Oregon's Football Program Drama Ends with Slight Sanction from NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions

Back in 2010, questions surrounding a $25.000 payment to scouting service operator Willie Lyles and his Houston-based recruiting service, Complete Scouting Services hit the University of Oregon’s football program. But this week, less than a year after the Ducks were charged for violating the NCAA’s rules, the NCAA's Division I Committee on Infractions finally imposed a sanction and put the school’s football program on probation for three years.

The NCAA had been investigating Oregon's program for more than two years after learning that Oregon paid Lyles $25,000 for his recruiting service. Back in December, 2012, the NCAA's infractions committee found evidence that Lyles provided cash and free lodging to a prospect, and engaged in calls and off-campus contact with prospects, their families and high school coaches, which is impermissible according to the NCAA regulations. It also said the program exceeded its coaching limits by allowing staff members to engage in recruiting activities. While the list of sanctions may seem severe at first sight, the outcome is in fact this a great result for the Ducks. Tougher sanctions, including Bowl bans would mean losing years of preparation, TV and media exposure, and missing the chance to contend for the Pac-12 title.

Oregon, which according to anticipated college football odds is among the top candidates to win PAC-12 title and fight for a spot in the annual BCS National Championship title game, is schedule to open its season on Aug. 31 against Nicholls State. The first real test comes Oct. 12 at Washington. The Nov. 7 game at Stanford could decide the Pac-12 North champion. 

Under Kelly, the Ducks played four straight BCS bowl games. The Ducks finished the 2012 NCAA Football Season with a record of 12-1 last season. The team was invited to play the Fiesta Bowl, defeating Kansas State38-41 in  overtime.

The penalties announced Wednesday include public reprimand and censure, three years of probation (From June 26, 2013, through June 25, 2016), an 18-month show cause order for former head coach Chip Kelly, one-year show-cause order for the former assistant director of operations, a reduction of initial football scholarships by one from the maximum allowed (25) during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic years (imposed by the university), a reduction of total football scholarships by one from the maximum allowed (85) during the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 academic years (imposed by the university), a reduction of official paid football visits from 56 to 37 for the 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years, a reduction of permissible football evaluation days from 42 to 36 in the fall of 2013, 2014 and 2015 and permissible football evaluation days from 168 to 144 in the spring of 2014, 2015 and 2016, a ban on the subscription to recruiting services during the probation period and a disassociation of the recruiting service provider (imposed by the university).

The NCAA's Division I Committee on Infractions released a report on Wednesday that said Kelly failed to monitor the program for its improper involvement with Willie Lyles and his Houston-based recruiting service. Kelly was hit with an 18-month show-cause order, a sanction that likely will have limited impact now that he's coaching the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite that fact, Kelly released a statement apologizing the school, its fans and it players.

''Now that the NCAA has concluded their investigation and penalized the University of Oregon and its football program, I want to apologize to the University of Oregon, all of its current and former players and their fans. I accept my share of responsibility for the actions that led to the penalties. As I have I stated before, the NCAA investigation and subsequent ruling had no impact on my decision to leave Oregon for Philadelphia. I have also maintained throughout that I had every intention to cooperate with the NCAA's investigation, which I did.'' Kelly said in a statement.

The Ducks were penalized in 2004 for improper recruitment of a junior college player by an assistant coach. The program was put in probation for a two year period and the unidentified assistant coach was suspended without pay and restricted from recruiting activities.

2013 NBA Finals Game 6: Heat Tries to Bounce Back at their Home Arena

NBA fans got what they wanted; well at least San Antonio fans. The best "Team" in the 2013 NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs, is one win away from their fourth title in 10 years and this Tuesday night, they will travel to South Beach to face the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the Final series.

The Spurs took a 3-2 lead with their 114-104 victory Sunday night, leaving the Heat in must win situation before entering Game 6.  This is a highly uncommon situation for Miami, which not long ago closed the regular season as the team with the best record in the NBA.  To put in perspective, they lost only three games in three months, but just in the Finals series, the team has been bested three times by a squad that looks superior to them in almost any aspect of the game.  Another victory will put the Spurs 5-0 in the NBA Finals, joining Michael Jordan's 6-0 Chicago Bulls as the only NBA squads to make the Finals multiple times and never lose.

