MEMPHIS -- Nearly two hours into the Memphis Grizzlies first training camp practice, a screaming whistle blew what seemed to be a chaotic shooting drill to a screeching halt.Players anticipated their first of two workout sessions Tuesday was over. But new coach David Fizdale spotted someones effort lagging so he abruptly charged toward the middle of the court.What the hell is this? Fizdale shouted as he mimicked a player who loafed through the drill. What are we doing? Practice aint over. These are game shots were working on, guys. Championship shots.The Grizzlies have never won an NBA title or even a conference finals game. Doesnt matter. The language from the outset of training camp has apparently changed around here. And so has much more.About 1,043 miles separate Fizdales current job from his previous one. Memphis, on this particular late September day, was also 20 degrees cooler than the place that groomed him for this shot to become a first-time NBA head coach. From the motivating buzzwords to the bulletin boards throughout the practice gym, and from the system tweaks to the redesigned locker rooms and hallways, theres an unmistakable Miami Heat way of doing things that Fizdale has imported from South Florida.Theres a specific hope in Memphis. Its that Fizdale draws from his experiences in Miami, where he spent six seasons as Erik Spoelstras lead assistant in an organization run by Hall of Famer Pat Riley. Fizdale was with Heat teams that advanced to the playoffs five times, made four straight trips to the NBA Finals and won two titles in a system that featured LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.Theres no guarantee that incorporating elements of the Heat culture will result in a championship-level breakthrough in Memphis. Especially when no blueprint exists for avoiding the devastating rash of injuries that led to the Grizzlies using an NBA-record 28 players on the roster last season. Despite losing Marc Gasol (foot), Mike Conley (Achilles) and several other key rotation players, Memphis still finished seventh in the West and made the playoffs before being swept by San Antonio in the first round.If nothing else, Fizdales energy, engaging personality and accountability represent a fresh start for the Grizzlies. Many have taken notice of the initial changes in camp. Gasol, Conley, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen are on their third coach in a four-year span. Yet even after reaching the 2013 Western Conference finals with Lionel Hollins at the helm, then holding a 2-1 series lead over Golden State in a second-round series under Dave Joerger two years ago, Memphis Core Four sense a distinctive difference with Fizdale.Hes clear with his message about his culture, Gasol said. Hes coming from a place that went four straight times to the Finals. We havent talked much about Xs and Os. The last two months, its been about culture and trust. His message has been so profound from Day 1 ... and I needed that.New coaches make it a priority to establish an early connection with key players. For Fizdale, its risen to a passion. In Miami after the Big Threes first season ended with a loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals, Spoelstra spent an unconventional offseason studying the psychology of football coaches Urban Meyer and Chip Kelly.Earlier this week, Fizdale referenced a quote that inspired him from Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.I remember seeing a quote from Harbaugh, pretty much saying that 90 percent of his time is spent with his players; and that rang true with me, Fizdale said. Thats the most important thing I could do -- spend time with my players over the summer, give them a vision as to how they fit into this thing.For Fizdale, that meant reaching out to Gasol soon after accepting the coaching job in late May.In my first conversation with Marc, I said, Well, you know Im going to start taking you out if you dont get up at least four 3-pointers a game, Fizdale said. And I think he about fell out of his chair when I said it. I wouldnt have a job right now as a head coach if Chris Bosh couldnt shoot 3s. And he developed that in Miami. I plan to do the same thing with Marc, and hes already working on it like crazy.Fizdale then followed up weeks later with a visit to Gasols home in Barcelona. It was a trip that came at a rough time for Gasol, the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year who was rehabbing a broken foot that cut his season short in February. Gasol wasnt healthy enough to compete for Spain in the Olympics.He came and said, Youre not going to play for the national team, but here are the things I want you to work on for next season, Gasol said of Fizdale. And he said, Heres how I want you to lead the team, heres how I want you to be a captain and heres how Im going to do my job as coach to establish the culture we want to have in a city like Memphis. And hes doing what he says hes going to do.Its a message and a method that resonated in free agency