Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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12-20-21 | Vikings v. Bears +6.5 | Top | 17-9 | Loss | -102 | 14 h 44 m | Show |
My 10* Division Game of the Month (NFC North) is on the Chi Bears at 8:15 ET. The 6-7 Minnesota Vikings will look to bolster their chances of making the playoffs when they visit the Chicago Bears on Monday night. Minnesota is among a crowded group of NFC teams that are chasing potential wild-card berths. The Vikings are coming off a 36-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and have THREE wins in their last five games. The Vikings will move up to the No. 7 spot if they beat the Bears on Monday night and they'll stay there if Washington loses Tuesday to the Eagles. The homestanding Chicago Bears enter the contest 4-9 and just looking for a bright spot in what has been a dreary season. The Bears have SEVEN of theri last eight. Rookie QB Justin Fields has offered glimpses of his potential but he also has endured growing pains in his first season out of Ohio State. There are NO 'growing pains' for Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins, who is completing 66.9% for 3,569 yards with 27 TDs and 5 INTs (103.5 rating). RB Cook returned in Week 14 to run for 205 yards and two TDs in the win over Pittsburgh. He needs only 22 rushing yards to reach the 1,000-yard milestone for the third season in a row. He is averaging 119.7 yards from scrimmage (97.8 rushing, 21.9 receiving) in 10 games this season. WR Justin Jefferson (2,688) needs 68 receiving yards for the most in NFL history in a player's first two seasons in the Super Bowl era. He has 85 catches (15.2 YPC) and 8 TDs. WR Thielen has 64 catches and 10TDs but missed last week (he's questionable here). The Vikings average 26.5 PPG (9th) but allow 25.6 PPG (25th). I referred to Fields earlier and he enters (in 11 games) completing just 57.6% for 1,585 with 6 TDs and 10 INTs. He did pass frpo 224 yards with two TDs plus ran for 74 more yards last week vs Green Bay but also threw two INTs. Chicago led the Packers 27-21 at the half but got outscored 24-3 in the second half. That game kind of sums up Chicago's 4-9 season. RB Montgomery has 608 yards on 4.2 YPC with 4 TDs and the Chicago receiving corps is very mediocre. The Bears average only 17.8 PPG (28th) and allow 25.5 PPG (24th). There every reason to think Minnesota should win this game but I'm guessing MOST thought that the Bucs(at home) would beat the Saints! Final Score: Saints 9 Bucs 0! The Vikings nearly blew a 29-0 lead last week, hanging on by forcing an incomplete pass in the end zone on the final play. Minnesota has been wildly inconsistent this season, so how can one trust them? Note that the Bears have won FIVE of the last six meetings between these two "Black & Blue" division rivals. Want more? Cousins enter the NFL in 2012 and in his career with Washington and Minnesota, owns an 0-9 record on MNF. Take the points! Good luck...Larry |
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12-19-21 | Kansas State v. Nebraska | Top | 67-58 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* Mid-West Crusher is on Nebraska at 6:00 ET. Kansas State and Nebraska were longtime rivals in the Big 8 and Big 12, before Nebraska left to join the Big Ten. The last meeting was Kansas State's 61-57 victory in Lincoln back on Feb 23, 2011, its fifth straight win over Nebraska. The two former conference rivals are set to renew acquaintances for the first time in nearly 11 years Sunday in Lincoln, Ne. The schools are beginning a three-game series that also calls for games in Manhattan next season and in Kansas City in 2023. The series was initially slated to begin last season before being pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wildcats head coach Bruce Weber said it was important to him to get the Cornhuskers back on the docket. "It's a great rivalry in K-State history," Weber told reporters. "I got here (in 2012) and it was sad that Nebraska is two hours away and Missouri is three hours away and we're not getting to play those guys. ... I think it's good for (college) basketball and it's good for us."
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12-19-21 | Bengals +3 v. Broncos | Top | 15-10 | Win | 100 | 102 h 35 m | Show |
My 10* "Signature" LEGEND Play is on the Cin Bengals at 4:05 ET. Cincy QB Joe Burrow was limited to 10 games as a rookie and the Bengals finished 4-11-1. It was the franchise's 5th consecutive losing season, after being a playoff team, in SIX of seven seasons between 2009-15. The Broncos would go 5-11 in 2020, the team's FIFTH consecutive losing season as well, after winning the team's third Super Bowl ring in the 2015 season. The Bengals were 7-4 after a 41-10 Week 12 win over Pittsburgh but then dropped the last two games (BOTH at home), 41-22 to the Chargers and 26-23 in OT vs the 49ers. The Broncos surprised most (all?) by opening 3-0, but promptly lost FOUR in a row. However, Denver has recovered to win FOUR of its last six and now matches the Bengals at 7-6. The Bengals are still right in the AFC North race (Ravens lead at just 8-4) but the Broncos are hardly a threat in the AFC West, as the Chiefs are 9-4, after winning FOUR in a row. That said, BOTH are in a jam-packed race for one of three AFC wild card spots. Burrow comes in completing 68.8% for 3,483 yards with 25 TDs and 14 INTs (QB rating of 100.6). RB Mixon is having a creer season, rushing for 1,038 yards and 12 TDs, plus has 28 catches for two more scores. LSU rookie WR Chase (No. 5 overall pick) leads with 60 catches (17.3 YPC / 10 TDs) and Higgins is up to 57 catches (14.2 YPC / 4 TDs), having caught 20 pases the last three games, after missing two games. The third WR is Boyd (55 catches / 2 TDs) plus TE Uzomah has 37 catches and 5 TDs. Cincy allows 22.5 PPG (17th) but note that's an improvement over the last seasons, when the Bengals allowed an average of 27.1 PPG. Denver QB Bridgewater flies under the radar, completing 67.6 % for 2,954 yards with 18 TDs and 7 INTs. His WR group can't match Burrow's, with Sutton (48 catches / 2 TDs) and Patrick (42 catches / 4 TDs). However, TE Fant leads the team with 53 catches. Denver has two RBs with over 700 yards rushing, Williams (743 / 4.8 YPC / 3 TDs) and Gordon (716 / 4.8 / 7 TDs), which gives Denver an edge in that department. The Broncos also own the edge defensively, allowing 17.5 PPG, 2nd-best in the entire NFL. Two fumbled punts by Cincinnati returner Darius Phillips led to 10 first-half points for the 49ers last Sunday. A taunting call against Bengals safety Vonn Bell extended the second of those Niners drives, which ended in a 14-yard TD pass from Garoppolo to Kittle that gave San Francisco a 17-6 halftime lead. However, Burrow showed how much he's grown this season by leading two late 4th-quarter drives, both ending with a TD pass to Chase. The Bengals took the lead in OT with a FG but lost on a San Francisco TD. As for Denver, after pregame tributes to WR Thomas, the Broncos, notorious slow starters, scored TDs on their first two drives. The first quarter ended with the Broncos holding a 14-0 lead, an 11-0 advantage in FDs and a yardage disparity of 135 to minus-1. The final was 38-10, as the Lions fell to 1-11-1 on the season. Both teams are 7-6 and the winner here would own the head-to-head tiebreaker advantage, although with some many teams in the mix, other tiebreakers may decide things. However, as I noted at the top, the Bengals still have a real shot at winning the division. After two back-to-back home losses, getting a road game, where the Bengals are 4-2, is NOT a bad thing. In the end, I also like Burrow over Bridgeater in 'crunch time.' That said, I don't expect there to be 'crunch time,' as the Bengals win "with room to spare!" Good luck...Larry |
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12-19-21 | Titans v. Steelers +2.5 | Top | 13-19 | Win | 100 | 99 h 31 m | Show |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Pit Steelers at 1:00 ET. The 9-5 Tennessee Titans entered Week 15 in a three-way tie atop the AFC standings with four games remaining. They are battling the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs for the conference's top seed and only postseason bye. However, the Chiefs got an early start to the week winning in LA over the Chargers on Thursday, moving to 10-4. The Pats play Saturday at Indy, so the Titans could take the field needing to win to keep pace with those teams. Are the Titans really rooting for AFC South rival Indy to beat the Colts? Heading into Week 15, the 8-6 Colts are still within striking distance of the Titans (two back with four to go). As for the Steelers, they are just 6-6-1 and in last place in the AFC North. However, the division is still "up for grabs," as the Ravens lead at 8-5, with the Bengals and Browns at 7-6. QB Ben Roethlisberger still believes the Pittsburgh Steelers have what it takes to be a playoff team. However, time is running out to prove it. |
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12-18-21 | Oregon State -7 v. Utah State | Top | 13-24 | Loss | -110 | 59 h 41 m | Show |
My 9* Bowl Opener (LA Bowl) is on Oregon St at 7:30 ET. Anyone ever think there would be a Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl? Well there is and the 7-5 Oregon St Beavers of the Pac 12 will take on the 10-3 Utah St Aggies, the newly crowned champions of the MWC, after they impressively beat San Diego St 46-13 in the MWC championship game back on Dec 4.
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12-18-21 | Dayton v. Ole Miss -3 | Top | 68-76 | Win | 100 | 8 h 20 m | Show |
My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on Ole Miss at 6:30 ET. The Dayton Flyers opened the season 1-3 but have won SIX of their last seven, including a 74-73 upset of then-No. 4 Kansas, to reach 7-4. The Ole Miss Rebels are 7-3, as they welcome Dayton to Oxford in this con-conference affair.
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12-18-21 | North Texas v. Wichita State -2.5 | Top | 62-52 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 35 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Wichita St at 4:00 ET. The North Texas Mean Green and the Wichita State Shockers face off on Saturday in college hoops at Charles Koch Arena. North Texas comes into this game with a 6-3 record overall, while Wichita State is 8-2 record. Grant McCasland took over at North Texas starting in the 2017-18 season and won 20, 210 and 20 games. However, while last year's team won just 18 games, the Mean Green won the C-USA tourney and then upset 4th-seeded Purdue in OT in the first round of the Big Dance. Over at Wichita St, Gregg Marshall was forced out at Wichita St (verbal and physical abuse of players) and Isaac Brown took over, leading the Shockers to a 16-6 season, where they lost in the NCAA's First Four.
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12-18-21 | Indiana v. Notre Dame +4 | Top | 64-56 | Loss | -107 | 8 h 32 m | Show |
My 9* Daydream Believer is on Notre Dame at 2:30 ET. The Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis has featured Butler, Indiana, Notre Dame and Purdue but those schools have chosen against renewing the contract. Ostensibly, they are creating opportunities to schedule other non-conference teams. That means the 11-year event will come to a close on Saturday. Indiana comes in 8-2 under Mike Woodson, who is in his first season coaching his alma mater. As for 4-4 Notre Dame, head coach Mike Brey is in his 27th season at South Bend.
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12-17-21 | Grizzlies v. Kings +5.5 | Top | 124-105 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* Western Conference Game of the Month is on the Sac Kings at 10:10 ET. The 18-11 Memphis Grizzlies are in Sacramento Friday night to take on the 12-17 Kings. The Grizz are wrapping up a brief two-game West Coast swing, after winning 113-103 Wednesday night in Portland. These two teams will be meeting for a second time this season (a third matchup, also in Sacramento, is just nine days away), after the Grizzlies won 128-101 at home back on Nov 28. That contest was the first game after PG Ja Morant (24.1-5.6-6.8) injured his knee. Despite playing without Morant, who sprained his left knee and later entered the league's health and safety protocols, Memphis has won FOUR in a row and nine of 10 since a disappointing 9-10 start. We all know that Sacramento hasn't made the playoffs for 15 straight seasons The Kings fired Luke Walton after a 6-11 start, ending, at least for now, his legendary 166-241 (.408) record as an NBA head coach. The Kings have shown some 'life' and progress since being led by interim head coach Alvin Gentry but Gentry tested positive for COVID-19 this week and Doug Christie stepped in for him and directed a come-from-behind 119-105 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. Christie is a former Kings player and broadcaster, who was named assistant coach just this season. He was given the game ball afterward and showed his pride after the team ended a three-game losing streak. "I've done radio; I've done television. There's no other place I'd rather be than on the court with our team," Christie said. "It's joyous for me in ways I can't even explain." Dillon Brooks (18.3) is the team's leading scorer with Morant sidelined, while PF Jackson has returned healthy this season to average 16.4 & 5.3. The real surprise has been SG Bane, who is averaging 16.2 PPG, after averaging 9.2 PPG as a rookie. The addition of center Adams (7.0 & 8.8) has turned out fine, although one CAN'T convince me the Grizzlies don't miss Valanciunas and his 17.1 & 12.5 from last season! I've been saying the same thing for the last two seasons, the Kings have way more talent than their record indicates. Maybe Gentry, whom players like, can get the most out of these perennial underachievers. PG Fox (21.3 & 5.0 APG) is joined on the perimeter by fellow starter Haliburton (11.5 & 5.7 APG) and Hield (15.6 & 4.0), who seems fine coming off the bench these days. Undersized center Holmes (14.0 & 9.3) has developed into a quality big man, but he is expected to miss again here with an eye injury. SF Barnes (17.5 & 6.6) has been terrific since arriving in Sacramento a few years ago and he led the comeback Wednesday, scoring 15 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. Congrats to the Grizz for their recent play but I believe they have played "over the heads." As for the Kings, they are in a solid recent ATS situation, having gone 7-2 ATS in their last nine as a home underdog in the +3.5 to +6.5 points range. Take those points but I'm issuing an "Upset Alert!" Good luck...Larry |
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12-17-21 | Lakers v. Wolves -2 | Top | 92-110 | Win | 100 | 11 h 53 m | Show |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on the Min T-wolves at 10:10 ET. The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a 107-104 OT win against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, which included a game-winning three-pointer from rookie Austin Reaves. The win was LA's third in a row to get back to .500 at 16-16. They will try to win four games in a row for the FIRST time this season when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at Minneapolis. The Timberwolves are back home after notching back-to-back road victories over the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets. Their latest win, a 124-107 decision over Denver, tied for the team's second-highest point total this season. The two-game 'mini' winning streak ended a five-game slide, as Minnesota looks for a THIRD straight win tonight with a 13-15 record on the season. LBJ leads Los Angeles with 26.1 points per game to go along with 5.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists. Anthony Davis is next with 23.8 points and a team-high 10.2 rebounds. Both have been bothered with injuries this season and LBJ is currently dealing with an abdominal issue and Davis with a knee issue. However, they are both expected to play. However, the mood was dampened Thursday with news that the Lakers' starting backcourt of Russell Westbrook (19.6-7.8-8.4and Avery Bradley were placed into COVID-19 protocols and are not expected to play Friday. They join teammates Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard and Malik Monk in protocols. The Minnesota Timberwolves made Karl-Anthony Towns the No. 1 overall pick in 2015 and the LA Lakers made D'Angelo Russell the No. 2 pick of that same draft. Towns has been the 'centerpiece' (pardon the pun) of the T-wolves since joining the team but now Russell, who has had a nomadic career, is making a big impact with the T-wolves as Towns' teammate. Throw in swingman Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 Draft and the T-wolves own quite a trio. Towns is averaging 24.3 & 9.0, Edwards 22.1-5.8-3.6 and Russell 18.8-4.1-6.4. Yes, LA is going for a fourth straight win but the two previous wins (before Dallas), came over 5-24 Orlando and 8-19 OKC. Alos, as noted above, LA's protocol 'list' is a full one! Meanwhile, let me note that with Russell out, the T-wolves are j 0-45 but with him playing, they are 13-10. Russell should enjoy picking up a "W' against the team that drafted him. My bet says it comes "with room to spare! Good luck...Larry |
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12-17-21 | St. Mary's v. San Diego State +3.5 | Top | 53-63 | Win | 100 | 15 h 53 m | Show |
My 10* West Coast Crusher is on San Diego St at 10:00 ET. The Saint Mary’s Gaels and the San Diego State Aztecs meet tonight at Viejas Arena in San Diego. These are two high-quality programs. Randy Bennett took over at St Mary's in 2001-02 and had his first 20-win season (25-9) in 2004-05. Starting in the 2007-08 season and going through the 2019-20 season, his Gaels won 20-plus games for 13 consecutive years. That streak ended with a 14-10 record last season. Brain Dutcher was a longtime assistant under Steve Fisher (beginning in Michigan) and lasting through all of Fisher's great teams at SD St. Fisher stepped away and Dutcher took over in the 2017-18 season, going 22-11, 21-13, 30-2 and 23-5 the previous four years. Saint Mary's is coming off of an easy beat down of Cal State Stanislaus in their last game and visits San Diego with an 8-2 record. The 6-7 Fotu is coming off the bench but is the Gaels' top scorer at 12.8 PPG (adds 4.7 RPG). The 6-10 Tass (11.6 & 5.4) is the only other double-digit scorer and is joined in the starting lineup by guards Ducas (9.6 & 4.2), Kuhse (9.3), and Johnson (9.3) plus Bowen (5.6 & 6.5), the team's top rebounder. Great balance and a team that allows just 57.6 PPG (1th). The Aztecs lost forward Mitchell (15.4 & 5.6) and guard Schakel (14.4) from last season (the top-two scorers). However, Matt Bradley, who was an All Pac 12 player at Cal last season averaging 18.0 & 4.6 LY, leads SDSU with 15.0 PPG (adds 4.8 RPG). He is joined by three more guards in the starting lineup, Pulliman (10.9-3.4-3.3), Johnson (5.7 & 4.1) and Seiko (4.6) plus the 6-10 Mensah (7.4 & 7.7). Like St Mary's, SDSU also knows something about playing defense (is allowing 59.2 PPG to rank 28th). The 8-2 Gaels have only lost to 9-2 Wisconsin (neutral site) and now-No.23 Colorado St (10-0). Meanwhile, while SDSU is just 6-3, all three losses have come to quality programs, BYU (on the road), now-No. 10 USC (10-0) on a neutral court and then-No.24 Michigan on the road. The Aztecs are 5-0 at home this season and are now 59-8 SU at home in Dutcher's four-plus seasons! That and I'm getting a few points! Too good to pass up! Good luck...Larry |
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12-15-21 | Utah State v. Weber State +3.5 | Top | 95-80 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 9 m | Show |
My 10 CBB Weekly Wipeout is on Weber St at 9:00 ET.
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12-15-21 | Hornets +4 v. Spurs | Top | 131-115 | Win | 100 | 11 h 21 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Cha Hornets at 8:40 ET. The 15-14 Charlotte Hornets head to San Antion Wednesday night off a 120-96 road loss in Dallas on Monday. That was the first contest of a six-game road trip taking the Hornets to Portland, Phoenix, Utah and Denver after palying the Spurs. For San Antonio, this contest marks the final one of a five-game stretch at home. The Spurs beat the Pelicans 112-97 on Sunday, evening their record to 2-2 on the homestand. However, the Spurs check in at a disappointing 10-16 on the season. The Hornets have been shackled by COVID-19, as they played Dallas without Mason Plumlee, Jalen McDaniels, LaMelo Ball and Ish Smith because of the virus. That said, the only REAL loss there is Ball, who is having a terrific sophomore season (20.0-7.7-8.3). The good news was that Terry Rozier (17.9-3.6-3.5) returned to the team from the league's health and safety protocol in time to score 20 points in the loss to Dallas. Forwards Bridges (19.8 & 7.3) and Hayward (17,6-4.9-4.0) have each played all 29 games, as has swingman Oubre (17.0 & 4.2). Plumlee (6.8 & 7.3) had been solid at center but PJ Washington (10.6 & 5.1) has started in his place and has been more than adequate. There is talk that Plumlee may be back tonight. The Spurs have SEVEN players averaging in double digits, led by Murray (18.0-8.4-8.3). Forwards Johnson (14.5 & 6.2) and McDermott (11.1) join center Poeltl (12.4 & 9.1) up front, while Murray is joined on the perimeter by White (13.9 & 5.1 APG), Vassell (11.2) and Walker (10.6). Somehow, with this roster, 'Pop' should have a better record than 10-16. Through all its issues, the Hornets were on a FIVE-game winning ATS run prior to Monday's blowout loss in Dallas. Charlotte has a tough road ahead of them (see above) and that means getting a win here has to be pretty important. That's my call against the underachieving Spurs. Take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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12-15-21 | South Dakota State +4.5 v. Missouri State | Top | 63-75 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 11 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on South Dakota St at 7:00 ET. The 9-3 South Dakota State Jackrabbits and the 6-4 Missouri State Bears meet from the JQH Arena in Springfield, Mo on Wednesday night. The Jackrabbits are looking to build off a 77-74 win over Washington State last time out. The Bears are coming off a 69-60 win over Oral Roberts in their last game.
