Injury-riddled Bruins hope to rebound against Wildcats

NCAA Football Betting Lines

10/30/2007 -

LOS ANGELES (AP) -Their No. 1 quarterback is still sidelined, their backup is limping, their leading rusher is out with a sprained knee, and their top receiver is sidelined by bruised ribs.

What already was an up-and-down season for UCLA seems in peril of being a real downer the rest of the way for the battered Bruins.

Coming off their latest stumble, a 27-7 loss at Washington State, the Bruins continue their Pac-10 schedule with a game at Arizona this weekend.

Afterward, they face No. 6 Arizona State and No. 4 Oregon before closing out the regular season against No. 13 Southern California.

UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said the Bruins remain determined to finish on a high note.

``We're determined to continue to work through some of the difficult circumstances that happened this season. There have been some unfortunate setbacks, but this team still has a lot to play for, with four games remaining,'' Dorrell said Monday.

``We still have a lot of time to get ourselves improved and that begins this week and playing this weekend in Arizona. We're just going to continue to work hard; that's really the answer to all the scenarios floating out there.''

The Bruins (5-3, 4-1) remain in the Pac-10 race since they have just one league loss.

``There's a a lot to still play for in this conference,'' Dorrell said. ``We're in pretty good shape in terms of that. We're not in the best of shape in terms of our health. But there are a lot of teams that are ailing.''

The Bruins have been without starting quarterback Ben Olson since a left knee injury knocked him out in the first quarter of the 20-6 loss to Notre Dame on Oct. 6. Backup Patrick Cowan, who hurt his right knee against Washington on Sept. 22, returned to help the Bruins beat California 30-21 on Oct. 20. Then, obviously still not fully recovered from the knee injury, was ineffective in last weekend's loss in Pullman.

Tailback Khalil Bell, who has averaged 99.4 yards a game rushing this year, scored on a 50-yard run on the third play against the Cougars, then went out with season-ending knee injury. He will undergo surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee as soon as the swelling subsides.

Tailback Chris Markey, the team's leading rusher and receiver last year, has seen limited duty in recent weeks because of a toe injury.

Brandon Breazell, who has 34 catches for 555 yards and three touchdowns, left the game against WSU in the second quarter because of bruised ribs and is listed as day-to-day.

``We're going to have young players have opportunities to step up and play,'' Dorrell said. ``I'm confident with getting them prepared and getting them ready to play, that they can do some good things for us. They're excited about the opportunities, too.''

Dorrell, asked what might explain the Bruins' inconsistency this year, said: ``How well you're executing on Saturdays. That's really the result of determining whether you're going to get yourselves out of that particular mind-set. I think secondly, it's more mental than anything.

``It's not a physical issue. We're more than capable of playing very, very well, and we need to continue to push this team to overcome, and for us coaches to continue to overcome these setbacks. That's really what our mind-set is.''

Arizona (3-6, 2-4) rallied for a 48-41 victory over Washington in Seattle on Saturday, when the Wildcats' Willie Tuitama threw for 510 yards and five touchdowns.

``That was a big, big win for them,'' Dorrell said. ``Now they're coming back home to play us. We know they're going to be excited. We're going to have to be ready to play and improve from this unfortunate setback (at WSU). This team is ready to respond and do that, like we've done in the past.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Gambling-sportsbook-online NCAA Football Betting News

<< Buccaneers confident they can regain winning edge
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Jeff Garcia tried to put a positive spin on Tampa Bay's third loss in four games.The team's promising 3-1 start has dissolved into a 4-4 record, however the Buccaneers are confident they will regroup the second half of the season a

<< Clemens is Jets' starter as Pennington heads to bench
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -There were no awkward moments or uncomfortable conversations. Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens had already prepared for this situation.When Jets coach Eric Mangini announced Monday that he was turning to Clemens as his starti

<< Favre fabulous in OT as Packers beat Broncos
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brett Favre added to his legend under the lights, finding Greg Jennings for a game-winning 82-yard touchdown in overtime, sending the Green Bay Packers to a dramatic 19-13 victory over the Broncos

<< Florida State's Lee suspended
Tallahassee, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Florida State has suspended backup quarterback Xavier Lee for two games. "Xavier (Lee) has been suspended for two games for violation of academic policy," said head coach Bobby Bowden. "That'

