Radford faces tall task in clash with No. 2 Kentucky
NCAA Basketball Betting Lines
11/23/2011 - Lexington, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The second-ranked Kentucky Wildcats return to the friendly confines of Rupp Arena this evening, as they play host to the Radford Highlanders in non-conference action in Lexington.
John Calipari has yet another young, but extremely talented team this season and the Wildcats have certainly not disappointed early on, going 4-0. Most recently, Kentucky took part in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-off Tournament in Uncansville, Connecticut, knocking off both Penn State (87-45) and Old Dominion (62-52).
The Highlanders have already experienced ups and down on the season, reflected in Radford's 3-3 record. The team enters this contest having lost back-to-back games to Long Island (81-59) and Marist (60-47) in the same Hall of Fame Tip- off Classic.
This marks the first-ever meeting between these two programs on the hardwood.
Six games into the season and it has become clear that the Highlanders are not an offensive juggernaut. The team has really struggled to find its groove at that end of the floor, shooting just .376 overall, including a mere .291 from behind the arc. The poor performance has even extended to the free-throw line, where Radford is converting just 57.1 percent of the time (56-of-98). It has led to a meager scoring average of 61.2 ppg. The good news is that the team has played better defensively, limiting the opposition to just 59.3 ppg. Jareal Smith is the only player currently averaging double figures in scoring at a modest 11.7 ppg. Johnathan Edwards is close behind at 9.7 ppg and is the team's top rebounder with 6.5 rpg. In a 13-point loss to Marist last time out, Radford was done in by The Red Foxes' efficiency from the floor, more specifically in the second half, where Marist was able to convert 66.7 percent from the floor. Edwards led the way in the loss with 13 points. Smith chipped in with nine.
Kentucky has not had a problem at either end of the floor this season, boasting of a gaudy +27.0 scoring margin, averaging 82.5 ppg, while allowing just 55.5. The Wildcats are shooting .534 overall and .431 from three-point range, with all five starters averaging double figures. Doron Lamb leads the way with 16.5 ppg. He is followed by Anthony Davis (12.8 ppg), Michael Kidd- Gilchrist (12.3 ppg), Terrence Jones (11.0 ppg) and Marquis Teague (10.8 ppg). UK is also outrebounding foes by 8.3 rebounds per game, led by Jones' 8.0 per outing. In the 10-point win over Old Dominion last time out, it was Kentucky's defense that took center stage. The Wildcats held the Monarchs to a mere .321 shooting, including .292 in the second half, in addition to holding a +10 rebounding edge (43-33). Kidd-Gilchrist and Darius Miller led the way offensively with 13 points each. Davis finished with 11 and tied Gilchrist for the team-lead with nine rebounds.
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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South
In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
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