Clemson visits Florida State in clash of ranked ACC foes

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

02/28/2009 - Tallahassee, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top-25 foes meet in the Sunshine State today, as the 12th-ranked Clemson Tigers invade the Tucker Center for an ACC clash with the 23rd-ranked Florida State Seminoles.

Oliver Purnell's Tigers would like to close the season strong and bolster their seeding for the upcoming ACC Tournament. That goal took a wrong turn this week, as the team dropped an 80-77 decision at home to Virginia Tech to fall to 8-5 in league play. Still, Clemson hits the road where it is seeking its 11th win on the season, a number that would tie the school record set by the 1996-97 team.

Trying to prevent that from happening is the Seminoles, who are also coming off a loss, dropping a 72-67 decision at Boston College on Tuesday. The loss halted a brief two-game win streak and leaves FSU also at 8-5 in the ACC.

Florida State holds a 28-24 advantage in the all-time series with Clemson and is seeking the regular-season sweep after posting a 65-61 win at Clemson back on February 7th. The last time FSU swept the Tigers was during the 2000-01 campaign.

One of the better offensive teams in the conference, Clemson is delivering on 46.6 percent of its shots, leading to nearly 80 points per game (79.2). The team boasts of a trio of capable scorers in Trevor Booker, K.C. Rivers and Terrence Oglesby. Booker is the resident muscle in the low post and is one of the top frontcourt performers in the league, averaging a near double-double with team-highs of 15.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, while also having strong skills as a shot-blocker (58). Rivers is next in line at 14.4 ppg and has a bit more range, ranking second on the team with 55 three-pointers. Leading the way from long range is Oglesby (79 treys), who is shooting just over 40 percent from behind the arc, leading to 13.6 ppg. The Tigers shot a mere .361 from the floor in the second half against Virginia Tech this week and that ended up playing a huge role in the team's loss to the Hokies. The setback spoiled strong performances by Oglesby (22 pts), Booker (21 pts, 13 rbs), Demontez Stitt (14 pts) and Rivers (11 pts, 10 rbs).

The Seminoles turned the ball over 18 times and it proved costly, as the team dropped a narrow decision in Chestnut Hill this week. Toney Douglas led FSU in scoring with 19 points, despite shooting just 5-of-16 from the field. Young center Solomon Alabi added 16 points and seven rebounds to the cause, while Derwin Kitchen tallied 14 points, but FSU's bench came up small in the game, with only six points, as the 'Noles shot a disappointing .386 from the floor overall. The poor offensive display is not as alarming when considering that FSU is averaging a conference-worst 68.2 ppg. The team is first and foremost a defensive-minded squad, ranking first in the ACC in both scoring defense (64.1 ppg) and field-goal percentage defense (.387). At the offensive end, everything funnels through Douglas. One of the top players in the ACC, the veteran guard is netting 20.5 ppg. The scoring pool dries up fast after that, with the second-leading scorer being Uche Echefu at 8.8 ppg.

Pokerbatle NCAA Basketball Betting News

<< The fur is sure to fly in SEC showdown between Tigers and Wildcats
Lexington, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In what promises to be a tremendous Southeastern Conference battle, the 18th-ranked LSU Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats will duke it out this afternoon at Rupp Arena in Lexington. LSU clinched at least a share o

<< Villanova hosts Georgetown in Big East tussle
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Georgetown Hoyas hope to continue their recent success over the Villanova Wildcats as the Big East Conference rivals collide this afternoon in Philadelphia. Georgetown was expected to be a contender in

<< Tar Heels seek return to win column in clash with Yellow Jackets
Chapel Hill, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have the unenviable task of taking on the fourth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in Chapel Hill this afternoon. Paul Hewitt has achieved great success during his tenure as th

<< Brodeur, Devils host Panthers at the Rock
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Even a near four-month layoff couldn't slow down Martin Brodeur. Fresh off his 99th career shutout, the New Jersey Devil netminder will face the Florida Panthers this afternoon at the Prudential Center. Brodeur returned to

<< Heat host Knicks in South Beach
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Miami Heat open up a three-game homestand Saturday by welcoming the New York Knicks to South Beach. The Heat will be trying to bounce back from a tough loss in Atlanta on Friday. Al Horford pulled down a career-high 22

Blue Devils continue late-season push in clash with Hokies >>
Blacksburg, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The seventh-ranked Duke Blue Devils continue their late season run, as they invade the Cassell Coliseum this afternoon, for an ACC showdown with the Virginia Tech Hokies in Blacksburg. With just three games

Irish to try their luck against Huskies in Storrs >>
Storrs, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The second-ranked Connecticut Huskies continue their quest for a Big East title, as they play their last home game of the season this weekend, welcoming the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to Storrs, for a conference sho

