11-25-11

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ICE PICKS

Friday's Best NHL Bets

Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers (-140, 5.5)

When your team gets ripped 7-1 on home ice, there’s only so much you can say about it. So after Tampa Bay was hammered by the Maple Leafs Tuesday, Lightning head coach Guy Boucher chose his words carefully.

"To lose the game is one thing," Boucher told reporters. "Things turn out sometimes that you do a lot of good things and it doesn't turn out your way, but our attitude in the face of adversity was not good this time and usually it is."

Boucher usually stays on an even keel and there’s no point drilling this veteran club in the media – everybody in the dressing room knows that wasn’t good enough.

Lightning supporters are just about on life support, down more than seven units 20 games into the season. Tampa Bay still needs help on the blue line, but you can count on a better effort from the Bolts here.

They'll need it against this upstart Panthers team.

PICK: Tampa Bay


Ottawa Senators at Pittsburgh Penguins (-220, 5.5)

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Sens and it may still turn out that way. But for now at least, they’re in the mix in the Eastern Conference.

They have picked up seven of a possible eight points over their last four games and finish off six consecutive road games Thursday in Pittsburgh. However, in a weird scheduling quirk, the team has been back in Ottawa for the past few days and hasn’t played since Sunday’s 2-1 overtime loss at Vancouver.

"It's hard to play that first one back when you have five days off like that, so Paul (MacLean) wants to push us for a couple of days and then we'll probably do some power plays, special-teams stuff later in the week and kind of use it as a teaching week," Jason Spezza told reporters.

We don’t like the sounds of this. The Senators had a nice little run going but may come out flat in Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby was held off the score sheet Wednesday, but did show some fire with six penalty minutes.

You won’t get any value on the Pens but the over’s worth a look.

PICK: Over

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Friday's Betting Tips: Bettors Jumping On Razorbacks

WHO'S HOT

NCAAF: Arkansas is 4-0 against the spread in its last four meetings with LSU.

NCAAF: Tulsa is 16-5 against the spread in its last 21.

NCAAB: Syracuse is riding a 4-0 run against the spread.

NCAAB: Louisville has covered in 10 of its last 12.

NHL: Boston is 10-1 in its last 11.

NHL: Calgary has won 21 off its last 27 meetings with St. Louis.

WHO'S NOT

NCAAF: Nebraska is 3-8-1 against the spread in its last 12.

NCAAF: Akron is riding a 4-10 skid against the spread against teams with a winning record.

NCAAB: The under is 0-5 in Florida’s last five home games.

NCAAB: Wisconsin is 4-10 against the spread in its last 14 neutral site games.

NHL: Carolina is 3-8 in its last 11 overall.

NHL: Montreal has lost each of its last five games in Philadelphia.

KEY STAT

16.5 – The basketball Pitt Panthers have been favored by an average of 16.5 points in the three games they’ve seen a line this season. They head into Friday’s date with Pennsylvania at 0-3 against the number and are as 8-point road favorites.

INJURY THAT SHOULDN'T BE OVERLOOKED

Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars - Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow will miss the next three games with an upper body injury. Morrow was injured during Monday's 3-1 home win over the Edmonton Oilers. The 32-year-old Morrow has collected three goals, six assists and 39 penalty minutes in 20 games this season and is a crucial member of both special teams units.

GAME OF THE DAY

Arkansas Razorbacks at LSU Tigers (-12, 52.5)

NOTABLE QUOTABLE

“We know the opponent and we know what they are capable of. I think it’s fabulous they have the ranking they have, and it’s well-deserved. By the same token, it doesn’t matter to us. That’s a team that stands in our way to win the West Division title. It think our guys understand what we’ve done the last several weeks is what we have to do again.” - Tulsa coach Bill Blankenship on Houston and the matchup between the two teams Friday afternoon. Tulsa is set as a 3-point home underdog.

TIPS AND NOTES

The Arkansas Razorbacks are on an epic run against the spread having covered in 16 of their last 22 overall and bettors are all over them at +12 at LSU Friday afternoon. About 60 percent of Covers.com Consensus bettors are supporting the Razorbacks to cover their fifth straight matchup with the Tigers.

