NCAA upholds Florida State penalties; Bowden's win total affected
NCAA Football Betting Lines
01/05/2010 - Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NCAA has denied an appeal by Florida State to overturn the vacation-of-records penalty stemming from academic fraud violations, a decision that will cost former head football coach Bobby Bowden some of his victories.
Bowden stepped down as FSU's head coach after the Seminoles beat West Virginia in the Gator Bowl. He retired with 389 wins, second-most in major college football behind Penn State's Joe Paterno, but that total will now be reduced.
The Division I Committee on Infractions originally levied the records penalty, along with a four-year period of probation and reduced scholarships, in March of 2009 for major violations across 10 sports involving 61 student-athletes during 2006 and 2007.
Bowden's teams won a total of 14 games during the 2006 and '07 seasons. All 14 wins could be vacated if ineligible players participated in those games.
In addition to academic fraud, the case involved improper benefits, unethical conduct by academic service staff members and a failure on Florida State's part to monitor the developments.
Florida State, in its written appeal, said the vacation-of-records penalty was excessive, adding that the infractions committee did not appropriately consider the school's cooperation during the investigation.
An appeals committee, however, disagreed.
"The cooperative efforts of the university clearly did not outweigh the aggravating factors in this case -- the nature, number, scope and seriousness of the violations," the appeals committee stated in its report.
Florida State must still determine the contests in which the ineligible student-athletes participated and then report those vacated records to the NCAA national office. Individual records of the student-athletes and head coaches in those sports also must be vacated.
The NCAA said the case involved three former academic support staff members -- a learning specialist, academic advisor and tutor -- that gave improper assistance to the athletes, which resulted in the academic fraud.
Chennai, India (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - American Robby Ginepri upended world No. 8 Swede Robin Soderling in Tuesday's first-round action at the season-opening Chennai Open, an Australian Open tune-up. Ginepri grounded the top-seeded Soderli
<< Hurricanes' Walker out 4-6 weeks after shoulder surgery
Raleigh, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carolina Hurricanes forward Scott Walker will
miss four to six weeks after undergoing shoulder surgery Tuesday morning.
The procedure was performed at Rex Surgery Center in Cary, North Carolina by
Dr. Marty
<< Angels broadcaster Markas dies
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim radio play-
by-play man Rory Markas has passed away.
The Orange County Register is reporting that he died of a possible heart
attack.
Markas, 54, who had been cal
<< Turner out as Bears offensive coordinator
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bears have reportedly fired
offensive coordinator Ron Turner.
According to the Chicago Tribune, which cited a league source in its report,
Turner's dismissal might be just one of a few
<< Phillies sign reliever Baez
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Phillies have signed
right-handed reliever Danys Baez to a two-year, $5.25 million deal.
"Danys brings both experience and success to our bullpen," said Phillies
general manage
PITTSBURGH (AP) -Pittsburgh Penguins forward Chris Kunitz will undergo surgery Wednesday to repair a torn abdominal muscle and is expected to be out four to six weeks.The Penguins recalled forward Luca Caputi from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) to repl
Federer, Nadal win '10 openers >>
Doha, Qatar (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 1 superstar Roger Federer and former
top-ranked stalwart Rafael Nadal highlighted Tuesday's first-round winners at
the season-opening Qatar Open, an Australian Open tune-up.
The two-time Doha titlist
Saints put DE Grant on IR >>
Metairie, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Saints have placed defensive
end Charles Grant on injured reserve because of a triceps injury.
Grant was hurt during this past Sunday's season-finale against Carolina. He
played in all 16
Giants sign Uribe to one-year deal >>
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Francisco Giants have
signed infielder Juan Uribe to a one-year contract. Although financial
details were not released, the deal is believed to be worth $3.25 million.
"We are
Kidd joins JGR's No.20 Nationwide team >>
Huntersville, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Joe Gibbs Racing announced on Tuesday that
Kevin Kidd will serve as crew chief for its No.20 entry during the 2010 NASCAR
Nationwide Series season.
Kidd replaces Dave Rogers, who recently was appointed a
El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
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Numerous College Basketball teams take final big step to March Madness betting
So, what turned on the lock spigot? Well, after what felt like weeks of teams treading water and slipping back into the bubble muck, a bunch of them finally decided to say "to heck with parity" and won games that should put them into the Big Dance.
