Butler hosts Cleveland State in Horizon League title tilt

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

03/10/2009 - Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The top-seeded Butler Bulldogs have the privilege of hosting the Horizon League Tournament championship game tonight, as they welcome the third-seeded Cleveland State Vikings to Hinkle Fieldhouse. The winner of this game will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Last season, these same two teams met in the title tilt, and Butler prevailed in a 70-55 final. The Bulldogs have five HL tourney titles to their credit, more than any league member, and they are 25-24 all-time in the event.

The Vikings, by contrast, have never captured the crowd and are a lowly 4-13 all-time in the event. Cleveland State, which has reached the 20-win plateau for the seventh time in school history, knocked off Detroit, Illinois-Chicago and Wisconsin-Green Bay in succession to earn a spot in this evening's bout.

Butler earned a bye through the first two rounds and faced Wright State in the semifinals. That game proved challenging for the Bulldogs, but they were able to escape with a 62-57 triumph. Butler owns a 25-6 advantage in the all-time series with Cleveland State, which includes a thrilling 58-56 triumph over the Vikings less than two weeks ago.

On Saturday, Cleveland State knocked off UW-Green Bay by a 73-67 margin in the semifinals of this tournament. Norris Cole was tremendous for the Vikings, as the guard finished with 23 points on the strength of a perfect 9-of-9 showing from the foul line. Cedric Jackson pitched in with 14 points and eight rebounds, and the team won despite the fact that Jackson had only one assist and zero steals. J'Nathan Bullock provided 16 points for CSU, which earned a 40-27 rebounding advantage and a 22-12 edge on the offensive boards. Bullock is scoring 15.4 ppg, and he is pulling down 7.1 rpg as well. Cole provides 13.2 ppg, and Jackson is netting 10.3 ppg while leading the Horizon League in assists (182) and steals (101). Opponents are only scoring 59.1 ppg on 40.6 percent shooting from the field against Cleveland State.

All five of Butler's Horizon League Tournament titles have come since 1997, a sign that the program has reached new heights over the last decade. This year's team has played tremendous defense, limiting opponents to 57.1 ppg on 38 percent field goal efficiency. The Bulldogs are scoring a respectable 68.1 ppg, and there are three double-digit scorers in the fold. Matt Howard is tops with 14.6 ppg, and he is pulling down 6.8 rpg to go along with his 46 blocked shots. Gordon Hayward provides 13.4 ppg, and he is a 45.1 percent shooter from three-point range. As for Shelvin Mack, he checks in with 11.5 ppg despite 38.6 percent shooting. In the semifinal victory over Wright State, Howard hit 14-of-15 free throws and finished with 24 points. Zach Hahn added 11 points off the bench for the Bulldogs, who earned a 24-5 advantage in points from the foul line.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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