Top-ranked Wildcats collide with Gamecocks in Columbia

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02/04/2012 - Columbia, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two teams at opposite ends of the SEC spectrum meet up in Columbia this evening, as the top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats take on the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Colonial Life Center.

John Calipari's Wildcats have just one loss on the season, a one-point setback on the road at Indiana. Since then, Kentucky has reeled off 14 consecutive victories, moving to 8-0 in the SEC with Tuesday's 69-44 drubbing of Tennessee. The team is off to its best start in SEC play since 2005 when Kentucky won its first 10 league bouts.

Darrin Horn's Gamecocks have had their ups and downs this season, but the SEC slate has been murderous. South Carolina has just one league win to its credit, a 56-54 victory over Alabama, but the team has lost two straight games and six of its last seven overall, including a 74-66 setback at nationally- ranked Florida this week.

Kentucky has dominated this series for the most part and enjoys a 45-10 advantage all-time. The Wildcats have won each of the last four meetings and are seeking the regular-season sweep after posting a 79-64 win in Lexington back on January 7th.

The Wildcats dominated the Volunteers in just about every facet of the game to continue their winning ways. Kentucky shot 53.7 percent from the floor, while holding Tennessee to a meager 28.1 percent clip. The 'Cats also outrebounded the Vols 34-29, recorded 11 blocks and outscored UT at the free-throw line 24-5. Freshman Anthony Davis continued his dominance in the low post, finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds and seven blocked shots. Fellow freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist added 16 points and eight boards, while Terrance Jones finished up with 11 points.

Davis has certainly displayed the kind of low post game that rivals any in the country. The 6-10 youngster leads the Wildcats in both scoring (13.5 ppg) and rebounding (10.2 rpg), but also leads the nation in blocked shots (108) and ranks fourth in field-goal percentage (.650). What makes Davis so dangerous outside of his obvious interior attributes is the supporting cast around him. The scoring burden is spread out with four other Wildcats joining Davis with double-digit averages. Doron Lamb is a close second in the scoring column at 13.3 ppg. Kidd-Gilchrist is next in line at 12.8 ppg, followed by Jones and Darius Miller with 12.3 and 10.2 ppg, respectively. Kentucky can play shutdown defense as well, ranking second in the country in scoring margin (+19.9), 10th in scoring defense (57.9 ppg) and first in field-goal percentage defense (.360).

The Gamecocks have struggled to find production on a regular basis in terms of scoring, averaging just 63.0 ppg this year on a less than stellar .419 shooting. There is certainly no prolific scoring threat on the roster, as forward Malik Cooke represents the best of the bunch at 12.7 ppg. He is joined in double figures by guard Bruce Ellington (11.1 ppg). Anthony Gill is a distant third (8.4 ppg). Davontre Harris (7.0 ppg) is the team's top rebounder at a modest 5.3 caroms per game.

Ellington led the way in the loss to Florida this week with 15 points, on 6- of-14 shooting. Harris just missed a double-double with 12 points, nine rebounds and six blocked shots. Cooke added 12 points as well, while Gill finished with 11. The Gamecocks pulled to within six points after burying themselves in an early hole, but the Gators converted key free-throws down the stretch to keep South Carolina at arm's length.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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