12-28-13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Sports Nostradamus

CFB
Cincinnati
Over Louisville

CBB
Syracuse
St John's
Umass
Boston College
Indiana State

[Can'tPickAWinner]

H&H Sports

CBB
Triple Dimes Boston College, Bradley
Double Dimes Marquette, Butler
Single Dime Georgetown, Colorado

NBA
Double Dime Over Bucks
Single Dime Under Nets

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAA Basketball Picks

Louisville at Kentucky

The Cardinals head to Lexington to face a Kentucky team that is coming off a 93-80 win over Belmont and is 0-3-1 ATS in its last 4 games after scoring more than 90 points in the previous game. Louisville is the pick (-2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Cardinals favored by 6. Dunkel Pick: Louisville (-2 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28 Time Posted: 6:00 a.m. EST

Game 525-526: Florida International at Georgetown (12:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Florida International 54.079; Georgetown 69.029 Dunkel Line: Georgetown by 15; 131 Vegas Line: Georgetown by 18; 136 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Florida International (+18); Under

Game 527-528: Villanova at Syracuse (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Villanova 72.613; Syracuse 78.978 Dunkel Line: Syracuse by 6 1/2; 146 Vegas Line: Syracuse by 4; 141 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (-4); Over

Game 529-530: Eastern Michigan at Duke (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Michigan 52.321; Duke 77.140 Dunkel Line: Duke by 25; 153 Vegas Line: Duke by 17 1/2; 144 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Duke (-17 1/2); Over

Game 531-532: Southern Mississippi at Rhode Island (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Southern Mississippi 57.271; Rhode Island 56.474 Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 1 Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 4 Dunkel Pick: Rhode Island (+4)

Game 533-534: Harvard at Fordham (4:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Harvard 59.254; Fordham 55.832 Dunkel Line: Harvard by 3 1/2 Vegas Line: Harvard by 6 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Fordham (+6 1/2)

Game 535-536: Illinois-Chicago vs. Illinois (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Illinois-Chicago 49.430; Illinois 65.019 Dunkel Line: Illinois by 15 1/2 Vegas Line: Illinois by 13 Dunkel Pick: Illinois (-13)

Game 537-538: UC-Irvine at Arizona State (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: UC-Irvine 54.452; Arizona State 69.674 Dunkel Line: Arizona State by 15 Vegas Line: Arizona State by 10 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Arizona State (-10 1/2)

Game 539-540: Columbia vs. St. John's (2:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Columbia 57.192; St. John's 63.534 Dunkel Line: St. John's by 6 1/2 Vegas Line: St. John's by 9 Dunkel Pick: Columbia (+9)

Game 541-542: Nebraska at Cincinnati (12:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Nebraska 59.143; Cincinnati 72.797 Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 13 1/2 Vegas Line: Cincinnati by 11 Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-11)

Game 543-544: George Washington at Hofstra (4:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: George Washington 60.437; Hofstra 53.251 Dunkel Line: George Washington by 7 Vegas Line: George Washington by 10 Dunkel Pick: Hofstra (+10)

Game 545-546: Louisville at Kentucky (4:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Louisville 78.570; Kentucky 72.324 Dunkel Line: Louisville by 6; 152 Vegas Line: Louisville by 2 1/2; 144 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Louisville (-2 1/2); Over

Game 547-548: Akron at South Carolina (4:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Akron 61.596; South Carolina 54.794 Dunkel Line: Akron by 7 Vegas Line: South Carolina by 1 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Akron (+1 1/2)

Game 549-550: BYU at Loyola-Marymount (4:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: BYU 70.025; Loyola-Marymount 56.994 Dunkel Line: BYU by 13 Vegas Line: BYU by 6 Dunkel Pick: BYU (-6)

Game 551-552: Wake Forest at Xavier (5:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Wake Forest 62.758; Xavier 65.090 Dunkel Line: Xavier by 2 1/2 Vegas Line: Xavier by 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Wake Forest (+7 1/2)

