Legendary UNC hoops coach Dean Smith suffering from memory loss

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

07/17/2010 - Chapel Hill, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The family of former North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith issued a statement Saturday addressing the health of the college basketball icon.

The statement acknowledged Smith is suffering from a progressive neurocognitive disorder that affects his memory, but added he still enjoys an active lifestyle and has continued his relationships with current head coach Roy Williams, former players, friends and family.

"Our dad is almost eighty years old, so it's expected that he might show signs of aging. After spending an entire lifetime without a visit to the hospital except to see players and friends, he had to undergo two procedures in the past three years: a knee replacement surgery and a repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. But what other people may have noticed - and what has been speculated about recently in the media - is that our dad may not remember quite like he used to," the family's statement began.

"Coach Smith wanted to keep his professional and personal life separate. But as we all know, the personal and professional life can sometimes overlap, and we understand that many fans, former players, and friends are concerned about his well-being. In trying to balance our dad's wishes and the genuine concern so many people have for Coach Smith, we want to update you about his health, but ask that you respect his privacy. Our dad has a progressive neurocognitive disorder that affects his memory. So now, he may not immediately recall the name of every former player from his many years in coaching, but that does not diminish what those players meant to him or how much he cares about them.

"Throughout his career, he has always preferred the spotlight be on the Carolina basketball program and the University, rather than himself. We hope that you will understand and respect his wishes. Thank you for your consideration and well wishes for our dad."

The 79-year-old Smith spent 36 years at the helm of North Carolina basketball and retired in 1997 with the most wins in NCAA history. His 879 victories has since been surpassed by Bobby Knight. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983, Smith led the Tar Heels to two national championships and 11 Final Four appearances. In 2006, he was inducted to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class.

Hamkooki NCAA Basketball Betting News

<< Yankees' Burnett leaves with hand injury
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett left Saturday's game against Tampa Bay with lacerations in his right hand. Burnett allowed an RBI single to Carlos Pena in the third inning and was immediately

<< Tolliver in record book at American Century Championship
Tahoe, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Billy Joe Tolliver, the former NFL quarterback, netted 33 points on Saturday in the modified Stableford scoring system to take the second-round lead of the American Century Championship. Tolliver finished two

<< Red Sox activate Delcarmen among other moves
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox activated pitcher Manny Delcarmen from the 15-day disabled list among a host of moves made Saturday. Delcarmen last pitched on June 30 and had been on the DL with a right forearm strain

<< Le Toux sinks Toronto with late PK
Chester, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sebastien Le Toux's penalty kick in the 94th minute helped the Philadelphia Union claim a dramatic 2-1 win over Toronto FC at PPL Park on Saturday. Toronto equalized nine minutes from time through Chad Bar

<< Yankees' Burnett leaves with undisclosed injury
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett left Saturday's game against Tampa Bay with an undisclosed injury. Burnett allowed an RBI single to Carlos Pena in the third inning and was immediately visited

Bayne captures Nationwide pole at Gateway >>
Madison, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Trevor Bayne claimed the pole for Saturday's Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 Nationwide Series race after topping the qualifying charts at Gateway International Raceway just outside St. Louis. Bayne po

U.S. World Cup winner Chastain retires >>
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two-time FIFA Women's World Cup winner Brandi Chastain, famous for removing her jersey following the winning penalty kick in the 1999 final, retired from professional soccer Thursday. Chastain helped

U.S. captain Bocanegra joins St. Etienne >>
Saint Etienne, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - United States captain and defender Carlos Bocanegra transferred from Rennes to St. Etienne in France's Ligue 1 on Saturday. Bocanegra, 31, started all four matches for the U.S. in the recent FIFA

Life At Ten is tops in Del 'Cap >>
Stanton, DE (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Odds-on favorite Life At Ten took the lead shortly after the start and proceeded to dominate in winning Saturday's $750,000 Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park. The victory in the 1 1/4-mile race

Roughriders rally in fourth quarter to down Eskimos >>
Regina, SK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Darian Durant threw for 238 yards and one touchdown to lead the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 24-20 victory over the Edmonton Eskimos at Mosaic Stadium. Durant also added 49 yards on the ground for t

Kurt Warner to start, Matt Leinart to watch

Despite the debate that's swirling , Kurt Warner will remain the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, coach Dennis Green said today. The Arizona Cardinals are the +7 point underdog at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com for this Sunday's game.

Green's comment came in a statement released by the team following an ESPN report that Green decided that rookie Matt Leinart would replace Warner as starter for Sunday's game at Atlanta.

"Generally talking about the starting lineup is not something we do," Green told the AP. "However, given the speculation that was out there we want to make it clear. We're disappointed after last week, but we still expect to be a playoff football team and we fully expect Kurt Warner to be the quarterback that leads us. That has not changed."

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on football needs.