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12-14-21 | Arizona State +8 v. Creighton | Top | 58-57 | Win | 100 | 12 h 37 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on Arizona St at 8:00 ET. The Arizona State Sun Devils and the Creighton Bluejays meet in college hoops action from the CHI Health Center Omaha on Tuesday night. Bobby Hurley, a member of "the famous Coaching Hurleys," is in his seventh season at ASU but after three straight 20-win seasons, his team fell to 11-14 (7-10 in the Pac 12) last season. The Sun Devils are off to a disappointing 4-6 start to open the current season and that's only because they come in off back-to-back wins. Creighton lost all FIVE starters from last year's 22-9 team that made a Sweet 16 appearance. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Coach McDermott but the Bluejays are 8-2. The Sun Devils have all sorts of problems 'scoring the ball,' as ASU enters averaging 64.7 PPG (309th). ASU was just 2-6 after losing 51-29 at home to Washington St on Dec 1. That loss may just have been the 'wake up call' this team needed, as ASU won 69-67 in OT at Oregon (Dec 9) and then followed with a 67-62 home win over a 7-1 Grand Canyon team on Dec 11. Arizona State's scoring issues have suffered because returning guard Bagley (10.8 PPG) was lost to a knee injury after just THREE games (was averaging 10.4). That leaves two double digit scorers in guard Horne (13.2) and the 6-6 Lawrence (11.4 & 8.5). Hurley was really counting on Toledo grad transfer Jackson, who was the MAC player-of-the-year last season, averaging 18.1-6.2-5.9. However, his scoring has been cut by more than half (8.2 PPG), while adding 4.2 RPG and 4.2 APG. The othr two starters are guard Muhammad (7.4) and the 6-9 Graham (5.6 & 3.0). Guard Heath (8.9) is the best reserve. Creighton has rebuilt quickly. The starting guards are freshman Nembhard (13.1-3.7-4.6) and O'Connell (3.4 PPG last year), who is averaging 11.3 & 5.3 this season. 7-1 center Kalkbrenner returned (5.9 & 3.5 LY) and is a 'new man,' averaging 12.4 & 6.4. The 6-7 Hawkins is a Div II transfer and chips in 14.5 & 6.5 plus 6-7 freshman Kaluma adds 8.9 & 4.5. 8-2 Creighton got off to its best start since winning its first 13 games in the 2016-17 campaign and those two losses have come to Colorado St (10-0 and now ranked No. 23) and Iowa St (10-0 and now ranked No. 11). The Bluejays are off a nice 83-71 neutral-site win over then-No. 24 BYU. However, I also remember Creighton's less-than-impressive wins against Kennesaw State (4-6) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-10) early in the year. Coach Hurley has made adjustments that have paid major dividends over the last week and I look for that progression to continue here for the hungry visiting side. As for Creighton, the Bluejays could be forgiven for 'peeking ahead' to Friday's Big East opener against No. 9 Villanova. Grab the points. Good luck...Larry |
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12-13-21 | Rams +2.5 v. Cardinals | Top | 30-23 | Win | 100 | 15 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* MNF Magic is on the LA Rams at 8:15 ET. Kyler Murray was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 Draft and in his first two seasons, the Cards went 5-10-1 and 8-8. However, he and his team opened the current season 7-0 before losing to Green Bay in Week 8. More bad news followed, as Murray was sidelined with an ankle in Weeks 9-11, although the Cards were able to go 2-1. Week 12 brought a bye and Murray returned in Week 13 in a 33-22 win at Chicago (two TD passses / 2 rushing TDs). The 10-2 Cardinals can essentially put the NFC West out of reach with a victory, which would be their second over the 8-4 Rams this season. Each team has four games remaining after Monday. |
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12-13-21 | Warriors v. Pacers +4.5 | Top | 102-100 | Win | 100 | 11 h 9 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Ind Pacers at 7:10 ET. There can be no doubt that the Warriors are back, even with Klay Thompson and last year's overall No. 2 draft pick (James Wiseman) still sidelined. Stephen Curry takes his pursuit of the NBA's all-time 3-point record on the road but much more importantly, he's been a great leader that has Golden St at 21-5, a half-game behind the 21-4 Suns for the NBA's best record. The Indiana Pacers missed the postseason with a 34-38 record last year, after playing in NINE of the previous 10. The Pacers opened 1-6 and were just 6-11 thru Nov 19. The Pacers did win three of four (reaching 9-12) but then lost FOUR in a row before ending that skid last Monday night with a 116-110 win over the Wizards. Indiana added home wins Wednesday (122-102 over the NYK) and Friday (106-93 over Dallas). Still, the Pacers are just 12-16 on the season.
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12-12-21 | Bills +3.5 v. Bucs | Top | 27-33 | Loss | -108 | 11 h 10 m | Show |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on the Buf Bills at 4:25 ET. The Buffalo Bills were 13-3 last season and played in the AFC championship game. Along with KC, they came into the season as one of the favorites to be in that AFC title game again, but the Bills are just 7-5 as they visit Raymond James Stadium Sunday afternoon to face the 9-3 Bucs, the defending Super Bowl champs. After losing at home 14-10 to the Pats last Monday, the 7-5 Bills trail the 9-4 Pats in the AFC East. New England is on its bye in Week 14, so a win moves the Bills to 8-5 and ONE game back, but a loss drops them to 7-6, TWO games back. That's a BIG difference with just four games remaining. Meanwhile, the Bucs can clinch the NFC South title with a victory over Buffalo and a loss or tie by both the New Orleans Saints (5-7) and Carolina Panthers (5-7). The Saints visit the New York Jets (3-9) on Sunday, while the Panthers host the Atlanta Falcons (5-7).
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12-12-21 | Villanova +5 v. Baylor | Top | 36-57 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 27 m | Show |
My 10* Marquee Classic is on Villanova at 3:00 ET. Talk about a marquee classic! It doesn't get too much better than No. 6 Villanova and No. 2 Baylor when the two BKB powers square off today from the Ferrell Center in Waco, Tx. on Sunday afternoon. 'Nova head coach Jay Wright owns two national titles and what Baylor's head coach Scott Drew has done in his near-two-decade run in Waco, has been nothing short of miraculous. Drew's program has overcome the murder of a player, a cover up by the school's previous head coach and severe NCAA sanctions to become one of CBB's elite programs, 'putting a cherry on top' with the school's first-ever NCAA championship by routing 31-0 Gonzaga in the national championship game.
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12-12-21 | Cowboys -4 v. Washington Football Team | Top | 27-20 | Win | 100 | 74 h 26 m | Show |
My NFL 10* ONE & ONLY Game of the Year is on the Dal Cowboys at 1:00 ET. Jason Garrett was given MORE than enough time as the Cowboys' head coach but finally Jerry said "enough was enough" Mike McCarthy, who won a Super Bowl with Green Bay, was hired in 2020 and executions were high. It was a tough season with COVID for all teams but Dallas' season looked over when Dak Prescott was lost in Week 5 to season-ending injury. At 2-3, Dallas would lose FOUR in a row and six of seven. However, at 3-9, a three-game winning streak actually gave them a chance at the division title (at 6-9), entering Week 17. The Cowboys lost and finished at 6-10. The 'winner' of the NFC 'Least' last season was Washington, led by Ron Rivera (former Carolina head coach who led the Panthers to a 15-1 record in 2016 and into the Super Bowl, where the Panthers lost to the Broncos), despite only a 7-9 record. The Washington defense gelled at the end of 2020, allowing just 15.9 PPG in winning FIVE of its last seven. |
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12-12-21 | Florida State -6 v. South Carolina | Top | 65-66 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 39 m | Show |
My 9* Daydream Believer is on Florida St at 12:00 ET. Leonard Hamilton has built quite a program in Tallahassee with his FSU Seminoles but lost a 'ton' of talent from last year's team. However, the cupboard is hardly bare (more in a bit). The 5-3 Seminoles travel to Rock Hill, SC for the No Room for Racism Classic to take on South Carolina. The ever-lovable Frank Martin sure built up some goodwill by leading South Carolina to the school's only Final 4 back in 2017 but these last four seasons, the Gamecocks have gone 17-16, 16-16, 18-13 and an 'ugly' 6-14 last season. That goodwill is about ALL used up and the Gamecocks need to build on their 6-3 start.
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12-11-21 | Warriors v. 76ers +3.5 | Top | 93-102 | Win | 100 | 10 h 45 m | Show |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on the Phi 76ers at 8:40 ET. There can be no doubt that the Warriors are back, even with Klay Thompson and last year's overall No. 2 draft pick (James Wiseman) still sidelined. Stephen Curry takes his pursuit of the NBA's all-time 3-point record on the road but much more importantly, he's been a great leader that has Golden St at 21-4, tied with the Suns for the NBA's best record. The 76ers earned the East's No. 1 seed last year but then fell in the second round of the playoffs, to the Hawks. The current season began and remains with Ben Simmons 'pouting' plus COVID protocols and injuries have limited the team's two-best players, Embiid and Harris. s
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12-11-21 | Jazz v. Wizards +5.5 | Top | 123-98 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 2 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Was Wizards at 7:10 ET. The Utah Jazz owned the NBA's best regular season record last season but injuries kind of derailed them in the playoffs. Utah opened the current season a modest 8-5 but enters tonight's game at Washington (final contest of a 5-game road trip) having won 10 of 12, including SIX in a row. Utah is 18-7 on the season. The Wizards snapped a three-game losing streak with a 119-116 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday and will welcome the Jazz to the Verizon Venter at 15-11 overall, including 8-3 at home. |
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12-11-21 | TCU -1 v. Texas A&M | Top | 68-64 | Win | 100 | 11 h 28 m | Show |
My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on TCU at Texas A&M at 6:30 ET. It's a showdown of two former Big 12 Conference opponents when TCU squares off against Texas A&M on Saturday in The Battleground 2K21 at the Toyota Center in Houston. Both schools have struggled the previous two seasons, as both have been hit hard by COVID. However, Jamie Dizon (of Pitt fame) and Buzz Williams (Marquette and Va Tech) have each gotten their respective teams off to 7-1 starts. The Horned Frogs' most recent outing produced a 76-62 win over Utah in a neutral site contest in Fort Worth. While the Aggies head to Houston after an 85-65 home victory over New Orleans back on Nov 30, meaning A&M has had 10 days off (I don't see that as being an advantage). Mike Miles poured in a career-high-tying 28 points and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds for TCU in its win over Utah. "Mike was tremendous early and then kept attacking as the game went on," Jamie Dixon said. "We played good defense. We reached every goal we wanted to get coming into the game as far as guarding and taking care of the basketball -- we just need to shoot it a little better." Miles leads the way with a line of 17.1-3.6-46 and the 6-7 Miller (10.6 & 7.1.) is the only other TCU player in double digits. Baugh (8.0) and Peavy (7.5) are guards, while the 6-6 O'Bannon (7.1 & 3.0), the 6-7 Coles (6.1 & 4.1) and 6-11 center Lampkin (5.1 & 4.6) contribute up front. A&M has just ONE player in double figures and that's guard Jackson (12.3). The team's second-leading scorer (9.6) and leading rebounder (5.7) is the 6-7 Coleman but he's questionable with a back issue. Williams' team is basically a perimeter-based team, as five guards chip in between 6.3 and 9.5 PPG. Other than Coleman, the team's only other big man is the 6-8 Henderson, who averages just 2.6 & 3.1 in about 17 minutes. As noted above, I don't see being off for 10 days as being beneficial to the Aggies. Both play excellent defense, as TCU allows 60.9 PPG on 38.9% shooting, while A&M allows 60.1 PPG on 38.1% shooting. It's a neutral court but the edge goes to the more talented Horned Frogs, who are the team to watch in this year's Big 12. It's worth noting that the Aggies are a poor 3-7 ATS in their last 10 neutral-site contests plus that TCU owns a significant rebound advantage (45 to 36 per night). Expect TCU to win by double digits. Good luck...Larry |
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12-11-21 | Arkansas v. Oklahoma | Top | 66-88 | Win | 100 | 7 h 20 m | Show |
My 9* Daydream Believer is on Oklahoma at 1:30 ET. Eric Musselman, in just his second year at Arkansas (2020-21 season), led the Razorbacks to a 25-7 year and into the Elite 8. It marked the highest winning percentage for an Arkansas team and its highest finish in the final AP poll (No. 10) since the 1995 team lost in the national championship game to UCLA. Key players are gone from that team in the 6-7 Smith (16.8 & 7.3) plus guards Moody (16.6 &5.8) and Tate (11.0) but this year's Razorbacks are unbeaten (9-0) and ranked No. 12 when they take the court this afternoon at the Bank of Oklahoma Center in Tulsa. Porter Moser (of Loyola-Chicago fame) is in his first season at Norman and he has the Sooners off to a 7-2 start. Oklahoma lost 73-70 to Utah St in the championship game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational and then in its last outing, 66-62 in overtime to Butler when the Sooners went just 1-for-9 from beyond the arc over the last eight minutes of regulation, watching an eight-point lead evaporate. Musselman returned players like SEC 6th-man of the year Notae and he leads the team with a line of 18.7-4.8-3.4. Fellow guard Davis averaged just 6.3 points per game in the Razorbacks' first six games, but he's scored 50 points in his last three and is now averaging 9.8 & 4.3. Two big men returned as well, the 6-10 Williams (7.1 & 8.7) and the 7-3 Vanover (7.1 & 3.4). Pitt transfer Toney (13.1 & 6.8) plus South Dakota transfers Lykes (12.4) and Umude (9.3 & 4.7) give Arkansas a VERY deep group of perimeter players. Moser's starting-five is VERY good, led by the 6-10 Tanner Groves (14.9 & 6.2), who gets some help up front from the 6-6 Hill (9.2 & 6.2). Then there is a trio of backcourt players led by Gibson (11.3), PG Goldwire (9.4 & 56.2) and Harkless (9.0 & 4.6). Back on Dec 1, Mike White's Florida Gators visited Norman at 6-0 (the school's best start since 2012) and the Sooners handed them their first loss of the season, 74-67. I know this game is NOT in Norman, but Tulsa is surely a favorable venue for the Sooners. The key matchup is that the Razorbacks are shooting just 28.5 percent on three-pointers this season, including only 20.6 percent their last six games (3 of 13 the last time out). Meanwhile, the Sooners have been among the nation's best in defending along the perimeter, holding teams to just 27.5 percent on three-pointers (33rd). I had Okla over Florida back on Dec 1 (part of 3-0 STP sweep) and 'believe' in the Sooners just as much here. Good luck...Larry |
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12-10-21 | Loyola-Chicago v. Vanderbilt +4.5 | Top | 69-58 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 33 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on Vanderbilt at 8:00 ET. Porter Moser left after last season to take the Oklahoma job. He spent 10 years as the Ramblers' head coach, winning 99 games his last four years, reaching the Final 4 in 2018 and the Sweet 16 last year. Drew Valentine, Moser's assistant the last four seasons, lost the 6-9 Kurtwig (MVC p-o-y) but has the Ramblers off to an 8-2 start. Jerry Stackhouse was just 20-37 in his first two seasons at Nashville but this year's team got off to a 5-1 start. However, the Commodores will be trying to break a two-game slide that includes a 12-point loss at SMU in which they squandered a 12-point halftime lead last Saturday, and a 72-68 overtime loss to visiting Temple on Tuesday in which they shot a woeful 4-for-26 (15.4 percent) from three-point range. Loyola Chicago rolled to an 88-49 win over NAIA program Roosevelt (Ill.) on Tuesday, despite the fact that starters Braden Norris (8.2 & 4.1 APG) and the 6-7 Aher Uguak (10.0 & 3.9) ppg) sat out with undisclosed injuries. Both are expected to return to face the Commodores. Guard Williamson (11.7 & 5.0) joins Norris in the backcourt, while 6-7 Princeton grad transfer Ryan Schwieger (11.2 & 3.3) and the returning 6-10 Hutson (9.1 & 2.7) join Uguak up front. Loyola always plays good defense (61.4 PPG ranks 52nd) and has scored well so far, averaging 79.9 PPG. Vandy is led by the backcourt duo of Pippen (16.5 & 4.1) and Wright (14.9 & 7.0). Stackhouse got great news when Pippen decided to pull himself out of the NBA Draft and return to Nashville but got bad news when the 7-0 Robbins (Minnesota grad transfer who averaged 11.7 & 6.6 LY), was sidelined by a foot injury with no timetable for a return. The 6-7 Stute (9.7 & 2.8), guard Lawrence (6.6 & 3.3) and the 6-10 Brown gives them some size up front but he's only averaging 4.5 & 4.1. This marks the Ramblers final non-conference game this season against a power-conference team and frankly, Loyola is the better team. However, I believe Vandy is the 'hungrier' side in this one. Vandy opened 5-1 but enters this contest off back-to-back losses and really NEEDS a win here. After Loyola, the 'Dores host Austin Peay and play at Hawaii on Dec 22. The team then has off until Jan 4, when SEC play opens. A win here and Vandy just could be 8-3 when SEC play opens. First things first. I'm taking the points but expect an OUTRIGHT win. Good luck...Larry |
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12-10-21 | Knicks +1.5 v. Raptors | Top | 87-90 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 45 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the NY Knicks at 7:40 ET. The Knicks ended a seven-year postseason drought last year by going 41-31 but lost in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks, who made it all the way to the East Conference Finals. Expectations were high in Madison Square Garden to open the season but so far, the Knicks have been a disappointment. New York snapped a three-game losing streak Tuesday night, when it didn't trail in the final three quarters of a 121-109 win over the host San Antonio Spurs; However, the Knicks fell Wednesday night 122-102 to the Indiana Pacers at Indianapolis. Toronto went 58-24 in the 2018-19 season (.707) and went onto win the franchise's lone NBA title led by Kawhi. Kawhi 'flew the coop' before the 2019-20 season but the Raptors had even a better regular season record, going 53-19 (.736). However, the Raptors couldn't replicate their postseason success. Last season, Toronto tumbled to a 27-45 record. The Raptors are just 11-14 so far this season, after they lost 110-109 at home on Wednesday to the Oklahoma City Thunder (8-16), dropping their home record to 4-9. "Just having the necessary energy at the start of the game ... that's probably the biggest thing (that was missing)," Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said abou Wednesday's loss to the Pacers. "Just our defense. They're a good team. I thought we scored, but we didn't guard." The good news for New York fans is that the Knicks are as healthy as they've been all season. SIX players are averaging in double digits, with guard Quickly (9.7) and the 6-9 Toppin (8.3 & 3.)6 coming close. The only starter not in double digits is center Robinson (6.9 & 7.7). PF Randle (19.8-9.8-5.2) is again having an All Star-like season, joined by SF Barrett (15.0 & 5.6) plus guards Fournier (12.8) and Burks (11.8). Guards Rose (12.1) and Walker (11.7) are coming off the bench. OG Anunoby has blossomed this season, averaging 20.1 & 5.5 but a hip pointer has caused him to miss FOUR straight games (don't expect him to play here). PG VanVleet (19.8-5.1-6.3) is a true All Star, as is PF Siakam (19.4 & 7.4), who is back after beginning the season injured. SG Trent (16.7) has been a valuable addition plus rookie Barnes (Florida) has been a HUGE surprise, averaging 15.2 & 8.0. However, depth is an issue right now. I referred to Anunoby at the top but PG Dragic, PF Achiuwa and center Birch are all expected to miss as well. The Knicks lost 113-104 at home to the Raptors back Nov 1 and you know what they say about paybacks? Good luck...Larry |
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12-10-21 | Mavs +2 v. Pacers | Top | 93-106 | Loss | -105 | 7 h 4 m | Show |
My 9* Late Breaker is on the Dal Mavs at 7:10 ET. The Dallas Mavs opened 9-4 but followed by losing EIGHT of 10 to fall under .500 at 11-12. Dallas capitalized on 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists from Luka Doncic, and 19 points from Kristaps Porzingis to win at Memphis 104-96 on Wednesday and get back to .500 (12-12). The Indiana Pacers missed the postseason with a 34-38 record last year, after playing in NINE of the previous 10. The Pacers opened 1-6 and were just 6-11 thru Nov 19. The Pacers did win three of four (reaching 9-12) but then lost FOUR in a row before ending that skid Monday night with a 116-110 win over the Wizards and following with a 122-102 rout of New York on Wednesday. Doncic (25.6-8.0-8.5), Porzingis (19.5 & 8.0), Hardaway (14.3 & 3.8) and Brunson (14.3-3.8-5.0) all average in double digits plus the Mavs have excellent depth when the roster is healthy. That's the case right now, so add in frontcourt players Finney-Smith (9.3 & 4.5), Kleber (7.3 & 5.3) and Powell (6.0 & 4,5) plus guard Bullock (6.0). The Pacers have All Star quality players in PG Brogdon (20.3-5.7-6.1) and PF Sabonis (18.0 & 12.0) plus a deep supporting cast. That list includes guards LaVert (14.9) and rookie Duarte (13.5 & 4.0) plus center Turner (12.9 & 7.7). Playing mostly in reserve roles, swingman Holiday (9.9) plus guards McConnell (8.4 & 4.8 APG) and Lamb (7.3) are effective contributors. However, Holiday will miss here due to health and safety protocols and McConnell to a wrist injury. Lamb (7.2), Martin (6.9) and Craig (5.2) will get some extra "PT." When healthy, the Mavs are a quality, playoff-bound team. That CAN NOT be said of the Pacers. Take Dallas. Good luck...Larry |
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12-09-21 | Grand Canyon v. Arizona State -3 | Top | 62-67 | Win | 100 | 13 h 7 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Arizona St at 9:30 ET. Former NBA star Dan Majerle took over at Grand Canyon when it moved up to Division I for the 2013-14 season. His first two teams went 15-15 and 17-15 but he then put together three straight 20-win seasons. However, after falling to 13-17 in 2019-20, he was fired. To the rescue came Bryce Drew, who led the Antelopes to a 17-7 record and the school's first WAC regular season championship, its WAC tourney championship and to the school's first-ever NCAA tourney berth. Not a bad start, The 'Lopes have opened the current season 8-1, as they head to Tempe to take on Arizona St on Thursday.