NBC opens its annual NHL coverage with a doozy Friday afternoon as the Detroit Red Wings visit the Boston Bruins. The network’s dubbing the game “Showdown” and it may actually live up to that. The Wings have rebounded after a slow start to win seven of their last nine while Boston is just three points back of league-leading Minnesota. The Bruins are set as -145 favorites for the 2 p.m. ET start.

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INFO PLAYS

7* CFB South Florida Bulls -3.5

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TodaysPicks - paid picks


1.

11/25/2011 10:15 p.m. ET

Arizona State Sun Devils -6 vs California Golden Bears

Arizona State Sun Devils


2.

11/25/2011 7:00 p.m. ET

West Virginia Mountaineers -6.5 vs Pittsburgh Panthers

Pittsburgh Panthers


3.

11/25/2011 2:30 p.m. ET

Louisiana State Tigers -11.5 vs Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas Razorbacks


4.

11/25/2011 12:00 p.m. ET

Nebraska Cornhuskers -9.5 vs Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa Hawkeyes


5.

11/26/2011 8:00 p.m. ET

Stanford Cardinal -7 vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame Fighting Irish


6.

11/26/2011 7:00 p.m. ET

Florida State Seminoles -2.5 vs Florida Gators

Florida State Seminoles


7.

11/26/2011 3:30 p.m. ET

Wisconsin Badgers -14.5 vs Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State Nittany Lions


8.

11/26/2011 12:00 p.m. ET

Michigan Wolverines -7.5 vs Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State Buckeyes

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Scott Rickenbach

Louiseville 3.5
Devils/NYI*Ov5
LSU -11.5
Oilers/Wild Ov5
Blackhawks*-132
Pitts/WVirginia Ov57
California 6

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DCI CBB

Season
Straight Up: 522-147 (.780)
ATS: 159-225 (.414)
ATS Vary Units: 659-1036 (.389)
Over/Under: 203-183 (.526)
Over/Under Vary Units: 301-268 (.529)

76 Classic
at Anaheim Convention Center Arena, Anaheim, CA
New Mexico 73, Washington State 72
Boston College 67, UC Riverside 60
Championship Semifinals
Villanova 64, Saint Louis 62
Santa Clara 74, Oklahoma 72

Battle 4 Atlantis
at Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, The Bahamas
College of Charleston 80, UNC Asheville 71
Massachusetts 68, Utah 63
Championship Semifinals
Connecticut 75, Ucf 57
Florida State 69, Harvard 60

Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout
at Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, AK
UC Irvine 69, Central Michigan 68
Championship Semifinals
Murray State 70, San Francisco 66
New Mexico State 70, Southern Miss 68

Chicago Invitational Challenge
3rd Round at Sears Centre Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL
Byu 83, Nevada 66
Longwood 74, Prairie View A&M 72
Wisconsin 69, Bradley 50
Wofford 77, Umkc 60

Dale Howard Classic
Round Robin at campus sites
CREIGHTON 80, Campbell 59

Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off
at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Virginia Tech 68, Oklahoma State 65
Championship
Syracuse 75, Stanford 63

Global Sports Classic
Round Robin at campus sites
CINCINNATI 70, Marshall 58
NORTHWESTERN STATE 74, Jacksonville State 67

Global Sports Invitational
Round Robin at campus sites
LOUISVILLE 80, Ohio 59

Global Sports Shootout
Round Robin at campus sites
NORTH FLORIDA 69, Jackson State 55

Hoops for Hope Classic
Round Robin at New Orleans, LA
TULANE 80, Alcorn State 58

Hoosier Invitational
Round Robin at campus sites
Savannah State 64, CHATTANOOGA 63

Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational
3rd Round at Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Cal Poly 61, Morgan State 54
North Carolina 83, South Carolina 62
Tennessee State 71, Mississippi Valley State 68
Unlv 67, Usc 56

Jim Thorpe Classic
Round Robin at Laramie, WY
Louisiana Tech 69, Umes 62
WYOMING 77, Portland State 67