Game 553-554: Tulane vs. Kansas State (5:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Tulane 45.627; Kansas State 65.260 Dunkel Line: Kansas State by 19 1/2 Vegas Line: Kansas State by 13 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Kansas State (-13 1/2)

Game 555-556: Providence at Massachusetts (6:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Providence 62.908; Massachusetts 67.853 Dunkel Line: Massachusetts by 5; 137 Vegas Line: Massachusetts by 10; 141 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Providence (+10); Under

Game 557-558: Old Dominion at Richmond (6:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Old Dominion 51.968; Richmond 59.999 Dunkel Line: Richmond by 8 Vegas Line: Richmond by 11 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Old Dominion (+11 1/2)

Game 559-560: Cleveland State at Kent State (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland State 53.919; Kent State 61.745 Dunkel Line: Kent State by 8 Vegas Line: Kent State by 2 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Kent State (-2 1/2)

Game 561-562: Boston College vs. VCU (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Boston College 53.660; VCU 66.249 Dunkel Line: VCU by 12 1/2 Vegas Line: VCU by 9 1/2 Dunkel Pick: VCU (-9 1/2)

Game 563-564: South Florida at Bradley (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: South Florida 54.566; Bradley 55.848 Dunkel Line: Bradley by 1 Vegas Line: South Florida by 1 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Bradley (+1 1/2)

Game 565-566: Missouri at NC State (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Missouri 65.384; NC State 69.348 Dunkel Line: NC State by 4 Vegas Line: NC State by 2 1/2 Dunkel Pick: NC State (-2 1/2)

Game 567-568: San Diego at Pepperdine (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Diego 57.863; Pepperdine 51.610 Dunkel Line: San Diego by 6 Vegas Line: Pepperdine by 1 1/2 Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+1 1/2)

Game 569-570: Santa Clara at Gonzaga (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Santa Clara 55.727; Gonzaga 69.418 Dunkel Line: Gonzaga by 13 1/2 Vegas Line: Gonzaga by 16 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Santa Clara (+16 1/2)

Game 571-572: San Francisco at Portland (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco 51.220; Portland 62.071 Dunkel Line: Portland by 11 Vegas Line: Portland by 8 Dunkel Pick: Portland (-8)

Game 573-574: Alabama at UCLA (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Alabama 62.062; UCLA 72.836 Dunkel Line: UCLA by 10 1/2 Vegas Line: UCLA by 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: UCLA (-8 1/2)

Game 575-576: Georgia at Colorado (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Georgia 59.909; Colorado 69.878 Dunkel Line: Colorado by 10 Vegas Line: Colorado by 14 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Georgia (+14 1/2)

Game 577-578: CS-Fullerton at UNLV (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: CS-Fullerton 49.648; UNLV 68.131 Dunkel Line: UNLV by 18 1/2 Vegas Line: UNLV by 13 1/2 Dunkel Pick: UNLV (-13 1/2)

Game 579-580: Long Beach State at Nevada (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Long Beach State 52.139; Nevada 53.983 Dunkel Line: Nevada by 2 Vegas Line: Nevada by 4 Dunkel Pick: Long Beach State (+4)

Game 581-582: Alcorn State vs. Denver (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Alcorn State 39.912; Denver 52.701 Dunkel Line: Denver by 13 Vegas Line: Denver by 16 Dunkel Pick: Alcorn State (+16)

Game 583-584: Western Illinois at UTEP (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Western Illinois 48.962; UTEP 62.732 Dunkel Line: UTEP by 14 Vegas Line: UTEP by 12 Dunkel Pick: UTEP (-12)

Game 585-586: NC-Greensboro at Virginia Tech (12:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NC-Greensboro 44.350; Virginia Tech 56.415 Dunkel Line: Virginia Tech by 12 Vegas Line: Virginia Tech by 14 1/2 Dunkel Pick: NC-Greensboro (+14 1/2)

Game 587-588: Eastern Washington at Connecticut (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Washington 48.677; Connecticut 71.410 Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 22 1/2; 143 Vegas Line: Connecticut by 19; 138 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-19); Over

