Spartans and Badgers meet in Big Ten tussle

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02/02/2010 - Madison, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The fifth-ranked Michigan State Spartans will attempt to remain perfect in Big Ten play when they pay a visit to the 16th- ranked Wisconsin Badgers, who are undefeated at home this season.

Michigan State is riding a 10-game win streak, as the club hasn't suffered a defeat since December 22nd. The Spartans haven't exactly been dominant in recent weeks, as their last six wins have come by single digits. They are 19-3 overall and are coming off a 79-70 decision over Northwestern.

As for Wisconsin, it had a modest two-game win streak halted with a 60-57 loss at Purdue last Thursday. The fact that the Badgers are just 2-4 at home and 12-0 at home illustrates how much more formidable they have been in Madison than in enemy territory. Wisconsin is 16-5 overall and 6-3 in conference.

Michigan State beat Wisconsin by a 54-47 final on January 6th, and the Spartans own a 68-58 series lead.

Through 22 outings, Michigan State is generating 76.5 ppg on 48.6 percent shooting from the floor, and the club is holding its opponents to 63.7 ppg on 39.5 percent field goal efficiency. The Spartans have been a dominant rebounding squad, ripping down 9.8 rpg more than the opposition on average. Kalin Lucas is netting 16.0 ppg to go along with 89 assists to pace Tom Izzo's squad, and Raymar Morgan checks in with 11.1 ppg. Rounding out a foursome of double-digit scorers are Durrell Summers (10.8 ppg) and Draymond Green (10.4 ppg, 8.0 rpg). Summers racked up 24 points and 10 rebounds in the victory over Northwestern on Saturday, and Lucas added 23 points. Delvon Roe netted 13 points for the Spartans, who shot 51.9 percent from the floor and earned a 37-27 rebounding advantage. A 22-13 edge in points from the foul line helped the cause as well.

Strong defense has been key to Wisconsin's success this season as expected, as the squad is holding foes to 57.1 ppg on 41 percent shooting from the floor. At the offensive end of the court, the Badgers are generating 68.1 ppg, and there are two active double-digit scorers in the fold. Trevon Hughes is netting 16.0 ppg, and Jason Bohannon provides 10.4 ppg. Wisconsin suffered a 37-25 rebounding disadvantage against Purdue last week, perhaps the most obvious contributing factor in the setback. The Badgers finished with 20 field goals in 50 minutes of action, an effort that simply wasn't good enough. Keaton Nankivil was the lone bright spot for Wisconsin, as he nailed 7-of-8 three-pointers en route to 25 points. The rest of the team combined to shoot 2-of-15 from behind the arc.

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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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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

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