when the time came to retain Conley and land free agent Chandler Parsons. Conleys $153 million deal to stay in Memphis was the richest five-year contract in NBA history, and Parsons scored a $94 million contract.Fizdale has told both that the onus to perform to the standards of those contracts falls as much on the coaching staff and other teammates as it does on the players directly under the scrutiny.I dont think Mike ever wanted to leave, Fizdale said. What Mike wanted to hear was what was going to be different, how wed take it to a different level. When I talked to him about the system and culture, we clicked from the beginning. Chandler wanted to see us keep Mike first. Once we got Mike, who wouldnt want to play with the most unselfish point guard and big man in the league?Fizdales recruiting and reinforcement of expectations havent stopped since.Hes like, Man, I just want you thinking All-Star, All-Star, All-Star, said Conley, who has yet to represent a conference in which Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry and Tony Parker have stacked up selections. Youre going to be an All-Star, is what he tells me every single day, outside of Were going to win a championship. I had kind of put that on the backburner, but it would be cool.Conley, Gasol and Parsons are all early into long-term new max deals. But convincing Randolph and Allen to fully buy in despite entering the season with expiring contracts represented a different challenge. They also possess the strongest personalities and roughest edges in the locker room.Im not the easiest guy [to talk to], but hes brave enough to do it, Allen said of Fizdale. Hes straight up front with it - nothing behind the scenes. I never had it like that from a coach. He put the light into our eyes that our window is not that big, so we need to get it done now.Fizdale is also literally shining a brighter light along the players path to the FedEx Forum court. Thats another not-so-minor detail hes borrowed from the Heat. The tunnel in Miami that leads from the Heats locker room to the court is referred to as Championship Alley and is lined with floor-to-ceiling game photos of players and images from championship runs in 2006, 2012 and 2013.Among the Fizdale-inspired makeovers in Memphis are oversized images of Conley, Allen, Gasol and Randolph in the hallway leading to the court. Theres also a redesigned team and family lounge. Along another wall is a quote from a Chinese author and philosopher about character being forged by fire. The concept comes from a collection of motivational books Miamis staff annually gives to players as gifts.All thats missing is the championship memorabilia in Memphis.Hes changing the culture already here and bringing that championship attitude, Randolph said. Hes looking guys right in the eyes. Youve got to respect what Fiz brings. Hes got the formula for the recipe.Fittingly, Fizdales first batch of Memphis practices were devoted almost entirely to defense.It was ugly in some stretches because they arent connected yet, but were working, Fizdale said of the schematic instillations. Spo and Coach Riley would kill me if they found out I did it any other way. Calvin Johnson Lions Jersey . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. Kerry Hyder Lions Jersey . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. http://www.lionsfanspro.com/Black-Anquan-Boldin-Lions-Jersey.html?cat=886 . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Matthew Stafford Lions Jersey . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. Tahir Whitehead Lions Jersey . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. Below is the game plan for having an enjoyable and profitable bowl season -- by creaming your co-workers in the office pool.It includes bullet-pointed information straight from Las Vegas sportsbooks, coaches records in bowls, strength-of-schedule insight, statistical mismatches and more.Please do not leak to office pool opponents. ...Note: Statistical information from BetLabSports on SportsInsights and TeamRankings.com was used in this article.Early action reportIn mid-December, an MGM casino guest placed six-figure bets on Arkansas State, BYU, Mississippi State, Florida State, Louisville and Air Force. The gambler was described as a house player, generally meaning a high-roller, but not necessarily a sophisticated sports bettor.On Tuesday at the MGM, a sophisticated sports bettor placed a $5,000 limit bet on Auburn +4.5 against Oklahoma in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Limits will increase closer to kickoff.Out of the first $7,027 bet at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook on the Sugar Bowl, $7,000 was on the favored Sooners. Oklahoma opened as a 5.5-point favorite, but was only laying 3.5 at several shops as of Dec. 14.The largest bowl bet placed at a William Hill sportsbook in Nevada as of Dec. 14: A $44,000 pop on Temple -13 versus Wake Forest in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27. Because of the big