<< Setoguchi nets two goals in NHL debut as Sharks top Stars
Dallas, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Devin Setoguchi scored two goals in his NHL debut to help the San Jose Sharks overcome the Dallas Stars, 4-2, at American Airlines Center. Setoguchi's first goal tied the game with 8:07 left, and

Brennan: Best is yet to come for No. 12 Hawaii >>
HONOLULU (AP) -Colt Brennan isn't surprised by Hawaii's perfect 8-0 start and believes the 12th-ranked Warriors are just getting going.Hawaii's star quarterback said he withdrew from the NFL draft and returned for his senior season, in part, to lead

Report: Torre to Dodgers >>
Westchester, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly ready to fire manager Grady Little and replace him with former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre. The Journal-News of Westchester, New York, citing tw

College Basketball Preview - Atlantic Sun Conference >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - OUTLOOK: The Atlantic Sun Conference becomes more crowded this season, as two more teams will join the ranks, making the jump to the big time. The two new programs are South Carolina-Upstate and Florida

College Basketball Preview - Mid-American Conference >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - OUTLOOK: The Akron Zips and Kent State Golden Flashes battled for the East Division last season, while the Toledo Rockets ran away with the West Division, but none of those three teams captur

College Basketball Preview - Northeast Conference >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - OUTLOOK: The Northeast Conference has experienced uncommon parity in the era of dominant programs in Division I basketball. There has not been a repeat NEC champion since the 1993-94 season, an

MySportsbook.com: NBA Championship Odds

With the playoffs about two months away, the top two teams in the Western Conference are the clear cut leaders to win the NBA Championship. The Dallas Mavericks have the best record in the NBA (44-9) and have been absolutely scorching since the second week of the season.  What makes the Mavs’ record more impressive is the fact that they dropped their first four games of the season.  Currently they have won 17 out of their last 18 and are MySportsbook.com’s favorite (2-1) to win it all.  Right behind the Mavs are the Pacific leading Phoenix Suns (39-13).  Last season, the Suns lost in the Conference Finals to non-other then the Mavericks four games to two.  Of course the Suns were without center Amare Stoudemire who has is averaging 19.9 PPG and 9.5 RPG since coming back from his knee injury.  Unlike the Mavs, the Suns have struggled a bit lately having lost their last three and four out of their last seven.  Of course the main reason for their three straight loses is due to the absence of two time MVP Steve Nash, who is out with a shoulder injury.  Heads-up, the Mavs have beaten the Suns in both of their meetings this season.

In the Eastern Conference, the Pistons (32-19) are the favorites to win it all at 6-1. The addition of Chris Webber seems to have been a good move for the Pistons.  Since coming over from the 76ers, Webber has averaged 13.1 PPG and 7.3 RPG and the Pistons are 11-4.  Even though the defending champion Heat are currently on the playoff making cusp, they are the Eastern Conference team that is getting the most action to win it all (9-1).  The fact that Shaquille O’Neal is back in the starting lineup after missing 39 games probably has something to do with this.  No doubt, Shaq makes a difference when in the lineup as their winning six out of their last seven would indicate.

Just because it is the All-Star break doesn’t mean that you can’t bet on NBA hoops this weekend.  Be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com to bet on who you think will cut down the nets this July. Also, be sure to check out all of the lines and props for All-Star weekend.  With the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry, there are plenty of ways to cash in on the NBA this weekend.

MySportsbook.com’s NBA Championship odds:

Atlanta Hawks 1000-1

Boston Celtics 5000-1

Charlotte Bobcats 5000-1

Chicago Bulls 20-1

Cleveland Cavaliers 20-1

Dallas Mavericks 2-1

Denver Nuggets 25-1

Detroit Pistons 6-1

Golden State Warriors 250-1

Houston Rockets 12-1

Indiana Pacers 60-1

Los Angeles Clippers 45-1

Memphis Grizzlies 5000-1

Miami Heat 9-1

Milwaukee Bucks 1000-1

Minnesota T-Wolves 200-1

New Jersey Nets 50-1

New Orleans Hornets 150-1

New York Knicks 150-1

Orlando Magic 75-1

Philadelphia 76ers 1000-1

Phoenix Suns 5-2

Portland TrailBlazers 1000-1

Sacramento Kings 250-1

San Antonio Spurs 9-1

Seattle Sonics 5000-1

Toronto Raptors 35-1

Utah Jazz 20-1

Washington Wizards 25-1

About MySportsbook.com:


MySportsbook.com  is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best online Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.