Game 589-590: Belmont at Indiana State (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Belmont 55.675; Indiana State 63.763 Dunkel Line: Indiana State by 8 Vegas Line: Indiana State by 6 Dunkel Pick: Indiana State (-6)

Game 591-592: Samford at Marquette (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Samford 44.824; Marquette 65.303 Dunkel Line: Marquette by 20 1/2 Vegas Line: Marquette by 24 Dunkel Pick: Samford (+24)

Game 593-594: Cornell at St. Peter's (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Cornell 38.538; St. Peter's 43.710 Dunkel Line: St. Peter's by 5 Vegas Line: St. Peter's by 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Cornell (+8 1/2)

Game 595-596: Tennessee State at Eastern Illinois (3:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee State 42.740; Eastern Illinois 48.481 Dunkel Line: Eastern Illinois by 5 1/2 Vegas Line: Eastern Illinois by 2 Dunkel Pick: Eastern Illinois (-2)

Game 597-598: Furman at California (6:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Furman 41.632; California 62.192 Dunkel Line: California by 20 1/2 Vegas Line: California by 24 Dunkel Pick: Furman (+24)

Game 599-600: Iona at Northern Iowa (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Iona 53.635; Northern Iowa 63.460 Dunkel Line: Northern Iowa by 10 Vegas Line: Northern Iowa by 6 Dunkel Pick: Northern Iowa (-6)

Game 611-612: Jackson State at Memphis (12:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Jackson State 50.126; Memphis 68.223 Dunkel Line: Memphis by 18; 135 Vegas Line: Memphis by 21 1/2; 139 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Jackson State (+21 1/2); Under

Game 613-614: NJIT at Butler (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NJIT 43.913; Butler 68.353 Dunkel Line: Butler by 24 1/2 Vegas Line: Butler by 21 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Butler (-21 1/2)

Game 615-616: Prairie View at Wisconsin (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Prairie View 36.860; Wisconsin 76.667 Dunkel Line: Wisconsin by 40 Vegas Line: Wisconsin by 33 Dunkel Pick: Wisconsin (-33)

Game 617-618: New Orleans at Michigan State (4:15 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 40.562; Michigan State 68.709 Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 28 Vegas Line: Michigan State by 30 1/2 Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (+30 1/2)

Game 619-620: Mississippi Valley State at Washington State (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi Valley State 39.061; Washington State 55.435 Dunkel Line: Washington State by 16 1/2 Vegas Line: Washington State by 19 Dunkel Pick: Mississippi Valley State (+19)

Game 621-622: TX-Corpus Christi at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: TX-Corpus Christi 45.562; Minnesota 71.125 Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 25 1/2 Vegas Line: Minnesota by 23 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-23 1/2)

Game 623-624: South Alabama at New Mexico State (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 53.690; New Mexico State 68.861 Dunkel Line: New Mexico State by 15 Vegas Line: New Mexico State by 11 1/2 Dunkel Pick: New Mexico State (-11 1/2)

Game 625-626: Holy Cross at Michigan (6:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Holy Cross 55.636; Michigan 68.212 Dunkel Line: Michigan by 12 1/2 Vegas Line: Michigan by 16 Dunkel Pick: Holy Cross (+16)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Hot teams
-- Pacers won last three games, by 33-27-17 points (9-5 HF).
-- Raptors won five of their last seven games (3-6 HF).
-- Wizards won three of their last four games (3-4 HF).
-- Atlanta won four of its last five games (8-4 HF). Bobcats are 10-1-1 vs spread on the road.
-- Bulls won last two games, after losing seven of previous eight.
-- Rockets won three of their last four games (8-3 last 11 HF). Pelicans are 5-3 vs spread in last eight road games.
-- Suns won eight of last ten games (4-0 last four HF).
-- Blazers won seven of their last eight games. Miami won six of its last seven games (2-6 last eight vs spread).
-- Clippers won seven of last eight home games (6-2 vs spread).

