Tuesday News and Notes

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

 

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CFB

Cincinnati-Central Michigan

MUfreeboropost

MTSU (7-5) will appear in its first bowl game since 1964 and its first bowl game in the Division I-A era. It’s a bit of a surprise for MTSU, which is enjoying its first winning season since 2001. So what’s been the key to MTSU’s success? For one thing, MTSU’s running game has been productive, which has taken pressure off Marks. This season the Blue Raiders average 137 rushing yards per game. In 2005 MTSU rushed for 109 yards per game and in 2004 averaged 106 yards per contest. This season MTSU’s become a run-first offense. This season the Blue Raiders have run the ball 444 times and have scored 22 rushing touchdowns. In 2005 MTSU ran the ball 365 times for 18 touchdowns. In 2004 MTSU ran the ball 360 times for 16 touchdowns.

Mid South News

The Chippewas’ pass defense ranks 76^th nationally and 10^th in the Mid-American Conference.

NBA

Rockets-Pacers

Houston Chronicle

Rockets guard Tracy McGrady, who Monday went through a fourth consecutive day of workouts without complications, could be ready to play tonight against the Indiana Pacers. Rockets athletic trainer Keith Jones said a decision would not be made until after today’s shootaround. McGrady, 27, who has missed seven games because of back spasms suffered Dec. 9, had not been able to work out on consecutive days before the past four days. The injury to center Yao Ming probably will bring much more playing time for Dikembe Mutombo. Mutombo played a season-high 25 minutes against the Clippers on Saturday after Yao was hurt. He had been averaging 7.7 minutes in the 17 games (of 26) he had played before Yao’s injury. The Pacers have been wildly unpredictable, with no win streak longer than two games and only one losing streak as long as three. They had won three of four games before losing at home to the Hawks on Saturday. Indiana’s size inside leads to double teams and open 3s. The Rockets could have several changes in the rotation with Yao Ming out. With Dikembe Mutombo likely to play extensive minutes against the Pacers’ size, the Rockets could seek to put more scoring on the floor with him.

Nets-Pistons

Detroit Free Press

The Pistons haven’t had as much luck fighting the injury bug as they have had in years past. Rasheed Wallace has missed time with ankle problems, backup guard Lindsey Hunter is still out with pain in his Achilles heel, and Richard Hamilton sat two games in November with a hyperextended elbow. Already playing with a hobbling Richard Jefferson, the Nets lost starting center Nenad Krstic on Friday night. Krstic tore his anterior cruciate ligament and is done for the season. The Nets will be playing their second straight game without Krstic. New Jersey lost, 115-104, to Milwaukee on Thursday while using a small starting lineup. Today is the first game of a back-to-back for the Pistons, who are 15-1 in those games this season.

Bulls-Timberwolves

Chicago Sun Times

The Bulls hope to make amends for what was arguably their most disappointing game of their last 15 tonight when they play the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis. Of course, the Bulls, now 16-11, have lost only twice in that span. Still, they dropped the first meeting between the teams 91-81 on Dec. 9 at the United Center. The loss snapped a season-high seven-game winning streak for the Bulls, who trailed by as many as 21 points in that game. The Bulls’ largest lead was one point. The Bulls traveled to Minneapolis on Monday following a 115-76 home victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday, a game in which they opened a 21-point lead in the first half. A win tonight would help improve a 4-9 road record, which is in stark contrast to the 12-2 mark the team has amassed at the UC. A victory against the Timberwolves (11-13) also would better the Bulls’ 3-7 record against Western Conference teams. The Bulls and Kirk Hinrich hope he can start shooting with more success. Hinrich has made just 28 percent of his field-goal attempts (7-for-25) the last three games.