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12-09-21 | Iowa -4 v. Iowa State | Top | 53-73 | Loss | -117 | 14 h 23 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on Iowa at 9:00 ET. Fran McCaffrey is in his 12th season at Iowa City and he's delivered seven, 20-win seasons is his first 11. Gone are consensus National Player-of-the-Year Garza (24.1 & 8.7) and Wieskamp (14.8 & 6.6) but the Hawkeyes opened 7-0, before dropping back-to-back Big Ten games to now-No. 1 Purdue and Illinois.The Hawkeyes travel to Ames for another contest in the Cy-Hawk rivalry. Iowa State (8-0) is seeking to match the third-best start in school history (9-0 in 2015-16). The early-season success represents quite a turnaround under first-year coach T.J. Otzelberger, who came from UNLV to take over an Iowa St team that went 2-22 last season (0-18 in the Big 12). The 6-8 Murray twins (Keegan and Kris) were freshmen last season at Iowa. Keegan gained playing time as the year wound down but Kris was lost in the shuffle. This season, Keegan leads the team in scoring (23.9) and rebounding (8.0) while his brother Kris comes off the bench to chip in 11.3 & 5.6. Returning players like the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey is averaging 12.0 PPG and returning guard Bohannon adds 9.8 PPG. 6-7 freshman Sandfort (7.1), Perkins (9.8), Toussaint (5.9 & 4.1 APG) and the 6-9 Rebraca (5.4 & 6.4) round out the main contributors. A trio of guards lead the way for Iowa St, starting with standout Izaiah Brockington, who leads the team in scoring (16.0) and rebounding (7.5). He's joined on the perimeter by Kalscheur (12.1) and Hunter (11.6 & 5.4 APG). The team's frontcourt rotation is led by the 6-8 Kunc (6.8 & 4.6) and the 6-9 Conditt (5.9 & 5.1). The Cyclones snapped a 25-game road losing streak on Saturday when they posted a 64-58 win at Creighton. Iowa St had already picked up wins this season over then-No. 9 Memphis (by 19 points), then-No. 25 Xavier (12 points) and 2021 Elite Eight team Oregon State (10 points). Now, the 17th-ranked Cyclones will try to avoid losing for the FOURTH consecutive time to Iowa, when the in-state rivals square off on Thursday night in Ames. "I've done this -- not forever -- but long enough," Otzelberger said. "I don't know that I've seen a group that has more pride in Iowa State and in their team success and cares about each other and is giving what they have every single day." That said, McCaffrey and his Hawkeyes know all about success (see above) and after back-to-back losses, NEED to get back on track before resuming Big Ten play on Jan 3. Good luck...Larry |
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12-09-21 | Steelers v. Vikings -3 | Top | 28-36 | Win | 100 | 28 h 8 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Min Vikings at 8:20 ET. The Pittsburgh Steelers survived a game-winning two-point conversion try by the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday and with their 20-19 win, have turned the AFC North into a real 'horse race!' The Ravens stand at 8-4, while Cincy is at 7-5, after a crushing home loss to the Chargers. The Steelers are presently 6-5-1, plus the 6-6 Browns were idle last week. First-to-last is separated by just two games. Just as notable, Pittsburgh is just a half-game behind three 7-5 teams for one of three wild card berths. That makes this Thursday night visit to Minnesota, to say the least, VERY important.
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12-09-21 | Jazz v. 76ers +3.5 | Top | 118-96 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 57 m | Show |
My 10* East/West Game of the Month is on the Phi 76ers at 7:10 ET. The Utah Jazz owned the NBA's best regular season record last season but injuries kind of derailed them in the playoffs. Utah opened the current season a modest 8-5 but enters tonight's game at Philly (4th contest of a 5-game road trip) having won NINE of 11, including FIVE in a row Utah is 17-7 on the season). The 76ers were the East's No. 1 seed last year but were upset in the second round of the playoffs by the red-hot Hawks. Of course, all know about the Simmons situation (hasn't played yet TY) but Philly has also been besieged with injuries and COVID-19 issues. However, Philly is back healthy and welcomes the Jazz to town on a three-game winning streak (76ers are 14-11 on the season). A HUGELY disappointing 98-97 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov 26 sparked Utah's five-game winning streak. Utah handily defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 136-104 on Wednesday in Minneapolis behind 36 points from Donovan Mitchell and 21 from Bojan Bogdanovic. Mitchell (24.7-4.1-5.0) has been effective all season and enters this contest on a four-game run of 30-plus-point performances. Jazz PG Mike Conley (12.0 & 4.5 APG) also is playing well. The 34-year-old veteran has steadily improved his shooting, as he is hitting 50.9 percent from the floor, which would be a career high, and is leading the league with a 47.6 percent success rate from three-point range. SF Bogdanovic (17.0 & 4.0), center Gobert (14.8 & 14.5) and PF O'Neale (8.0 & 5.1) complete the starting lineup. 6th-man Clarkson (14.9) leads the reserves. The best news for Philly fans is that the team is back healthy. Center Embiid (24.5-11.1-4.3) and PF Harris (19.3 & 8.3) have missed time because of COVID protocols but that's behind them. Simmons has NOT been missed, as PG Maxey (16.8 & 4.2 APG) has been very good, while Curry adds 16.2 PPG in the backcourt. Guards Milton (11.6) and Korkmaz (8.8) add depth on the perimeter, while the 6-7 Niang (10.9) and the 6-10 Drummond (6.5 & 10.0 in about 21 minutes per game) fill in nicely in the frontcourt. Both teams played last night (Philly won 110-106 at Charlotte), giving a slight edge to the home team in this one. The 76ers are a good defensive team, as evidenced by last night's victory over the highest-scoring team in the league, and while Utah center Rudy Gobert is a defensive specialist, Embiid is a matchup issue for ANY opposing center, as he's averaged 34.3 PPG in Philly's three-game winning streak. Bow Wow! Take the home dog. Good luck...Larry |
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12-08-21 | Celtics +4.5 v. Clippers | Top | 111-114 | Win | 100 | 12 h 11 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Bos Celtics at 10:40 ET. The inconsistent Los Angeles Clippers will host the equally inconsistent Boston Celtics tonight at Staples Center. The Celtics should feel 'right at home,' as they lost 117-102 to the Lakers last night, right here at Staples. The loss left them 13-12, while Clippers 'ugly' 102-90 win over the injury-depleted Blazers gives them the exact same record as Boston (also 13-2).
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12-08-21 | Michigan State -7 v. Minnesota | Top | 75-67 | Win | 100 | 11 h 6 m | Show |
My 10* Big Ten Conf "Best of the Best" is on Mich St at 9:00 ET. Tom Izzo and his Spartans started at No. 13 at the opening of the 2020-21 season and struggled in the regular season. Mich St made the NCAA tourney at 15-12 but was eliminated in a First Four game by UCLA. Michigan State began the current season unranked but enters this game at Minnesota ranked No. 19 at 7-2. Minnesota saw a 9-1 start to its 2020-21 season (No. 21 in the AP poll) fall apart by losing 14 of its final 19 games to finish 14-15. That was enough to end Richard Pitino's 8-year run at Minnesota, as Ben Jonhson took over (first head coaching gig). Johnson was hired and there was a mass exodus at Minnesota, as players transferred right and left (NONE of last year's starters are back!). However, the Gophers have been 'Golden' so far, going undefeated in non conference play (7-0) but remains unranked. The Spartans do not have a 'big gun,' as the team's leading scorer is SF Brown (12.9), who adds 4.3 RPG. 7-0 center Bingham adds 10.6 PPG and a team-high 7.6 RPG. Joining those two in the starting lineup are guards Christie (8.90 and Walker (5.8) plus 6-9 Hauser, who has disappointed averaging only 5.6 & 6.0. Bench strength comes from the 6-9 Hall (9.1 & 4.8) and the 6-9 Marble (6.4) plus guard Hoggard (6.4 & 4.2 APG). The "new-look" Golden Gophers are led by 6-7 George Wasghington transfer Battle (17.9 & 6.1) and College of Charleston transfer guard Willis (17.4-5.1-3.9). Guards Stephens (11.1 & 4.0) and Loewe (6.9) start with New Hampshire transfer Sutherlin coming off the bench to average 9.2 & 4.3 in the backcourt. Both teams are playing solid defense, as Michigan St allows 63.6 PPG and Minnesota 61.0 PPG. Talking about the conference-opener for both teams, MSU head coach Tom Izzo said, "Conference play is so much different than regular season (non-conference) play. And Minnesota, they've won some games. They won a tough, close game (against Pittsburgh) last week. Ben has done a great job with his team. They've got two guys that really, really shoot the ball." He's obviously talking about Battle and Willis. Here's the rub. The Golden Gophers have pulled out a number of close games, defeating Western Kentucky by four points, edging Princeton in double overtime, while beating 2-6 Pitt by ONE point. Minnesota led Mississippi State by as many as 14 points in its most recent game, before hanging on for a 5-point win. Michigan St has played a MUCH tougher schedule to this point, losing to now-No.8 Kansas and now-No. 2 Baylor, plus own a victory over now-No. 15 UConn. That trio is currently a combined 22-2! Which coach do you want, Izzo or Johnson? You think Izzo will remind his team that it lost at Minnesota last season 81-56! Good luck...Larry |
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12-08-21 | Marquette +2 v. Kansas State | Top | 64-63 | Win | 100 | 11 h 48 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Marquette at 9:00 ET. Marquette is coming off an 11-13 season and lost all FIVE starters plus added a new head coach in Shaka Smart. Smart was one of the hottest coaching commodities after leaving VCU for Texas but he was fired after six seasons with zero NCAA wins. He has Marquette off to a 7-2 start, as the team travels to Manhattan. Kansas to meet the 5-2 Kansas State Wildcats. Bruce Weber has been at it for almost 25 years (with plenty of success), but his team won just 11 games two seasons ago and last year went 9-20, including 4-1 in Big 12 play.
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12-08-21 | Knicks v. Pacers -4.5 | Top | 102-122 | Win | 100 | 10 h 2 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Ind Pacers at 7:10 ET. The Knicks ended a seven-year postseason drought last year by going 41-31 but lost in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks, who made it all the way to the East Conference Finals. Expectations were high in Madison Square Garden to open the season but so far, the Knicks have been a disappointment. New York snapped a three-game losing streak Tuesday night, when it didn't trail in the final three quarters of a 121-109 win over the host San Antonio Spurs but the "W" only got them back to .500 on the season.
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12-08-21 | Indiana +4.5 v. Wisconsin | Top | 59-64 | Loss | -115 | 12 h 9 m | Show |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Indiana at 7:00 ET. Indiana lost its final six games of last season and the Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller and hired Mike Woodson (former Indiana player under Bob Knight) to lead the team in the 2021-22 season, Greg Gard is in his seventh season at Madison but while Wisconsin featured four, 5th-year seniors and three regular seniors last season, the 'landscape' was MUCH different this season. Of the 14 scholarship players this season, 10 are classified as freshmen for eligibility purposes. Both schools have opened 7-1 as the schools get set for a Big Ten game at the Kohl Center tonight. The Hoosiers have used a six-man rotation (all players averaging 22-plus MPG), led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (21.0 & 8.6), who is joined in the frontcourt by the 6-8 Thompson (10.0 & 8.9) and the 6-7 Kopp (8.9 & 3.5). Xavier transfer Johnson (10.4) starts in the backcourt with Stewart (8.6), while 6th-man Bates (a freshman) chips in 7.1 PPG. Wisconsin guard Davison began the season with 124 career starts and is averaging 15.9 & 4.5. The great news for Wisconsin fans is, fellow guard Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY) is averaging 20.1 & 5.6 this season. Also back, after limited playing time last season, are the 7-0 Crowl (9.4 & 5.3) and the 6-9 Wahl (8.8 & 4.8). Guard Hepburn (7.4) is the 5th starter, with NO other player averaging as much as 5.0 PPG. Indiana opened 6-0 but then lost 112-110 at Syracuse in two OTs but bounced back to win its Big Ten opener 68-55 over Nebraska. Wisconsin defeated three previously undefeated teams -- including a win over then-12th ranked Houston -- to win the Maui Invitational (Nov 22-24), then ground out a gutty 70-66 road win over Georgia Tech in the ACC/Big Ten challenge, before beating Marquette 89-76 in its last game. The Badgers are ranked 22nd and have won 18 consecutive games at the Kohl Center against the Hoosiers, including 80-73 last season in double overtime. Is win No. 19 in a row a 'done deal?' Not so fast. Wisconsin is allowing only 59.1 PPG but Indiana counters by allowing 63.8. Remember, that includes the 112 points the team allowed in that double-OT loss. Meanwhile. while Wisconsin averages 70.6 PPG, while Indiana scores 80.4 PPG. I'm calling for a SU win by Indiana. Good luck...Larry |
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12-07-21 | Knicks -2.5 v. Spurs | Top | 121-109 | Win | 100 | 13 h 5 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the NY Knicks at 8:40 ET. The San Antonio Spurs head home after their most successful road trip of the season to take on the NY Knicks. Monday's 108-104 loss in Phoenix last night snapped a season-best, four-game winning streak. However, the loss came after road wins over the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors. Those wins had to give 8-14 San Antonio some needed momentum for the upcoming stretch of five games in eight days (note: the good news is, all will be played at home). In contrast, the 11-12 Knicks travel to San Antonio on the heels of a 113-99 home loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. New York has now dropped three straight and four of its past five games to fall under .500 for the first time this season. "Pop" is still coaching in San Antonio but these are NOT your grandfather's Spurs. SEVEN players are in triple digits, although second-year guard Vassell (11.6 & 3.7) will not play. The starters are PG Murray (19.0-8.5-8.5) and backcourt partner White (12.7 & 5.0 APG), center Poeltl (12.3 & 9.4) plus forwards Johnson (14.8 & 6.5) and McDermott (11.2). Guard Walker (10.2) is a sometime starter but mostly comes off the bench. |
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12-07-21 | Oakland v. Bowling Green +2.5 | Top | 72-73 | Win | 100 | 11 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Bowling Green at 7:00 ET. The Oakland Golden Grizzlies and Bowling Green Falcons meet Tuesday night at the Stroh Center. Oakland checks in at 7-2, while Bowling Green is just 4-4. Oakland remains coached by Greg Kampe, who is in his 38th season (coached the team when it was a Division II school). The Grizzlies joined Division I in the 1999-2000 season and have had a number of successful seasons but the school hasn't had a 20-win season the last four years, averaging only 15.3 wins per season. BG is coached by Michael Huger, who is in his 7th season at the school. The Falcons won 22 games in the 2018-19 season and 21 the following season but is off a 14-12 season.
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12-07-21 | Virginia -5 v. James Madison | Top | 49-52 | Loss | -100 | 11 h 47 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Virginia at 7:00 ET. Tony Bennett's, UVA team won a national championship in 2019 and from the 2013-14 season through the championship season of 2018-19, the Cavs avenged 29.7 wins per season. Gone from last year's team are big big men Hauser (16.0 & 6.8) and Huff (13.0 & 7.1) plus guard Murphy (11.3). UVA has opened 6-3 as it heads to Harrisonburg, Va to face James Madison. Head coach Mark Byington led James Madison to a Colonial Athletic Association regular-season title in his first season in charge in 2020-21 and this year's team is off to a 7-2 start, including a 4-0 start at home (JMU already owns wins against Virginia schools Old Dominion and George Mason).
