12-31-11

[Mr. IWS]

Pick 'n' roll: Saturday's best NBA bets

Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers (-5.5, 198.5)

The Lakers survived Andrew Bynum’s suspension, going 2-2 in his absence. They cruised past the Knicks 99-82 on Thursday thanks to Kobe Bryant’s 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting

Bryant said the innovative knee procedure he had in Germany after last season made a big difference, calling his knee “about 95% better, if not to say 100.”

The Nuggets went 4 of 20 from 3-point range in a 111-102 loss in Portland on Thursday night, dropping them to 2-1.

But point guard Ty Lawson continues to look unstoppable. He had 35 points in the loss and is averaging 22.3 points and 4.0 steals. Los Angeles won’t be able to stop him either.

Denver is 4-1-1 ATS in its last six meetings with the Lakers in L.A.

Pick: Nuggets

Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder (-13, 197.5)

When these teams get together, defense is an afterthought.

The over is 4-0 in the last four meetings, with these combined finals: 214, 240, 218, 223.

OKC’s Kevin Durant is pouring in 31.2 points per game and shooting 57.3 percent. The team ranks in the top eight in scoring, shooting percentage, 3-point shooting, and free throw shooting.

The Suns played Friday night in New Orleans, and are not likely to slow down the Thunder. They’ll have to score plenty to keep pace.

Pick: Over

[Mr. IWS]

What bettors need to know: New Year's Eve bowl game action

Texas A&M Aggies vs. Northwestern Wildcats (+10, 68.5)

MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL STORYLINES:

1. Texas A&M will be making its final appearance as a Big 12 school and will be operating under a new coach in interim boss Tim DeRuyter when it faces Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas on New Year’s Eve. The Aggies, who fired Mike Sherman after the regular season, move to the SEC in 2012.

2. Northwestern is considerably more stable with Pat Fitzgerald at coach and has lower expectations to meet. Still, Fitzgerald and company would love to snap the school’s 62-year drought with a bowl win.

3. The Aggies were ranked in the top 10 in the preseason and had National Championship aspirations but consistently lost close games against top competition, falling twice in overtime and losing by a total of seven points in regulation to Oklahoma State, Arkansas and Texas.

4. Texas A&M will be looking to snap a 10-year bowl win drought. The Aggies are still waiting to see if running back Cyrus Gray, who went over 1,000 yards this season, will be able to go after suffering a shoulder injury on Nov. 19 against Kansas.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN

LINE: Texas A&M opened as a -9.5 favorite and has been bet up to -10.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (6-6, 4-5 Big 12, 3-9 ATS): The Aggies will be led by former Houston coach Kevin Sumlin going forward with DeRuyter moving on to take over Fresno State. Also enjoying his last game for the Aggies will be quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who gets one more chance to impress NFL scouts. The former wide receiver guides an offense that averages 39.6 points but had some of his worst performances against better competition, totaling 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in six losses and 16 scores vs. two picks in six wins. The Aggies will be playing with heavy hearts following the death of senior offensive lineman Joseph Villavisencio, who was killed in a car accident after a team charity event on Thursday.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten, 5-7 ATS): The Wildcats have their own star senior quarterback in Dan Persa, who led the nation with a 74.2 completion percentage after missing the first three games while recovering from an Achilles injury. Northwestern last won a bowl game at the 1949 Rose Bowl but will be making their fourth straight postseason appearance under Fitzgerald after closing the season 4-1. That stretch was preceded by a five-game slide during which the Wildcats allowed an average of 35.2 points.

TRENDS:

* Aggies are 0-5 ATS in their last five Bowl games.
* Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last five bowl games.
* Over is 6-2 in Aggies' last eight games as favorites.
* Over is 11-4 in Wildcats' last 15 games as underdogs.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 35, Northwestern 21. The streak will reach 63 years for the Wildcats, who don’t have the pieces to match up against Tannehill and company.

Utah Utes vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-2.5, 49.5)

SUN BOWL STORYLINES

1. Georgia Tech has lost six straight bowl games, while Utah had its nine-game bowl win streak snapped in last year’s 26-3 loss to Boise State in the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas.

2. With their spread option attack, the Yellow Jackets rank third nationally in rushing (316.8). The Utes rank seventh nationally in rush defense (98.3) and are familiar with the option from battling Air Force in the Moutain West.

3. The Utes are the hotter team, having won four of their last five. The Jackets lost four of six after a 6-0 start.

4. Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow is Hawaii's new head coach, but will coach in the Sun Bowl.

5. Tech starting CB Louis Young (52 tackles, INT) has been suspended for disciplinary reasons. Nickel CB Jemea Thomas will replace him, with Jamal Golden or Michael Peterson filling in for Thomas.

TV: CBS

LINE: Georgia Tech opened at -2.5 and has been bet up to a field-goal favorite.

WEATHER: Clear skies and temperatures in the high 50s is in the forecast for El Paso. Light winds will blow NNW at 4 mph.

ABOUT UTAH (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12, 5-7 ATS): Utah overcame a season-ending shoulder injury to starting QB Jordan Wynn on Oct. 1 as backup Jon Hays threw for 1,266 yards with nine TDs and seven interceptions. RB John White carried the offense, rushing for 1,404 yards and 14 TDs while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. After starting 3-4, the Utes reeled off four straight conference wins and had a chance to win the South Division, but they fell 17-14 to Colorado in the regular-season finale. Utah won the only previous meeting with Georgia Tech, 38-10 in the 2005 Emerald Bowl.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (8-4, 5-3 ACC, 5-6-1 ATS): The Jackets raced to a 6-0 start thanks in part to a soft schedule. Against tougher competition, the offense was not as explosive. Still, the unit features dangerous playmakers in junior A-back Orwin Smith (10.3 yards per carry) and junior WR Stephen Hill (30.2 yards per catch). QB Tevin Washington ran for 890 yards and 14 TDs, but completed just 46.7 percent of his throws. The defense did not improve in the second year under coordinator Al Groh, allowing 25.8 points (60th nationally). OLB Jeremiah Attaochu (6.0 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss) is one of the few Jackets who can disrupt an offense.

TRENDS:

* Utes are 7-2 ATS in their last nine bowl games.
* Yellow Jackets are 0-4 ATS in their last four bowl games.
* Under is 10-4 in Utes last 14 games overall.
* Under is 5-2 in Yellow Jackets last seven games overall.

PREDICTION: Utah 27, Georgia Tech 24. White will have a big day against a Tech defense that ranks 67th nationally against the run, limiting the Jackets’ offensive possessions.

UCLA Bruins vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (-3, 47)

KRAFT FIGHT HUNGER BOWL STORYLINES:

1. With the firing of UCLA’s Rick Neuheisel and Illinois’ Ron Zook, this is a matchup of interim coaches. Offensive coordinator Mike Johnson leads the Bruins, while defensive coordinator Vic Koenning guides the Illini. UCLA has hired Jim Mora Jr. as coach, while Illinois has tabbed Tim Beckman, but neither will be on the sideline.

2. Illinois is the first team in FBS history to end a season 0-6 after starting 6-0. The Illini averaged 34.7 points in the first six games and 11 in the final six.

3. UCLA is the first team in a decade to reach a bowl with a losing record. To their credit, however, the Bruins put forth a solid effort in the Pac-12 championship game, falling 49-31 at Oregon.

4. UCLA linebacker Patrick Larimore has been ruled out of Saturday's bowl game against Illinois. Larimore, the team's leading tackler with 80 this season, underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb two weeks ago. Backup middle linebacker Isaiah Bowen also will miss the game after being declared academically ineligible. Jordan Zumwalt will start in place of Larimore.

5. The Bruins mustered only 13 sacks, one per game, and allowed an average of 43.5 points in road games.

TV: ESPN, ESPN3.com.

LINE: Illinois opened at -2.5 and has been bet to a field-goal favorite.

WEATHER: Cloudy skies are in the forecast for San Francisco. Game-time temperatures will be in the high 50s with winds blowing north at 6 mph.

ABOUT UCLA (6-7, 5-5 Pac-12, 5-8 ATS): Quarterback Kevin Prince had an up-and-down season but no one can quibble with the performance of wide receiver Nelson Rosario, who caught 61 balls for 1,106 yards, sixth-most in the Pac-12. UCLA features a dynamic running back duo of Johnathan Franklin (947 yards, five touchdowns) and Derrick Coleman (726, 11). But starting guard Alberto Sid won't make the trip after being ruled academically ineligible. Defense was a problem all season as the Bruins allowed 32.2 points per game (96th nationally).

