In return, Houston will have the option to exchange second round picks with
the Clippers in 2011.
Novak averaged 3.9 points while connecting on 34-of-71 three-pointers in 35
games for the Rockets last season.
"Steve is a terrific perimeter shooter who will definitely help open the floor
and create more opportunities for our post players," said Clippers general
manager Elgin Baylor. "We are happy to bring him to Los Angeles."
"We are pleased to add Steve to our roster," added head coach Mike Dunleavy.
"He is an excellent shooter who will help us space the floor and keep defenses
honest."
<< Angels score early and often to topple O's
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ervin Santana was solid on the hill to record
his 13th win on the season and Vladimir Guerrero hit a home run and finished
with four runs driven in, as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim crushed the
Baltimo
<< Coleman replaces Yeley at Hall of Fame Racing
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hall of Fame Racing announced Wednesday J.J.
Yeley has been released from his driving duties of the No.96 Toyota in the
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Nationwide Series driver Brad Coleman will drive the
<< Cardinals pick up INF Lopez
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals signed free-agent
infielder Felipe Lopez to a major-league contract Tuesday.
Lopez was released by the Washington Nationals last week in a roster upheaval.
The 28-year-old was hit
<< Rays recall SS Zobrist, option OF Gomes
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays recalled shortstop
Ben Zobrist from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday and optioned outfielder Jonny
Gomes to Durham.
Zobrist started at shortstop in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Cleve
<< Ludwick's blast lifts Cards over Dodgers
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Ludwick smacked a one-out, two-run
homer in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals a much-
needed 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in a rain-soaked opener of a
three-g
Nearly perfect: Karstens outduels Big Unit >>
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jeff Karstens took a perfect game into the
eighth inning before surrendering a double to Chris Young with two outs, but
recovered to throw a two-hit shutout in Pittsburgh's 2-0 win over the Arizona
Diamond
Span, Twins pull away from Mariners to avoid sweep >>
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Denard Span drove in four runs and had three
hits, and the Minnesota Twins salvaged the finale of a three-game set with a
7-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.
Minnesota entered this series having won sev
Athletics select contract of Gonzalez, option Petit >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oakland Athletics purchased the contract
of pitcher Gio Gonzalez from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.
The lefty made hit his major league-debut in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the
Toronto Blue Jay
Cardinals continue roster shakeup >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals recalled reliever
Chris Perez from Triple-A Memphis Wednesday, one of a series of moves for the
contending club.
The club also optioned outfielder Nick Stavinoha and infielder Bre
Howard homers as Phils blank Fish >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Howard homered and doubled, and
Kyle Kendrick worked out of several jams to pitch six shutout innings as the
Philadelphia Phillies downed the Florida Marlins, 5-0, in the middle matchup
of a th
Numerous College Basketball teams take final big step to March Madness betting
So, what turned on the lock spigot? Well, after what felt like weeks of teams treading water and slipping back into the bubble muck, a bunch of them finally decided to say "to heck with parity" and won games that should put them into the Big Dance.
Disagree with some of these? Then here's the challenge. Take all of the "should be ins" and make a legit case that each should be ahead of the team that's a lock. Then find 10 more teams that also should be placed in the bracket ahead of that lock team. Not so easy, is it?
If you want more evidence that these locks should be good to go, check out what our research department dug up. Since the NCAA Tournament went to 64 teams in 1985, only six teams from a "big six" conference have had a record of 10-6 or better in conference play and not been selected: Colorado (2004) and Nebraska (1999) from the Big 12, Boston College and Seton Hall (both 2003) from the Big East, Indiana (2005) from the Big Ten and UCLA, which somehow went 12-6 in the Pac-10 in 1988 and still missed out. (Note: Five teams went 11-7 and didn't get in, the latest being last season's Stanford team, which had a brutal nonconference run.)
Yes, 10 conference wins doesn't always mean what it used to because of unbalanced schedules, but this season, it should be plenty good in all but the extreme cases (see: Iowa).
In a way, this is a welcome development, because this is a bubble watch, not a lock watch. We can finally be done with teams like Maryland and Virginia Tech and start really bearing down on at-large battles such as Syracuse-West Virginia and Appalachian State-Georgia Tech.
Interestingly, all the shifting of teams into lock status appears to be more administrative than impactful. The number of remaining available at-larges didn't change one iota. The only difference is that teams on the bubble now have a clearer idea of which team(s) they are competing with for those precious bids.
As always, I've tried to be as inclusive as possible while only including teams that would have a reasonable chance of at least being discussed if this were Selection Sunday. If your team's not on here, there's probably a good reason (or three) -- start with the RPI and SOS numbers and work your way down.
(Please remember, per selection committee criteria, that records displayed are Division I only. Next update: Feb. 28)
If you have a legitimate grievance, or just like talking bubble, send an e-mail. Polite ones with fact-based arguments have a much better chance of receiving a response. I apologize in advance if I can't get back to all of you.
Atlantic Coast Conference
Work left to do: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech
The ACC moves to six locks as BC, Va Tech and Virginia all got their 10th ACC wins, which should be more than enough this season, and Maryland rallied past North Carolina to get the final piece the Terps needed. After that? It could end there unless FSU, Ga Tech or Clemson picks things up in a hurry.
Work left to do:
Clemson [19-9 (5-9), RPI: 41, SOS: 42] The Tigers are closer to locking up the collapse of the year award (in a good battle with OK State) than they are to grabbing an at-large. Clemson's been very competitive, but there's no really positive way you can spin nine losses in 11 games. They now cannot get to .500 in ACC play and still must head to Virginia Tech in the season finale (after hosting Miami). Unless the Tigers win both and/or do some serious work in the ACC tourney, they very well could be left out. There are no great nonconference wins, but ODU, App State, Miss. State, South Carolina and Georgia are all respectable W's.
Florida State [18-11 (6-9), RPI: 48, SOS: 14] The Noles got thrashed at Maryland to run their losing streak to five, but then pounded NC State at home to set the table for what likely is an elimination game at Miami. You can at least make a case for the Seminoles at 7-9 in ACC play (and some work in the ACC tourney), but 6-10 is not going to cut it. Wins at Duke and over Florida will resonate, but the computer numbers remain questionable. Beyond Florida, FSU thrashed bubble buddy Providence, but there's not a ton beyond those two games that will help. They didn't show well in big-time opportunities against Pitt and Wisconsin (before the Florida win).
Georgia Tech [18-10 (6-8), RPI: 51, SOS: 46] The Jackets beat Wake on Wednesday but couldn't get it done at UVa on Saturday, which could be a crucial loss with UNC and BC (both at home) remaining and 8-8 almost a certain need for at-large consideration. A nonconference win over Memphis helps, but the RPI and SOS are not at-large quality right now; if you combine those with a sub-.500 ACC mark, that could spell NIT for GT.
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