Cold Teams
-- Boston lost its last three games, by 1-7-27 points (5-3 HF). Cavaliers lost five of their last six games (4-7 AU).
-- Brooklyn lost four of its last five games (4-2 AU).
-- Knicks lost three of their last four games (1-6 last 7 AU).
-- Pistons lost three of last four games (5-1 last six AU).
-- Mavericks lost three of their last four games.
-- Memphis lost six of its last eight games (4-12 vs spread at home). Nuggets lost last five games, covered one of last eight (5-3 AU).
-- Minnesota lost four of its last five road games. Bucks lost seven of their last eight games overall.
-- 76ers lost eight of last nine games (1-6 last seven AU).
-- Jazz covered twice in its last seven games.

Series records
-- Cavaliers lost seven of last ten games with Boston.
-- Pacers are 2-0 vs Brooklyn this year, winning by 5-17 points.
-- Knicks won four of last six visits to Toronto.
-- Pistons won their last seven games with Washington.
-- Hawks won their last nine games with Charlotte.
-- Bulls won four of last five games with Dallas.
-- Rockets won four of last five games with New Orleans.
-- Nuggets won three of last four games with Memphis.
-- Timberwolves lost three of last four visits to Milwaukee.
-- 76ers won four of last five games with Phoenix.
-- Miami is 4-5 in its last nine games with Portland.
-- Clippers won their last six games with Utah.

Totals
-- Seven of last nine Cleveland road games went over total.
-- 11 of 14 Indiana home games stayed under total; five of Nets' last seven games went over.
-- Five of last six Toronto home games went over.
-- Seven of last nine Detroit road games went over.
-- Six of last seven Atlanta home games went over.
-- Last five Chicago home games stayed under total; Mavericks' last six games all went over.
-- Seven of last ten Houston home games stayed under.
-- Last nine Denver games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last ten Milwaukee home games stayed under.
-- Eight of last ten Phoenix home games went over total.
-- Last seven Portland home games went over the total.
-- 11 of 15 Clipper home games went over the total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Bruins won eight of their last ten games.
-- Tampa Bay won last five games, allowing seven goals.
-- Blackhawks won seven of their last nine games.
-- Los Angeles won nine of its last eleven games.
-- Anaheim won its last nine games, allowing 18 goals.
-- Flyers won three of their last four games. Edmonton won its last two games, after losing its previous six.

Cold teams
-- Senators lost four of their last five games.
-- Canadiens lost four of their last seven games.
-- Florida lost last two games, but won three of last four home games. Red Wings lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Islanders lost 13 of their last 16 games. Devils lost three of their last four.
-- Blues lost three of their last five games.
-- Predators lost last five games, scoring nine goals.
-- Coyotes lost five of their last six games; last four went OT/SO.

Totals
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Ottawa games.
-- Under is 8-3-1 in last 11 Lightning games, 0-2-1 in last three.
-- Five of last six Florida-Detroit games stayed under.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five New Jersey games.
-- Six of last seven St Louis games went over total.
-- Over is 8-4 in last twelve LA-Nashville games.
-- Seven of last ten Phoenix games stayed under total.
-- Over is 8-1-1 in last ten Philly games.

Series records
-- Bruins won 14 of their last 17 games with Ottawa.
-- Canadiens won four of last five games with Tampa Bay.
-- Panthers are 2-0 against Detroit this year, 2-1/3-2so.
-- Islanders won four of last five games with New Jersey.
-- Blues won four of last five games with Chicago.
-- Kings won six of last eight visits to Nashville.
-- Ducks won four of last five games with Phoenix.
-- Home team won last four Philly-Edmonton games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Diamond Dog Sports

Rutgers/Notre Dame Over 53
Miami/Louisville Under 58
Michigan +6

Nuggets/Grizzlies Over 192.5
Jazz/Clippers Over 201
Jazz +13.5

Eastern Michigan +17.5
Akron +2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Root

Bonus game--Notre Dame - MILL--Michigan + __________________________ NO LIMIT CLUB---NORTH CAROLINA For 2nd straight year the Cincinnati Bearcats will be in the Belk Bowl but this year they will face North Carolina. This year\'s match includes the Cincinnati Bearcats standing at a record of 9-3 and North Carolina Tar Heels, who barely squeaked into a bowl game with a 6-6 regular season performance. The Bearcats questionable schedule will be put to test after Cincinnati gets hammered by the ACC\'s North Carolina Tar Heels. The Tar Heels pass happy offense will put up all the numbers needed to win this game in front of their home fans.For those loving trends, the Tar Heels are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. TAKE NORTH CAROLINA __________________________________ Pinnacle---MIAMI-FLORIDA The 24th annual Russell Athletic Bowl will feature the ACC\'s Miami Hurricanes taking on the American Conference\'s Louisville Cardinals. The Louisville Cardinals finished their regular football season with a 11-1 record but have to feel a little dissapointing after playing in BCS Bowl last year. Junior QB Teddy Bridgewater was supposed to be one of the favorites for Heisman but after a so-so year he didn\'t even get invited to New York as a Hesiman finalist. Miami, on the other hand started on fire going 7-0. Coach Al Golden improved his win total for third straight year at Miami and with one of the youngest teams in football we could see Hurricanes as top 10 pre-seeason team in 2014. The big factor for the Hurricanes is to find a way to get the ball back into their possession as quickly as possible during the game. Miami\'s weakness has been in the area of defending against long passes. But with the 4 week layoff for Cardinals QB Bridgewater, long passes may only be used to play catch up. The Hurricanes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games. TAKE MIAMI FLORIDA

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Saturday's Double-Header
By David Schwab

en’s college basketball returns to action in a big way this Saturday after taking a bit of a break for the Christmas Holiday. There will be 13 different ranked teams featured on Saturday’s slate, but CBS will broadcast the only two matchups that pit one ranked team against another including one of the most storied rivalries in college basketball.

No. 8 Villanova Wildcats at No. 2 Syracuse Orange

Villanova remained a part of the new look Big East this season and it has quickly become the conference’s top team with a perfect 11-0 straight up start in non-conference play. This run includes quality victories over then-No. 2 Kansas and No. 22 Iowa. The Wildcats have also been a profitable team to wager on with an 8-1 record against the spread and they have covered in four straight road games. The total has gone OVER in three of their last five games overall.

JayVaughn Pinkston leads a trio of players scoring in double figures with 16.5 points and he is shooting 51.9 percent from the floor. The Wildcats are averaging 82.5 points a game while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 32.7 from three-point range. Their biggest strength has been under the boards with 42 rebounds a game.

The Orange decided to leave the Big East for the ACC and right out of the gate they have already established themselves as a legitimate threat to win their new conference with an undefeated run in nonconference play. Syracuse is also 11-0 SU overall with a 4-3 record ATS. This includes a 1-2 record ATS in three home games with a posted line. The total has gone 3-1-2 in its last five games.

There are four different Orange players averaging double figures a game as part of a scoring average of 76.5 points. The team is shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from beyond the arc. CJ Fair has led the way with 17.8 points and 5.3 rebounds a game and Trevor Cooney is second in scoring with 14.1 points while hitting a solid 39.2 percent of his shots from three-point range.

Syracuse has been opened as a four-point home favorite over its former Big East rival.

This should be a great matchup between two teams that are still extremely familiar with one another. The underdog in this series is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings and the total has gone OVER in six of the last eight games. Villanova has covered in four of its last five road games against the Orange.

No. 6 Louisville Cardinals at No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats

Louisville may be the defending national champion, but a victory this Saturday against its bitter rival would rank almost as high when it comes to recent accomplishments. The Cardinals are positioned well to pull this off with an 11-1 SU start. Their only setback was a 93-84 neutral-site loss to North Carolina as 10-point favorites on Nov. 24. They are 6-4 against the spread this season with the total going OVER in five of eight games with a posted line.

Russ Smith was the biggest holdover from last season’s championship run and he has this team pointed in the right direction again with a team-high 16.8 points and five assists a game. Chris Jones is second with 13.5 points and Montrezl Harrell has led the way under the boards with 8.3 rebounds while chipping in another 12.5 points a game. Louisville is 11th in the nation in scoring with 86.2 points and it is averaging 41.1 rebounds a game.