Pacific-10 Conference odds

Teams that should be in: Stanford

Oregon and USC get their tickets punched after taking care of business this weekend. Yes, the Trojans' computer numbers aren't great, but there's no way the third-place team in this league is getting nixed. Grudgingly, I added Arizona after consultation with our Bracketologist. I don't know that Arizona will lose its last three (including a Pac-10 quarterfinal game), and even if the Cats do, I still can't see how they'd be left out, given the overall profile. That said, it bears watching, as three more L's would leave them at 18-12 (9-9) and on a 6-11 skid entering the Dance. It would be nice to see the Wildcats get at least one W in the Bay Area next week, as Cincinnati (albeit without Armein Kirkland and with a worse profile) was axed after a similar slide last season. I just couldn't rationalize having some of the other teams as locks and not having Arizona in that category -- there just aren't enough good teams behind the Cats to threaten their spot, it seems. Stanford has its fate in its own hands with the Arizona schools coming to the Farm to close out the regular season next weekend.

Should be in:

Stanford [17-10 (9-7), RPI: 40, SOS: 21] No shame in not getting a win in L.A., but that makes the home game against Arizona State a must-win ahead of what could be an intriguing meeting with Arizona should the Cats lose at Cal. Getting to 11 Pac-10 wins would make Selection Sunday much more comfortable, but 10's probably more than enough this season. The Cardinal have nonconference wins over Texas Tech and at Virginia to lean on, although they also lost badly to Air Force and Santa Clara at home.

Southeastern Conference odds
Work left to do: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Mississippi State

It looks more and more possible that no one from the SEC West will make the NCAAs. How weird is that? Tennessee and Vandy move into the locks category after more good work this weekend. Kentucky stays there, although it would be smart for the Cats to handle Georgia at home Wednesday ahead of a trip to the Swamp. Could a disaster scenario (two more L's and a first-round SEC tourney exit) somehow dislodge the Cats despite their incredible computer numbers? Still unlikely, but not worth chancing it.

Work left to do:

Alabama [19-9 (6-8), RPI: 43, SOS: 47] The tough L at Tennessee was understandable, and even created some hope. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed by a home loss to Auburn, which leaves the Tide in some real trouble. There's still no signature win on the profile (no, Kentucky doesn't count), and the computer profile is weakening rapidly. The Tide conceivably could beat Ole Miss and win at Miss. State to get to 8-8 and clinch at least a share of the West crown, but that's probably not enough right now. The Tide will need to do some work in the SEC tourney.

Georgia [16-10 (8-6), RPI: 52, SOS: 23] This is the team with the best chance to make it from this section right now. The Bulldogs rebounded from a terrible performance at Ole Miss to beat down Miss. State. Now they are at Kentucky (king of the RPI 51-100 win) and home to Tennessee. That would be worth a lot of computer points to get both (which is doable), as both teams are in the top 11 in RPI. Finishing at least 9-7 is an absolute must, and I would feel much better about the Dawgs' chances if they got both to get to 10 SEC wins. They also beat Gonzaga, but lost to ACC bubblers Georgia Tech and Clemson.

Mississippi [18-10 (7-7), RPI: 63, SOS: 79] Like everyone else in this division, Ole Miss gacked up a chance to stake a claim, losing by double figures at South Carolina. Even 9-7 likely is not nearly enough with a nonconference profile devoid of anything notable.

Mississippi State [16-11 (7-7), RPI: 66, SOS: 37] With a chance to get in the mix, these Bulldogs were leashed by their Georgia counterparts. Could they get to 9-7? I guess -- although winning at Arkansas, then beating Alabama is no lock -- but would that mean all that much for a team with this overall profile? Probably not. There's nothing of note (on the good side) in the nonconference profile.

For more College Basketball betting lines go to MySportsbook.com

Additional sports lines can be found at: www.Sportsbooks.com

To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards.