Monday News and Notes

Monday, December 18, 2006

 

It’s underway: Joe Duffy is CEO of OffshoreInsiders.com, which is offering a premium version of the advanced news and notes, computer trends, weather information and more for the entire bowl season.  Much of the information is compiled from hometown newspapers and the team’s own press releases. The entire bowl season version of the OffshoreInsiders.com clipboard is $69. Attention subscribers we update the latest info on NIU-TCU later this afternoon.

NFL

Bengals-Colts

Cincinnati Post

The Bengals have won 11 of their past 15 games on the road. Extending that good fortune Monday night at Indianapolis won’t be easy. While the Colts have had their troubles recently, losing three of their last four games, their woes have come on the road. The Colts are 20-2 at the RCA Dome since 2004, including 6-0 this season. They are averaging 29.3 points at home this season, including scoring 45 points in their last home game against Philadelphia on Nov. 26. The Bengals are 4-2 on the road this season, having won games at Kansas City, Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Cleveland. They lost games at Tampa Bay and Baltimore by a combined seven points.

Chicago Tribune

Over the past two weeks, Indy (10-3) has given up nearly 600 yards rushing. Its per game average is a mind-boggling 176.5. The Bengals’ defense has yielded only 33 points in the last four games, and while some might suggest they’ve excelled against poor teams such as Cleveland and Oakland, they have also beaten division leaders New Orleans and Baltimore during the stretch.

CBB

UAB-Old Dominion

Birmingham News

UAB junior Paul Delaney III played 50 minutes in last week’s double overtime victory over Minnesota and followed that up with a 45-minute effort in an overtime win over DePaul. Two of his teammates - senior Wen Mukubu and sophomore Lawrence Kinnard - are logging iron man-type minutes heading into a two-game road trip that features a game at Virginia Commonwealth tonight at 6:30 and a trip to Old Dominion on Monday. All three will need to play a big role again tonight when the Blazers (6-3) play a VCU team that is 7-2 overall and has won five consecutive games.

Oklahoma State-Tennessee

Chattanoogan

After having a 10-day break between games, Tennessee will hit the hardwood for the second time in 48 hours. Tennessee is riding a four-game winning streak following a 93-79 win over Western Kentucky Saturday in Knoxville. Chris Lofton led the Vols with 32 points while JaJuan Smith added 21. Tennessee shot 57.4 percent from the field and forced 21 Hilltopper turnovers. The Vols also have wins over Louisiana-Lafayette, Murray State and No. 15 Memphis during the streak. Last year the Cowboys handed the Vols their worst loss of the season with an 89-73 decision Dec. 22, 2005, at the All-College Classic in Oklahoma City.

NBA

Hornets-Heat

NewsOk.com

Hornets starting shooting guard Peja Stojakovic, who had missed the past nine games because of back spasms, underwent surgery Sunday afternoon to remove a disc fragment in his lower back. No timetable has been set for his return. Starting power forward David West is also scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery Wednesday on his right elbow. The Hornets announced Sunday that West has synovitis, an inflammation of the joint membrane. West, who had missed the past 15 games because of swelling in his right elbow, is also out indefinitely.

Mavericks-Kings

Sacramento Bee

Kevin Martin did everything with his sprained right ankle except the one thing he wants to do most: run.A day after going down in the third quarter against Phoenix at Arco Arena and not returning, Martin underwent extensive treatment Sunday in hopes of making a speedy recovery. He iced the ankle, used an electronic muscle stimulator, did a balancing drill to test its limits and rounded off the rehab with a cold and warm tub. The intention, of course, was to get him ready for tonight’s game against Dallas. But Martin said he remains a day-of-game decision because, well, running is a necessary skill.