The Wildcats started this season as the top ranked team in the nation, but it has been a struggle at times with losses to the only other ranked teams they have faced (Michigan State, Baylor and North Carolina). They are 9-3 SU overall with a 4-5-1 record ATS. Kentucky is 0-2-1 ATS in those three losses and the total went OVER in two of the games. The total has stayed UNDER in four of its other six games with a posted line.

Kentucky is ranked 34th in the nation in scoring with an average of 81.5 points and it is shooting a solid 48.2 percent from the field. Freshman phenom Julius Randle has lived up to all the hype with 18.2 points and 11.3 rebounds a game while converting on 54.4 percent of his shots from the floor. The Wildcats have shown good balance on offense with four other players averaging at least nine points a game. Defensively, they are holding teams to 66.3 points and pulling down 44.1 rebounds, which is the seventh-highest total in the country.

This classic college basketball showdown for bragging rights in the Bluegrass State has been opened as a pick 'em.

The Cardinals won those rights last season with an 80-77 victory but they could not cover as seven-point home favorites to fall to just 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings. The total has stayed UNDER in 12 of the last 15 meetings and in seven of the last eight games played in Kentucky.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Villanova at Syracuse: What bettors need to know

Villanova Wildcats at Syracure Orange (OFF)

While it is no longer a Big East showdown, there will be no shortage of hype when No. 2 Syracuse hosts No. 11 Villanova on Saturday. The Orange and Wildcats own identical 11-0 records, have combined for 15 double-digit wins and have each won an early-season tournament - Syracuse capturing the Maui Invitational and Villanova winning the Battle 4 Atlantis title. The teams split two matchups last season in the Orange's final campaign in the Big East before switching to the ACC this season.

"It's funny we're playing this game now," said Wildcats coach Jay Wright. "It feels like we're playing an early season conference game. You know it's not the same, but everything's so familiar." This is the first game for Villanova since Dec. 21 while the Orange have not taken the court since Dec. 20. "It's always good to get a day or two off, especially to rejuvenate your body and get 100 percent healthy," said Syracuse's leading scorer, C.J. Fair. "You can use it that way, but you always want to play games. We have to make sure we're ready to play Villanova."

TV: 2 p.m. ET, CBS

LINE: The line and the total are currently off the board.

ABOUT VILLANOVA (11-0, 8-1 ATS): Defense continues to be the key for the Wildcats, who have held their last four opponents to 60.3 points on 37.9 percent shooting, including just 25.4 percent from beyond the arc. Villanova is not a great 3-point shooting team, although freshman guard Josh Hart made 3-of-4 en route to 19 points in a win over Rider in the Wildcats' most recent game. Hart is fourth on the team in both scoring (9.5) and rebounding (five per game), with JayVaughn Pinkston (16.5 points) and James Bell (6.5 rebounds) leading Villanova in those categories.

ABOUT SYRACUSE (11-0, 4-3 ATS): The Orange are 11-0 for the fourth time in the last five years despite not ranking particularly high nationally in points (99th), rebounds (196th), assists (112th) or field-goal percentage (76th) entering Thursday's action. Fair (17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds) has shot at least 50 percent from the floor in five straight games, although he has struggled from the line (4-of-11) over his last three contests. Freshman point guard Tyler Ennis has 59 assists and only 13 turnovers this season, including a sparkling 35 assists with only five turnovers over his last five contests.

TRENDS:

* Villanova is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Syracuse.
* Over is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
* Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Road team is 4-1 ATS in the last feive meetings.

TIP-INS:

1. Hart (55.9 percent) is one of three Villanova regulars shooting at least 50 percent from the field, joining Pinkston (51.9) and G Darrun Hilliard (52).

2. Syracuse G Trevor Cooney has made exactly five 3-pointers in five of his last seven games.

3. Ennis has not committed more than two turnovers in any game this season.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Louisville at Kentucky: What bettors need to know

Louisville Cardinals at Kentucky Wildcats (OFF)

The in-state showdown between No. 4 Louisville and No. 18 Kentucky on the Wildcats’ home floor on Saturday is devoid of impressive early-season victories. The Cardinals have posted 11 victories by an average of 29.2 points against mediocre competition and lost to North Carolina in their one tough contest. Kentucky is 0-3 against the three fiercest schools on its slate, also falling to North Carolina as well as to Michigan State and Baylor.

The Wildcats are 8-0 at home after tuning up for the big game by downing Belmont 93-80. Kentucky starts four freshmen, so double-digit scorers Julius Randle (18.2), Aaron Harrison (15.1), James Young (13.4) and Andrew Harrison (10.6) are all getting their first taste of the rivalry. Louisville's Russ Smith and Chane Behanan enjoyed last season’s encounter, scoring 21 and 20 points, respectively, in the Cardinals’ 80-77 win. Louisville won last season’s national title and the Wildcats won it all the previous season.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, CBS

LINE: The line and total are currently off the board.

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (11-1, 6-4 ATS): Smith is averaging 16.8 points and a team-leading five assists and figures to rise to the occasion. Two seasons ago, he scored 30 points when the Cardinals lost at Kentucky during a contest where none of his teammates reached double digits. Louisville could use a boost from swingman Luke Hancock, the Most Outstanding Player of last season’s Final Four who is averaging just 7.9 points and shooting a meager 32.8 percent from the field.

ABOUT KENTUCKY (9-3, ATS): Randle has nine double-doubles and five 20-point outings, but coach John Calipari is trying to expand the future NBA player’s game. “We put him in different positions and I love that he made a jump shot,” Calipari said after the freshman sensation scored a season-best 29 points against Belmont. “We’re trying to tell him – ‘Shoot the ball. You’re a good shooter.’” Randle is averaging 11.3 rebounds, including nearly four offensive boards per game.

TRENDS:

* Under is 7-1 in the last eight meetings in Kentucky.
* Under is 12-3 in the last 15 meetings.
* Louisville is 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
* Road team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.

TIP-INS:

1. Kentucky holds a 30-15 edge in the series.

2. Wildcats C Willie Cauley-Stein has blocked 50 shots and is shooting 64.4 percent from the field.

3. Six Louisville players have 10 or more steals and the Cardinals are averaging 9.8 per game.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Our Free Plays are 1145-874 (57%) over the last 5 1/2 years College FB 65-38 this yr,NFL 46-38:

Free winner Sat No Carolina - 2 1/2

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cappers Access

(CFB) Rutgers +14
(CFB) Cincinnati +2.5
(CFB) Louisville -4.5
(CFB) Michigan +5.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Gamblers Data

Free Plays Saturday

Celtics -3.5

Twolves -6

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NCAAF

Bowl Season

Pinstripe Bowl, Bronx 12/28
6-6 Rutgers didn't beat any bowl teams, allowed 41+ points in five of 12 games and went 2-5 after 55-52 OT win at SMU in October, their only win in five road games. Scarlet Knights won four of last five bowl games, losing in OT to Virginia Tech LY- they're 2-0 in this bowl, located close to their New Jersey campus. Notre Dame should also have lot of fans in NYC area; Irish are 2-3 in last five bowls, scoring 14 points in all three of the losses. Only two of their eight wins this year were by more than 10 points; ND is 2-5 vs spread when favored this year. Rutgers is 2-1 as an underdog. Big East team is 7-0 in this bowl, but first four were against a weaker MAC foe; favorites are 3-2, with two games pick 'em. Only one of Notre Dame's last seven games was decided by more than 10 points. Irish are 5-4 this season against teams that went to a bowl game.