ABOUT ILLINOIS (6-6, 2-6 Big Ten, 5-7 ATS): You can’t blame the defense for Illinois’ embarrassing finish. The unit ranked seventh nationally in total defense (291.8), fourth against the pass (159.1) and tied for 11th with 36 sacks. All-American defensive end Whitney Mercilus led the country with 14.5 sacks and led the Big Ten with 19.5 tackles for loss. As the offensive line deteriorated, so did the play of quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase. He averaged 122 passing yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions over the last half of the season. Illinois also took a hit when leading rusher Jason Ford (600 yards, seven touchdowns) was ruled academically ineligible.

TRENDS:

* Bruins are 6-15 ATS in their last 21 games overall.
* Fighting Illini are 5-15 ATS in their last 20 non-conference games.
* Under is 6-0 in Fighting Illini's last six games overall.
* Under is 6-2 in Bruins' last eight games overall.

PREDICTION: UCLA 24, Illinois 20 – The Bruins showed heart in the Pac-12 championship game and feel better about themselves than the sad-sack Illini.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (-1.5, 47.5)

LIBERTY BOWL STORYLINES

1. Cincinnati senior QB Zach Collaros, who passed for 1,860 yards and 14 touchdowns with eight interceptions in nine games, appears likely to play despite breaking his right ankle against West Virginia on Nov. 12. Collaros has returned to practice and is doing all the drills, yet says he still feels pain in the injured ankle.

2. Vanderbilt first-year coach James Franklin restored hope in Nashville, tripling the win total to six and giving Georgia and Arkansas legitimate scares. This is only the fifth bowl game in Commodores history.

3. These teams have two common opponents. Both beat UConn at home and lost at Tennessee. Vanderbilt leads the all-time series against Cincinnati 4-3, but they haven’t played since 1994.

TV: ABC

LINE: Vanderbilt opened as high as a 3-point favorite but has been bet down as low as -1.5.

WEATHER: Clear skies are in the forecast for Memphis. Winds will blow south at 10 mph.

ABOUT CINCINNATI (9-3, 5-2 Big East, 7-5 ATS): Coach Butch Jones has agreed on a contract extension through 2017, eliminating any potential distraction. He’s only 13-11 in two seasons, but the team won a share of the Big East title this season. If Collaros is limited, look for the Bearcats to rely on RB Isaiah Pead, who ran for 1,110 yards and 11 TDs while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Senior DT Derek Wolfe (9.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss) leads a defense that led the nation with 3.6 sacks and 8.9 tackles for loss per game. The Bearcats are allowing 20.0 points per game, eight fewer than last year. They rank seventh nationally in rush defense, allowing 92.6 yards per game.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (6-6, 2-8 SEC, 9-3 ATS): Junior Zac Stacy averaged 6.2 yards per carry while running for 1,136 yards and 13 TDs. QB Jordan Rodgers, younger brother of Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers, took over as the starter in Week 5. He threw for nearly 1,500 yards with nine TDs and nine interceptions. WR Jordan Matthews ranks fourth in the SEC in receiving yards (722) and first in yards per catch (19.5). The defense kept Vandy in games against SEC powers. The Commodores allow 20.8 points and 324.6 yards per game, which ranks 19th nationally.

TRENDS:

* Bearcats are 0-4 ATS in their last four Bowl games.
* Commodores are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall.
* Under is 6-2 in Bearcats' last eight Bowl games.
* Over is 6-1 in Commodores' last seven games overall.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 27, Vanderbilt 20: Collaros’ speedy return bodes well for the Bearcats’ offense, and the fifth-year senior goes out a winner.

Virginia Cavaliers vs. Auburn Tigers (-3, 49.5)

CHICK-FIL-A BOWL STORYLINES:

1. Auburn's fall from national champion to the middle of the pack in the SEC and the Chick-fil-A Bowl begins with the loss of star quarterback Cam Newton and the revolving door that was left under center. Barrett Trotter began the season as the starter, but was replaced by Clint Moseley down the stretch. Now Moseley is splitting snaps with freshman Kiehl Frazier, who could see some playing time in the bowl game.

2. Regardless of who's under center for the Tigers, he will have to face a stiff Virginia defense (29th nationally with 343.2 yards allowed per game) without sophomore running back Michael Dyer. The first Auburn player to top 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons, Dyer was suspended for violating team rules and will be replaced by Onterio McCalebb.

3. The Cavaliers have been balanced on offense, averaging 231.5 passing yards and 165.2 rushing yards, but they might need to rely more on running backs Perry Jones (883 yards) and Kevin Parks (nine touchdowns) against Auburn, which gives up nearly 200 yards per game on the ground.

4. The teams have met only twice, with each winning on the opponent's home field in 1997 and 1998. The Tigers won 28-17 at Virginia in the first meeting, and the Cavaliers returned the favor with a 19-0 win at Auburn the following season.

TV: ESPN, ESPN3.com, ESPN 3D.

LINE: Auburn opened at -1 and has been bet up to a field-goal favorite.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (8-4, 6-6 ATS): The Cavaliers have enjoyed a rapid resurgence under second-year coach Mike London, who was named the ACC Coach of the Year after leading the Cavaliers within one win of the ACC title game. They are in their first bowl game since the 2007 season and seeking their first bowl win since the 2005 season. The excitement of playing for the division title faded quickly in a 38-0 loss to rival Virginia Tech in the regular-season finale as sophomore quarterback Michael Rocco threw two interceptions and was sacked four times.

ABOUT AUBURN (7-5, 4-8 ATS): The Tigers' offense naturally dropped off considerably after losing Newton to the NFL, and Dyer and the running game became the focal point. Without Dyer, Auburn might struggle to move the ball. And that's not the only change affecting the Tigers. They have lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators since the end of the regular season, with defensive coordinator Ted Roof accepting the same position at Central Florida and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn taking the coaching job at Arkansas State. Malzahn will coach Auburn's offense in the bowl game, but head coach Gene Chizik will lead the defense.

TRENDS:

* Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last five bowl games.
* Tigers are 1-7-1 ATS in their last nine vs. ACC.
* Over is 7-1 in Cavaliers last eight Bowl games.
* Under is 8-1 in Tigers last nine bowl games.

PREDICTION: Virginia 27, Auburn 20 - The Cavaliers' defense should be able to slow down an offense that will lack firepower without Dyer.

[Mr. IWS]

Greg Roberts

5* Northwestern

[Mr. IWS]

DOUBLE DRAGON NEW YEAR'S EVE

TOP
NORTHWESTERN +10 vs tecas a&m (31st)
VANDERBILT -PK (-120) vs cincinnati (31st)

REGULAR
UTAH +3 (-120) vs georgia tech (31st)
UCLA +3 (-120) vs illinois (31st)
VIRGINIA +3 vs auburn (31st)

[Mr. IWS]

LuckyDaySports

Saturday’s Comp Play

NCAAF
Virginia vs. Auburn UNDER 49.5

[Mr. IWS]

LVSA

Georgia Tech (S: -2.5)

Florida Panthers (M: -135.0)

Buffalo Sabres (M: -135.0)

[Mr. IWS]

DCI NBA

Season
Straight Up: 33-14 (.702)
ATS: 22-27 (.449)
ATS Vary Units: 95-85 (.528)
Over/Under: 19-29 (.396)
Over/Under Vary Units: 53-85 (.384)

L.A. LAKERS 103, Denver 99
Indiana vs. DETROIT: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
HOUSTON 101, Atlanta 95
OKLAHOMA CITY 113, Phoenix 101
SACRAMENTO 109, New York 106
SAN ANTONIO 107, Utah 95
GOLDEN STATE 105, Philadelphia 102

[Mr. IWS]

DCI NHL

Season: 174-128 (.576)

Edmonton vs. N.Y. ISLANDERS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Pittsburgh vs. NEW JERSEY: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
TAMPA BAY 4, Carolina 3
MINNESOTA 3, Phoenix 2
FLORIDA 3, Montreal 2
Ottawa vs. BUFFALO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Toronto vs. WINNIPEG: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
DETROIT 3, St. Louis 2
Washington vs. COLUMBUS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Boston 3, DALLAS 2
Colorado vs. ANAHEIM: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Vancouver 3, LOS ANGELES 2

[Mr. IWS]

DCI CBB

Season
Straight Up: 1548-438 (.779)
ATS: 550-632 (.465)
ATS Vary Units: 1940-2432 (.444)
Over/Under: 584-588 (.498)
Over/Under Vary Units: 791-746 (.515)

Big East Conference
CONNECTICUT 76, St. John's 57
GEORGETOWN 80, Providence 60

Big Sky Conference
NORTHERN COLORADO 72, Northern Arizona 66
WEBER STATE 77, Sacramento State 61

Big South Conference
Charleston Southern 80, LIBERTY 73
Coastal Carolina 74, HIGH POINT 70
Gardner-Webb 65, RADFORD 61
UNC Asheville 72, WINTHROP 71
VMI 85, Presbyterian 82

Big Ten Conference
Michigan State 68, NEBRASKA 59
Ohio State 72, INDIANA 67
PURDUE 68, Illinois 62
WISCONSIN 72, Iowa 52

Horizon League
BUTLER 63, Wisconsin-Milwaukee 57
CLEVELAND STATE 72, Youngstown State 57
Detroit 66, LOYOLA (CHICAGO) 63
VALPARAISO 69, Green Bay 64
Wright State 60, UIC 57

Missouri Valley Conference
INDIANA STATE 68, Bradley 56
MISSOURI STATE 69, Drake 61
WICHITA STATE 79, Creighton 69

Ohio Valley Conference
EASTERN KENTUCKY 66, Tennessee State 62
Jacksonville State 69, SIU EDWARDSVILLE 61
MOREHEAD STATE 70, Austin Peay 63
Tennessee Tech 77, TENNESSEE-MARTIN 70

Pacific-10 Conference
ARIZONA 78, Arizona State 56
CALIFORNIA 69, Ucla 61
COLORADO 78, Utah 59
STANFORD 60, Usc 53
WASHINGTON 82, Oregon 72
Washington State 76, Oregon State 72

Sun Belt Conference
Arkansas State 66, ULM 60
DENVER 67, Ualr 54
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE 71, Florida Atlantic 68
MIDDLE TENNESSEE 75, South Alabama 59
NORTH TEXAS 76, Troy 70
WESTERN KENTUCKY 68, Fairleigh Dickinson 62

West Coast Conference
BYU 85, San Diego 59
Saint Mary's 71, PEPPERDINE 63
SAN FRANCISCO 78, Loyola Marymount 69

Non-Conference
Albany 65, MOUNT ST. MARY'S 59
BALL STATE 83, Chicago State 54
BOISE STATE 74, Idaho 69
BUCKNELL 74, Cornell 62
DREXEL 69, Saint Francis (Pa.) 50
DUQUESNE 93, Houston Baptist 70
FLORIDA 85, Yale 62
GEORGE WASHINGTON 66, Delaware State 51
Gonzaga 70, XAVIER 69
HARVARD 67, Saint Joseph's 61
Holy Cross 66, DARTMOUTH 60
IOWA STATE 86, Mississippi Valley State 65
KANSAS 90, North Dakota 52
KANSAS STATE 87, Howard 52
KENTUCKY 74, Louisville 64
LA SALLE 82, Hartford 56
Lehigh 84, BRYANT 68
MARYLAND 81, Samford 58
MEMPHIS 79, Charlotte 63
MISSISSIPPI STATE 70, Utah State 64
NC STATE 78, Western Carolina 68
NEW HAMPSHIRE 66, Colgate 59
NEW MEXICO 64, Saint Louis 57
NEW MEXICO STATE 82, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 58
OKLAHOMA 83, Northwestern State 65
OKLAHOMA STATE 65, Virginia Tech 63
QUINNIPIAC 68, Boston U. 64
SMU 64, Louisiana Tech 55
SOUTH CAROLINA 70, USC Upstate 58
Southern Miss 72, McNEESE STATE 62
St. Francis (N.Y.) 67, ARMY 64
TCU 68, Tulsa 67
TEXAS 81, Rice 62
Tulane 71, TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN 54
UAB 70, Alabama A&M 50
Unlv 81, HAWAI'I 68

[Mr. IWS]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with Iowa State (+1) Friday.

Saturday it’s Vanderbilt. The deficit is 3009 sirignanos.

[Mr. IWS]

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Our Free Plays are 780- 560 (57 %) over the last 3 years!

Free play are currently on a 22-13 run! Your Free HOOP Winner for Saturday HOOP Michigan State -7

[Mr. IWS]

Gamblers Data

Free Play Saturday

Tampa Bay NHL -150

[Mr. IWS]

TheRealSwoop14

Early Pick: Northwestern +10

[Mr. IWS]

stu feiner virginia

[Mr. IWS]

Platinum PLays

Premier (Top)
Utah/GaTech OVER
OKC (NBA)

500K (Med)
Illinois (CFB)

400K Parlay (Med)
Virginia (CFB)
Virg/Aub UNDER

Reg Plays
Northwestern (CFB)
UTAH U (CFB)
Vandy (CFB)
Stanford (CBB)
Oregon (CBB)
Loy-Marymount (CBB)