10/08/2008 - Nyon, Switzerland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Rankings for the month of October were released on Wednesday, and they saw top-ranked Spain maintain a big lead over the rest of the field.
Italy and Germany stayed in the second and third spots respectively, while Brazil made a positive move up to fourth, jumping two spots.
The Netherlands (5th, down 1) and Croatia (6th, down 1) each dropped, with Argentina and the Czech Republic holding steady at seventh and eighth respectively.
Russia (9th, up 3) found its way into the top 10 with some good results in qualifying, while Portugal (10th, down 1) was bumped down a spot.
Ukraine (19th, up 7), Denmark (31st, up 5) Australia (34th, up 5) and Chile (36th, up 4) were among the teams that enjoyed a good month, while things were even better for Lithuania (37th, up 17), which made the biggest move with a 17-spot improvement. Ecuador (42nd, up 10), FYR Macedonia (46th, up 10) and Honduras (50th, up 10) also made good use of this past month to get into the top 50.
Macedonia's big jump can be attributed to a win over Scotland in qualifying, and because of that, the Scots (26th, down 10) made the biggest drop. Romania (18th, down 5), Ghana (25th, down 5), Ivory Coast (29th, down 6), Norway (39th, down 5) and Serbia (40th, down 7) will also be looking to improve in next month's rankings.
The United States (21st, up 7) became the highest ranked team in CONCACAF as they climbed seven spots to pass Mexico, which stayed the same at 24th. The Americans will play two qualifying matches before next month's rankings as they meet Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on Nov. 12, 2008.
<< Portis, Winfield and Bush earn NFC weekly honors
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Washington Redskins running back Clinton
Portis, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield and New Orleans Saints
running back/punt returner Reggie Bush were named the NFC's top players for
Week 5
<< ALCS Preview - Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays will battle for
the right to represent the American League at the World Series when the best-
of-seven ALCS gets underway on Friday at Tropicana Field.
While the defending wor
<< Roethlisberger, Brackett, Prater selected as AFC's top players
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger,
Indianapolis linebacker Gary Brackett and Denver kicker Matt Prater have been
selected as the AFC's top players for Week 5 of the NFL season.
Roethlisberger was
<< Jets' Smith will sit Sunday for hit on Boldin
Florham Park, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Jets safety Eric Smith lost his
appeal of a one-game suspension for the helmet-to-helmet hit on Arizona wide
receiver Anquan Boldin and will sit out this Sunday's game against Cincinnati.
Smit
Revs lose goalkeeper Warren for season >>
Foxborough, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New England Revolution goalkeeper Doug
Warren has been placed on the season-ending injury list after suffering a
right elbow injury.
Warren, 27, will miss the remainder of the 2008 season while h
Pompey's Nugent out another two months >>
Portsmouth, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Injury-plagued Portsmouth striker David
Nugent has been ruled out for a further two months following hernia surgery.
The 23-year-old frontman has failed to make a single appearance this season
and un
USGA announces sites for 2011 and 2012 Mid-Amateurs >>
Far Hills, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The United States Golf Association has
selected Shadow Hawk Golf Club in Richmond, Texas as the host for the 2011
U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship and has also chosen Conway Farms Golf Club in
Lake Fo
Ferguson getting closer to Rangers return >>
Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rangers are hopeful that Barry Ferguson
can step up his comeback from summer ankle surgery with an appearance for the
reserves next week.
The Scotland midfielder has been pencilled in to face Hibs in
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.
With 30 or so games left in the regular season, Roy isn’t a lock for the award by any means. Other rookies are putting together some pretty impressive campaigns and a few could give Roy a run for the award with increased playing time. Heading the list is first pick, Andrea Bargnani of the Toronto Raptors. Even though he has started only two games all season, Bargnani is averaging 10.3 PPPG while shooting 35% from deep.
Randy Foye of the Minnesota Timberwolves could be set to give Roy the best competition NBA Rookie of the Year betting lines. With the benching of Mike James, Foye looks like he could be the starter in the T-Wolves backcourt for the rest of the season. So far, Foye has averaged 9 PPG and 2.4 assists in just under 21 minutes per game. With his new role of starter, Foye’s numbers will definitely increase. In his first game as the new starting guard this past Sunday, Foye had 10 points; five rebounds and 8 assists. More importantly, he logged 34 minutes of playing time; his third highest run of the season.
Adam Morrison, of the Charlotte Bobcats, was the favorite early on in the season after averaging 15+ PPG through the first month of the season. Ever since his torrid start, Morrison’s point production has declined each month. This really isn’t surprising, considering at 6’8” he only weighs 205 lbs. Obviously he will need to hit the weights big time during the off-season in order to keep from breaking down in the future.
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.
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