PROFILES » Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the J

RIO DE JANEIRO -- The odds are good the U.S. will win the gold medal count once again in the Olympics.The odds are even better this year that there will be some money bet on it.Bookmakers in Las Vegas are making the U.S. the favorite to defend the gold medal crown from the London Olympics, with an over/under of 43.5 gold medals for the Americans. China is the only other country close to the U.S., with bookies putting that countrys gold medal line at 36.Its the first time since the 2000 Olympics in Sydney that bettors in Nevada have been able to put money on the games. So far, they havent exactly caught Olympic fever.Weve probably had 10 people come to the counter to bet it, said Jimmy Vaccaro, who sets odds at the South Point hotel sports book.Bookies who can usually pick the spread for an NFL game within a point or two off the top of their head have had to educate themselves on some unfamiliar sports that in any other year would not even attract the attention of bettors looking to make a score.Its easy enough to make Michael Phelps a favorite in most of his races, and for Usain Bolt to add three more golds to his growing collection. Not terribly difficult to pick the home country, Brazil, in both mens and womens volleyball, either.But making a line on things like Hyvin Jepkemoi of Kenya to win the 3,000-meter steeplechase (shes an even money favorite) is a little tougher. So is figuring out that Germanys Thomas Rohler should be a 5-4 favorite in the javelin.And with real money at stake, there is little room for error.If you put up something thats a weak line or make a mistake the sophisticated guys will be all over it, said Johnny Avello, who runs the sports book at the Wynn. They turn into good bettors if you have something wrong.Its pretty much a foregone conclusion the U.S. mens and womens basketball teams will romp their way to gold. The U.S. women are so dominant that they are a staggering 57.5 point favorite to beat Senegal in their opening game, and you would have to wager $200 to win just $10 if you like either team to win the gold.Just as dominant is American gymnast Simone Biles, who could be the biggest star of the Rio Games. Biles is a 2-1 favorite to win the balance beam and the floor exercises, a co-favorite along with North Koreas Hong Un Jong to win the vault, and a big favorite to win the all around.She and her teammates are also whopping 22-1 picks to bring home the womens team gold.Since most sports rarely appear on an oddsmakers radar, they wont risk the house by taking huge bets. Avello said he would take a couple of dimes ($2,000) on most bets, while most books limit bets to half that.Betting on the Olympics is nothing new. Betting parlors in Britain did good business four years ago for the London Olympics, and have posted odds for years on both big and obscure events at the games.But bettors in the U.S. have been shutout since the 2000 Olympics because of an agreement Nevada gaming authorities made not to offer betting on amateur sports. The prohibition was lifted in Nevada last year, though, and bookies were quick to post odds.So far, though, the action has been minimal, mostly what Kornegay calls grocery store bets of $10 and $20.If America gets into the hype of the coverage maybe it will be more, he said. But I think people watch the Olympics more than they bet them. If Serbia plays Croatia in volleyball or something like that I dont think well get any bets. Nick Foles Womens Jersey . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. Josh Oliver Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. http://www.authenticjaguarslockroom.com/Youth-Chris-Conley-Elite-Jersey/ . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. Telvin Smith Womens Jersey . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. Quincy Williams II Jersey . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. MACON, Ga. -- Cody Clark hit a 35-yard field goal with 2:20 left in the game as The Citadel came back to beat Mercer 24-23 to open the season with a Southern Conference victory on Thursday night.The Bulldogs scored 21 points in the first quarter but did not score again until Clark hit the game winner.After the ensuing kickoff Mercer came up short on a fourth down pass from its own 24 with 1:22 left in the game. The Citadel could not move the ball and the Bears had anotther chance from their 23 with 27 seconds left after Clark missed a field goal.dddddddddddd.The Citadels Kailik Williams intercepted a John Russ pass on the next play to seal the win.Mercer took its only lead when Cole Fisher nailed a 47-yard field goal with 10:10 left in the third quarter.Tyler Renew led the Bulldogs with 146 yards rushing. ' ' '