Sun Devils visit Cougars in key Pac-10 contest >>
Pullman, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 14th-ranked Arizona Sun Devils will try to rebound from a critical loss and remain in the thick of the Pac-10 race this evening, as they challenge the Washington State Cougars at Friel Court. In a battle fo

Huskies can claim share of Pac-10 title with win over Wildcats >>
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 21st-ranked Washington Huskies will try to claim at least a share of the Pac-10 title today, as they welcome the Arizona Wildcats to Bank of America Arena in Seattle. The Huskies and Arizona State did battl

Beat Vikings and Bulldogs win outright Horizon League title >>
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 24th-ranked Butler Bulldogs will try to wrap up the outright Horizon League title today, as they host the Cleveland State Vikings at Hinkle Fieldhouse. With a 78-57 trouncing of Youngstown State on Thu

Police report: Terrell Owens hospitalized after attempt

Terrell Owens will address the media at a 3:15 p.m. ET news conference outside the Cowboys' practice facility after an internal police report indicated he tried to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after a friend intervened.

The Dallas police report said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"

Owens left the hospital late Wednesday morning, giving reporters a "thumbs up" but making no comment as he was driven away in an SUV.

Michael Irvin said that Owens denied he attempted suicide and said he was rushed to the hospital as a result of an adverse reaction to medication. And a source close to Owens told Michael A. Smith that Owens wasn't attempting suicide.

NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said he spoke with Owens shortly before his release from the hospital and that Owens was in good spirits.

"The fact that it has been reported a suicide attempt, he's laughed at that notion. It was a case that medication that was taken wasn't accepted well in his system with the other vitamins he's on," Sanders said.

The series of events began a little before 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Owens' publicist, Kim Etheredge, said she was at Owens' home when he took pain medicine for his broken right hand. Concerned by how he began acting, Etheredge said in various interviews Wednesday with Dallas-area media that she called 911. Owens was taken to a hospital, with Etheredge saying it was an allergic reaction to the medicine.

But early Wednesday, several media outlets received a police report -- that had yet to be released by the authorities -- saying Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on the painkillers, even putting two more pills into his mouth after an unidentified friend intervened.

The police document, first reported by WFAA-TV, said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"

When officially released by police, about half the document was blacked out, including the phrases "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication" and "a drug overdose," as well as the details of Owens having two pills pried from his mouth and Owens saying "Yes" when asked if he intended to harm himself.

Etheredge, who said she was the friend cited in the police document, told Dallas-area media Wednesday that the police got the story wrong.

The tape of the 911 call could help clear things up. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get its contents, but fire department officials said it would not be available before late Wednesday.

The police report said the 32-year-old Owens told his friend "that he was depressed." Details of the police report were first reported by WFAA-TV.

The friend, who is not identified in the report, "noticed that [his] prescription pain medication was empty and observed [Owens] putting two pills in his mouth," the police report said.

Using her fingers, the friend attempted to pry them out of Owens' mouth. Owens told police he had taken only five of the 40 pain pills in the bottle he'd emptied before the incident.

Etheredge told the Star-Telegram that Owens was "fine."

Etheredge said she called 911 because Owens was groggy and lethargic. After taking some supplements "it kicked in a reaction" with the painkillers, she told the Star-Telegram.

"Here's a person whose body is so clean, it really had a negative reaction to the medication and supplements he was taking," Etheridge told The Morning News. "Thank goodness someone was there to call an ambulance."

Police Lt. Rick Watson said he could only confirm that paramedics called police to say they were taking Owens to the hospital. He said no more details would come from the police because no laws were broken.

It is not a crime in Texas for a person to attempt suicide.

"This is a high-profile person. We looked into it and we determined it is not a criminal offense," Watson said. "This a medical type of situation that occurred."

Watson and fire department spokesman Joel Lavender cited privacy laws for the lack of information they could provide. Lavender said more details could come from the 911 call. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get the contents of the call.

"Let's just look at the tape, review the tape," Lavender said. "I'll give you an honest answer once I know something."

At the police news conference, Watson released a version of the police narrative with certain sections blacked out. The full report was obtained by several news outlets and reported first by WFAA. The AP received the full version from WFAA.

According to the police report, Dallas Fire and Rescue was called regarding someone "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication." Officers arrived to find Owens being stabilized by ambulance workers, who then took him to Baylor University Medical Center.

Owens was hospitalized late Tuesday because of what his publicist said was an allergic reaction to pain medicine he was taking for a broken hand. Doctors reportedly tried to induce vomiting.

Owens, one of the league's top receivers during his 11-year NFL career, is best known for wild stunts on the field and other publicity-seeking antics off it.

When the Cowboys signed him to a $25 million, three-year deal in March, they said their background checks indicated no red flags. In fact, team consultant Calvin Hill -- who mostly deals with troubled players -- said during training camp that his department was not involved with Owens because he didn't have a history of those kinds of problems.