Old Spice Classic
at HP Fieldhouse, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Arizona State 71, Wake Forest 69
Texas Tech 82, DePaul 74
Championship Semifinals
Dayton 63, Fairfield 62
Indiana State 63, Minnesota 62

Philly Hoop Group Classic
at the Palestra, Philadelphia, PA
La Salle 80, Robert Morris 73
Pittsburgh 74, PENN 59
James Madison vs. Rider: TOO CLOSE TO CALL

South Padre Invitational
3rd Round at South Padre Island Convention Center, South Padre Island, TX
Iowa State 85, Providence 79
Northern Colorado 78, Southern 53
Northern Iowa 63, Rice 57
Western Carolina 77, Florida A&M 62

Southwest Showcase
at campus sites
OAKLAND 90, Utah Valley 69

TicketCity Legends Classic
Kingston Subregional at Kingston, RI
Cleveland State 67, Boston U. 58
RHODE ISLAND 75, Hofstra 69
Lewisburg Subregional at Lewisburg, PA
BUCKNELL 63, Princeton 59

Non-Conference
ALBANY 70, Navy 61
AUBURN 72, Nicholls State 55
CLEMSON 68, Furman 53
FLORIDA 82, Jacksonville 56
HAWAI'I 74, Pacific 64
MARYLAND 79, Florida Gulf Coast 61
MISSISSIPPI STATE 82, Tennessee-Martin 59
NC STATE 81, Elon 67
NORTHWESTERN 74, Stony Brook 52
OHIO STATE 83, Valparaiso 61
OLE MISS 69, Miami (Fla.) 68
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 80, Chicago State 56
TENNESSEE TECH 77, Lamar 74
USC UPSTATE 74, Texas-Pan American 64
VANDERBILT 84, Monmouth 53
VIRGINIA 63, Green Bay 51
WASHINGTON 98, Houston Baptist 65
WICHITA STATE 70, Uab 56
XAVIER 67, Georgia 61

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Arthur Ralph Sports

755- 560 57 % Free Play Run over 3 YEARS

Free play Fri Western Mich -27

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Gamblers Data

Free Play Friday

Dallas NHL -130

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Sportsbook Investing for 11/25
Play of the Day:

Arkansas +12.5 over LSU

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NHL

Hot teams
-- Red Wings won last three games, scoring 13 goals. Bruins won their last 10 games, scoring 47 goals.
-- Devils won three of their last four games.
-- Canadiens won five of their last seven road games.
-- Minnesota won its last five games, allowing eight goals.
-- Washington is 8-2 at home, winning last two at home, both by 4-3.
-- Senators won three of their last four games.
-- Florida won its last three games, allowing six goals.
-- St Louis won seven of its last nine home games.
-- Dallas Stars won eight of their first eleven home games.
-- Canucks won five of their last seven games. Phoenix won four of six.

Cold teams
-- Islanders lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Philly is 4-6 in its last ten home games.
-- Edmonton lost four of its last five road games.
-- Rangers lost their last two games, scoring one goal.
-- Ducks lost last five games, outscored 18-10. Chicago lost its last three games, outscored 15-4.
-- Pittsburgh lost three of its last four games.
-- Sabres lost three of their last four games. Columbus lost six of its last nine games.
-- Carolina lost five of its last seven home games. Winnipeg lost its last five road games, outscored 18-11.
-- Tampa Bay lost four of its last five games.
-- Calgary lost five of its last seven games.
-- Maple Leafs lost six of their last nine games.

Totals
-- Over is 3-0-1 in Detroit's last four games.
-- Four of last five New Jersey games went over the total.
-- Over is 7-1-1 in Philly's last nine home games.
-- Four of last five Edmonton games went over the total.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in Rangers' last eight road games.
-- Over is 5-1-1 in Anaheim's last seven games.
-- Over is 5-2 in Senators' last seven road games. Last four Penguin games stayed under.
-- Seven of last eight Buffalo road games stayed under total.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Carolina games.
-- Seven of last nine Tampa Bay road games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Calgary road games stayed under total.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in Toronto's last five road games.
-- Last three Phoenix games all went over the total.


