By Brian Edwards
Posted 06/28/2011 at 03:24 AM

--For the second time in 379 days, UFC heavyweight Pat Barry let his backers down in a big way in Sunday's main event at UFC on Versus 4. On June 12 of 2010 at UFC 115, Barry dominated his kickboxing hero Mirko Cro Cop for nearly the entire fight before falling prey to a choke with just 30 seconds remaining in the bout. His supporters were left disgustingly ripping up minus-160 tickets. This time around in Pittsburgh, Barry was all over Cheick Kongo early and often, flooring him twice with a barrage of punches. Referee Dan Miragliotta appeared poised to stop the fight at least once, but Kongo kept moving and scrambling. Then against the cage with Barry still seeking the kill shot, Kongo landed a pair of big rights in desperation that turned out the lights for ‘HD.’ Barry’s backers were left cussing again when they missed out on a lucrative payout in the plus-180 range (risk $100 to win $180).

--Matt Mitrione remained unbeaten in the Octagon by scoring a second-round KO against Christian Morecraft as a favorite in the minus-260 range. The way that I bet Mitrione was taking him to win inside the distance at a much more reasonable rate (-110 price). It’ll be interesting to see who the UFC matches the 5-0 Mitrione up with next. I would think the possibilities would include Kongo, Stefan Struve or the winner (or loser) of Big Nog and Brendan Schaub at UFC Rio.

--Still no move on the number at Betus.com for the showdown between Jon ‘Bones’ Jones and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson at UFC 135 in Denver. The website has Jones, who will be making the first defense of his light-heavyweight title, as an expensive minus-400 favorite. Jackson is plus-300 on the comeback (risk $100 to win $300).

--With Russell Wilson deciding to transfer from North Carolina State to Wisconsin, the Badgers have scored a huge coup. Wilson, a three-year starter for the Wolfpack who fell out of favor with Tom O’Brien by continuing to play minor-league baseball in the summer, instantly makes the Badgers my favorites to win the Big Ten’s Leaders division. Wilson has a career touchdown-to-interception ratio of 76/26 and will replace the departed Scott Tolzien. Just as this is a huge boost for Wisconsin, it’s an equally big letdown for Auburn, Wilson’s second choice.

--Former Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins has landed at North Alabama. Speaking of former Gators, will somebody put a sock in Channing Crowder's mouth please?

--RIP to Lorenzo Charles, who died Monday at the age of 47 in a bus crash in North Carolina. Charles had the game-winning dunk at the buzzer to lift Jim Valvano’s North Carolina St. team to a stunning win over Houston in the 1983 NCAA Tournament championship game at The Pit.

--Starting lineup on that ’83 N.C. St. squad: PG Sidney Lowe, SG Dereck Whittenberg, center Cozell McQueen and forwards Charles and Thurl Bailey. Sixth Man: Terry Gannon.

--Arkansas head basketball coach Mike Anderson reluctantly agreed to grant Rotnei Clarke his release from school so that he can transfer. Clarke is one of the nation’s premier 3-point shooters and will sit out the 2011-2012 campaign. There’s no word yet on the schools Clarke is considering transferring to but he can’t go to another SEC institution.