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12-06-21 | New Mexico State -3 v. New Mexico | Top | 78-76 | Loss | -115 | 14 h 1 m | Show |
My 10* Rivalry Game of the Month is on New Mexico St at 9:00 ET. The 6-2 New Mexico State Aggies travel to The Pit to take on the 5-3 New Mexico Lobos Monday night in Albuquerque. TheAggies improved to 6-2 on the season after defeating the UTEP Miners 72-69 this past Friday. Meanwhile the Lobos haven't played since last Tuesday when they snapped a two-game losing streak by beating the Aggies 101-94 in Las Cruces. Chris Jans is in his fifth season with the Aggies, going 95-25 in his first four. New Mexico St had a troublesome season last year, as a public health order would not allow them to play any games in the state, plus the team wasn't allowed to fully practice until mid-January. Despite all this, the Aggies did advance to the WAC championship game, before falling to Grand Canyon. The result? It was the first time that NMSU ended a season as neither the WAC's regular season champ or the WAC tourney champs. Swingman Allen (18.0 & 6.0) is a Nebraska transfer and joins last year's top scorer Rice (13.2), who is averaging 14.4 & 4.4 this season. The team features a solid trio up front in the 6-10 McNair (9.1 & 6.1), the 6-7 McCants (8.5 & 4.9) and the 6-7 Tillman (8.3 & 3.5). The situation is MUCH different for New Mexico, who hired Richard Pitino after he was fired at Minnesota. Pitino has his fans and critics and I'm part of the latter. The Lobos are coming off an 'ugly' 6-16 year last season and have been rebuilt through the transfer portal. Guard Mashburn followed Pitino from Minnesota and leads with 20.4 PPG. ASU transfer House adds 18.1 & 4.6 APG plus Johnson, a 6-6 returnee, is a third player in double digits at 10.0 & 5.4. Adding depth on the perimeter are JC transfer Jenkins (8.8) and TCU transfer Todd (8.4). The 6-10 Muscadin played in 12 games last season (0.2 PPG!) but averages 9.6 so far this season plus the 6-9 Tovar (7.5 & 4.0) is another JC transfer. New Mexico beat rival New Mexico St 101-94 in a shootout last Tuesday but I believe the Aggies are the better team (much better?) and turnabout is fair play. New Mexico St "gets even" with a win in "The Pit," which is no longer a feared venue. Good luck...Larry |
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12-06-21 | Hawks +3 v. Wolves | Top | 121-110 | Win | 100 | 10 h 23 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Atl Hawks at 8:10 ET. The Atlanta Hawks went 41-31 last season and advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference finals. That's after going 73-158 (.316) the previous three seasons. In STARK contrast, the T-wolves finished 23-49 last year, missing out on the playoffs for the 16th time in their last 17 seasons. That said, when the teams meet tonight in Minnesota, both teams are looking to snap two-game losing streaks, and the Hawks' record of 12-11 is only slightly better than that of the 11-12 T-wolves. Who'da thunk that? |
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12-05-21 | Wizards +1.5 v. Raptors | Top | 90-102 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 41 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Was Wizrads at 6:10 ET. The Wizards opened the season on Oct 20 with a defensive-minded 98-83 victory over the host Raptors, who got their revenge at Washington with a 109-100 win on Nov 3. The teams meet again Sunday in Toronto, with Wizards checking in at 14-9 and the Raptors struggling at 10-13. The Wizards are coming off a 116-101 home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, while the Raptors haven't played since Thursday, when they beat Milwaukee 97-393 in Toronto, as the Bucks olayed without some guy named Giannis Antetokounmpo (funny name, I wonder if he's any good?). The Wizards have been searching for an identity for some time now and MAY have found one this season. Guards Beal (22.3-5.0-5.9) and Dinwiddie (13.7-5.0-5.4) are the 'heart' of the team but a trio I like to call "Lakers-East," have been MAJOR additions. PF Harrell (16.2 & 8.1), SF Kuzma (13.0 & 8.7) and swingman Caldwell-Pope (10.8) have really found a home on the East Coast. Undersized center, the 6-9 Gafford, is averaging 9.1 & 5.9. Toronto went 58-24 in the 2018-19 season (.707) and went on to win the franchise's lone NBA title led by Kawhi. Kawhi 'flew the coop' before the 2019-20 season but the Raptors had even a better regular season record, going 53-19 (.736). However, the Raptors couldn't replicate their postseason success. Last season, Toronto tumbled to a 27-45 record. OG Anunoby has blossomed this season, averaging 20.1 & 5.5 but a hip pointer has him sidelined plus center Khem Birch (6.9 & 5.4) is dealing with a knee issue. PG VanVleet (20.3-5.2-6.2) is a true All Star, as is PF Siakam (18.1 & 7.2), who is back after beginning the season injured. SG Trent (16.9) has been a valuable addition plus rookie Barnes (Florida) has been a HUGE surprise, averaging 15.3 & 8.1. Playing at home has been anything but an advantage for the Raptors, as their win over Milwaukee snapped a five-game honme losing streak and Toronto checks in just 3-8 SU at home this season. That's not a good situation when a team needs to win in order to cover. Toronto is banged up and ripe for the picking by a Washington team looking to (needing to?) to bounce back from a Friday night shellacking at home buy the red-hot Cavs (when's the last timw anyone reffered to the Cavs as being red-hot?). Good luck...Larry |
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12-05-21 | Xavier v. Oklahoma State -2.5 | Top | 77-71 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 44 m | Show |
My 10* Non-Confrerence Game of the Month is on Oklahoma St at 5:00 ET. The 6-1 Xavier Musketeers are looking to reclaim a spot in the top-25 (after back-to-back wins), when they visit 6-2 Oklahoma State (coming off a loss at home against Wichita State on Wednesday) on Sunday in Stillwater as part of the Big East-Big 12 Battle. Xavier head coach Travis Steele is badly in need of a 20-win season. He took over from Chris Mack (23.9 wins per season with NINE straight Big Dance bids), who took over from Sean Miller (24 wins per season and NCAA bids in his last four seasons of his five-year stint). The Musketeers entehavingred the season having won just 51 games (17 per) in Steele's first three seasons, without an NCAA bid. Guard Scruggs (11.0-3.7-4.3) is only back because COVID gave him an extra year of eligibility but fellow guard Jones has been a HUGE surprise, averaging 12.0 & 9.3, after chipping in a modest 7.7 & 4.8 last year. Nate Johnson averages a team-high 14.6 points and he's been on a roll the last two games with a combined 54 points on 12-of-19 shooting from three-point range. The team's top frontcourt players are the 7-0 Nunge (11.1 & 7.7) and the 6-8 Hunter (5.8 & 6.7). Mike Boynton's fourth season at Stillwater was last year and led by Cade Cunningham (20.1 & 6.2), the Cowboys went 21-9 and made it to the NCAA's second round. However, Cunningham was the NBA's overall No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft. That said, the Cowboys return a solid group plus welcomes Kansas transfer Thompson and Memphis transfer Cisse to the fold. No player is averaging in double digits but OSU has balanced scoring and depth! Kansas transfer Thompson leads the team in scoring at 9.8 PPG, joined on the perimeter by returning guards Anderson (9.3), Boone (9.3), Williams (8.5) and Likekele (7.1 & 6.0). The 6-10 Cisse (6.9 & 5.9) joins the returning 6-7 Moncrieffe (6.1 & 6.3) up front. This will be Xavier's first true road game, after two neutral site games resulted in an 82-70 loss to Iowa St and a 59-58 win over Va Tech. I forecast a comfortable win here by the home team. Lay the 'short' price! Good luck...Larry |
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12-05-21 | 49ers v. Seahawks +3.5 | Top | 23-30 | Win | 100 | 79 h 34 m | Show |
My 9* NFC West Game of the Month is on the Sea Seahawks at 4:25 ET. The Seattle Seahawks find themselves in an unfamiliar position entering December. In the 10 seasons since the Seattle Seahawks drafted QB Russell Wilson in the 2012 draft, the franchise has been a regular contender, making the playoffs in EIGHT of the nine seasons prior to 2021 (played in two Super Bowls, winning one). However, when the 3-8 Seahawks play host to the 6-5 49ers on Sunday, they are little more than an also-ran with little to play for over the season's final six weeks. Conversely, the 49ers have won THREE in a row (while averaging 31.6 PPG) and currently own the 6th and final playoff spot in the NFC.
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12-05-21 | Ravens -4 v. Steelers | Top | 19-20 | Loss | -112 | 57 h 48 m | Show |
My 9* Rivalry Game of the Month is on the Bal Ravens at 4:25 ET. The 8-3 Baltimore Ravens lead the AFC North but have not been able to 'shake the 7-4 Bengals. The 6-6 Browns and 5-5-1 Steelers fill out the rest of the division. The Steelers looked like a contender at 5-3 but they welcome the hated-Ravens to Heinz Field on an 0-2-1 run. This is the first meeting between the two rivals in 2021, with the teams playing again at Baltimore in Week 18. The Ravens enter December with the best record in the AFC, but their recent performances have been anything but pretty. Baltimore heads into the weekend a half-game ahead of the Patriots and Titans (both 8-4) for the top spot in the conference and. The playoff structure is the same as last season, meaning only the No. 1 seed gets a first-round playoff bye, so the Ravens certainly cannot afford many slip-ups over their final six games. QB Lamar Jackson (64.2% for 2,612 yards with 15 TDs and 12 INTs) is NOT having a vintage season, evidenced by him throwing a career-high four interceptions Sunday night in a 16-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. He also threw for a season-low 165 yards and was sacked multiple times for the ninth time in 10 games. However, he does lead the team in rushing (707 yards on 5.7 YPC) and is the reason the Ravens are No. 2 in the NFL averaging 150.7 YPG on the ground. His top receivers are WR Brown (60 catches / 6 TDs) and TE Andrews ( 60 catches / 5 TDs). The defense is no longer a dominating unit (ala the Ray Lewis years) but Baltimore does rank 9th in allowing 21.8 PPG. Big Ben is not the QB he once was but he can still be dangerous. He enters the game completing 64.6% for 2,522 yards with 14 TDs and 6 INTs. He gets little help from a running game that averages only 87.1 YPG (28th), although rookie RB Harris does have 708 yards with 5 TDs but averages only 3.6 YPC. He is also Pitt's second-leading receiver (52 catches / 2 TDs), behind WR Johnson (68 catches / 4 tDs). WR Claypool adds 37 catches (16.4 YPC / but just 1 TD) and TE Freiermuth adds 40 catches and a team-high 6 TDs.The offense averages only 20.4 PPG (22nd), while the defense allows 24.3 PPG, which ranks 23rd. Pittsburgh is also just 29th in takeaways with only NINE. The Ravens have averaged only 14 points over the last three games but have won two of them, while Pittsburgh's last three games have seen them tie Detroit 16-16 (Lions are 0-10-1 on the season), while allowing 41 points in back-to-back losses to the Chargers and Bengals. Jackson is a highly accomplished QB and this Pittsburgh defense may be "just what the doctor ordered" for the Baltimore offense to shake its doldrums! The Ravens are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 against AFC North opponents, while the Steelers are just 2-8 ATS their last 10 following a SU loss. I'm on the road favorite. Good luck...Larry |
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12-05-21 | Washington Football Team v. Raiders -2 | Top | 17-15 | Loss | -110 | 94 h 21 m | Show |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on the LV Raiders at 4:05 ET. Washington was able to capture the NFC 'Least' last season with a 7-9 record but with Dallas jumping out to a 6-1 start and Washington opening 2-6, the Cowboys seemed like a 'lock' to win the NFC East in 2021. However, Dallas has lost THREE of four to fall back to 7-4, while Washington has won THREE in a row to reach 5-6. Washington looks to make it FOUR straight wins this week in Las Vegas against the Raiders, who are one of three AFC West teams that are currently 6-5. Kansas City, which has won FIVE straight division titles, leads the AFC West at 7-4, so clearly, that division is far from settled. Speaking of Dallas, the Raiders snapped a three-game skid by defeating the Dallas Cowboys 36-33 in overtime on Thanksgiving. All that said, this marks the ONLY home game for the Raiders in a 4-week span and don't forget, it's an extremely bad situational spot for Washington, traveling cross-country on a short week. With FIVE consecutive NFC games coming up to end the regular season, this seems like a perfect "let-down" spot for Washington. This really is a "must win'' for the Raiders as the 6-5 Chargers are on the road vs a very good Cincy team, plus 6-5 Denver is at 7-4 KC. The Raiders really need to get to 7-5 with a "W" in this one. A win basically means a cover at this pointspread but my bet says the Raiders win handily. Good luck...Larry |
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12-05-21 | North Carolina v. Georgia Tech +3.5 | Top | 79-62 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 25 m | Show |
My 9* ACC Game of the Week is on Ga Tech at 3:00 ET. North Carolina's first-year head coach Hubert Davis and his players took exception to criticism following a pair of defeats to top programs in Purdue and Tennessee the weekend before Thanksgiving. The Tar Heels responded with their best effort of the young season, routing No. 24 Michigan 72-51 on Wednesday in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. They now travel to Atlanta for their ACC openers against the Ga Tech Yellow Jackets, who enter Sunday's game off a 70-66 home loss Wednesday night against No. 23 Wisconsin in their ACC/Big Ten Challenge game. Both schools come in 5-2.
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12-05-21 | Chargers +3 v. Bengals | Top | 41-22 | Win | 100 | 8 h 37 m | Show |
My 9* 'Battle of the QBs" is on the lA Chargers at 1:00 ET. The 7-4 Cincinnati Bengals are positioned to make some noise in December, as except for the 8-3 Baltimore Ravens, every AFC team has at least four losses, with 12 at .500 or better. One of those 12 teams at .500 or better is the 6-5 LA Chargers, who remain in the playoff mix despite losing FOUR of their last six games. Baltimore leads the AFC North at 8-3, Cincy checks in at 7-4, the Browns at 6-5 and the Steelers at 5-5-1. Over in the AFC West, KC is 7-5, while the Chargers, Broncos and Raiders are all 6-5.
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12-04-21 | Clippers v. Kings +1.5 | Top | 99-104 | Win | 100 | 13 h 38 m | Show |
My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on the Sac Kings at 10:10 ET. The Sacramento Kings fired Luke Walton after a 6-11 start, ending, at least for now, his legendary 166-241 (.408) record as an NBA head coach. However, I'm sure there will be many opportunities for him down the road. The Kings have shown some 'life' and progress since being led by interim head coach Alvin Gentry, going 3-3. The LA Clippers have been without Kawhi up until now and may be without him all season. They visit Sacramento just 12-11, after beating the Lakers Friday night in Staples Center. The Clippers played the Lakers for the first time this season on Friday night and came away with a 119-115 win to end a season-long three-game losing streak. SIX players reached double digits, with PG (25.6-7.3-5.3) just missing a triple-double with 19-8-9 and Kennard (10.4) matching him with 19 points. Kennard has played all 23 games this season (zero starts), as have PG Jackson (17.3 & 4.0 APG), center Zubac (10.2 & 8.1) and SG Bledsoe (9.7-4.1-3.4), while George has missed just one game. The Clippers had one of their most balanced scoring games of the season against the Lakers, as six players scored between 11 and 21 points. "Seeing us tonight, that's how we got to play," Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said. "That's the blueprint right there." However, Paul George rolled his ankle against the Lakers after initially injuring it against the Warriors but said he's hopeful to play against the Kings (??). I've been saying the same thing for the last two seasons, the Kings have way more talent than their record indicates. Maybe Gentry, whom players like, can get the most out of these perennial underachievers. pG Fox (20.3 & 5.5) is joined on the perimeter by fellow starter Haliburton (1.5 & 5.5 APG) and Hield (16.2 & 4.3), who seems fine coming off the bench these days. Undersized center Holmes (15.2 & 9.8) has developed into a quality big manSF Barnes (19.0 & 7.2) has been terrific since arriving in Sacramento a few years ago. The Kings would get a major boost with the return of Barnes, who has missed the past four games because of a sprained right foot. He's questionable against the Clippers. The Clippers win last night snapped a three-game slide, which included 124-115 loss in Los Angeles against these very same Kings. Beating the Clippers in back-to-back games would be a MAJOR step in the right direction for Sacramento and Gentry. The Kings won two of their first three under Gentry, including a wild triple-overtime win at the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov 26, when the lead changed 23 times. However, Sacramento didn't come near that performance in its next two games, losing by 27 points at the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday and by 25 at the Lakers on Tuesday. That bounce-back win 24 hours later against the Clippers was VERY welcoming. Another "W" here would be HUGE. Haliburton, for one, said he appreciates Gentry's hands-off style. "Coach Gentry has done a good job in letting the players kind of have a lot to say," he said. "He comes in and we're already talking and having that conversation, and he just lets us go." I'm "all over" the Kings in this one! Expect a double-digit win. Good luck...Larry |
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12-04-21 | Iowa State +6.5 v. Creighton | Top | 64-58 | Win | 100 | 9 h 59 m | Show |
My 9* Late Breaker is on Iowa St at 9:30 ET. No. 19 Iowa State checks in at 7-0, as it takes on 7-1 Creighton in a Big East/Big 12 matchup at Omaha. The matchup also features the first meeting between Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott and Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger. The latter served on McDermott's Cyclones staff from 2006-10 when Iowa State went 59-68 during McDermott's tenure as head coach. |
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12-04-21 | Wake Forest v. Pittsburgh -3 | Top | 21-45 | Win | 100 | 127 h 25 m | Show |
My 10* Signature 38-Club Play is on Pittsburgh at 8:00 ET The 10-2 Pittsburgh Panthers (AP No. 17) and the 10-2 Wake Forest Demon Deacons meet Saturday in the ACC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (no Clemson this year, after the Tigers had won the last SIX!). Pat Narduzzi was hired as Pitt's head coach on Dec 26, 2014. He led Pitt to bowl games in FOUR of his first five seasons, before last year's team went 6-5 but declined an invite due to COVID conditions. However, this year has been special, as Pitt has lost at least three games in every season since 1981 and has not ended a season in the AP top-25 since the 1982 season. That could all change this season, beginning with the ACC title game. Dave Clawson is in his eighth season at Winston-Salem and considering his record was 40-45 coming into the 2021 season, it's safe to say that this is the best team he's had. The Demon Deacons opened 8-0 (first time in school history) and with a dominating 41-10 win last Saturday at Boston College, clinched the Atlantic Division with a 7-1 record (Pitt was 7-1 in the Coastal).
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12-04-21 | Vanderbilt v. SMU -4 | Top | 72-84 | Win | 100 | 9 h 8 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on SMU at 6:00 ET. Vanderbilt's Jerry Stackhouse was just 20-37 in his first two seasons at Nashville, but he has this year's team off to a 5-1 start as the 'Dores visit Dallas to take on a 6-3 SMU team. The Mustangs' Tim Jankovich is just two years removed from severe sanctions that SMU faced due to none other than Larry Brown (great coach but one who knows how to leave a program in the dust!). SMU won 19 games before the 2019-20 season was shut down and then went 11-6 in a season that limited this team to 17 games because of COVID. |
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12-04-21 | BYU v. Missouri State +3.5 | Top | 74-68 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 15 m | Show |
My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Missouri St at 4:00 ET. BYU and Missouri State will come into their Saturday meeting in Springfield, Mo with each team coming off OT losses on Wednesday. The Cougars moved into the top-25 after a 6-0 start that included a nice win in Salt Lake City over Utah but were upset at neighboring Utah Valley St, 72-65 in overtime, dropping their first game of the season to fall to 6-1. Meanwhile in Normal, Illinois, the Bears (4-3) opened their Missouri Valley Conference schedule with a disappointing 79-74 overtime setback at Illinois State.
