Florida inches closer to SEC crown, as Gators host Gamecocks

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

02/21/2007 - Gainesville, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The third-ranked Florida Gators have been knocked off their perch atop the college basketball world, at least temporarily, but they continue to rule the SEC and are heavy favorites in tonight's matchup with the South Carolina Gamecocks.

South Carolina carried a five-game skid into Saturday's home game against Tennessee, but the result was a thrilling 81-64 victory. The Gamecocks are a game over .500 overall, but their 3-9 league mark leaves much to be desired.

Florida was a perfect 11-0 in SEC play heading into Saturday's road clash with a strong Vanderbilt squad, and the Commodores scored an 83-70 upset victory in that tilt. Still, the Gators are steamrolling toward a regular season league title and are a perfect 16-0 at home.

Also, keep in mind that Florida crushed South Carolina by an 84-50 final back on January 13th, and the Gators own a 31-19 advantage in the all-time series between the teams.

South Carolina guard Tre' Kelley is one of the better players in the SEC, but he doesn't receive a great deal of attention because of the struggles of his team. Despite facing constant double teams, Kelley is averaging 18.3 ppg to rank among the league leaders. He is also dishing out five assists per contest and gives maximum effort every time he takes the floor. Unfortunately, only one other player in the lineup is scoring in double figures, as Brandon Wallace checks in with 10.3 ppg and 9.6 rpg. USC is netting a modest 64.9 ppg on 42.4 percent overall shooting, and the lack of offensive production has resulted in the poor record. Kelley scored 25 points against Tennessee and actually got plenty of support from his teammates for a change in Saturday's win. The Gamecocks shot 53.7 percent from the floor and limited the Vols to 38.2 percent.

After winning the national championship last season, all five starters for Florida decided to return to school rather than give in to the lure of NBA riches. All five standouts are averaging double figures in scoring this season, as the Gators may be the nation's most unselfish team. Taurean Green paces the club with 13.6 ppg on the strength of his 42.2 percent shooting from three-point range, and he has dished out 96 assists. Corey Brewer checks in with 13.0 ppg, and Joakim Noah adds 12.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 47 blocks. Al Horford is contributing 12.6 ppg and 8.8 rpg, while Lee Humphrey rounds out the group with 10.2 ppg on 47.4 percent accuracy from behind the arc. The Gators are racking up 81.0 ppg while limiting opponents to 61.0 ppg. Noah scored 15 points to pace Florida in the loss to Vandy, but the freakishly athletic forward only took five shots from the floor and needs to be a bit more assertive at the offensive end. Poor defense led to the defeat, as the Gators permitted the Commodores to shoot 57.1 percent from the field.

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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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