bet, which was placed Dec. 10, more money had been bet on the Military Bowl than had been bet on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between Alabama and Washington at William Hill.Temple also attracted big money at the South Point sportsbook. We took some big play on Temple, South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews said. Not sure how sophisticated it was, but it was big. The Military Bowl line had grown to Owls -14 at several sportsbooks as of Dec. 14.Andrews believes Alabama would be a 7-point favorite over Ohio State in a potential national championship game matchup. Ive heard guys say higher, but I think 7 is a good number, Andrews added.Ed Salmons, head football oddsmaker at the SuperBook, thinks Alabama would be favored over Ohio State by somewhere between 7.5 and 9.5 points.Golden Nugget oddsmaker Aaron Kesslers projected lines for potential championship game matchups: Ohio State vs. Alabama -9.5; Clemson vs. Alabama -11; Washington vs. Ohio State -4; Washington vs. Clemson -3.Alabama grew to as much as a 17-point favorite over Washington in the days directly after the point spread on Peach Bowl was posted at Station Casino. But as of Dec. 14, the line had settled back to Crimson Tide -16, with even action. Stations sportsbook director Jason McCormick reported 51 percent of the bets were on Alabama.Six times as much money had been wagered on Alabama as had been bet on Washington as of Dec. 14 at the South Point.Projecting a line involving Washington in the championship game is tricky. Youd have to give Washington a huge bump from beating Alabama, Salmons said. If Washington beats Alabama, no matter who they play, that line is obviously going to be less than 7. If they played Clemson, I think it would be somewhere around Clemson [minus] 3 and Ohio State [minus] 5.5, 6.The SuperBook took a limit bet on Ohio State -3 versus Clemson in mid-December. That was definitely sharp, Salmons said.The SuperBook also took early action, characterized by Salmons as sharp, on Florida State +7, Stanford -3 and Pittsburgh -3.5.The SuperBook opened Michigan as a 7-point favorite over Florida State in the Capital One Orange Bowl and quickly attracted respected money on the Seminoles, dropping the line to Wolverines -6.5. Wise guys just wouldnt let -7 stick around, Salmons said. That was surprising, because Im pretty sure the public is going to be coming in pretty good on Michigan.As of Dec. 14, 91 percent of the money wagered on the Orange Bowl at William Hill sportsbooks was on the Wolverines.Michigan had also attracted the most lopsided action at the Golden Nugget.William Hill took two $25,000 bets on Ohio State to win the championship at 4-1 odds. Each would net $100,000 if the Buckeyes win their second national title in the past three years.William Hill also accepted a $6,400 national championship bet on Washington at 15-1, which would net $96,000, and a $10,000 bet on Clemson at 9-1 that would produce a $90,000 profit. The largest bet on Alabama was $5,000 at 11-2, which would pay $27,500 if the Crimson Tide repeat as national champions.Temple, South Carolina, New Mexico, Indiana, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin also had attracted more than 90 percent of the early money on bowls that had received early significant action at William Hill.Las Vegas sportsbook operator CG Technology took two $5,000 limit bets on North Carolina State the first week after bowl lines were posted. (Limits will increase closer to kickoff). We need Vanderbilt, CG Technologys Jason Simbal said. As of Dec. 14, North Carolina State was listed as a 4-point favorite over Vanderbilt in the Camping World Independence Bowl.LSU and Wisconsin also attracted early line-moving money at CG Technology.In the first week since bowl lines were opened for betting at the MGM, six times as much money had been wagered on the Peach Bowl between Alabama and Washington as had been bet on the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Clemson.Arkansas State, Houston, Southern Miss, Colorado, Stanford and Indiana had attracted limit bets as of Tuesday at Station Casino.Southern Miss opened as a 3-point favorite over Louisiana-Lafayette, but was bet up to Eagles -4.5, creating Stations most-lopsided decision on a bowl as of Tuesday.New Mexico, Southern Miss, BYU and Old Dominion had attracted the most action at Caesars sportsbooks.Jeff Stoneback, assistant sportsbook manager at the MMGM Mirage, estimates 80 to 90 percent of the money wagered on bowl games is placed on the day of the game.dddddddddddd0-year bowl ATS and over/under statsUnderdogs are 172-170 ATS.There have been 178 unders and 173 overs.Underdogs are 126-216 straight-up in bowls.Double-digit favorites are 21-25 ATS.Double-digit favorites are 33-12 straight up.The SEC is 55-38 ATS, by far the best mark of any conference. The SEC went 8-3 ATS in bowls last season.The Big 12 is 32-44 ATS, the worst mark of any conference. The Big 12 went 2-5 ATS in bowls last season.The MAC hasnt fared well