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12-03-21 | Cavs +4.5 v. Wizards | Top | 116-101 | Win | 100 | 11 h 37 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Cle Cavs at 7:10 ET. Two teams that were expected to struggle this season, but which have done better than projected to this point, collide on Friday night when the 12-10 Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Verizon Center for a game with 14-8 Washington Wizards. These teams met back on Nov. 10 in Cleveland, with the Wizards winning 97-94. Talk about quick turnarounds! LBJ bolted Cleveland for a second time after the 2017-18 season and the Cavs entered this season having gone 60-159 (.274) the previous three seasons. However, the Cavaliers posted their third straight lopsided victory with a 111-85 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday and will try to match a season-high four-game winning streak tonight in D.C. The Cavs continue to play well despite losing standout guard Sexton (16.0) for the season due to a knee injury. PG Garland (18.5 & 7.2 APG) has been terrific plus the Cavs have found themselves quite a frontcourt. 6-10 center Allen leads the group in scoring (16.3) and rebounding (11.3) Then the Cavs have the 6-11 Mobley, the third pick of last year's draft, averaging 14.5 & 8.2), while the 6-11 Markkannen, formerly with the Bulls, is adding 14.5 & 6.2. Guard Okoro (7.9 & 4.2) has been starting lately in Sexton's place but picking up vet PG Rubio ahs been HUGE, as he has played in ALL 22 games, averaging 13.8-4.0-6.3. Formerr All Star Love is now more of a role player but he's a pretty good one, averaging 11.1 & 7.5. The Wizards have been searching for an identity for some time now and MAY have found one this season. Guards Beal (22.7-5.1-6.2) and Dinwiddie (14.1-5.2-5.5) are the 'heart' of the team but a trio I like to call "Lakers-East," have been MAJOR additions. PF Harrell (16.6 & 8.1), SF Kuzma (13.0 & 8.9) and swingman Caldwell-Pope (11.2) have really found a home on the East Coast. Undersized center, the 6-9 Gafford, is averaging 9.3 & 5.9. A couple points of interest in this one. The Cavs are an impressive 15-7 ATS, while the Wizards are a more modest 12-10. I noted that the Cavs enter on a three-game winning streak (they are also on a 5-game ATS run) and they've allowed just 91.0 points in their three-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Wizards have allowed 112.3 PPG over their last three games. Jarrett Allen followed up a career-high 28-point, 14-rebound performance in Cleveland's 114-96 win in Dallas on Monday and then with his fifth straight double-double (19 & 11) two nights later in Wednesday's win in Miami. Mobley scored 15 of his 17 points in the third quarter versus the Heat and finished with 11 rebounds, as the Cavaliers moved to 9-2 in the last 11 games played with Mobley in the lineup. Love the way the Cavs are playing. Take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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12-02-21 | Oregon State +2.5 v. California | Top | 61-73 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 9 m | Show |
My 10* Pac 12 Game of the Month is on Oregon St at 10:30 ET. Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle came from Montana to take over at Oregon St in the 2014-15 season. His overall record entering this season was just 113-109 but he did lead last year's team to the Pac 12 tourney championship and all the way to the Elite 8. Cal head coach Mark Fox is in his third season, entering the current season with a 23-38 record, including a 9-20 record (3-17 in the Pac 12). Cal began 0-2 but has gone 3-2 to enter its Pac 12 opener 3-4. Getting back to the 1-6 Beavers, they are in danger of going from reaching the Elite Eight last season to having an eight-game losing streak if the Beavers lose to Cal and to No. 11 Arizona on Sunday to start the Pac-12 season. Oregon St won its season-opener over Portland St but enters this contest on a SIX-game losing streak (1-5 ATS). Tisdale lost his top scorer in Thompson (15.7 & 4.0) plus starting yard Reichle (7.2) but returned SIX of his top-eight scorers. The 6-8 Alatishe (10.9 & 7.0), the 6-10 Calloo (8.5 & 4.5) are the best frontcourt players, joined by guards Lucas (10.4), Davis (6.5-4.2-3.3) and Hunt (4.9-3.0-2.7). Matt Bradley took his 18 points and 4.6 rebounds per game with him when he transferred to San Diego St after last season but Cal has two 6-9 frontcourt players off to good starts in Kelly (16.1 & 9.0) and Anticevich (11.6 & 6.0). Shepherd leads with 13.1 PPG on the perimeter. Cal lost consecutive games last week in the Fort Myers (Fl) Tip-Off Classic against Florida and Seton Hall before returning home to beat previously unbeaten Fresno State 65-57 on Sunday. The Beavers are most recently coming off a 60-45 defeat to Penn State. However, previous to that blowout loss, Oregon St lost by one point, and then by three in overtime. I like head coach Tinkle. who is a master at tinkering his line-ups and I think he'll start to create the same magic which saw his team make a deep tournament run last season. Oregon State has gone 4-1 ATS the last five in this series and tonight make it 5-1 with an outright win! Good luck...Larry |
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12-01-21 | Wisconsin v. Georgia Tech +4 | Top | 70-66 | Push | 0 | 13 h 12 m | Show |
My 10* Big10/ACC Challenge Game of the Year is on Ga Tech at 9:15 ET. Wisconsin won three straight games to claim the Maui Invitational in Las Vegas last week by defeating Texas A&M, then-No. 12 Houston before posting a 61-55 over St. Mary's in the title game. The 5-1 Badgers entered the new AP poll Monday at No. 23 and will take that ranking to Atlanta to face 5-1 Ga Tech in a Big Ten/ACC Challenge contest on Wednesday. Wisconsin featured four, 5th-year seniors and three regular seniors alst season but of the 14 scholarship players this season, 10 are classified as freshmen for eligibility purposes. Guard Davison began the season with 124 career starts and is averaging 13.3 & 5.0. The great news for Wisconsin fans is, fellow guard Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY) is averaging 20.2 & 5.6 this season. Also back, after limited playing time last season, are the 6-9 Wahl (9.3 & 5.0) and the 7-0 Crowl (9.2 & 5.2). Josh Pastner (of Memphis fame) led Ga Tech Yellow Jackets to a 17-9 record and their first ACC tourney championship since 1993. Ga Tech lost ACC player of the year Wright (14 & 8.0) and PG Alvarado (15.2-3.5-4.1) but this season features a guard trio of Devoe (23.4-5.6-5.0), Usher (15.8 & 8.7) and freshman Coleman (7.7) plus 6-10 center Howard (8.5 & 7.3). Also chipping in are guards Smith (7.6) and Sturdivant (7.5). No one will be surprised if Wisconsin makes it 22 NCAA appearances in the last 23 years this season but this is a tough spot for the Badgers, playing on the road against a team that is frankly, the defending ACC tourney champs. After losing its season opener at home to Miami-Oh (72-69), Ga Tech has won FIVE in a row and tonight is a home dog. Bow Wow! Good luck...Larry |
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12-01-21 | 76ers +2.5 v. Celtics | Top | 87-88 | Win | 100 | 12 h 12 m | Show |
My 10* Division (Atlantic) Game of the Month is on the Phi 76ers at 7:40 ET. Both the 76ers and Celtics have opened 11-10 and meet for the first time this season in Boston on Wednesday night. Philadelphia began its season with eight wins in 10 games before dropping eight of its next 11 amid a COVID-19 outbreak (more later). Boston has a new head coach this year (Ime Udoka) and opened just 2-5 but are now, like Philly, 11-10 on the season. The 76ers' 101-96 win over Orlando on Monday snapped the team's two-game skid and the best news is that the team is back healthy. Seth Curry (16.2) led the way with 24 points while PF Tobias Harris (20.1 & 8.4) added 17 with nine rebounds and center Joel Embiid (22.8 & 10.3) contributed 16 & 13. Embiid has missed 10 games and Harris eight but both are AOK at the moment. Guard Maxey has played all 21 games and has averaged 18.0 & 5.0 APG. Milton (11.6), Niang (11.2) and Korkmaz (9.7) have mostly been used off the bench, adding excellent depth. Boston played without guard Dennis Schroder (17.1-4.0-4.9) and center Robert Williams III (9.4 & 9.6) in its 109-97 win at Toronto on Sunday. Schroder was sidelined with a right ankle sprain while Williams sat out with a non-COVID-19 illness. All-Star Jaylen Brown (22.4 & 5.3) was a game-time decision as the team continued to manage his return from a hamstring injury. Brown played 27 minutes and scored 16 points. Tatum (24.3 & 8.5) has played in all 21 games and Horford is back in Boston, averaging 12.5 & 8.3 (he's missed just three games). Smart (11.2-4.1-5.7) has been Schroder's backcourt partner and Josh Richardson is adding 9.5 PPG, after scoring 18 points in Boston's latest game (he had missed three games with a non-COVID-19 illness). Boston has struggled to shoot the ball this season, hitting 43.5 percent from the floor (24th), including only 32.6 percent on three-pointers (25th). As noted above, this the first of four meetings between Philadelphia and Boston and I'll add that the 76ers swept the three-game series between the teams last season. New season, same result! Good luck...Larry |
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11-30-21 | Indiana v. Syracuse +3 | Top | 110-112 | Win | 100 | 11 h 11 m | Show |
My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Syracuse at 7:00 ET. 3-3 Syracuse returns home to face 6-0 Indiana on Tuesday night in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The Orange lost two of three games at the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament in the Bahamas and have given up 80 or more points in THREE of six games this season. Where's that famous Boeheim "2-3 Zone?" While Boeheim has been at Syracuse since 'FOREVER,' Indiana is led by first-year coach Mike Woodson, who has the team off to an undefeated start.
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11-30-21 | Minnesota v. Pittsburgh +3 | Top | 54-53 | Win | 100 | 9 h 2 m | Show |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Pittsburgh at 7:00 ET. Minnesota saw a 9-1 start to its 2020-21 season (No. 21 in the AP poll) fall apart by losing 14 of its final 19 games to finish 14-15, That was enough to end Richard Pitino's 8-year run at Minnesota, as Ben Jonhson takes over (first head coaching gig). Johnson was hired and there was a mass exodus at Minnesota, as players transferred right and left (NONE of last year's starters are back!). Most notably, Minnesota lost (to Texas) one of last season's best backcourt players in Carr (19.4-4.0-4.9), and was picked to finish last in the Big Ten. However, Minnesota is off to a 5-0 start. The Pitt Panthers have been ravaged by transfers, injuries and other issues over the last year. Jeff Capel has had a tough start at Pitt (40-48) and prepared for the season without his top three scorers from a year ago (one moved on to the NBA and two transferred to other programs). The Panthers then lost their fourth- and fifth-leading scorers from last season due to a suspension and an ACL tear, respectively. The Panthers welcome Minnesota to town for this ACC-Big Ten Challenge contest at 2-4. The Golden Gophers are led by 6-7 George Wasghington transfer Battle (17.8 & 6.2) and College of Charleston transfer, guard Willis (16.6-5.6-3.4). Guards Stephens (11.4 & 3.8) and New Hamphire transfer Sutherlin (10.2 & 4.4) plus 6-9 SF Austin transfer Curry (7.0 & 6.8) join Battle and Willis to give Minnesota a whole new look this season. The Panthers are led by the 6-9 John Hugley (14.3 & 7.2) and 6-5 gaurd Femi Odukale (13.2-3.8-3.5). Freshman Nate Santos (7.2 & 4.3) is off to a solid start plus senior guard Burton (8.5) and 6-7 sophomore Jeffress adds 6.5 & 6.3. All of Pitt's four defeats have come by double figures, including an 87-77 loss to UMBC over the weekend. However, the 77 points were a season-high for the etam. Head coach Jeff Capel afterward, "I thought we did some good things. For us to score 77 points, for us to make 11 threes. I thought that was good for us. So hopefully we can carry over and have some confidence." I'm with Jeff. I believe Pittsburgh cand and WILL play better and expect a win here against an overrtaed Minnesota team playings its first true road game of the season. Good luck...Larry |
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11-29-21 | Hornets +5.5 v. Bulls | Top | 119-133 | Loss | -105 | 9 h 23 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Cha Hornets at 8:10 ET The Charlotte Hornets were 33-39 last season and the Chicago Bulls were 31-41. The two teams meet for the first time this season with the Hornets coming to Chicago with a 13-9 record and the Bulls checking in at 13-8. Charlotte had won EIGHT of nine before falling 146-143 in overtime at cellar-dwelling Houston on Saturday night. That was NO way to open a four-game road trip. As for Chicago, the Bulls have lost THREE of four, after Saturday's 107-104 home loss to the Miami Heat. Charlotte is led by the outstanding trio of Bridges (20.3 & 7.4), Ball (19.4-7.9-8.0) and Hayward (17.0-4.9-3.5). Plumlee (6.8 & 7.3) started the first 20 games but is currently sidelined (right calf strain), with PJ Washintgton (9.9 & 4.3) filling in the last two (15.0 & 5.5 in his two starts!). Perimeter players Rozier (17.4-3.6-3.3) and Oubre (14.7 & 4.0) have also been regular and effective contributors. The Bulls have reinvented themselves as a threat in the Eastern Conference behind Zach LaVine and the free-agent signing of DeMar DeRozan. They also picked up center Nikola Vucevic from Orlando last season (where his talents were wasted) plus added Lonzo Ball as a free agent. There were 'whispers' that the 32-year-old DeMar DeRozan was on the downside of his career but he's been one of the best players in the NBA so far this season, averaging 25.8-5.2-4.1. He has energized the Chicago Bulls, along with LaVine (25.3-5.1-3.7), Vucevic (13.4 & 11.0) and Ball (12.3-5.4-4.7). Vucevic missed time while part of the NBA's COVID-19 protocol but he returned three games ago and is just fine (12.3 & 11.3). This contest is a "toss up" in my view and the Hornets come in on a 7-3 ATS roll, while the Bulls are 0-8 ATS in their eight SU losses this season. I 'smell' an outright win here by the Hornets and will gladly take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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11-29-21 | Iowa v. Virginia +2 | Top | 75-74 | Win | 100 | 10 h 56 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Month is on Virginia at 7:00 ET. Fran McCaffrey is in his 12th season at Iowa City and he's delivered seven, 20-win seasons is his first 11. Gone are consensus National Player-of-the-Year Garza (24.1 & 8.7) and Wieskamp (14.8 & 6.6) but the Hawkeyes have opened 6-0 by averaging 97.2 PPG, tops in the nation. Tony Bennett's, UVA team won a national championship in 2019 and from the 2013-14 season through the championship season of 2018-19, the Cavs avenged 29.7 wins per season. Gone from last year's team are big big men Hauser (16.0 & 6.8) and Huff (13.0 & 7.1) plus guard Murphy (11.3). UVA has opened 5-2 as it gets set to host Iowa as part of the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. The 6-8 Murray twins (Keegan and Kris) were freshmen last season at Iowa. Keegan gained playing time as the year wound down but Kris was lost in the shuffle. This season, Keegan leads the nation in scoring (25.7 PPG), while adding 8.8 RPG. His brother Kris comes off the bench to chip in 12.8 & 6.8. Returning players like the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey is averaging 12.5 PPG and returning guard Bohannon adds 10.0 PPG. 6-7 freshman Sandfort (9.7) and sophomore guard Perkins (9.0) round out the main contributors. The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark (10.3 & 3.9 APG). Guard Beekman (6.7-3.7-2.9) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (6.6 & 6.3), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner (13.4 & 8.3) comes from East Carolina and guard Franklin (13.0) comes via Indiana. As always, Bennett's team is one of the nation's best defensive squads in the nation, allowing just 53.6 PPG (4th). Of course, one can't ignore that Iowa is averaging about five 'TDs' more per game than UVA (97.2-to-61.4) but it's rare that UVA doesn't control the flow of a game playing here at John Paul Jones Arena. Iowa's gaudy numbers have been rolled up exclusively at home and against teams such as North Carolina Central and Portland State but now plays on the road for the FIRST time this season. What's more, Iowa could be peeking ahead to opening its Big Ten schedule in its next two games vs No. 3 Purdue and No. 14 Illinois. Patrick McCaffery, the son of coach Fran McCaffery, says Iowa is eager for the challenge to face tough competition. "You love the increased competition," he said. "I'm ready and I've got a lot of dogs in the locker room who are ready." My response? Be careful what you wish for. The 'dogs' playing at UVA may reply, as a tribute to John Paul Jones, "I (we) have not yet begun to fight!" A closing note of interest. The Hawkeyes have struggled in this spot for bettors, going 0-8 ATS in their last eight road games following three or more consecutive home contests Good luck...Larry |
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11-28-21 | Bucks v. Pacers +3.5 | Top | 118-100 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 51 m | Show |
My 10* Division (Central) Game of the Month is on the Ind Pacers at 5:10 ET. The reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks carry a six-game winning streak into Indianapolis for a Sunday matchup with the Indiana Pacers. The Bucks got off to just a 6-8 start, before beginning their current winning run Nov 17. That gives them a 12-8 mark but no one is off to a blazing start in the East (like the 17-2 Warriors and 17-3 Suns out West), as the Nets lead the East at 14-6, just TWO games better than Milwaukee. The Indiana Pacers missed the postseason with a 34-38 record last year, after playing in NINE of the previous 10. The Pacers opened 1-6 and were just 6-11 thru Nov 19 but do enter this contest having won THREE of four (lone loss was in OT vs the Lakers). The Bucks had some health and injury issues early on but are in pretty good shape right now. Naturally, the Bucks are led by Giannis Antetokounmpo (winner of the MVP award the two previous seasons), whose line reads 27.1-11.7-6.0. However, FIVE more players are averaging in double digits. That group includes Middleton (17.1-5.2-4.8), Portis (15.4 & 8.5), Holiday (14.2-4.4-5.6), Allen (14.2) and Connaughton (12.1 & 5.1). Nwora (8.0) and Hill (7.4) are also reliable contributors. The Pacers have All Star quality players in PG Brogdon (20.7-6.0-6.2) and PF Sabonis (18.0 & 11.5) plus a deep supporting cast. That list includes guards LaVert (14.2) and rookie Duarte (13.3 & 4.3) plus center Turner (12.9 & 7.6). Playing mostly in reserve roles, swingman Holiday (9.6) plus guards McConnell (8.7 & 5.2 APG) and Lamb (7.7) are effective contributors. In their three wins over the last four games, the Pacers limited New Orleans, Chicago and Toronto to 94, 77 and 97 points, respectively. Indiana complemented its tough defensive play in Friday's 114-97 win over Toronto with balanced scoring. SEVEN Pacers scored in double-figures, including three off the bench: Kelan Martin with 15 points, Chris Duarte with 12 and Torrey Craig with 11. Caris LeVert scored 19 points, his most since returning to the lineup on Nov 13. Domantas Sabonis led the way with 23 points, and with 18 rebounds in his 15th double-double of the season. This Indiana is WAAAY better than its record and a home win over the Bucks would be a much-needed confidence-builder. Yes, the Bucks have won six straight (just 3-3 ATS) but it's hard to ignore that Milwaukee is more than 10 points per game off of its NBA-leading scoring average of a season ago. The Bucks are averaging 109.5 PPG this season, down from 120.1 last season. I'm taking the home dog. Good luck...Larry |
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11-28-21 | Rams -1 v. Packers | Top | 28-36 | Loss | -119 | 26 h 54 m | Show |
My NFC 10* Game of the Month is on the LA Rams at 4:25 ET. The Rams lost in Green Bay to the Packers 32-18 in last year's Divisional Round but much has changed as the Rams venture back to Lambeau Field Sunday afternoon for this Week 12 contest. I'll get to those changes in a bit but first, let me set the stage. The Rams opened the season 7-1 through Week 8 but were then upset by the Tiatns at home, who were playing without Henry. They then lost 31-10 at San Francisco in Week 10. A Week 11 bye likely came at a good time. The Packers lost 38-3 in Week 1 against the Saints (game was played in Jacksonville due to Hurricane Ida) but rebounded to win their next SIX games, before the Rodgers 'vaccination fiasco!' Rodgers sat out the 13-7 loss at KC but returned in a 17-0 win over Seattle, before the Packers lost 34-31 at Minnesota last Sunday. The Packers are 8-3 and battling the 9-2 Cardinals for the NFL's No. 1 seed.