Series records
-- Bruins lost three of last four games against Detroit.
-- Islanders lost their last four games against New Jersey.
-- Flyers are 9-4 in their last thirteen games against Montreal.
-- Oilers lost their last eight games against Minnesota.
-- Washington beat the Rangers in five games in last spring's playoffs.
-- Chicago lost nine of last 12 visits to Anaheim.
-- Penguins won seven of last nine games against Ottawa.
-- Sabres won last three games vs Columbus, scoring 14 goals.
-- Jets lost eight of last eleven games against Carolina.
-- Panthers won six of last nine games against Tampa Bay.
-- Flames won five of last six games against St Louis.
-- Dallas Stars won four of last five games against Toronto.
-- Canucks are 7-4 in their last eleven visits to Phoenix.

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Insider Edge
Went 0-2 on Turkey Day with Losers on the 49ers and Lions

4 Units Toledo -14

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Arthur Ralph Sports

Super Pick Arkansas + 13

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CAPPERS ACCESS
ALL CFB

E. Michigan
Arkansas
Arizona st

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JOE WIZ DAILY FREE PICK

Portland St. +8 over Wyoming

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Jeff Scott Sports

5 UNIT PLAY

WESTERN MICHIGAN -27.5 over Akron: The Zips have just been horrendous this year and it's getting worse for them as their last 3 games would indicate. In thjose last 3 games the Zips have been outscored by a 40.3 to 5.3 count. Ouch. THey have also been outgained by 199 ypg in those three games. Overall the Akron offense comes in 116th in totall offense (284.7 ypg) and 118th in scoing (13.7 ppg) and they have really struggled on the road putting up just 10 ppg and 236.2 ypg, including just 139.8 ypg passing. Talk about futility. Now they do get to face a Bronco defense that has struggled this myear as they are 108th overall (454.6 ypg), 111th vs the run (219.8 ypg) and 79th in points allowed (28.8 ppg), but at home they have played much better, allowing just 19.2 ppg and 370.8 ypg. The Bronco offense has been excellent this year behind the arm of Alex Carder, who has hit 67% of his passes for 3454 yards, with 28 TD's and just 10 INT's. I don't see this Akron defense being able to stop him, especially after he went 17/24 for 372 yards with 5 TD's and no INT's in last years 56-10 win. The Broncos are 6-5 on the year and while they are bowl eligible they are still trying to attract attention from possible bowls and a nive 30+ point win here would really help. I almost see 56-10 again. KEY TRENDS--- The Zips are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games on Fridays and just 5-13 ARS in their lastb 18 road games vs a team with a winning home record, while the Broncos are 6-1-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a SU win.

4 UNIT PLAY

Arkansas +11.5 over LSU: Wow 11.5 points in a series that has been decided by 8 points or less in each of the last 6 years and not to mention that this is the best arkansas team thatLSU has faced in that stretch. The Razorbacks are rolling right now on offense as they have averaged 45.7 ppg and 491.7 ypg in their last 3 games. I know all about the UCLA defense, but they have fattened most of their stat sheets up on pathetic offenses and when they did face good offenses (Oregon & West Viginia) they allowed 20.5 ppg and 434 ypg. This is by far the best offense they will have faced all year and it will not be easy on that LSU DL as the Hogs have one of the better OL's in the country. The Arkansas defense in not that caliber of Bama, but they have been good on that side of the ball, ranking 43rd overall and 30th in points allowed and they should be able to keep an LSU offense that can struggle in check. Ya know all I heard about when OSU was number 2 in the BCS was that they don't deserve to be in the BCS title game because they don't play good defense. Well in watching the LSU/ Alabama game I realized that both team shouldn't be in the title game because both have shitty offenses and horrible QBs. LSU is can run the ball but they are 105th in passing and i knowing they can't pass I expect the Hogs to stack the box and shut down the run. Arkansas has the much better offense and special teams, while LSU has the better defense, but I don't see LSU being able to put enough points on the board to make this a blowout. Arkansas has a shot at the BCS title and they will not let LSU run and hide here.