either, going 16-29 ATS in the past 10 bowl seasons.2016 non-conference straight up recordsBig Ten: 26-8SEC: 29-12ACC: 29-13Pac-12: 19-9Big 12: 12-10AAC: 19-17Independent: 15-25Mountain West: 15-23Mid-American: 14-21Sun Belt: 9-25Conference USA: 8-32Bowl records for coachesHeres a look at how every coach has done straight up and against the spread in previous bowl games:Note: Interim coaches are denoted with an asterisk (*).Team and coach bowl notesAlabama went 8-2 ATS versus bowl teams this season.Nine of Alabamas past 11 bowl games have gone over the total.Ohio State is 6-0 ATS as an underdog under coach Urban Meyer. The Buckeyes covered the spread in those six games by an average of 21.9 points. Ohio State would be an underdog in a potential title game against Alabama.Urban Meyer is 39-9 ATS with more than a week to prepare.Temple went 5-1 ATS versus bowl teams this season.Temple is 12-1 ATS this season, the best mark of any bowl team.Colorado State and Colorado are a combined 20-5 ATS this season.Maryland went 0-7 ATS versus bowl teams this season.Clemson went 3-7 ATS versus bowl teams this season.Eleven of Pittsburghs 12 games this season have gone over the total.Ten of Ohios 12 games this season have stayed under the total.Seven of TCUs past nine bowl games have stayed under the total.TCU, Boise State and Baylor are each 3-9 ATS this season, the worst mark of bowl teams.Stanford has covered the spread in six of its past seven bowl appearances.Kansas State has covered the spread in just one of its past eight bowl appearances.Largest strength-of-schedule mismatchesNote: Strength of schedule is according to Jeff Sagarins College Football Ratings.Wisconsin (10) vs. Western Michigan (118)Mississippi State (31) vs. Miami, Ohio (124)LSU (13) vs. Louisville (70)Colorado (8) vs. Oklahoma State (61)Western Kentucky (121) vs. Memphis (73)Colorado State (79) vs. Idaho (123)Central Florida (74) vs. Arkansas State (119)Middle Tennessee (132) vs. Hawaii (87)Old Dominion (140) vs. Eastern Michigan (98)Statistical mismatchesColorado States No. 6 goal-line offense vs. Idahos 116th-ranked goal-line defense.Michigans pass rush vs. Florida States pass protection. The Wolverines are second in the nation with 3.67 sacks per game. The Seminoles rank 109th in the nation in sacks allowed 2.83 sacks per game.Michigans 8th-ranked punt return unit vs. Florida States 127th-ranked punt return defense.Washingtons 14th ranked punt return unit vs. Alabamas 115th-ranked punt return defense.Louisiana Techs offense is eighth in the nation in third-down efficiency. Navys defense is 128th in third-down efficiency defense.Utah is third in the nation in turnovers gained with 28 (17 interceptions, 11 fumbles). Indiana is tied for 120th in the nation in turnovers with 26 lost (17 interceptions, nine fumbles).Boston Colleges pass rush vs. Marylands pass protection: The Eagles rank ninth in the nation in sacks per game (3.25). The Terrapins surrendered 41 sacks this season, 3.42 per game (121st in nation). Only one power-conference team (Arizona State) allowed more sacks.North Carolina States NFL-bound defensive end Bradley Chubbs 21 tackles for loss is second nationally, and given Vandys struggles on the offensive line (7.2 percent sack rate, 12th in SEC) it should be a prime opportunity for Chubb to pad his stats.Oklahoma State, Indiana and Nebraska each allowed three blocked punts this season. Only UNLV allowed more.Baylor committed 9.83 penalties per game, nearly 1.6 more than any other team. Boise State, the Bears opponent in the Cactus Bowl, is one least penalized teams in the nation, ranking 11th nationally in penalties per game.South Floridas No. 5-ranked rushing offense vs. South Carolinas 89th-ranked rushing defense.Eastern Michigans No. 19th-ranked goal-line offense vs. Old Dominion 100th-ranked goal-line defense.Colorados pass rush vs. Oklahoma States pass protection. The Buffaloes recorded 2.69 sacks per game, good for third in the Pac-12 and 25th in the nation. Oklahoma State is 105th in sacks allowed, surrendering 2.56 per game.Air Forces No. 3-ranked rushing offense vs. South Alabamas 98th-ranked rushing defense.Odds and endsThe point spread on the Hawaii Bowl between Middle Tennessee and Hawaii had not been posted as of Dec. 13. Middle Tennessee starting QB Brent Stockstill suffered a broken collarbone in an early November loss to Texas-San Antonio and did not play the rest of the regular season. He has not, however, been ruled out of the Hawaii Bowl.Average combined points in bowl games since 2011 is 58.7. The average posted over/under on this seasons bowls is 57.35 as of Dec. 14 at the SuperBook.The Memphis-Western Kentucky total quickly grew to 80 at the SuperBook, the largest of any bowl total as of Dec. 14.Teams playing bowl games in their home state are 28-29-1 ATS in the previous five seasons (2011-15), not including the 2013 New Orleans Bowl between UL-Lafayette and Tulane, with both teams playing in their home state. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '