12-28-12

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CAPPERS ACCESS
All CFB

UL-Monroe
Rutgers
Minnesota

[Can'tPickAWinner]

JOE WIZ FREE PLAY

In College Hoops take Boston University +10 over Belmont.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

StatFox Super Situations™ - FoxSheets

CBB BAYLOR at GONZAGA

Play Under - All teams where the total is between 140 and 149.5 points off a home win by 10 points or more, on Friday nights.
81-40 over the last 5 seasons. ( 66.9% 37.0 units )
2-8 this year. ( 20.0% -6.8 units )

CBB BOWLING GREEN at N DAKOTA

Play Against - A home team vs. the money line (N DAKOTA) after failing to cover the spread in 4 or more consecutive games, a bad team (20% to 40%) playing a team with a losing record.
25-18 over the last 5 seasons. ( 58.1% 23.3 units )
0-1 this year. ( 0.0% -1.0 units )

CBB BOWLING GREEN at N DAKOTA

Play Against - Underdogs of 2 to 3.5 points vs. the first half line (N DAKOTA) after failing to cover 4 of their last 5 against the spread, terrible team, winning 20% or less of their games on the season.
62-28 over the last 5 seasons. ( 68.9% 31.2 units )

[Can'tPickAWinner]

StatFox Super Situations™ - FoxSheets

NBA LA CLIPPERS at UTAH

Play Against - Home underdogs (UTAH) revenging a loss vs opponent against opponent off 2 consecutive home wins by 10 points or more.
46-18 over the last 5 seasons. ( 71.9% 26.2 units )
3-1 this year. ( 75.0% 1.9 units )

NBA ORLANDO at WASHINGTON

Play On - Home teams vs. the money line (WASHINGTON) after being beaten by the spread by 30 or more points total in their last five games, vs. division opponents.
77-36 over the last 5 seasons. ( 68.1% 36.1 units )
4-3 this year. ( 57.1% 2.0 units )

NBA LA CLIPPERS at UTAH

Play Under - Home teams where the first half total is between 95.5 and 100.5 points after being beaten by the spread by 18 or more points total in their last three games, on Friday nights.
127-70 since 1997. ( 64.5% 50.0 units )
4-2 this year. ( 66.7% 1.8 units )

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapping Kings

JIMMY

MEINKE CAR CARE BOWL (BOWL # 14)

9:00PM Minnesota U vs Texas Tech
[228](KINGS RANSOM- 2 UNIT PLAY) Texas Tech -13 -110

GOODFELLAS

INDEPENDCE BOWL (BOWL #12)

2:00PM Ohio vs UL Monroe
[224] UL Monroe -6.5 -110

RUSSELL ATHLETIC BOWL (BOWL #13)

5:30PM Rutgers vs Virginia Tech
[226] Virginia Tech -2 -110

MARC

INDEPENDCE BOWL (BOWL #12)

2:00PM Ohio vs UL Monroe
[223] OVER 60.5 -110

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brian Laverty

CBB

PC/ Brown Under 130.5 (2U)

UCLA -2 (3U)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ACE ACE ALLEN EASTMAN

4-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 55.5 Minnesota vs. Texas Tech (9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28) – Meineke Bowl

This spread is the lowest that the Red Raiders has faced all season. I think that is for good reason. This Gophers team has really struggled to score points. And they are just 3-7 ATS in the last 11 games. The Gophers only had more than 55 total points scored in one of their games this year two times. There were 57 points in the UNLV game and 72 points against Purdue. Minnesota is a run-heavy team. They have one of the worst offenses in college football but they have a very strong defense, ranked No. 29. Texas Tech lost its coach and its offensive coordinator leading into this game. I think they will have a very simple game plan. I don’t expect a lot of scoring here and this one stays ‘under’.

3-Unit Play. Take #223 Ohio (+7) over Louisiana-Monroe (2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28) – Independence Bowl

This line is heavily tilted toward Monroe because this game is being played in Louisiana. But I think that the wrong team is favored. Ohio did not finish the season strong. But this is a team that started the year in some people’s Top 25. They come from the very strong MAC. UL-M is out of the weak Sun Belt. Ohio beat Utah State last year in the Humanitarian Bowl and I think the Bobcats can make it back-to-back bowl wins. Monroe is a team that has a bad pass defense that is ranked No. 107 in the country. They are facing a very strong quarterback in Ohio’s Tyler Tettleton. That matchup works in my favor and I will take advantage of that.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB

Friday, December 28

First look: UCLA vs. Missouri basketball

by Peter Yoon

What: No. 7 Missouri Tigers (10-1) vs UCLA Bruins (9-3)

When: Friday, 7 p.m. PT

Where: Pauley Pavilion

TV: ESPN 2

Radio: AM 570

Scouting the Bruins: UCLA is on a season-best four-game win streak, but is looking for its first victory over a ranked opponent this season. Offensively, the Bruins have been on a tear the past three games as they are averaging 91.6 points per game and shooting 57.6 percent over that stretch. Freshmen Shabazz Muhammad (18.8 points per game) and Jordan Adams (18.2) continue to battle for the team’s scoring lead and both have scored 20 or more in consecutive games. Kyle Anderson joined the 20-point club last time out and is also the team’s top rebounder at 8.7 per game.

