Gators take on Tide in Tuscaloosa

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02/14/2012 - Tuscaloosa, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 14th-ranked Florida Gators seek a quick turnaround, as they head to Coleman Coliseum for Southeastern Conference competition with the short-handed Alabama Crimson Tide.

This game matches up an apprentice with his former master, as Alabama's head coach Anthony Grant spent 12 seasons learning from Billy Donovan at Marshall and Florida. Alabama holds a 78-53 lead in the rivalry. Grant has yet to beat the Gators.

Florida is on its first two-game losing streak of the season after falling against Kentucky and Tennessee in its last two outings. Donovan's team is still 19-6 overall and second in the SEC with a 7-3 mark in league action. The loss on Saturday was the second to the Volunteers this season. The Gators can only blame themselves for the loss, as they missed nine free throws (19-28) and committed 15 turnovers in the contest. Florida is still one of the most feared teams in the nation, as the Gators are netting 78.8 ppg. Opponents have averaged 65.9 ppg on 42.6 percent shooting from the field on the Gators.

The Gators come into the game with all five starters carrying double-digit scoring averages. Kenny Boynton leads the charge with 17.5 ppg on 47.2 percent shooting from the floor. Freshman guard Bradley Beal is second on the team in both scoring (14.4) and rebounding (6.2). Patric Young does a good job in the middle and Erving Walker runs the show from the point position. Donovan was missing Mike Rosario (hip pointer) against Tennessee, and will be without Scottie Wilbekin (concussion) tonight against the Crimson Tide.

Anthony Grant made a bold move and suspended four starters for the team's last contest, which resulted in a 67-58 loss to LSU. Of the four players suspended for violation of team rules, Trevor Releford and Andrew Steele are expected to return, while Tony Mitchell and JaMychal Green remain suspended indefinitely. While Alabama is considered on the bubble, a win over the Gators would be a huge step towards the postseason. Without Green and Mitchell, the team's top two rebounders, the Crimson Tide will need a breakout performance from one of their reserves on the glass tonight.

Releford is the top scorer expected to see the floor tonight, as he averages 12.4 ppg. The sophomore point guard also leads the team in steals (2.2) and assists (3.1). Alabama started four freshman and seldom used junior Ben Eblen against LSU. The highest scorer of group was Trevor Lacy, who contributes 6.6 ppg. Rodney Cooper took advantage of the opportunity and exploded for career- highs of 28 points and five steals.

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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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