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In the FCS Huddle: Stony Brook intriguing on, off the fieldNCAA Football Betting Lines07/15/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - When the NIT came to Stony Brook in March, the Seawolves' football players were in attendance. Similarly, when Stony Brook hosted NCAA men's lacrosse in May, the football players were there. The Seawolves, no doubt, have a thirst for postseason play. Had the Big South Conference's new automatic bid to the FCS playoffs been in place last season, it would have belonged to the Seawolves. This season, Stony Brook has to overcome the loss of 26 seniors to win the Big South title again, and secure the first-ever automatic playoff bid that goes with it. Whether they get there or not, the Seawolves are one of the FCS' more intriguing programs, replenished on the field by a number of transfers and attractive off the field by the growth surrounding them in their athletic program. Head coach Ray Priore has been asked, "Why the Big South?" since Stony Brook's football program went to full scholarships and joined the conference in 2008 following a departure from the Northeast Conference. Its campus is located on the North Shore of Long Island, about 55 miles east of Manhattan, so it doesn't fit geographically with a conference whose other schools are in Virginia and the Carolinas. But the Big South is glad to have the Seawolves as a member, and perhaps someday, considering all the changes and potential changes across the college football landscape, another conference could be home to the growing program. The attractiveness of Stony Brook is helped by the nearby market in New York, although the nation's most populated city will always be a pro sports city. But seventh-year athletic director Jim Fiore has helped build a successful athletic program, with upgrades in facilities, branding and improved revenue- generating, a body of student-athletes whose collective grade point average is at least 3.0 grade in each of the past four school years, and recent success in higher-profile sports like men's soccer, men's basketball and men's lacrosse. Is football next? That's what Priore is banking on, especially now that he can dangle the carrot of the FCS playoffs to his players. The Seawolves shared last year's Big South title with Liberty, and based on their 36-33 win over the Flames would have advanced to the playoffs if the conference had its automatic bid then. "We're coming off a Big South championship. The excitement in the offseason was a little bit more than obviously (in the past)," the 50-year-old Priore said. "Their understanding of what it takes is there. We've got the full complement of scholarships now. We had a lot of kids in the program that are going to be playing this fall (who were) there during spring football. And I think the other thing that becomes important is every kid in the program now has been recruited by this staff and myself particularly. There's a point of everybody's really pulling in the same direction. It's a good group of kids." Stony Brook has finished either 6-5 or 5-6 for five straight seasons, including four under Priore, whose record, not surprisingly, is 22-22 overall. To him, .500 is not acceptable, so with the Big South expected to be improved - led by a veteran Liberty squad and dangerous squads in Charleston Southern and Coastal Carolina - Priore filled some holes in the lineup by bringing in transfers. He brought in nine in January and four more this summer. The demise of Hofstra's program has benefited the Seawolves, providing players of impact like running backs Brock Jackolski and Miguel Maysonet, offensive guard Armand Poole and defensive tackle Andrew Nelson. Former Rutgers cornerback Al- Majid Hutchins is projected to be a starter, Sheldon Armstrong (Utah State) is in the mix for the other cornerback spot and Kyle Essington (Fullerton College) could be the backup to starting quarterback Michael Coulter. Although the Seawolves lost a lot of key players, they have hopes as big as 6- foot-8, 350-pound redshirt freshman tackle Michael Bamiro. The returning mix features Coulter and workhorse tailback Edwin Gowins as well as defensive leaders Arin West (strong safety), Ryan Haber (defensive tackle) and Joe Kirkpatrick (defensive end). Coulter threw for a conference-best 15 touchdowns last fall, while Gowins rushed for 890 yards and nine TDs despite being slowed by a foot injury. He was the Big South Freshman of the Year in 2008 when he rushed for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns on an incredible 9.4 yards per carry. "We got hit pretty hard by graduation and we were able to get some kids who had some college experience, that played in the CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) or played at a higher level, and can help us immediately," Priore said. "We've got to be able to perform and we've got to be better than a 6-5 team, a 5-6 team. Certainly, if you said what is the one goal for me as a football program, is we have to hit that seven-win mark, hit that eight-win mark. That's what recruiting is all about. Hopefully, the playoffs are attached to that now that we have an opportunity." Stony Brook's season-opening visit to Big East program South Florida on Sept. 4 is a daunting start to the season. The other non-conference games are against Lafayette, Brown, Massachusetts and American International.
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Matt Kenseth And Kevin Harvick Favorites To Take NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship (September 15)—The NASCAR season has hit the homestretch with the opening event on this year’s Chase for the Cup taking place this weekend at the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. With 10 races remaining to determine the Cup Series champion, leading online sportsbook MySportsbook.com today announced odds on all 10 Chase qualifying drivers capturing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. One of the largest sportsbook sites on the Internet, MySportsbook.com currently lists the top two drivers in the point standings as the early favorites to win the Nextel Cup. Entering the Chase for the Cup with a slim five-point lead in the point standings, 2003 NASCAR champ Matt Kenseth has been made a slight favorite to win his second Cup at 7/2 betting odds. 2001 Cup Rookie of the Year Kevin Harvick has betting odds listed at 5/2 and four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon is listed at 6/1 to capture the Nextel Cup this year. Hoping to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father who won six NASCAR titles, Dale Earnhardt Jr. stands at 8/1 to breakthrough with his first Cup victory. Staying with the family theme, MySportsbook.com lists 2005 Rookie of the Year Kyle Busch at 14/1 to succeed big brother Kurt’s 2004 NASCAR title. While Kasey Kahne was the final driver to qualify for the Chase with a third place finish last week, the oddsmakers give him a fighting chance at 10/1 mainly due to several mile-and-a-half tracks remaining on the schedule. Despite going winless on the NASCAR circuit this season, Jeff Burton enters the Chase at 5/1 to capture the Cup title. Meanwhile, rookie Denny Hamlin is 4/1 to win the championship, while veteran driver Mark Martin enters the Chase for the Cup as a 15/1 long shot to win his first NASCAR title in his 24th and final season. MySportsbook.com will offer comprehensive Nascar betting lines on every race remaining on the Nextel Cup series including driver match-ups, props and odds to win each race. For a complete list of NASCAR odds, please visit www.MySportsbook.com. To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts US credit cards needs. Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds. Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month. Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to bet on the NBA. With the regular season about to hit the homestretch, it is important to point out that MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry. To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards. |
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