Scouting the Tigers: Missouri enters on a six-game win streak and is coming off of an impressive 82-73 victory over then-No. 10 Illinois. The Tigers have a lot of size and strength inside and are leading the nation in rebounding with 47.2 per game. Alex Oriakhi, a 6-9 forward, is averaging 9.1 rebounds per game while 6-7 forward Laurence Bowers is averaging 6.7. They have out-rebounded opponents by more than 14 per game. Bowers also leads the team in scoring with 16.9 points per game and has made 13 of 23 3-point attempts (56.5 percent). The Tigers average 78.2 points per game with quick point guard Phil Pressey running the offense. This will be Missouri’s first road game of the season, though the Tigers are 3-1 in neutral-site games. Their lone loss came against No. 4 Louisville.

The series: UCLA leads the series 5-1, though Missouri won the last time out with an 82-73 victory in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament. UCLA’s best memory in the series came during the 1995 run to the NCAA championship when Tyus Edney dribbled the length of the court in 4.8 seconds and scored the game-winning basket in a 75-74 victory in the second round of the NCAA tournament. This will be the first time since 1975 that the teams have met in Pauley Pavilion.

Quick quote: "We need a win over anybody we play, ranked or unranked,” UCLA coach Ben Howland on the importance of getting a win over a ranked opponent.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB

Friday, December 28

Sizing up the remaining unbeatens

by Andy Katz

The beauty of the college basketball regular season is that a team can lose a few games and still be in fine position for a national championship run.

But there is always an allure about those who enter their conference season unblemished to see how invincible they will be entering the New Year.

Prior to Thursday night's games, there were five remaining unbeaten teams and 19 one-loss teams, as well as two others (Florida, 8-2) and (Kentucky, 8-3) that cannot and should not be dismissed from any Final Four discussion. Both the Wildcats and Gators have played a much more difficult schedule than the majority of one-loss and undefeated teams.

There are a slew of one-loss teams that are more than capable of winning the national title such as Kansas (10-1), Louisville (11-1), Syracuse (10-1), Indiana (11-1), Creighton (11-1), UNLV (11-1), Missouri (10-1) and Gonzaga (11-1). And it's easy to make the argument that those teams, such as Kansas, Louisville, Syracuse and Indiana, are more likely to challenge for the national title than the five remaining undefeated teams.

But for the purposes of this argument, let's look at the remaining unbeatens as they stand today:

Duke (11-0)

Most impressive wins: Minnesota, VCU and Louisville in successive days in Atlantis; Kentucky in Atlanta; Ohio State at home and Temple in New Jersey.

Biggest question answered: Quinn Cook is a starting point guard and has been a stable presence.

National player of the year candidate: Mason Plumlee. Plumlee has been a double-double machine for the Blue Devils. He may be the most reliable player at his position in the country.

Difference-maker: When Seth Curry is making 3s, the Blue Devils are even harder to beat.

What to watch for: How will Duke handle true road games in the ACC? The three toughest games on the schedule would seem to be at NC State (Jan. 12), at Maryland (Feb. 16) and at North Carolina (March 9).

Final Four potential: Duke has to be considered a favorite to land in Atlanta. The team possesses experience at key positions, younger players who are becoming increasingly comfortable, there is size inside and now a growing confidence that it can win the championship.


Michigan (12-0)

Most impressive wins: Pitt in New York at the NIT Season Tip-Off and NC State in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

Biggest question answered: The Wolverines don't miss Stu Douglass and Zach Novak as much as was predicted. The youthful Wolverines have bought into John Beilein's defensive concepts.

National player of the year candidate: Trey Burke is an exceptional point guard. He gets the Wolverines up and running as efficiently as any point in the country. His play has allowed Tim Hardaway Jr., to flourish in his natural position.

Difference-maker: The continued development of the Michigan big men in Jordan Morgan, Mitch McGary and Glen Robinson III as well as the stretch shooting of Nik Stauskas.

What to watch for: How does Michigan get through the Big Ten gauntlet? The Big Ten is the toughest conference this season, and Michigan will have to navigate trips to Ohio State (Jan. 13), Minnesota (Jan. 17), Illinois (Jan. 27), Indiana (Feb. 2), Wisconsin (Feb. 9) and Michigan State (Feb. 12). I would put that conference road schedule against any other contender in the country. It's not close. This is the toughest.

Final Four potential: Michigan has proved that it has the point guard play, the shooting, the power play inside and can defend well enough to get to Atlanta.