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11-28-21 | Steelers v. Bengals -3.5 | Top | 10-41 | Win | 100 | 94 h 50 m | Show |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on the Cin Bengals at 1:00 ET. The 6-4 Cincinnati Bengals will welcome the 5-4-1 Pittsburgh Steelers to Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday. The 7-3 Ravens lead the tightly-contested AFC North, with the Bengals, Steelers and 6-5 Browns in hot pursuit. Cincinnati snapped a two-game slide with a definitive win at Las Vegas (32-13) last week, while Pittsburgh saw a five-game unbeaten streak end on Sunday night in a 41-37 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers. |
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11-28-21 | Bucs v. Colts +3.5 | Top | 38-31 | Loss | -115 | 24 h 6 m | Show |
My 9* Sitautional Stunner is on the Ind Colts at 1:00 ET. The defending champion Tampa Bay Bucs are coming off a 30-10 home MNF win over the Giants and will visit Indianapolis on Sunday with a record 7-3 record. No other team in the NFC South owns a winning record, so the Bucs mission the rest of the way is to try to earn the NFC's No. 1 seed (only team to get a first round bye). Currently, the Bucs trail the 9-2 Cards and 8-3 Packers. The Colts made the playoffs last season at 10-6 but opened the current season 0-3. They were 1-4 through Week 5 but have won FIVE of their last six and at 6-5, are close to being back inside the AFC playoff 'cut line!' The ageless Tom Brady threw for 307 yards and a pair of TDs in the Buccaneers' 30-10 rout of the New York Giants on Monday night. He's completing 67.1% for 3,177 yards with 29 TDs and just 8 INTs. Not bad for someone fastly approaching Medicare. Fournette has taken over the featured RB position from Jones and leads the team with 521 yards on 4.3 YPC and 4 TDs. The Bucs are averaging only 91.2 YPG (26th) keeping the constant pressure on Brady. He's got a talented receiving corps, led by WRs Godwin (63 / 5 TDs) and Evans (47 / 10 TDs). Brown (29 / 4 TDs in five games) is still out but TE Gronk (22 / 4 TDs in five games) returned LW with six catches for 71 yards on MNF. The offense averages 30.8 PPG (1st) on 406.0 YPG (2nd). A comment on the defense, shortly. Indy RB Taylor came on late in his rookie season and after a slow start to the 2021 season, he now leads the NFL with 1,122 rushing yards on 5.8 YPC with 13 TDs. He adds 32 catches (T-2nd on the team) with another 2 TDs. QB Carson Wentz was reunited with Frank Reich (now Indy's head coach) and his career has been revived. He's completing 63.0% for 2,484 yards with 17 TDs and 3 INTs. WR Pittman leads with 57 catches (13.2 YPC / 5 TDs) plus TE Cox may have just 15 catches but he's caught 4 TDs. The offense is averaging 28.1 PPG (5th) and the defense is allowing 22.3 PPG (11th). Taylor destroyed the Buffalo Bills last week to the tune of 185 yards and four scores while adding a fifth touchdown on a pass reception. The 41-15 blowout was old-school football at its best. The Colts now face a Tampa Bay team that is just 2-3 on the road, allowing 33.0 PPG in its three losses (at the Rams, Saints and the Washington FB team), while scoring just 23.3 PPG. Note: Tampa Bay is 5-0 at home, averaging 38.4 PPG. Jonathan Taylor became the NFL's first 1,000-yard rusher this season and this Sunday, he can break the league record for most consecutive games with 100 or more yards from scrimmage and at least one TD. He's tied with Lydell Mitchell and LaDainian Tomlinson (eight). Not bad company. The Tampa Bay defense is still somewhat banged up and looks very vulnerable against an Indy offense "hitting on all cylinders." The Colts are a perfect 4-0 against the spread in their last four in an underdog role (3-1 SU), while Tampa is 0-5 ATS as a road favorite in 2021. Good luck...Larry |
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11-27-21 | BYU v. Utah | Top | 75-64 | Win | 100 | 13 h 3 m | Show |
My 10* Late Breaker is on BYU at 9:30 ET. When the 5-0 BYU Cougars and the 5-0 Utah Utes take to the court at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday night, it will mark the first time since the 1912-13 season where both rivals come in undefeated and with at least five wins. Other than that, it's "just another game!"
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11-27-21 | Oklahoma +4.5 v. Oklahoma State | Top | 33-37 | Win | 100 | 96 h 40 m | Show |
My 9* Marquee Classic is on Oklahoma at 7:30 ET. The 10-1 Oklahoma Sooners and the 10-1 Oklahoma State Cowboys meet Saturday from Boone Pickens Stadium in a series nicknamed "Bedlam." Oklahoma opened as the AP's No. 2 ranked team and while the season was full of close calls the Sooners were 9-0 before losing 27-14 at Baylor on November 13. Oklahoma bounced back with a 28-21 win over Iowa St last Saturday and that means a win in Stillwater means the Sooners will advance to the Big 12 championship game. Oklahoma St just missed making the AP's preseason poll (ranked first among "others receiving votes") but has put together a terrific season, going 10-1 (lone loss was 24-21 at Iowa St), beating three ranked opponents along the way. Cutting to the case, Oklahoma St has already clinched a spot in next Saturday's Big 12 championship game but if the Cowboys don't want to have to face the Sooners again next Saturday, they'll have to beat them here. Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler was one of the Heisman favorites but lost his job to Caleb Williams, who gave the offense a big boost initially but he's struggled recently. Wiliams enters the game having completed 65.5% for 1,418 yards with 15 TDs and 4 INTs plus he'as added 372 rushing yards (7.0 YPC / 6 TDs). However, in the loss to Baylor and last week's win over Iowa St, he completed just 17 of 36 (47.2%) for 229 yards with one TD and 3 INTs (84 yards rushing and two TDs). RB Brooks is explosive and has gained 972 yards on 6.0 YPC with 10 TDs for a running game that averages 175.4 YPG (56th). WR Haselwood has the most catches (36) and TDs (6) but averages only 10.6 YPC. Mims has 29 catches and 4 TDs plus is the "big play guy" averaging 22.2 YPC. The Oklahoma defense allows 24.2 PPG, which works when the team's offense averages 38.9 PPG QB Sanders has put up good but not great numbers for Okla St. He's completed 60.2% for 1,997 yards with 15 Tds and 6 INTs, while running for 417 yards with 5 TDs. RB Warren has topped 1,000 years (1,078) on 4.9 YPC and 10 TDs (Cowboys average 195.7 YPG to rank 33rd). WR Martin leads with 54 catches (6 Tds), while Presley has 35 catches (5 TDs). The defensive edge certainly goes to the Cowboys, who rank 3rd nationally in both points allowed (14.90 and yards allowed (261.3). This is the 116th meeting between the two schools and Oklahoma leads 90–18–7. Most notably, Oklahoma has won six straight and 16 out of the last 18 in the series. This year’s game marks the first time since 1984 that both will be ranked in the top 10 at the time of the game. It should be noted that while Oklahoma is just 4-6 ATS against FBS opponents this season, Oklahoma St lost its first game this season ATS but takes a 9-game ATS winning streak into this showdown. I will also note that the Sooners are an underdog in a non-bowl game for the first time since the 2017 edition of "Bedlam" (62 straight games) when the Sooners (as a 2.5-point underdog) beat the Cowboys 62-52 in Stillwater. See you all again next Saturday in a rematch of Okla/Okla St in the Big 12's 2021 championship game. Good luck...Larry |
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11-27-21 | Texas A&M v. LSU +6.5 | Top | 24-27 | Win | 100 | 62 h 23 m | Show |
My 10* LEGEND Play is on LSU at 7:00 ET. The Aggies felt that they were snubbed last season, finishing FIFTH in the CFP rankings. A%M opened No. 6 in the AP's preseason poll but after a 3-0 start, A&M lost 20-10 to Arkansas (neutral site) and at home 26-22 to Miss St. However, A&M's 41-38 home victory over then-No. 1 Alabama on Oct 9 gave the team's season new 'life.' A&M added three more victories after the Alabama win, riding some dominating defense in which the Aggies allowed only 31 points in those three games. However, A&M came up short on Nov 13 in Oxford, losing 29-19 to Ole Miss. A 52-3 win over Prairie View A&M hardly eased the pain of the Ole Miss loss. The 8-3 Aggies now finish up a disappointing season at LSU on Saturday. Talk about disappointing! LSU's 2019 'magical' season seems more like 20 years ago, not just two. LSU opened the season with a loss at UCLA but then won THREE in a row. However, the Tigers have lost FIVE of seven since, with their only two wins coming 49-42 over a Florida team that has 'IMPLODED' and ULM. LSU and head coach Ed Orgeron reached agreement last month on a buyout that will take place at the end of the season. At 5-6, LSU's season would end with a loss to Texas A&M but a win would make the Tigers bowl-eligible and allow Orgeron to coach his final game as LSU's head coach in a bowl game. QB Calzado is hardly a star for A%M, completing only 56.0% of his passes for 1,943 yards with 14 TDs and 9 INTs. His top-two receivers are WR Smith (41 catches / 6 TDs) and TE Wydermyer (36 catches / 4 TDs) but A&M does have a pair of RBs that allow the team to average 195.0 YPG (34th). Spiller has run for 984 yards (5.9 YPC / 6 TDs) and Achane has 861 yards (7.3 YPC / 9 TDs). The A&M offense averages 29.8 PPG (60) but it's the defense that carries this team, allowing 14.9 PPG (2nd in the nation!). Max Johnson is no Joe Burrow but don't put the blame on him for LSU's less-than satisfying season. He's completing 60.6% for 2,509 yards with 24 TDs and 11 INTs. WR Bech has 42 catches (just 3 TDs) and fellow WR Boutte has 38 but 9 TDs. A HUGE issue has been a running game that is averaging only 109.8 YPG (117th) on 3.2 YPC. That said, RB Davis-Price has 919 yards (4.8 YPC with 6 TDs) and is capable of a big game (see the Florida game when he ran for 287 yards). LSU is averaging 27.1 PPG and allowing 25.5. Remember that 2019 team? It averaged 48.4, while allowing 21.9 I will go on record to say that A&M was overrated last season and the team's effort this season, save the Alabama upset, has been disappointing as well. That defense is terrific but note that the Aggies have hardly been 'road warriors' in 2021. They edged the Buffs 10-7 at Colorado early on, then lost to Arkansas and Ole Miss (see above for both recaps). Should we really be impressed by the team's 34-14 at Missouri? I've NEVER been an Ed Orgeron fan but he is a motivator. Note that despite the team's lack of any consistent scoring, LSU had Alabama on its heels in a 20-14 loss and pushed Arkansas into OT in a 16-13 loss. LSU has six losses but those defeats have come against ranked and quality teams. Oregron's "Win One for the Gipper" pregame 'sermon' just could motivate LSU to get the outright win and give "Mr Ed" a bowl game to prepare for. Taking the points here is an easy choice. Good luck...Larry |
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11-27-21 | Rutgers -1.5 v. Massachusetts | Top | 83-85 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 16 m | Show |
My 9* Daydream Believer is on Rutgers at 2:00 ET. Rutgers' Steve Pikiell led the Scarlet Knights to their first 20-win season in 37 years in the 2019-20 season but COVID forced the NCAA to cancel its postseason. Rutgers came back and while its record was a modest 16-12, the Scarlet Knights made the Big Dance for the first time since 1991 and won a first-round game against Clemson, before running into an outstanding Houston team (Final 4 bound!). Coming off its most decorated season in 30 years, the team has struggled in all five games and lost its last two. UMass is coming off an 8-7 season (greatly limited by COVID), giving head coach Matt McCall a very mediocre 46-61 record in his four years at the school. The Minutemen have opened 4-3 and will welcome Rutgers to the Mullins Center with a 4-3 record to open the current season. Rutgers opened 3-0 but was hardly impressive in doing so and then lost back-to-back close games 73-70 at Depaul and 53-51 at home to Lafayette. However, even if the Scarlet Knights were 5-0, there would be alarm bells. Rutgers trailed at halftime in its first four games (against Lehigh, Merrimack, NJIT and DePaul) and is averaging 63.4 PPG (304th in the nation), while shooting 24.2% on threes (346th!). The 6-6 Harper (leads in scoring (15.8) and rebounding (9.8) and is joined by double digit corers PG Baker (11.2 & 4.0 APG) and the 6-11 Omoruyi (11.4 & 7.6). Baker hurt his leg in the loss to Lafayette (three points in 26 minutes) and his status is uncertain for this one. UMass is scoring well (81.9 PPG ranks 44th) but also allows points, giving up 79.3 PPG to rank 329th. This Atlantic 10 team is 3-0 at home after outlasting in-state rival UMass Lowell 92-81 on Wednesday, as SIX players scored in double figures, led by Javohn Garcia's 18 points. 6-10 Montana transfer Michael Steadman made his debut for the Minutemen in that game and provided 10 points and four rebounds in just 12 minutes off the bench. However, leading scorer Fernandez (15.2 PPG) missed for undisclosed reasons and his availability is up in the air, here! The 6-9 Buttrick (15.1 & 4.9) will love the help he'll get from Steadman plus a trio of guards are around even if Fernandez doesn't play. That group is CJ Kelly (12.5), Rich Kelly (11.4) and Weeks (9.4). Here's the bottom line. "I think we're a lot better than this, obviously," Rutgers' head coach Steve Pikiell told reporters. "We lost two one-possession games. I'd like to be 5-0. That's where I thought we'd be right now, but we're not there and there's nothing you can do about the past. You only can work on what you need to do to get better in the future. We'll devour film, we'll keep working." It would be great if Baker is able to go but I believe Pikiell has "had enough" and will have his team ready for a very beatable UMass team. The fact that the Minutemen routed Penn State 81-56 on Nov 15 only serves as a stark reminder that Rutgers needs to "step up" its game. Don't forget, Rutgers knows how to pay D, allowing just 58.4 PPG (34th). That's the bet! Good luck...Larry |
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11-27-21 | Wake Forest v. Boston College +5.5 | Top | 41-10 | Loss | -110 | 97 h 36 m | Show |
My 9* Eye Opener is on Boston College at 12:00 ET. No. 18 Wake Forest will know the result of the North Carolina/NC State game (Friday night) when it takes the field at 12 noon ET in Chestnut Hill, Ma on Saturday, If NC State beats North Carolina, the Demon Deacons will need to beat BC in order to win the Atlantic Division and play Pittsburgh in the ACC title game next Saturday. Even if the Wolpack lose to the Tar Heels, the Demon Deacons would still need to win, because losses by NC St and Wake would give Clemson the Atlantic Division title! |
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11-26-21 | Wichita State v. Missouri +2.5 | Top | 61-55 | Loss | -108 | 12 h 54 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Missouri at 9:00 ET. 4-1 Wichita State and 3-2 Missouri are from bordering states but one could hardly call this a rivalry, as tonight's contest in Columbia, Mo will be just the FIFTH time (and second time since 1951) that the schools will meet on a basketball court. Wichita State is coming off a 74-73 victory over UNLV in the consolation game of the Roman Main Event in Las Vegas on Sunday, where teams and coaches had to be separated after the midcourt handshake. Meanwhile, Missouri is reeling from an 81-58 loss to Florida State Monday in the championship game of the Jacksonville Classic in Jacksonville, Fl. Cuonzo Martin (earlier stops at Mo. St, Tenn and Cal) is in his fifth season at Missouri, where he's led the Tigers to two NCAA tourneys, including last season. However, he lost three double-digit scorers from that team, guards Smith (14.3 & 3.8 APG) and Pinson (13.6) plus forward Tilman (12.4 & 7.3). This year's team is led by 6-7 Brown (16.0 & 7.2) plus the 6-6 DeGray (11.4 & 6.6), a UMass transfer. The perimeter has a quartet of guards all playing 29-plus minutes while chipping in between 7.2 and 9.4 PPG. |
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11-26-21 | Raptors v. Pacers -3.5 | Top | 97-114 | Win | 100 | 12 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* NBA Game of the Month is on the Ind Pacers at 8:10 ET. The 9-10 Toronto Raptors play the 8-12 Indiana Pacers at Indianapolis on Friday night. Toronto went 58-24 in the 2018-19 season (.707) and went onto win the franchise's lone NBA title led by Kawhi. Kawhi 'flew the coop' before the 2019-20 season but the Raptors had even a better regular season record, going 53-19 (.736). However, the Raptors couldn't replicate their postseason success. Last season, Toronto tumbled to a 27-45 record. The Indiana Pacers missed the postseason with a 34-38 record last year, after playing in NINE of the previous 10. As one can see by the team's current records, the 2021-22 season has not exactly gone too well for either team. OG Anunoby has blossomed this season, averaging 20.1 & 5.5 but a hip pointer has caused him to miss FOUR straight games (he's questionable again here). Center Khem Birch (6.9 & 5.4) also did not play on Wednesday due to a knee issue. PG VanVleet (19.4-4.9-6.8) is a true All Star, as is PF Siakam (17.8 & 6.6), who is back after beginning the season injured. SG Trent (17.5) has been a valuable addition plus rookie Barnes (Florida) has been a HUGE surprise, averaging 14.8 & 8.4. When healthy (and that's the current situation), the Pacers have All Star quality players in PG Brogdon (21.3-6.1-5.8) and PF Sabonis (17.8 & 11.2) plus a deep supporting cast. That list includes guards LaVert (13.8) and rookie Duarte (13.3 & 4.2) plus center Turner (12.7 & 7.5). Playing mostly in reserve roles, swingman Holiday (10.0) plus guards McConnell (9.0 & 5.2 APG) and Lamb (7.7) are effective contributors. Here's the catch. This contest marks Toronto's final one of a six-game, 11-day road trip that began back in Portland on Nov 15. The Raptors have already beaten the Packers TWICE this season in late-Oct, when Indiana opened 1-6. The Pacers are hardly 'rolling' since but they have gone 7-6 since that 'ugly' start. Toronto's been good on the road but the Raptors are a poor 2-7-1 ATS in its last 10 following an ATS victory. Indiana, on the other hand, is 5-1 ATS in its last six home games against teams with winning road records. What a GREAT spot for the Pacers in this one! Good luck...Larry |
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11-26-21 | Washington State v. Washington +1 | Top | 40-13 | Loss | -107 | 48 h 18 m | Show |
My 9* Rivalry Rout (Apple Cup) is on Washington at 8:00 ET. COVID pretty much wiped out almost all of the 2020 season for Washington St (1-3) and its in-state rival Washington (3-1). Both teams had new head coaches in 2020, Nick Rolovich at Washington St and Jimmy Lake at Washington. As the two rivals square off for the latest edition of the series called "The Apple Cup," both teams have a different head coach. Nick Rolovich lost his job for not following the state's COVID-19 mandate, while Jimmy Lake was let go because the Huskies, who were ranked No. 20 in the AP's preseason poll, were just 4-6 through 10 games. Incredibly, after his Cougars beat lowly Arizona 48-14 last week, Washington State interim head coach Jake Dickert said, "There's still a lot to play for." He was alluding to the Apple Cup rivalry against Washington and the Cougars' impending bowl game. However, a day later, when Oregon lost, Dickert could add a potential Pac-12 North championship to the list of things his team could still accomplish. Say what? With a WSU victory in Seattle on Friday, and an Oregon State win over Oregon on Saturday, the Cougars would tie for first place atop the division with the Ducks and Beavers. Washington State would hold the tiebreaker with a 4-1 record in divisional play and would advance to the Pac-12 title game in Las Vegas on Dec 3. As for Washington and Bob Gregory, in his eighth season on the Huskies' staff, the team that was No. 20 in the preseason, can only hope to play 'spoiler' as at 4-7 / 3-5), the Huskies have failed to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2009. Wash St QB DeLaura is completing 62.3% for 2,512 yards with 23 TDs and 9 INTs. The Cougars' running game is averaging just 123.2 YPG (105th), although RB Borhi (751 yards / 5.4 YPC / 10 TDs) is a solid player. WRs Harris (68 catches / 9 TDs) and Jackson (57 / 15.6 YPC / 7 TDs) are an impressive duo. The Wash St defense allows 25.3 PPG, ranking 58th. Washington QB Morris completes 60.6% for 2,456 yards but has a poor 14-12 TD-to-INT ratio. The running game is pretty much non-existent, averaging 108.8 YPG (118th). The Huskies are scoring only 22.3 PPG (106th), leaving it to the team's defense to keep them competitive (22.1 PPG allowed ranks 28th). Washington St has EVERYTHING to play for in this game, while Washington can only play spoiler. Does recent series count for anything? If it does, the Cougars are in trouble. Washington has dominated the Apple Cup, going 10-1 SU (9-2 ATS) and has won the last SEVEN overall (ALL by double digits), longest series winning streak since UW’s 8-game run from 1974-’81). Bottom line, this is basically Washington's de-facto bowl game with no postseason in its future. Here's why I believe Washington can win. In Its first game under Bob Gregory, the Huskies outgained the Buffs of Colorado by a 426-183 margin (22-9 advanatge in FDs), while holding them to just 2 of 13 on third-down opportunities. The Huskies were 'done in' by a minus-4 TO deficit. Washington St will get a chance to go bowing' in December, while Washington gets its 'bowl game' and a W-I-N on Friday at home. Good luck...Larry |
