Arkansas seeks upset of No. 4 Oklahoma

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

12/30/2008 - Fayetteville, AR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arkansas Razorbacks of the SEC are considered underdogs on their home court tonight, as they welcome the mighty Oklahoma Sooners of the Big 12 to town.

Oklahoma remains undefeated, as the squad has won all 12 of its games this season. The Sooners have been idle since December 22nd when they knocked off Rice by a 70-58 final. Considering that they have beaten the likes of USC, Purdue and Davidson so far, the strong start hasn't been the result of a weak schedule. Oklahoma has played just two true road games this season, and both have resulted in double-digit victories.

As for Arkansas, it has won all eight of its home games thus far and owns a 9-1 overall record. The Razorbacks have played a ridiculously soft schedule, however, as the team has beaten up on the likes of North Carolina Central, Stephen F. Austin and Southeastern Louisiana. On Saturday, they crushed Northwestern State by a 95-56 final.

Arkansas owns a 12-10 edge in the all-time series with Oklahoma, but the Sooners have won the last five meetings.

The best frontcourt player in the nation wears the Oklahoma uniform, and his name is Blake Griffin. A tremendously athletic and powerful forward, Griffin is scoring 23.0 ppg to go along with 14.1 ppg. He is shooting 68.3 percent from the floor, has blocked 15 shots and come away with 20 steals. While Griffin is clearly the focus of the offense, he gets some help from freshman Willie Warren. A standout guard, Warren is posting 14.9 ppg, while Blake Griffin's brother Taylor checks in with 9.4 ppg. The Sooners are generating 78.7 ppg while limiting opponents to 63.2 ppg on 39.7 percent field goal efficiency. Blake Griffin was tremendous in the recent win over Rice, as he racked up 27 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. Warren was outstanding as well, as he exploded for 31 points. Those two players accounted for all but 12 of the team's 70 points, and the margin of victory would have been greater if not for the fact that the Sooners shot just 17-of-34 from the foul line and committed 17 turnovers.

Arkansas has four double-digit scorers on its roster, and Courtney Fortson leads the way with 15.9 ppg on 50 percent shooting from the field, including 45.2 percent efficiency from three-point range. Michael Washington checks in with 15.1 ppg on 54.5 percent accuracy from the floor, and he is ripping down 10.3 rpg. Rotnei Clarke is netting 12.6 ppg, and Stefan Welsh adds 12.4 ppg. The Razorbacks are averaging 81.0 ppg while holding foes to 66.4 ppg. In the blowout victory over Northwestern State, Arkansas got 27 points from Welsh on the strength of a 6-of-8 effort from three-point range. Fortson contributed 18 points and nine assists off the bench, and Marcus Britt posted 15 points. As for Michael Sanchez, he had 10 rebounds for Arkansas, which forced 29 turnovers and limited its overmatched opponent to 35.5 percent shooting from the floor.

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

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Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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