That does not mean the Heat is dead and that Spurs fans can start celebrating. Miami can still pull a victory on Game 6 and get thing even before closing the series at home on Thursday night.  In fact, the Heat is 12-0 since Jan 10th ATS after a loss, so this series is likely going to get to seven games. Miami will also host Game 7 on Thursday night. A win by the Heat on Game 6 will give the team a much needed break as they try to join the 1988 and 2010 Los Angeles Lakers and 1994 Houston Rockets as the only NBA teams to rally from 3-2 down by winning the final two on their home floor since the NBA Finals went to a 2-3-2 format in 1985.

But before you make any conclusions, keep in mind that the Heat - who won 27 in a row during the second-longest winning streak in NBA history – hasn’t been able to win back to back games in almost a month. But even if the Heat wins tonight, there’s some real value in San Antonio. According to the latest odds on NBA, the Spurs will enter the game as +6.5 underdogs, and knowing that this series had some blowouts (remember Game 1?), the Spurs look way better than the Heat, even if they don’t win tonight’s game. 

2013 NBA Finals Game 6 Odds:

San Antonio Spurs: +6.5-110, ML +260  
Miami Heat: -6.5-110, ML -310
Game Total: 191, o/u -110  
        

Official Pick: Spurs +6.5

NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 6 Preview

Date/Time: Sat, Jun 1 / 08:35:00 PM ET, Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

It seemed the Pacers were in big trouble after Miami's victory in game three, but despite dealing with a complicated situation, Indiana did what it had to do and showed that they can come back from anything as they got the huge game four win to tie the series up.

Then the series shifted back to South Beach with Miami leading the sportsbook betting odds at -7.5, and while the Pacers played well enough through three quarters to take what would have been a truly surprising 3-2 series lead. Lebron James decided to command the attack and leave the Pacers defenseless, taking over the fourth quarter along with Udonis "All I do is hit shots" Haslem.

Now the Pacers come back to their home arena where they have only lost once all playoffs long but have to win to extend their season and force a game seven in on Monday Night. Paul George once again had a monster night for the Pacers, but the Heat’s defense completely shut down George Hill and Lance Stephenson.

If the Pacers want to continue alive in this series, both of them need to come up big in game six. But that might all be irrelevant if King James keeps up the leadership and inspiration he showed on game five, it might not really matter as he has simply become without question the best on the game.

The home advantage could give Indiana an edge over Miami. The Pacers seem to be at their best when their backs are against the wall and this is the most they have been all season long. I look for the Bankers Life Field House crowd to be on fire and to give the Pacers a ton of confidence in a game where there is no margin for error.

That being said the Heat have just shown they are simply too good and while I fully expect great games out of Hibbert, who is fast becoming the best Big Man in the NBA, and Paul George. In the end it won't be enough has Lebron is just too good and players like the Birdman and Haslem have been superb in getting Miami to the brink of yet another NBA Finals. This game will come down to the wire , but look for the Heat to have all the medicine and move on to face the Spurs in what should be an epic Finals.

Game Odds:
Miami Heat: -2.5-110, -145
Indiana Pacers: +2.5-110, ML +125
Game Total: 182, o/u-110

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Ready for the 2013 Preakness Stakes? Check the Latest Odds Here!

The 138th Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown of horse racing popularly known as "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" gets underway this Saturday, May 18th and horse racing fans around the country can hardly wait for some betting action.

With only 9 horses heading into the event, 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb commands the odds as the favorite candidate to win the race. The 2013 Kentucky Derby winner will break from the first position at the 139thPreakness Stakes. Based on the horserace betting odds released early this week, the 3-year-old colt is in great position to win the race. Orb will enter the race holding a winning streak of five races, including the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, as well as the 2013 Kentucky Derby. 

But despite the thinner field, a reduced group of horses are expected to give Orb a though competition.  Breaking from post six, Mylute, who closed fifth in the Kentucky Derby on May 4th, is second in the odds board at 5/1.  Next in the line is the 2013 Illinois Derby winner Departing (6/1), as well as Goldencents, winner of the 2013 Santa Anita Derby) and 2013 Kentucky Derby competitor Itsmyluckyday (10/1).