3 UNIT PLAYS

Boston College/ Miami Under 44.5: The BC offense has been horrible for much of the year and they have scored 14 points or less in 5 of their last 6 games, while averaging just 15.2 ppg over that span. The Eagles are 113th in total offense (295.8 ppg) and 112th in scoring (17.6 ppg), plus they have really struggled on the road, putting up just 14.6 ppg and 265 ypg. Well this is not a defense that this pathetic offense need to face as the Canes defense comes in hot, allowing just 13.3 ppg and 283.3 ypg in their last 3 games. At home this year Miami has allowed just 16.2 ppg and 342 ypg), plus let's also note that Miami has played great defense vs the Eagles in the past as they have allowed just 12.5 ppg to them in their last 6 meetings.The Canes offense is not spectacular and they only are 61st in scoring (27 ppg) and the BC defense isn't that bad as they have allowed just 24.1 ppg (48th). in order for this one to go Over I feel the Canes will have to almost all of the points themselves, but let us remeber that they stated this week they will NOT go to a bowl games so their offense may be a bit disinterested in this one, especially knowing that their defense will shut down BC. I don't see more than 31 points in this one.


Louisville/ South Florida Under 43.5: This line seems a bit high considering that USF is off a 6-3 game vs Miami, they should be with out QB BJ Daniels and the Louisville defense has been solid so far this year and that's where I will begin. Louisville comes in ranked 23rd overall (329.4 ypg), 14th vs the run (107.1 ypg) and 13th in points allowed (18.7 ppg). THe cardinal has struggled a bit on that side of the ball of late, but as I stated at the to USF should be without Daniels for this one and even when they did have him they put up just 19.3 ppg and 373 ypg in their last 3 games. Louisville's defense should get back on track vs this offense today. The Louisville offense has come alive of late, but they have still averaged just 20.6 ppg and 324 ypg on the year, and just 24.2 ppg wityh just 308 ypg in conference play. The USF defense has been very good this year as they have allowed just 20.6 ppg and 348.7 ypg overall, while at home they have allowedjust 18.2 ppg and 314 ypg. Both of these teams play excellent defesse and with USF missing their catlyst and the Louisville offense not that strong I just don't see how this one will hit 44 points. The OU is 2-8-1 in Louisville's last 11 overall, while 5 of the last 7 in this series has gone under. Mid 30's at best here.

2 UNIT PLAYS

Texas/ Texas A&M Under 53: The Longhorns offense has really gone south the last 2 games as they have averaged just 9 ppg and 278.5 ypg. Their defense though has not taken any time off as they have allowed just 294 ypg (10th) and 20.6 ppg (26th), plus in their last 4 games they have allowed just 229 ypg and 13.5 ppg. Thew Aggies can score and they have no defense, but I feel that Texas will find a way to slow this one down and not get into a shootout. Mid 40's here.


Houston -2.5 over TULSA: Boy this would make a great bowl game and I heard that both teams have asked their punters to stay home. LOL. The Cougars have outscored their last 6 opponents by a whopping 42.6 ppg and they have put up an eye popping 59.3 ppg. Tulsa has been on a roll of late as they have won their last 7 games in a row, but they haven't been as dominant as they have won by just 23 ppg. Houston and Case Keenum are on a mission and even though they will mnot be apart of the BCS Title game they still would love to finish undefeated and get an invite to a BCS bowl game. Tulsa's offense is good, but Houston's is better and they should win this one by a TD.

1 UNIT PLAY

Pittsburgh +6.5 over WEST VIRGINIA: Pitt is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 vs a team with a winning record. The panthers have not been playing at the bad of late as they have won 2 of their last 3 games. Thier defense is getting better as they have allowed just 20 ppg and 320.7 ypg in their last 3 games. West Virgina has also come in winners in 2 of their last 3 games, but they have really struggled on the defensive side where they have allowed 30 ppg and 380 ypg in their last 3 games. The Pitt defense will be the difference here as they make enough plays to keep this one close.