Duke and Butler to play rematch in December

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

05/03/2010 - Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Duke and Butler, this past season's NCAA Tournament finalists, will play in a rematch of their championship game in December.

Duke beat Butler, 61-59, on April 5 to capture its fourth national title, and the teams will square off again December 4 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m (et) start and will be televised live on ESPN.

Duke has gone 18-1 in games played at the IZOD Center, and that record includes five NCAA East Regional Final victories. Butler has never played at the arena.

Duke will return two starters -- Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith -- from its championship-winning team, while Butler returns starters Shelvin Mack, Matt Howard and Ronald Nored. Gordon Hayward, Butler's leading scorer and rebounder this past season, has declared for the NBA Draft, though has not signed with an agent.

Vitualvegas NCAA Basketball Betting News

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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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