Wisconsin battles Marquette in Badger State bash

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12/09/2006 - Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In what may prove to be the day's best college basketball game, the 17th-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles welcome the 11th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers to town for a non-conference clash.

Wisconsin has won four straight games to improve to 8-1 overall, and the most recent victory came over Winthrop on Monday by an 82-79 final in overtime. The only loss for the squad came against Missouri State by a 66-64 final in a neutral site affair, and today's tilt marks the first true road game of the season for the Badgers.

Marquette won eight straight games to open the season, but the club was then shocked at home by North Dakota State, 64-60, in the championship game of its own Blue & Gold Classic. Fortunately, the Golden Eagles were able to get back on track with a win over Delaware State on Tuesday by a 65-48 final. While many of the team's games have come against weak non-conference opponents, Marquette did make a major statement with back-to-back wins over Texas Tech and Duke.

Wisconsin holds a 61-51 edge in the all-time series with Marquette, including a 77-63 triumph over the Golden Eagles last season.

Wisconsin is scoring 76.7 ppg this season while limiting opponents to 59.8 ppg. The top offensive performer for the Badgers is Alando Tucker, who figures to contend for Big Ten Player of the Year honors. Tucker is scoring 19.3 ppg, and the coaches have to be happy to see the historically poor free throw shooter improve significantly this season. Kammron Taylor is a solid second scoring option for the Badgers, as he is posting 11.9 ppg, and Brian Butch adds 10.3 ppg and 6.1 rpg to the mix. In the narrow overtime victory over Winthrop on Monday, Tucker and Michael Flowers posted 21 points apiece. As for Butch he hit 7-of-11 shots from the floor en route to 17 points, and he grabbed nine rebounds as well. Wisconsin earned a commanding 40-18 rebounding advantage in the tilt, including a 21-4 edge on the offensive glass. The Badgers also outscored Winthrop 24-6 from the foul line, the most obvious reason that they were able to overcome a 15-of-25 three-point effort by the opposition.

Marquette connected on 50 percent of its field goal attempts against Delaware State, including a stellar 9-of-14 effort from three-point range. Defensively, the Golden Eagles limited the Hornets to 34.8 percent shooting, and those positives enabled Tom Crean's club to overcome a 10-of-19 showing from the foul line and a 31-28 rebounding disadvantage. Four of the five Marquette starters reached double figures in scoring, and Jerel McNeal led the way with 16 points while Wesley Matthews pitched in 15 points. As for Dan Fitzgerald and Dominic James, both tallied 13 points in the win. James is scoring a team- high 17.0 ppg this season, and McNeal adds 13.9 ppg to the mix despite the fact that he has struggled with his shooting. Matthews is posting 12.0 ppg for the Golden Eagles, who are netting 75.0 ppg while limiting the opposition to 60.4 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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