He missed most of training camp, and three of four preseason games, because of a hamstring injury. He was late for work during his recovery and was fined for it, but Owens laughed it off, saying he overslept. He said it had happened before, though not with Dallas, and would probably happen again.

Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger during a game a week ago Sunday. The next day, doctors screwed in a plate so the bone could heal without fear of further damage. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said last week that the pain medicine made Owens ill.

Owens had not practiced since the injury, but because Dallas had a bye this past weekend he did not miss a game. He was expected to practice Wednesday, and Parcells had said there was a chance Owens could play Sunday against Tennessee.

Owens had been especially looking forward to the Cowboys' game after that -- Oct. 8, in Philadelphia, against the team that dumped him midway through last season only months after he helped them nearly win the Super Bowl.

Owens was seen laughing and joking on the practice field Tuesday morning. He chatted briefly with reporters in the locker room in the afternoon and seemed fine. A 2-inch scar on the top of his hand was puffy but not wrapped, and he said the swelling was doing down.

While in the locker room, he took a pill from a white paper bag and looked at another medicine bottle that was in the bag. He also called a business partner about a towel-wrap venture they're starting and joked to TV cameras that he wasn't talking until Wednesday and it was only Tuesday.

"My little boy knows better than that," he said, laughing, as he plopped onto a sofa in the middle of the locker room.

Also Tuesday, Owens was involved in launching a national campaign for the National Alliance to End Abuse, an organization aimed at helping at-risk youngsters. He appeared at a high school Tuesday morning and was scheduled to visit others but had to cancel because of changes in the team's practice schedule.

Owens has played two games for the Cowboys, catching nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. For updated football betting lines and Dallas Cowboy Superbowl odds visit online sportsbook MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your VISA Sportsbook needs.

Big Ten Conference odds

Teams that should be in: Michigan State, Indiana
Work left to do: Illinois, Purdue, Michigan, Iowa

Behind the big two, the pecking order might be in a bit of flux. Has Michigan State passed Indiana after handling the Hoosiers in East Lansing? Where is Illinois in that mix? What looked like a four-big league last week could be morphing into five -- and even six is not unthinkable at this point if everything breaks right.

Should be in:

Michigan State [21-8 (8-6), RPI: 20, SOS: 15] The Spartans made it four-for-four on the homestand, a gigantic accomplishment that leaves them in extremely good shape. MSU is only 1-6 on the road and is at Michigan and at Wisconsin to close things out, meaning the date with the Wolverines on Tuesday looms very, very large. Beating Texas early will hold up well, as will the rout of Bradley and the win over BYU, but will 8-8 be enough? It very well could be, as the computer numbers are good, but why chance it?

Indiana [18-9 (8-6), RPI: 24, SOS: 32] Hmm ... good thing the last two are at Northwestern and home to Penn State, because IU might want to get both to feel completely safe after dropping its third in the last four, fading after halftime at Michigan State. Who knew the best nonconference win would be over Southern Illinois, which is a gift that keeps on giving for the Hoosiers. The win over Wisconsin also looks good on the mantel.

Work left to do:

Illinois [21-9 (9-6), RPI: 31, SOS: 25] A good performance at Penn State leaves the Illini in pretty good shape. Can they go to Iowa and take care of business to really look on their way? That's a huge game, as there is a possible cluster of teams that will end at 9-7. Illinois beat Bradley, but has lost to Xavier. A 9-7 mark and a semifinals trip in Chicago could be enough with the computer profile hanging in there, but it would be better not to mess around, clinching at least a tie for third.

Purdue [18-10 (7-7), RPI: 47, SOS: 28] Couldn't get it done at Iowa, but did win at Northwestern to put 9-7 squarely in sight. Where does that leave the Boilermakers, though? Even if they beat Minnesota and Northwestern at home, that won't help the computer numbers. Nonconference wins over Virginia, DePaul and Oklahoma are solid, but not spectacular. The Boilers very well might need an upset in the B10 quarters to have a legit claim.

Michigan [19-10 (7-7), RPI: 55, SOS: 53] Well, Michigan did what it needed to do, winning at Minnesota to take control of its fate. The Wolverines have Michigan State and an already-wrapped-up-the-league Ohio State at home to close, so the chances are there. Win both and we can talk. There is no marquee win yet in the profile, and the Wolverines were splattered in several games against name opponents. A mediocre computer profile fueled by a lack of road wins isn't helping, either.

Iowa [16-12 (8-6), RPI: 80, SOS: 64] For the sake of being complete, we'll add Iowa, this season's Stanford. It's plausible that the Hawkeyes could get to 10-6 (at Penn State, vs. Illinois left), but where does that leave them after a gruesome nonconference performance where the best win was over ... Toledo? Iowa State? Cornell?? If they get to 10-6, we can start to look at what they need to do in the B10 tourney, although my gut sense is that they would need to make the final and have knocked off Ohio State or Wisconsin on the way to have any real claim.

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.