Disagree with some of these? Then here's the challenge. Take all of the "should be ins" and make a legit case that each should be ahead of the team that's a lock. Then find 10 more teams that also should be placed in the bracket ahead of that lock team. Not so easy, is it?
If you want more evidence that these locks should be good to go, check out what our research department dug up. Since the NCAA Tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, only six teams from a "big six" conference have had a record of 10-6 or better in conference play and not been selected: Colorado (2004) and Nebraska (1999) from the Big 12, Boston College and Seton Hall (both 2003) from the Big East, Indiana (2005) from the Big Ten and UCLA, which somehow went 12-6 in the Pac-10 in 1988 and still missed out. (Note: Five teams went 11-7 and didn't get in, the latest being last season's Stanford team, which had a brutal nonconference run.)
Yes, 10 conference wins doesn't always mean what it used to because of unbalanced schedules, but this season, it should be plenty good in all but the extreme cases (see: Iowa).
In a way, this is a welcome development, because this is a bubble watch, not a lock watch. We can finally be done with teams like Maryland and Virginia Tech and start really bearing down on at-large battles such as Syracuse-West Virginia and Appalachian State-Georgia Tech.
Interestingly, all the shifting of teams into lock status appears to be more administrative than impactful. The number of remaining available at-larges didn't change one iota. The only difference is that teams on the bubble now have a clearer idea of which team(s) they are competing with for those precious bids.
| The Bubble Breakdown | |||
| CONFERENCE | LOCKS | SHOULD BE INS | AT-LARGES TAKEN (assuming no auto bid outlier) |
| ACC Betting Odds | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| Big East Betting Odds | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Big Ten Betting Odds | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Big 12 Betting Odds | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Pac-10 Betting Odds | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| SEC Betting Odds | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| MVC Betting Odds | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| MWC Betting Odds | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| TOTAL | 28 | 5 | 25 |
As always, I've tried to be as inclusive as possible while only including teams that would have a reasonable chance of at least being discussed if this were Selection Sunday. If your team's not on here, there's probably a good reason (or three) -- start with the RPI and SOS numbers and work your way down.
(Please remember, per selection committee criteria, that records displayed are Division I only. Next update: Feb. 28)
If you have a legitimate grievance, or just like talking bubble, send an e-mail. Polite ones with fact-based arguments have a much better chance of receiving a response. I apologize in advance if I can't get back to all of you.
Atlantic Coast Conference
Work left to do: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech
The ACC moves to six locks as BC, Va Tech and Virginia all got their 10th ACC wins, which should be more than enough this season, and Maryland rallied past North Carolina to get the final piece the Terps needed. After that? It could end there unless FSU, Ga Tech or Clemson picks things up in a hurry.
Work left to do:
Clemson [19-9 (5-9), RPI: 41, SOS: 42] The Tigers are closer to locking up the collapse of the year award (in a good battle with OK State) than they are to grabbing an at-large. Clemson's been very competitive, but there's no really positive way you can spin nine losses in 11 games. They now cannot get to .500 in ACC play and still must head to Virginia Tech in the season finale (after hosting Miami). Unless the Tigers win both and/or do some serious work in the ACC tourney, they very well could be left out. There are no great nonconference wins, but ODU, App State, Miss. State, South Carolina and Georgia are all respectable W's.
Florida State [18-11 (6-9), RPI: 48, SOS: 14] The Noles got thrashed at Maryland to run their losing streak to five, but then pounded NC State at home to set the table for what likely is an elimination game at Miami. You can at least make a case for the Seminoles at 7-9 in ACC play (and some work in the ACC tourney), but 6-10 is not going to cut it. Wins at Duke and over Florida will resonate, but the computer numbers remain questionable. Beyond Florida, FSU thrashed bubble buddy Providence, but there's not a ton beyond those two games that will help. They didn't show well in big-time opportunities against Pitt and Wisconsin (before the Florida win).
Georgia Tech [18-10 (6-8), RPI: 51, SOS: 46] The Jackets beat Wake on Wednesday but couldn't get it done at UVa on Saturday, which could be a crucial loss with UNC and BC (both at home) remaining and 8-8 almost a certain need for at-large consideration. A nonconference win over Memphis helps, but the RPI and SOS are not at-large quality right now; if you combine those with a sub-.500 ACC mark, that could spell NIT for GT.
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