestingly, all the shifting of teams into lock status appears to be more administrative than impactful. The number of remaining available at-larges didn't change one iota. The only difference is that teams on the bubble now have a clearer idea of which team(s) they are competing with for those precious bids.
As always, I've tried to be as inclusive as possible while only including teams that would have a reasonable chance of at least being discussed if this were Selection Sunday. If your team's not on here, there's probably a good reason (or three) -- start with the RPI and SOS numbers and work your way down.
(Please remember, per selection committee criteria, that records displayed are Division I only. Next update: Feb. 28)
If you have a legitimate grievance, or just like talking bubble, send an e-mail. Polite ones with fact-based arguments have a much better chance of receiving a response. I apologize in advance if I can't get back to all of you.
Atlantic Coast Conference
Work left to do: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech
The ACC moves to six locks as BC, Va Tech and Virginia all got their 10th ACC wins, which should be more than enough this season, and Maryland rallied past North Carolina to get the final piece the Terps needed. After that? It could end there unless FSU, Ga Tech or Clemson picks things up in a hurry.
Work left to do:
Clemson [19-9 (5-9), RPI: 41, SOS: 42] The Tigers are closer to locking up the collapse of the year award (in a good battle with OK State) than they are to grabbing an at-large. Clemson's been very competitive, but there's no really positive way you can spin nine losses in 11 games. They now cannot get to .500 in ACC play and still must head to Virginia Tech in the season finale (after hosting Miami). Unless the Tigers win both and/or do some serious work in the ACC tourney, they very well could be left out. There are no great nonconference wins, but ODU, App State, Miss. State, South Carolina and Georgia are all respectable W's.
Florida State [18-11 (6-9), RPI: 48, SOS: 14] The Noles got thrashed at Maryland to run their losing streak to five, but then pounded NC State at home to set the table for what likely is an elimination game at Miami. You can at least make a case for the Seminoles at 7-9 in ACC play (and some work in the ACC tourney), but 6-10 is not going to cut it. Wins at Duke and over Florida will resonate, but the computer numbers remain questionable. Beyond Florida, FSU thrashed bubble buddy Providence, but there's not a ton beyond those two games that will help. They didn't show well in big-time opportunities against Pitt and Wisconsin (before the Florida win).
Georgia Tech [18-10 (6-8), RPI: 51, SOS: 46] The Jackets beat Wake on Wednesday but couldn't get it done at UVa on Saturday, which could be a crucial loss with UNC and BC (both at home) remaining and 8-8 almost a certain need for at-large consideration. A nonconference win over Memphis helps, but the RPI and SOS are not at-large quality right now; if you combine those with a sub-.500 ACC mark, that could spell NIT for GT.
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