While we get ready to bet on horseracing and enjoy plenty of racing action, here are the Preakness Stakes 2013 post positions, betting odds and horse jockeys. Just keep in mind Sports Betting Online will have odds and props ready for the Preakness Stakes. For additional information, please click here.

1. Orb (2013 Kentucky Derby winner) (Even): Joel Rosario
2. Goldencents (8/1): Kevin Krigger
3. Titletown Five (30/1): Julien Leparoux
4. Departing (6/1): Brian Hernandez, Jr.
5. Mylute (5/1): Rosie Napravnik
6. Oxbow (15/1): Gary Stevens
7. Will Take Charge (12/1): Mike Smith
8. Govenor Charlie (12/1): Martin Garcia
9. Itsmyluckyday (10/1): John Velazquez

49ers Sign 12 Undrafted Free Agents

Here's the latest news for NFL and sportsbook betting fans. The Niners are going nutz. Just days after the San Francisco 49ers announced that Olympic athlete Lawrence Okoye signed a three year contract with the team, franchise officials made their latest announcement: The team hired 12 additional undrafted free agents.

Let’s face it, Okoye is by far the most intriguing addition to San Francisco’s roster; after all, having a professional discus thrower playing professional football isn’t something that happens every day in the NFL. But he isn’t the only undrafted rookie joining the team for the coming season.

In addition to Okoye, the San Francisco 49ers also signed punter Anthony Santella to a one-year contract. Santella entered the NFL two years ago as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers and spent training camp with the team before being released on August 27, 2011.

The 25-year old native of Wauconda, IL, had some college experience previous to joining the NFL. Santella played at the University of Illinois, where he was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and a second-team selection by the media, as a senior. He finished his college career ranked second in both career punts with 244 and career punting yardage with 9,964, and finished fourth in punting average at 40.8.

Additionally, the NFC champion also reached a two-year deal with former Guard/Tackle Adam Snyder, who played three seasons with San Francisco before moving to Arizona last season. However, Snyder was released by the Cardinals on April 29, 2013 and resigned with the 49ers on May 6, 2013.

The 49ers got some players who did had a brilliant college career, including former Minnesota Golden Gophers QB and Wide Receiver MarQueis Gray.  Gray caught 42 passes as a sophomore for 587 yards and five touchdowns as a wide receiver. The following season he played as quarterback, completing 108 of 213 pass attempts for 1,495 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. As a senior, he rushed for 390 yards and five touchdowns.  Another unsigned agent joining this year’s roster is Fullback Alex Debniak, who played outside linebacker for the Standford Cardinal. As a fifth-year senior, Debniak recorded 24 tackles, four sacks, two quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. 

Here’s the list of undrafted free agents signed by the San Francisco 49ers in recent days:

Centre Sherman Carter (Tennessee State)
Fullback Alex Debniak(Stanford)
Halfback MarQueis Gray (Minnesota)
Running back D.J. Harper (Boise State)
Wide receiver Chuck Jacobs (Utah State Aggies)
Tackle Luke Marquardt (Azusa Pacific)
Long snapper Kevin McDermott  (UCLA)
Cornerback Darryl Morris (Texas State)
Defensive lineman Lawrence Okoye (England)
Guard Patrick Omameh (Michigan)
Nose tackle Mike Purcell (Wyoming)
Cornerback Lowell Rose (Tulsa)



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Jets QB Geno Smith Catches Critized for Firing Agents

Less than a week after the Jets announced the decision to cut QB Tim Tebow, the off-season drama surrounding the team does not seem to end.  And that's something that football and sportsbook betting fans should take in mind before backing the Jets this season. This time former West Virginia and New York’s recently acquired quarterback Geno Smith, who fired his agent after failing to get picked in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. 

Smith got selected by the New York Jets in the second round (39th overall), which according to sports news sites, didn’t sit well with him. As it’s been reported this week, Smith thought he should have been No. 1 pick in NFL draft, and took the decision to part ways with his representatives from Select Sports Group after falling out of the first round.