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11-26-21 | North Carolina v. NC State -5.5 | Top | 30-34 | Loss | -110 | 76 h 36 m | Show |
My 9* Game of the Week (ACC) is on NC State at 7:00 ET. North Carolina opened No. 10 in the AP's preseason poll and was led by one of the Heisman favorites, QB Sam Howell. However, as the Tar Heels roll into Raleigh to take on rival North Carolina St, Mack Brown's team is an UNDERWHELMING 6-5. Meanwhile, Dave Doeren's Wolfpack come in 8-3 (5-2 ACC) and can still take the ACC Atlantic Division with a win and a Wake Forest loss on Saturday at Boston College. Sam Howell has had an excellent season but NOT a Heisman-like season, completing 63.5% for 2,704 yards with 22 TDs and 8 INTs, while rushing for 717 yards (4.7 YPC / 9 TDs). He sat out last week (upper body injury) and his status for this game has not been determined. Howell's running plus that of RB Chandler (1,004 yards (6.0 YPC / 13 TDs) gives the Tar Heels an excellent rushing attack (212.7 YPFG to rank 20th). WR Downs is having a terrific season with 90 catches (13.3 YPC / 8 TDs) plus Green may only have 26 receptions, but he averages 20.3 YPC with 5 TDs. North Carolina can score (37.0 PPG ranks 14th) but the defense is 'ugly,' allowing 31.4 PPG (98th). QB Devin Leary did not come into the season with the hype of Howell but is having a terrific season, completing 65.8% for 3,186 yards with 31 TDs and only 5 INTs. RBs Knight (684 yards / 5.2 YPC / 3 TDs) and Person (573 yards / 4.6 YPC / 5 TD) are solid but the team is only averaging 127.8 YPG on the ground (98th). Emezie leads with 55 catches (4 TDs), while Thomas (47 / 7 TDs) and Carter (31 / 6 TDs) give Leary multiple options. The offense is not far behind North Carolina's (33.0 PPG ranks 24th) but the HUGE edge comes on the defensive side of the ball, where the Wolfpack are holding opponents to 18.7 PPG (13th), almost two TDs less than the Tar Heels' D. Here's the bottom line, Howell's status is up in the air and the Tar Heels would LOVE to hand their rival a loss, knocking them out a chance to win the Atlantic Division. However, North Carolina is 0-4 away from Chapel Hill, losing 17-10 at Va Tech, 45-22 to Ga Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, 44-34 at Notre Dame and 30-23 at Pitt. Meanwhile, Dave Doeren just could have a 'magical' season in 2021. A win here gives NC St nine wins and could lead to a championship game appearance and a bowl berth. He's been at NC St since 2013 and has led NC St to bowls in seven of the last eight years but his teams have never won more than nine games. NC St can't control what Wake Forest does but the Wolfpack can win (and cover) here against a team that hasn't wom awy from home in four previosu tries, while allowing 39.3 PPG in its last three away games Good luck...Larry |
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11-25-21 | Louisville +2 v. Mississippi State | Top | 72-58 | Win | 100 | 13 h 19 m | Show |
My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Louisville at 9:30 ET. 4-0 Mississippi State and 3-1 Louisville have gotten off to good starts at home, as both hit the road for the first time this season when the two schools meet in the Bahamas Championship in Nassau on Thursday night. Both teams are led by outstanding head coaches, Ben Howland of Miss St and Chris Mack of Louisville. However, each team is coming off a disappointing 2020-21 season. Louisville was just 13-7, after the program had won 20-plus games in 18 of the previous 19 seasons, while Miss St had averaged 22.7 wins per season the previous three, before last year's 18-15 finish. Both teams have made 'heavy' use of the transfer portal. Louisville's leading scorer is Florida transfer Locke (16.0), who is joined in the starting backcourt with Marshall transfer West (7.0) and returning swingman Davis (7.3). The 6-11 Williams (6.8 & 9.3) and the 6-8 Withers (7.5& 5.8) are both returnees but the 6-7 Cross (9.0) comes via Miami. Throw in the 6-8 Williamson's 8.3 & 6.5 numbers and Mack has PLENTY to work with in the 2021-22 season. PG Molinar (15.8-4.0-5.3) is back for Howland and is leading the way. However, fellow guard Moore (13.8) is an NC St transfer plus the 6-9 Brooks (11.5 & 7.3) comes via North Carolina and the 6-7 Jeffries (11.3 & 5.3) via Memphis. This is the first real test for each team. A quick look shows that Miss St is allowing only 52.0 PPG (3rd) on 34.2% shooting but again, the competition has not been great. The Bulldogs are only 3-7 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games and I believe the Cards should be favored by a handful of points in this one (I took 1 1/2-points!). Expect Louisville to deliver the goods here on Thanksgiving. Good luck...Larry |
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11-25-21 | Bills v. Saints +6.5 | Top | 31-6 | Loss | -110 | 49 h 10 m | Show |
My 10* Turkey Shoot is on the NO Saints at 8:20 ET. The Buffalo Bills and the New Orleans Saints are both dealing with a short week as they prepare to meet Thanksgiving night in New Orleans plus both are trying to "regain their footing." The Bills were in the AFC championship game last season (13-3 regular season) but after a surprising upset at home to Pittsburgh in Week 1, won their next FOUR games, averaging 39.0 per contest. However, a 34-31 loss to Titans began a slide in which Buffalo has lost THREE of five and at 6-4, find themselves a half-game back of the 7-4 Patriots in the AFC East. The New Orleans Saints began the season without Drew Brees and then lost Jameis Winston in the team's Week 8 win over Tampa Bay, which gave them a 5-2 record. However, the Saints then lost back-to-back games by two points in the final moments. The Atlanta Falcons kicked a game-winning FG as time expired in Week 9 and then the Saints had a chance to tie but failed on a two-point conversion with 1:16 left at Tennessee (lost 23-21). Last Sunday, the Saints lost 40-29 at Philly, for their THIRD straight loss. Buffalo QB Josh Allen to his place among the elite QBs last season and through the Bill's first seven games, had a 17-3 TD to INT ratio. However, over the last three games (two losses), he has four TDs and five INTs. He's still having a good season (65.7% / 2,811 yards / 21-8 ratio with 340 rushing yards and 3 TDs) but it's time for him to step up. The running game is nothing special (118.8 YPG ranks 12th) but Allen has a strong cast of receivers. Diggs leads the way 60 / 6 TDs0 and possession receiver Beasley has 57 catches but a YPC average of only 8.8. Samuels has 33 catches (16.1 YPC / 4 TDs) and E Knox (28 / 5 TDs) complete the major contributors. However, Beasley's been limited in practice and is listed as questionable. The defense has remained solid throughout the ups and downs, allowing 17.6 PPG (2) and just 283.7 YPG (1st). Trevor Siemian finished up for Winston in the Tampa Bay win but despite the fact that he had two straight interception-free games in his first two games as the Saints' starter, the Saints lost both contests. That said, Siemian brought his team back from an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Falcons to briefly take a lead with a minute left. He then brought the team back from a 14-point third-quarter deficit to the brink of tying the Titans. He threw three TDs at Philly (team's third straight loss) but had two INTs and a modest 214 passing yards. The Saints have played the last two weeks without injured RB Alvin Kamara, their most productive offensive player (530 yards rushing and a team-high 32 receptions). Kamara (knee) remains questionable for this game and so is his backup Ingram, who ran for 88 yards at Philly (was limited in practice this week). The Saints' offense this season has borne little resemblance to the prolific Payton-designed attacks that led the NFL in passing a half dozen times while Drew Brees was the QB New Orleans ranks second to last in passing, averaging 203.4 yards per game through the air (26th). It hasn't helped that top receiver Michael Thomas is missing this season because of complications related to his offseason ankle surgery. The Saints have won the last five meetings with the Bills, although the last meeting came back in 2017. However, New Orleans is 3-0 all-time on Thanksgiving and is playing on the holiday for the THIRD time in four seasons. Sure, Buffalo is the better team but so were the defending champion Bucs when they lost 36-27 back in Week 8. BTW...Wouldn't it be nice if all we had to do to win in the NFL was to "pick the better team?" The Saints have lost three games in a row for the first time since 2016 but take notice of this trend. The Saints opened the season with a 38-3 Week 1 shocker over the Packers and have been trading ATS wins and losses every single week. My bet says this trend (or pattern, or whatever you want to refer to it as) continues Thanksgiving night with the home dog 'barking' VERY loudly. Take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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11-25-21 | Ole Miss +1.5 v. Mississippi State | Top | 31-21 | Win | 100 | 47 h 8 m | Show |
My 10* CFB Thursday Game of the Year is on Ole Miss at 7:30 ET. The ever-lovable Lane Kiffin will take Ole Miss (9-2, 5-2 SEC) to Starkville to play Mississippi State (7-4, 4-3) in the Egg Bowl, the state's annual Thanksgiving matchup between these two in-state rivals. Two of the nation's best QBs will be the featured attraction. Ole Miss' Matt Corral is completing 67.5% for 3,100 yards with 19 TDs and just three INTs. He's also run for 552 yards and 10 more scores. His counterpart is Mississippi State's sophomore Will Rogers. He is completing a staggering 76% for 4,113 yards with 34 TDs and eight INTs. NO QB in the nation has put up the numbers Rogers has in his last nine games, as he has clipsed 300 passing yards in each contest, with more than 400 yards in four of them! The edge for Ole Miss on the offensive side of the ball is a running game that averages 231.1 YPG (8th), as RBs Ealy (643 yards / 6.1 YPC / 5 TDs) and Connor (561 yards / 5.2 YPC / 11 TDs) join Corral for quite a balanced attack that is averaging 517.4 YPG overall (5th). WR Drummond is the best receiver (53 / 8 TDs) but four other WRs average between 15.6 and 22.1 YPC! In fact, Ole Miss is the ONLY team in the country with SIX players having recorded 100-yard receiving games this season! Th e defense is allowing 25.4 PPG, plenty good enough when the offense is averaging 36.4 points. Obviously, Rogers has thrived in Mike Leach's "Air Raid" offense but with the Bulldogs' running game averaging a putrid 62.1 YPG (129th) on 3.0 YPC, there is never any room for error with Miss St's passing game. WR Polk leads the way with 88 catches (9 TDs) and much like the Rebels' receiver corps, the Bulldogs have plenty of depth and talent. Much like Ole Miss, the Mississippi St defense allows 24.7 PPG but it doesn't own the kind of balance the Ole Miss offense has. Ole Miss has gotten healthier as the season has progressed and was clearly looking ahead last Saturday in only beating Vandy 31-17 but a win here would be VERY special. The Ole Miss program owns seven career 10-win campaigns (most recently Hugh Freeze's 10-3 showing in 2015) but all of the previous seven featured nine victories in the regular season and win No. 10 in a bowl game. A win here gets Ole Miss to 10-2 and could possibly lead to a New Year's Six Bowl berth. "Hotty Toddy!" Good luck...Larry |
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11-24-21 | Texas A&M v. Notre Dame -3 | Top | 73-67 | Loss | -115 | 16 h 40 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on Notre Dame at 11:30 ET. Fifth place in the eight-team relocated Maui Invitational comes down to 5-1 Texas A&M and 3-1 Notre Dame on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. Both teams lost Monday but each bounce back with wins last night. The Aggies got 15 points and five steals from Quenton Jackson, marking his fifth consecutive game with at least 13 points, and held on for a 57-50 win over Butler. Texas A&M led by 12 points at halftime but by just three with 27 seconds to play. Notre Dame trailed by four twice in the first half against Division II Chaminade but used a 21-0 run over the first seven minutes of the second half to seize control of the game the Irish won 90-64. Buzz Williams is in his third season at College Station but has gone a disappointing 24-24 in his first two. Jackson is the team's leading scorer at a modest 12.2 PPG, while the only other player in double digits is the 6-7 Henry Coleman (11.0 & 6.2), who pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds for the Aggies. Three more guards are just under double digits in Radford (9.8 & 6.0), Williams (9.8) and Gordon (8.0). Defense has so far been the key for Williams' team, as the Aggies are allowing just 58.2 PPG (35th). Notre Dame's Mike Brey began at South Bend way back in the 200-01 season and while he's led the Irish to 12 NCAA appearances, the most recent was back in 2017. Notre Dame is off a poor 11-15 last season and this year's team is pretty much new, as four starters are gone. The 6-9 Paul Atkinson (Yale transfer) is leading Notre Dame by averaging 15.0 points and 8.5 rebounds, while getting help from guards Dane Goodwin (14.3 & 5.3), Wesley (11.0) and Ryan (10.3). A real area of concern is guard Prentiss Hubb, who led the team last season by averaging 14.6 points but is averaging only 6.3 PPG on 24.3% shooting, including 14.3% on threes. He HAS to improve, right? Joining Atkinson up front is the 6-10 Laszewski (7.8 & 11.5). I had a free play win on St Mary's over Notre Dame on Monday but I believe the Irish match up VERY well here vs A&M. The Irish have the defense to match the Aggies, as the Irish are allowing just 59.8 PPG but Atkinson and Laszewski will be too much for A&M's 6-7 Coleman and Notre Dame's perimeter game is better and DEEPER than A&M's. Good luck...Larry |
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11-24-21 | Blazers v. Kings +3.5 | Top | 121-125 | Win | 100 | 14 h 15 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Sac Kings at 10:10 ET. The Portland Trail Blazers have made the NBA playoffs in each of the last EIGHT years, while the Sacramento Kings own a 15-year postseason drought! Other than that minor fact, it's hard to tell these two franchises apart! The Blazers are near-perfect at home (9-1) but will bring a 1-7 record with them to Sacramento, which is just 6-12 (2-7 at home) and will be playing its second game after the firing of head coach Luke Walton. The Blazers have been led by one of the NBA's best backcourt duos for quite some time now. Lillard (21.8 & 7.9 APG) has taken over the scoring lead from backcourt partner McCollum, shaking off a poor start by scoring at least 20 points in EIGHTstraight games. McCollum (21.0-4.2-4.3) is right behind Lillard, as the duo is joined in the starting lineup by SF Powell (16.7), center Nurkic (10.8 & 11.8) and PF Covington (7.1 & 4.8). Guard Simons (11.6) plus forwards Little (8.2 & 5.4) and Nance (6.6 & 5.1) add depth off the bench. There is NOTHING wrong with the talent Sacramneto puts out on the court, it's just the Kings can't seem to "get it right." Fox (19.9 & 5.6 APG), Haliburton (12.1 & 5.1 APG) and Hield (16.8) are a terrific guard trio plus SF Barnes (19.3 & 7.4) and undersized center Holmes (14.4 & 9.8) are quality players. Harkless is a nominal starter at PF but big men like Metu (8.7), Len (6.2 & 4.1) and Thompson (4.8 & 5.3) are gaining more playing time. Baylor rookie Mitchell (8.7) has also shown promise on the perimeter. Here's the 'dope.' Portland's only road win came back on Nov 12 in a 104-92 victory at Houston, which owns an NBA-worst 1-16 record. Ironically, Portland's only home loss came in its season-opener, when the Kings beat the Blazers 24-121 victory. "Revenge" would be an easy call but "not so fast." Sacramento forward Harrison Barnes established career bests of 36 points and eight 3-pointers in that win and I believe Alvin Gentry can help this team to perform up to the level of its talents. The Kings have lost EIGHT of nine (including four straight) and their first game under Gentry looked a lot like most Kings games. "I do think our confidence has been rattled a bit," Gentry said. "You do have a tendency to go through that somewhat. The one message I said from Day 1 is that the only thing and the only one that's going to rescue us from this is us. There's nobody in this league, not in the 35 years I've been in it, that has any sympathy for us. So you have to come together and you have to find a way to bail yourself out of this." Here's the perfect spot for the Kings to earn a much-needed win. They should have some confidence from theri win at Portland but they also catch Portland on the second of a back-to-back, having won 119-100 last night at home over the Nuggets. Good luck...Larry |
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11-24-21 | Vanderbilt -2 v. Pittsburgh | Top | 68-52 | Win | 100 | 11 h 31 m | Show |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Vandy at 9:00 ET. The Pitt Panthers have been ravaged by transfers, injuries and other issues over the last year.Jeff Capel has had a tough start at Piit (40-48) and prepared for the season without his top three scorers from a year ago (one moved on to the NBA and two transferred to other programs). The Panthers then lost their fourth- and fifth-leading scorers from last season due to a suspension and an ACL tear, respectively.Pitt started 0-2 but has bounced back with back-to-back wins. Jeff Capel knows Vandy head coach well, as Jerry Stackhouse, like Capel, is a "Dookie." Stackhouse has opened his career at Vandy 20-37 in his first two seasons, so this year's 3-1 start is promising The 'Dores travel to Pittsburgh led by a backcourt duo of Wright (18.& 5.23) and Pippen (16.5 & 3.8). Wright had 28 points and Tyrin Lawrence (8.0 & 3.3) had 20 points (each set a career high in scoring), as part of a strong bounce-back effort in which Vandy responded from an ugly 48-37 loss to VCU by defeating Winthrop 77-63 on Saturday. Stackhouse got great news when Pippen decided to pull himself out of the NBA Draft and return to Nashville but bad news when the 7-0 Robbins (Minnesota grad transfer who averaged 11.7 & 6.6 Y), was sidelined by a foot injury with no timetable for a return. The 6-9 Hughley leads Pitt in scoring (16.0) and rebounding (8.0) but guard Odukale (11.5-3.8-3.8) is the only other player in double digits. Some good news was that freshman Nate Santos (7.5 & 4.8) rose to the occasion with 14 points and eight rebounds in Friday's win over Towson. I won't make too much of Pitt's wins over NC-Wilmington (59-51) and Towson (63-59) and the oddsmakers agree, making Vandy, a team with a 20-37 two-year record, a small road favorite. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
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11-24-21 | Ohio State +2 v. Florida | Top | 68-71 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 38 m | Show |
My 9* Tourney Takedown is on Ohio St at 8:30 ET. Full, detailed analysis Wednesday morning by 10:00 ET. |
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11-24-21 | Suns v. Cavs +7.5 | Top | 120-115 | Win | 100 | 9 h 33 m | Show |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on the Cle Cvs at 7:10 ET. The Phoenix Suns used their perfect 8-0 record in the Orakndo 'bubble' two years ago, to end a 10-year playoff drought last season, finishing just ONE game behind the Utah Jazz for the best regular season record. The Suns extended their win streak to 13 games in Monday's opener of a four-game road trip with a 115-111 victory over the San Antonio Spurs and can match the third-longest win streak in franchise history with a victory tonight in Cleveland on Wednesday. The Cavaliers have been an early-season surprise but their 117-112 loss to Brookly on Sunday give them a season-high four-game losing streak. |
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11-23-21 | Gonzaga v. UCLA +6 | Top | 83-63 | Loss | -105 | 14 h 11 m | Show |
