TCU seeks upset of BYU in Mountain West quarterfinals

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03/11/2010 - Las Vegas, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A rematch of the regular-season finale has 14th-ranked and second-seeded BYU taking on the seventh-seeded TCU Horned Frogs in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Mountain West Conference Tournament tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

BYU, which has just one tournament title to show for its efforts over the first 10 years of the league's existence, has a record of 12-9 in the event overall. The Cougars have had one of their most successful seasons ever, sporting 28 wins in 32 opportunities and putting up 13 league wins in 16 chances. The Achilles' heel for the program this season came in the form of New Mexico to which the Cougars lost twice.

As for the Horned Frogs, a squad that has won just once in five tries in this tournament since joining the league, they dropped two straight and four of their last five games to close out the regular season and finished at just 5-11 in league play. Four of the team's league victories came against Wyoming and Air Force, the two weakest programs in the league.

The Cougars have dominated this series over the years with 15 wins in 18 opportunities. BYU won at home this season with a 76-56 final the first week of February, and then crushed the Frogs in the regular-season finale in Fort Worth with a resounding 107-77 victory.

The winner of this meeting will be back in action on Friday, taking on the survivor of the Utah/UNLV contest in the semifinals.

Ronnie Moss is the glue to the Horned Frogs this season, not only leading the group in scoring with his 14.6 ppg, but also responsible for 185 assists over the course of 31 outings which placed him among the nation's elite in that category. Add to that the fact that Moss shot 37.3 percent from three-point range and was the most productive perimeter shooters for the group and it is easy to see how he earned all-conference honors this season. Zvonko Buljan (12,4 ppg) was solid on the glass for the program with his 8.6 rpg, which is all the more reason why he should remain in the paint and not out on the perimeter where he shot only 26.9 percent. Edvinas Ruzgas (10.7 ppg) is really the one who should be setting himself on the outside where he made good on 41.8 percent of his tries for a team that attempted nearly 700 three-point shots during the regular season.

As if it were going to be a surprise, Jimmer Fredette earned All-MWC First- Team honors after he posted 20.6 ppg this season and delivered on a whopping 141 assists in his 30 appearances for the Cougars. A tough defensive matchup for many opponents, Fredette was comfortable both slashing to the rim and drawing contact, resulting in his 171-of-194 (.881) shooting at the free-throw line, as well as setting up on the perimeter and knocking down 47.2 percent of his three-point tries. Jackson Emery (12.6 ppg) plays a similar style to Fredette with his 4.4 rpg, 87 assists and 74-of-176 out on the perimeter. Relegated to coming off the bench for the majority of the season, Jonathan Tavernari made it work for him as he finished with 10.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg and also 40 percent shooting behind the three-point line himself as he earned the MWC's Sixth Man award. Put it all together and you have a BYU group that was one of the best in the nation with a scoring margin of almost 19 ppg.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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