The Jets passed on Smith with the Nos. 9 and 13 picks before grabbing him with the seventh pick in the second round (39th overall) Friday. Smith was the second quarterback picked, 23 slots after Buffalo took E.J. Manuel at No. 16.

While Smith didn’t have much to say about his decision, sources close to Smith said  the young quarterback was expecting to be a “high pick” during this year’s draft, but his agent simply failed to do things that could have pushed his stock higher. One of them is the decision to keep Smith out of the Senior Bowl.  According to the source, Smith wanted to play in the Senior Bowl, but was convinced by his agent to sit out the event. Smith was criticized for skipping the game, which usually gives prospects the chance to showcase their talents before the Draft. Despite the constant and massive coverage on this issue, Smith has simply denied this version.

"First and foremost, I want to make it known that I was never bitter about where I was selected because it's a great selection. Whether it was No. 1 or the last pick, I was coming in with the right mentality, and that's to get better and compete daily. I'm extremely ecstatic to be a part of the Jets organization. I'm not bitter about where I was selected, because I'm on a great team and I'm in a great position." Smith said during an interview on NFL Sirius radio.

But only days after the radio interview, Smith's ex-agents Jeff Nalley and Erik Burkhardt issued a statement to Pro Football Talk explaining some of the reasons behind Smith’s decision.

“We worked tirelessly for Geno Smith and all of our draft prospects. The NFL Draft is unpredictable, and we prepared Geno and all of our draft prospects, as we do every year, about what can happen during the draft. Not only did we tell him that what transpired on the first day of the draft was possible, the question of whether Geno would be a first- or second-round pick was arguably the most talked about subject in the three months leading up to the draft. We wish Geno the best.”

Now, switching agencies isn't a rare move in the NFL.  What is being considered uncommon is the back and forth explanations and accusations from both sides.  Despite the reasons behind this decision, the move still raises questions regarding Smith’s ability to deal media and sometimes the frustration that comes with playing in the NFL.

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Cardinals’ Russ Smith Drops Chance to Go Pro and Stays at Louisville for Senior Season

Going pro is the goal of many college basketball players, but for Russ Smith, there are more important things in this life. At least that what Louisville's 6-foot-1 guard announced this Wednesday.  Smith, who was expected to enter this year’s NBA Draft and become a pro, told the media that he’s staying in school for his senior season and that he will play another year with the current NCAA Men Basketball Champs.

Smith said he would like to have some extra time to develop his game skills before making the transition to the NBA. The announcement comes less than a month after his father, Russ Smith Sr. told the media that Russ was ready to leave Louisville and enter the NBA draft. But those words didn’t stick for too long.  Just yesterday, Smith gave his version of how he’d like to handle his future, saying that he’s not ready to join the NBA draft and that he’d like to return to Louisville for his senior season. 

With 18.7 points per game this season, including 22.3 in the NCAA tournament, Smith was a driving force behind his team’s success, leading the squad to back-to-back Final Fours and helping the Cardinals to win their first national championship since 1986.

Russ was named to the Big East All-Tournament Team and his team won the Big East Tournament Championship game versus Syracuse by a score of 78–61 after trailing by 13 at halftime.  In Louisville's 85–63 regional final win against Duke, Smith recorded 23 points and was subsequently named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament's Midwest Region.

The player said he consulted his decision with team coach and mentor Rick Pitino, whose coaching resume’ includes gigs with the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. Pitino stated that he personally recommended Smith to take a week to make up his mind and clarify his situation before making any decision.

Both Louisville and Pitino are happy to have Smith for another campaign. His return leaves the Cardinals with three starters and eight regulars from the team that won the NCAA title. In addition to Smith, starting forwards Chane Behanan and Wayne Blackshear, guard/forward Luke Hancock, the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, as well as reserves Stephan Van Treese, Montrezl Harrell and Tim Henderson are also confirmed to be back with the Cardinals this year.

"I'm happy I finally got it off my chest.” said Smith. ”What was crazy after doing all the pros and cons of staying or going, the pros of staying were so much better than the pros of leaving. All my pros I put down for me leaving were very immature. You have to put the work in to get better, you have to do this, you have to do that. Those are challenges I felt like, along with coach, we both felt I'd be running way from, getting better and maturing as a player.”

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