Arizona (12-0)

Most impressive wins: Florida in Tucson and San Diego State in the final of the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu.

Biggest question answered: Mark Lyons has adjusted as well as any one-year transfer I can remember. He was handed a leadership role and has excelled, making a game-winning shot to beat Florida. He has proved to be a consistent presence for the Wildcats at the point.

National player of the year candidate: Lyons, Solomon Hill and Nick Johnson have all had their moments and will be in contention for Pac-12 player of the year. But none will get enough momentum for consideration for national player of the year.

Difference-maker: Johnson. He has been the ultimate glue guy, making key plays in a variety of ways, none bigger than blocking Chase Tapley's potential game-winning layup in the Diamond Head final.

What to watch for: Arizona is the favorite in the Pac-12 and enters the conference doing more than enough to raise the conference's profile. The road wins at Texas Tech and Clemson were games the Wildcats should have won and they did. The comeback win over Florida was a tremendous effort and confidence boost. Getting through the rugged Diamond Head proved they had the stamina. Now, Arizona has to rise to the challenge of being the team to beat in the Pac-12. It is more than doable based on the inconsistency of the rest of the conference.

Final Four potential: This squad has it. The key will be the continued development of the newcomers, notably Kaleb Tarczewski, who is getting featured more and more as he improves his activity on the court.


Cincinnati (12-0)

Most impressive wins: Oregon in Las Vegas; Xavier in a rivalry game and Alabama at home when the Tide were playing well.

Biggest question answered: The Bearcats are never going to be a dominant low-post scoring team. But when needed, the Bearcats have been able to finish around the basket. Titus Rubles, JaQuon Parker, Justin Jackson and Cheikh Mbodj can take care of business of scoring and defending the post when locked in to the task at hand. The Bearcats have bigs serviceable enough to get by in the Big East.

National player of the year candidate: Sean Kilpatrick will enter the Big East as a legit player of the year contender. He has the ability to score in bunches. He flourishes playing off Cashmere Wright, who has stabilized the point.

Difference-maker: Wright. Mick Cronin has the confidence to hand him the ball and let him make a play, as he did against Alabama. Wright is a senior and has asserted himself as much more of a leader on a team that desperately needed to be led.

What to watch for: The Bearcats take possessions off and sometimes go through the motions. That cannot happen in the Big East with a host of teams that could easily knock them from their perch. Cincinnati believes it is in the same category as Louisville and Syracuse and above Pitt, Georgetown and Notre Dame in the pecking order of Big East title contenders. Now the Bearcats have to prove it. The schedule didn't do them any favors since they go to Syracuse (Jan. 21) and Louisville (March 4) without a return game. Cincinnati will find out about itself early at Pitt (Dec. 31) and at home against Notre Dame (Jan. 7).

Final Four potential: The Bearcats have it, but I'd be surprised. The lack of a proven post player may cost them in trying to win four in the NCAA tournament. Their lack of focus at times could bite them in an early round.


Wyoming (12-0)

Most impressive wins: Colorado and at Illinois State.

Biggest question answered: Leonard Washington has been a leader for the Cowboys despite all his issues, including a suspension last year. The Cowboys weren't sure who they could rely on early on but Washington has done everything asked of him so far.

National player of the year candidate: Washington is a Mountain West Conference Player of the Year candidate, but he won't be in the conversation for the national honor.

Difference-maker: Larry Nance Jr. The sophomore has played up in the big games for Wyoming, scoring 14 against Colorado, 19 in the win over Illinois State and 21 in a win over rival Denver. The Cowboys' staple has been their defense, as you'd expect from a Larry Shyatt-coached team, but it's their surprisingly-balanced offense that has been a pleasant plus.

What to watch for: Wyoming may be in the most balanced league in the country. It has to deal with two games against UNLV, San Diego State, New Mexico, Colorado State and Boise State, let alone playing Nevada and Air Force. There are zero easy games on this schedule. To expect Wyoming to get through this without getting beaten up is unrealistic.

Final Four potential: No shot. But the Cowboys are going to the postseason. Shyatt has already put the Cowboys in the NIT conversation, barring a complete collapse. An NCAA berth is hardly out of the question if they can hold serve at the Arena Auditorium.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kelso

25 UL Monroe
5 Rutgers
5 Texas Tech

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Paul Leiner

100* Minnesota +13.5

100* Magic / Wizards Over 183.5

100* Baylor +8.5

50* UCLA -3

[Can'tPickAWinner]

RM 29 Fin.
all level 1
Tex Tech - 13
La. Monroe - 7

NBA Miami -8

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ATS LOCK

4 U L Monroe

Hoops
4 UCLA
4 Over 213.5 Hous - SA

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Wayne Root

Millionaire Ohio
Pinnacle Rutgers
No Limit Minnesota

[DaKid]

What a disaster yesterday. Especially all the touts on UCLA.