My 10* Marquee Classic is on UCLA at 10:00 ET. It's just a little more than seven months ago that Gonzaga eked out a 93-90 OT win over UCLA in a national semifinal contest on Jalen Suggs' 37-foot three-pointer. Gonzaga opened as the AP's preseason No. 1 and has began 5-0, while UCLA opened No. 2 and has matched the Bulldogs by starting 5-0 as well. The nation's top-two teams square off Tuesday night in the Good Sam Empire Classic in Las Vegas, making it the first game between No. 1 and No. 2 since Michigan State beat Kentucky 69-62 in the Champions Classic to open the 2019-20 season (fourth No. 1 vs No. 2 since 2016). Gone from Gonzaga's near-perfect team last year are the 6-7 Kispert (18.6 & 5.0), PG Suggs (14.4-5.3-4.5) and guard Ayayi (12.0 & 6.9) but Mark Few's team hasn't missed a beat. The 6-10 Timme (18.8 & 5.6) and PG Nembard (7.0 & 4.8 APG) return, joined by a recruiting haul that netted Gonzaga THREE of nation's top 25 high school recruits in ESPN's rankings, including 7-footer Chet Holmgren, the top overall prospect who has been called a "unicorn." Holmgren has averaged 12.8 & 6.8. 6-7 freshman Julian Strawther is averaging 12.8 & 6.8 plus transfer Rasir Bolton (Iowa State/Penn State) is the fourth double digit scorer at 10.4. The above-mentioned are the starting-five plus 6th-man Hickman chips in 9.4. The bottom line is this; Gonazag is averaging 93.2 PPG (2nd) on 55.5% shooting (1st), while holding opponents to 59.8 PPG. UCLA has the most-talented perimeter group in college basketball, as a trio of 6-7 players (guards/swingmen) lead the way. Juzang (19.8 & 4.2) is the top-scorer, while Jaquez and Bernard each average 15.4 PPG, plus add 7.6 and 4.8 rebounds, respectively. PG Campbell (10.8 & 4.8 APG) runs the show plus guards Singleton (9.0), Clark (6.8 & 5.2) and Watson (6.4) add incredible depth. The 6-9 Hill hurt his knee in the team's first game (return status uncertain) but 6-10 senior Johnson (4.2 & 7.0) has filled in admirably. I guess one could make a case for either side but I just love Mick Cronin's team and I believe its OUTSTANDING perimeter game (and depth) will keep the Bruins in this game all the way. I could argue the revenge motive and it deserves a mention but more importantly, I think this Bruins team has an eerily similar make-up to the Baylor team that routed Gonzaga in the national championship game last year. Yes, I'll issue an "Upset Alert" but of course, I'm taking the points. Good luck...Larry |
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11-22-21 | George Mason v. Washington +3.5 | Top | 74-77 | Win | 100 | 14 h 17 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on Washington at 9:00 ET. It's the opening round of the Crossover Classic in Sioux Falls, SD on Monday, as 4-1 George Mason takes on 2-2 Washington. George Mason has a new coach in the 32-year-old Kim English (first-ever head coaching gig). Washinbton head coach Mike Hopkins is in his fifth year at Seattle. English is a former standout at Missouri who played briefly in the NBA. he inherited a team that was 13-9 last season but saw the transfer of four starters. However, he reloaded with his own set of new players. Guard D'Shawn Schwartz (Colorado) is averaging 15.4 points per game and shooting 47.1 percent from beyond the arc, while adding 5.8 RPG. 6-7 guard Davonte Gaines (Tennessee) is the top rebounder at 8.8 RPG, while averaging 12.8 points. Then there is guard DeVon Cooper (Morehead State), who adds 12.4 PPG. 6-9 holdover Josh Oduro is the leading scorer (15.8) and holdover guard Xavier Johnson, leads in assists (4.6 per game) and adds 7.8 PPG and 5-0 RPG. George Mason owns a "signature win" when it beat 20th-ranked Maryland, 71-66 (1st win in 10 tries vs Maryland) but enters this tournament off its first loss, 67-64 Friday night at James Madison. Hopkins was a longtime assistant to Jim Boeheim and won 21 and 27 games in his first two seasons in Seattle but the Huskies fell to 15 wins in his third season and then had a 'nightmare' season last year, going 5-21 (4-16 in the Pac 12). It's been a COMPLETE makeover (turnover) for Washington for the current season, losing players right and left to the transfor portal but also the team was able to bring in a similar group of transfers, themselves. Transfers like Brown (20.8-3.3-4.0), Matthews (11.3 & 5.8), Davis (7.8 & 4.0) and Fuller (7.0 have made an immediate impact among the newcomers. Returning players like the 6-6 Bey (11.3 & 5.8) and the 6-11 Roberts (4.5 & ) have both begun playing well. Washington opened 2-1 but fell to 2-2 after a late lead against Wyoming on Thursday, before losing 77-72 in overtime. The Huskies missed 13 of their last 14 tries from beyond the arc. "They went zone and we weren't able to get great shots," Hopkins said. "It's a fine line. We missed some bunnies. We had some right there that hopefully the next game we don't miss." Washington needs to get some wins, as it opens December with a game at Arizona, a home game vs No. 2 UCLA and then a game at No. 1 Gonzaga. George Mason has been the better team so far but Hopkins' 2-3 zone is the same one used by his mentor (Jim Boeheim) with so much success for decades at Syracuse. Hopkins NEEDS some wins here in South Dakota and grabbing the points. Good luck...Larry |
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11-22-21 | Pacers +3.5 v. Bulls | Top | 109-77 | Win | 100 | 8 h 0 m | Show |
My 9* Late Breaker is on the Ind Pacers at 8:10 ET. The Indiana Pacers missed the postseason with a 34-38 record last year, after playing in NINE of the previous 10. They visit Chicago Monday night with an underachieving 7-11 record, for a road game with the 12-5 Bulls. Indiana snapped a three-game losing streak Saturday with a 111-94 home victory against New Orleans. The Pacers seemingly got the message from a night before, when coach Rick Carlisle benched the starters midway through the third quarter of an eventual three-point loss at Charlotte. The Pacers' second and third units nearly helped the team erase a 25-point deficit against the Hornets. Saturday night, Indiana led New Orleans by 13 after one quarter before pulling away behind a 38-18 third quarter. The Pacers have talent, led by PG Brogdon (21.2-6.2-6.0) and PF Sabonis (17.8 & 11.1). LeVert (14.4) and rookie Duarte (13.4 & 4.2) are excellent perimeter scorers, while Turner (12.7 & 7.4) is an effective center. Swingman Holiday (9.4) and PG O'Connell (9.2 & 3.2 APG) are also valuable contributors. The Bulls have reinvented themselves as a threat in the Eastern Conference behind Zach LaVine and the free-agent signing of DeMar DeRozan. They also picked up center Nikola Vucevic from Orlando last season (where his talents were wasted) plus added Lonzo Ball as a free agent. There were 'whispers' that the 32-year-old DeMar DeRozan was on the downside of his career but he's been one of the best players in the NBA so far this season, averaging 26.8-5.4-5.2. He has energized the Chicago Bulls, along with LaVine (26.5-5.6-3.7), Vucevic (13.6 & 10.8) and Ball (12.7-5.2-4.1). Chicago is coming off a come-from-behind, 109-103 victory against the visiting New York Knicks on Sunday and will look to extend its home winning streak to four (Bulls are 6-2 at home on the season). Vucevic returned to the team Sunday (has been sidelined since Nov 11) but it still is unknown when he'll be able to resume game action. Head coach Billy Donovan confirmed Sunday that "it's all up to the doctors at this point," saying "the next step is clearing all the cardiovascular protocols." I'm expecting this Indiana team to start playing up to its talent level and why not start here, as the Bulls returned home after a 5-game West Coast trip and are now playing on back-to-back nights. Take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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11-22-21 | Belmont +6 v. LSU | Top | 53-83 | Loss | -104 | 10 h 34 m | Show |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Belmont at 8:00 ET. 3-1 Belmont and 4-0 LSU will face each other Monday night in Baton Rouge, before traveling for Thanksgiving weekend tournaments. Belmont is used to winning, having won 20-plus games in 15 of the last 16 seasons (exception was a 19-win season), with EIGHT trips to the Big Dance. The Bruins return all five starters from last season's 26-4 team. LSU's Wiil Wade had success at VCU (took over for Shaka Smart) and taht got him the gig at LSU. His first team went 18-15 (NIT) but his teams have won 25, 21 and 19 games the last three seasons (two NCAAs, which would have been three except for COVID cancelation)
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11-22-21 | Ohio State +2 v. Seton Hall | Top | 79-76 | Win | 100 | 7 h 52 m | Show |
My 9* Tourney Takedown is on Ohio St at 6:30 ET. Seton Hall has opened 3-0, including a surprising 67-65 win on the road on Tuesday at then-No. 4 Michigan. Ohio St opened 3-0 but fell 71-65 at Xavier on Friday night. The two schools meet tonight at the Fort Myers Tip-Off in Florida.
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11-21-21 | Steelers v. Chargers -3.5 | Top | 37-41 | Win | 100 | 128 h 40 m | Show |
My 10* Sunday Night Game of the Month is on the LA Chargers at 8:20 ET. The 5-3-1 Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to LA's SoFi Stadium for an important game with the 5-4 LA Chargers. Pittsburgh trails 6-3 Baltimore in the AFC North, with 5-4 Cincy and 5-5 Cleveland still 'hanging around' As for the Chargers, they are tied with the Raider, a half-game back of the first-place Chiefs (6-4) in the AFC West, while the Broncos lurk at 5-5. Clearly, this is a game BOTH teams desperately want (and NEED) to win! The Steelers opened 1-3 but had won FOUR in a row, before playing to a tie last Sunday, against winless Detroit. Big Ben was supposedly washed up but he had completed 65.6% for 1,986 yards with 10 TDs and just 4 INTs through eight games, before missing last week because of COVID. Mason Rudolph got the start and was 30 of 50 for 242 yards with one TD and one INT (update to come). Alabama rookie RB Najee Harris has 646 yards rushing (3.7 YPC and 4TDs) plus has added 44 catches (2nd-most on the team), with 2 TDs. WR Johnson lead witch 52 catches (3 TDs) and TE Freiermuth has 32 catches and a team-high 4 TDs. With Smith-Schuster on IR, the Steelers are hoping WR Claypool (29 catches) will be able to play (he is questionable). The Steelers are averaging just 19.7 PPG (26th) but as always are playing good defense, allowing 20.6 PPG (8th). QB Justin Herbert had a good rookie season and opened the current season like gangbusters. His YTD numbers still look impressive (65.4% for 2,545 yards with 19 TDs and 7 iNTs) but he's really fallen off, as the Chargers are 1-3 after a 4-1 start. In those three losses, he completed just 55.6% for an average of 204.3 YPG with 4 TDs and 4 INTs. RB Ekeler is a terric all-purpose player, rushing for 523 yards (4.7 YPC with 5 TDs), while catching 39 passes for 4 TDs. WRs Allen (65 / 2 TDs) and Wiliams (41 / 6 TDs) are All-Pro caliber plus TE Cook (28 / 2 TDs) is solid. Here's the deal. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin didn't rule out the possibility that Roethlisberger could play Sunday, but the game plan this week will revolve around backup Mason Rudolph. Pittsburgh hasn’t lost in its last five games (4-0-1) but a closer look reveals the Steelers are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games, needing referee-aided assistance to nip the Bears two weeks ago at home on MNF and this past Sunday, couldn’t even beat the winless Lions playing to a comical 16-16 tie. The Chargers are averaging 29.7 PPG in their last four home contests. The Chargers go on the road for the next two games, so a "W" here is almost a 'MUST!' I got down early on LA (-3.5) but the line jumped with the news that Big Ben may not play. He may and if so, the line will (should) come back down. Either way, my play is on the Chargers. Good luck...Larry |
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11-21-21 | St Bonaventure -4 v. Marquette | Top | 70-54 | Win | 100 | 12 h 14 m | Show |
My CBB 9* Tourney Game of the Week is on St Bonny's at 7:30 ET. No. 22 St. Bonaventure (4-0) will face 5-0 Marquette in Sunday's championship game of the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic in South Carolina. The Bonnies are the defending Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament champions and were ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press preseason poll, the school's first ranking in the media poll since January 1971 (Can you say Bob Lanier?). Marquette is coming off an 11-13 season and lost all FIVE starters plus added a new head coach in Shaka Smart. |
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11-21-21 | Cowboys v. Chiefs -2.5 | Top | 9-19 | Win | 100 | 34 h 36 m | Show |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on the KC Chiefs at 4:25 ET. The Cowboys were just 6-10 last season (5-11 ATS) but enter this Week 11 matchup in Kansas City against the Chiefs at 7-2 and an 8-1 ATS mark. The Chiefs have struggled on and off in 2021 but THREE straight wins have them at 6-4 and atop the AFC West, a division they've won in each of the last five seasons. However, KC's ATS woes have continued, as they are just 3-7, after ending the 2020's regular season on a 1-7 ATS run.
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11-21-21 | Princeton v. Oregon State -4.5 | Top | 81-80 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 51 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on Oregon St at 3:00 ET. Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle came from Montana to take over at Oregon St in the 2014-15 season. His overall record entering this season was just 113-109 but he did lead last year's team to the Pac 12 tourney championship and all the way to the Elite 8. Princeton's Mitch Henderson had four, 20-win seasons at Princeton in his first nine seasons at the school (just one NCAA appearance) but like all coaches and players, Ivy League schools did not play due to COVID.
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11-21-21 | Ravens -4.5 v. Bears | Top | 16-13 | Loss | -115 | 48 h 16 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Bal Ravens at 1:00 ET. The Baltimore Ravens opened the season by 'letting one slip away' in Las Vegas against the Raiders (lost in OT) but then won FIVE of six. However, they've lost TWO of their last three, including 22-10 at Miami on a Thursday night game in Week 10. Baltimore is currently 6-3 but the AFC North also features 5-3-1 Pittsburgh, 5-4 Cincy and 5-5 Cleveland. The Bears opened 3-2 (promising start) but has since lost FOUR in a row. Chicago 'lives' in the NFC North, a division that's dominated by the 8-2 Packers and embarrassed by the 0-8-1 Lions.
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11-21-21 | Saints v. Eagles -1.5 | Top | 29-40 | Win | 100 | 30 h 59 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on the Phi Eagles at 1:00 ET. The New Orleans Saints began the season without Drew Brees and then lost Jameis Winston in the team's Week 8 win over Tampa Bay, which gave them a 5-2 record. However, the Saints have lost two games in a row by two points in the final moments. The Atlanta Falcons kicked a game-winning FG as time expired in Week 9 and then the Saints had a chance to tie but failed on a two-point conversion with 1:16 left at Tennessee (lost 23-21). The 4-6 Philadelphia Eagles welcome the Saints to the City of Brotherly Love on Sunday coming off perhaps their best game of the season, a 30-13 victory at Denver last Sunday.
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11-21-21 | Boise State +1.5 v. Ole Miss | Top | 60-50 | Win | 100 | 6 h 56 m | Show |
My 9* Daydream Believer is on Boise St at 1:00 ET. Full, detailed analysis Sunday morning by 8:30 ET. |
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11-20-21 | Oregon v. Utah -3 | Top | 7-38 | Win | 100 | 63 h 38 m | Show |
My 9* Marquee Classic is on Utah at 7:30 ET. The 9-1 Oregon Ducks retained their No. 3 spot in the CFP rankings on Tuesday and will take a five-game winning streak into their Saturday night game in Salt Lake City against the 7-3 Utah Utes (Utah moved into the CFP rankings at No. 23). Oregon is 6-1 in league play and leads the Pac-12 North by two games, while Utah's 6-1 league mark gives them just a one-game edge over Arizona St in the Pac-12 South. Oregon can clinch the North title and a spot in the conference championship game with a win Saturday or an Oregon State loss. Utah can clinch the South with a win over the Ducks or an Arizona State loss. This could very well be a preview of the Pac 12 championship game.
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11-20-21 | Virginia Tech v. Miami-FL -7 | Top | 26-38 | Win | 100 | 109 h 3 m | Show |
My CFB 10* Game of the Year is on Mia-Fl at 7:30 ET. A pair of 5-5 ACC teams square off at Hard rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday night, as the Va Tech Hokies meet the Miami Hurricanes. Both are also 3-3 in the ACC's Coastal Division and are no threat to reach the ACC title game but both are just ONE win shy of becoming bowl-eligible. Virginia Tech hosted the Duke Blue Devils last Saturday and came away with a 48-17 win. QB Braxton Burmeister threw for 215 yards, three TDs, one interception, plus added 71 rushing yards on the ground. RBs Raheem Blackshear and Keshawn King combined for 207 yards and two TD on just 21 carries. Miami visited the Florida State Seminoles last Saturday and left with a heart breaking 31-28 defeat. The Hurricanes overcame a 17-0 deficit to take a 28-20 lead early in the fourth quarter but FSU scored 10 points in the final five minutes to get the win. QB Tyler Van Dyke went 25/47 threw for 316 yards, four touchdowns (to four different players!) and two interceptions. |
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11-20-21 | Tulsa +4 v. Rhode Island | Top | 77-71 | Win | 100 | 9 h 10 m | Show |
My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Tulsa. at 7:30 ET. The Tulsa Golden Hurricane and Rhode Island Rams meet Saturday at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fl. Tulsa has opened 2-1 and Rhode Island 3-0. Golden Hurricane head coach Frank Haith has led Miami and Missouri to NCAA berth and begins his eight year at Tulsa, coming off an 11-12 season. He won 23 and 20 games in his first two seasons at Tulsa but his lone 20-win team in the last five seasons came in the 2019-202 COVID season (postseason canceled). 6-7 senior Horne (20.0 & 8.0) and sophomore guard Griffin (17.0) lead the way, getting help from senior guard Jackson (9.0 & 3.7) and 6-9 senior Idowu (6.3 & 6.3). David Cox is in his fourth season at Rhode Island but after 18- and 21-win seasons in his first two, his Rams went just 10-15 last year. The Mitchell twins, the 6-10 Mahki (11.3 & 10.3) and the 6-9 Makhel (9.7 & 5.7) are joined by guards Leggett (11.3 & 3.7), Sheppard (10.3 & 3.3 APG) and El-Amin (10.0). Both teams are playing away from home for the first time and both play very good defense. Tulsa can't match the size of the Rams' Mitchell twins but Tulsa will own the two-best players on the floor, in Horne and Griffin (see above). On the sidelines, I'll take Haith over Cox any day. No reason that I can see why Rhode Island is the favorite. Expect Tulsa to come 'Golden' in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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11-20-21 | UCLA v. USC +3.5 | Top | 62-33 | Loss | -110 | 73 h 20 m | Show |
My 9* 'Battle 4 LA' is on USC at 4:00 ET. The UCLA Bruins and the USC Trojans meet in Pac-12 action from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday with the winner earning the "Victory Bell." The Bruins are 6-4 (4-3 in the Pac 12) while the Trojans are 4-5 (3-4). The Bruins are coming off a 44-20 win over Colorado in their last game, after back-to-back losses to Oregon and Utah, which took them out of any Pac 12 championship game hopes. USC opened the season as the AP's No. 15 team but opened just 3-2 and then saw its season crumble, with just ONE win (over then winless Arizona) in its next four games. Last week's game at Cal was postponed and will be made up Dec 4. Good luck...Larry |
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11-20-21 | Chattanooga v. VCU -4.5 | Top | 56-54 | Loss | -106 | 7 h 44 m | Show |
My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on VCU at 4:00 ET. Lamont Paris enters his fifth season at Chattanooga and after going 22043 in his first two, has gone 38-20 in his last two. The Mocs returned four starters from last season and have opened 3-0. VCU's Mike Rhoades has some pretty good credentials in his first four seasons in Richmond, going 80-41 with two NCAA bids. Last season's NCAA bid ended before his team was able to play its first round game with Oregon, as the VCU team had a COVID outbreak. VCU has opened 2-1 this season and the Rams welcome the Mocs to Siegel Center for a late afternoon game. Chattanooga is led by the excellent backcourt duo of Jean-Baptiste (17.30 and PG Smith (14.7-5.7-5.30 plus the 6-6 Banks (12.3 & 5.7) and the 6-7 Hankton (8.0 & 5.7) up front. The Rams lost Hyland (9.5 & 4.7) to the NBA and this season, have used a seven-man rotation but not a single player is in double digits. 6-5 senior forward Williams (9.3 & 4.30 and senior guard Curry (9.3) come the closest. At first blush, taking the points may seem like the 'right side' but "Not so Fast!" Rhoades is an excellent coach and the Siegel Center has earned a reputation as one of the most difficult venues for visiting teams. With full crowds this season, expect VCU to centuries its home success (42-7 at home the previous three seasons). VCU may not score much but the Rams are allowing 49.7 PPG (3rd) on 30.4% shooting (3rd), including 19.0% (4th) on threes. Home team wins by double-digits! Good luck...Larry |