Belk Bowl, Charlotte 12/28
Cincinnati scored two TDs in last 0:44 of this bowl LY, turning a 34-34 tie and almost certain loss into a bizarre 48-34 win/cover over Duke in a brutal beat for Duke backers, as Blue Devils fumbled on Cincy 5 with 1:20 left and game tied. Don't like betting bowl teams who won the same bowl the previous year. Both teams lost their starting QB for year with an injury; Bearcats re 3-2 in last five bowls; Tuberville is 7-3 as a coach in bowls. North Carolina lost four of last five bowls, with three of last four decided by 3 or less points; Fedora was 1-2 in bowls at Southern Miss. Tar Heels will have crowd edge with game in Charlotte, not having played in bowl LY, when they were on probation; UNC was 1-5 at one point this year, rallied behind mobile backup QB Williams; they're 2-6 vs bowl teams this year. Cincy won two of three games vs bowl teams.

Russell Athletic Bowl, Orlando 12/28
Could be last college game for Louisville QB Bridgewater; Cardinals' only loss was 38-35 to a good UCF team- last three wins were all by seven points, after first eight were all by 14+. Louisville covered only twice in last nine games; they're 2-2-1 vs spread on road. Miami is excited after not being allowed to play in bowls last two years; they're 1-4 in last five bowls, scoring 14.4 ppg- their last bowl win was 21-20 over Nevada in Idaho in '06. 'canes allowed 31+ points in four of last five games, was 1-5 vs spread in last six- they're 1-1 as an underdog. Miami allowed 273.7 rushing yards/game over last three games. Louisville, which joins ACC next year, won three of last four bowls, but lost two of last three when playing an ACC squad. ACC teams are 9-1 in this bowl last ten years, with Miami's 20-14 (-3.5) loss in '09 only ACC loss in last decade.

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, Tempe, 12/28
Michigan starts freshman QB Morris here, with Gardner (turf toe) out; Morris is 5-9 passing this year, tough spot for him. Wolverines are 1-1 in bowls under Hoke, splitting pair of close games; this isn't your normal Michigan team- they've allowed 42+ points in three of last seven games, lost four of six games decided by 4 or less points, with only wins over Akron/UConn-- playing close games with those teams isn't good. Kansas State lost last five bowls, allowing 34.4 ppg; their last bowl win was in 2002, over Arizona State, host of this bowl. Wildcats lost to I-AA team to start season, rallied to win five of last six games after a 2-4 start. Big Dozen teams are 2-5 in this bowl last seven years; as three of last four games in this bowl were decided by three or less points. Big X teams are 3-3 against the spread as favorites in this game.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB

Saturday, December 28

Syracuse-Villanova were Big East rivals for 30+ years until this season; TV is keeping rivalry going. Villanova is 7-5 in last dozen series games, splitting last four visits here- they're 11-0 this year, beating Kansas and Iowa on neutral floor, only top 75 teams they've played. This is also the first true road game for Villanova outside of Philly. Syracuse has five top 60 wins, no top 30 wins- they force turnovers 25.9% of time.

Southern Miss is 11-2, 3-2 in true road games, losing at Louisville and by 3 at Western Kentucky; Eagles are #8 in country, forcing turnovers 24.7% of time- they turn it over themselves 21.4%. Rhode Island is 1-3 in last four games, with last two losses by total of three points; Rams are shooting 26.7% from arc, 12th-worst %age in US- they're 0-3 in top 100 games, losing by 31-28-1 point.

Cal-Irvine is 3-3 in true road games, with wins at Washington/Denver; Anteaters are 3rd-tallest team in country, don't defend arc well (37.1%). Arizona State makes 40.2% from arc, 54.8% inside it; they're 8-0 against teams outside top 100, with all eight wins by 12+ points. Sun Devils are starting Pac-12 play in five days; this is their final tuneup before that.

11-1 Louisville has played #329 schedule so far, surprisingly easy; their best win was 69-38 over Southern Miss- they lost to North Carolina by 9 on neutral floor. Cardinals beat Kentucky by 3 LY after leading by 17 in second half, ending 4-game series skid. 9-3 Wildcats' losses are all by 5 or less points; they're least experienced team in country. Best team they beat so far is #54 Boise State.

South Carolina beat Akron 69-59 in Hawai'i three days ago, just second win in last six games for Gamecocks; they lost last two home games, to Manhattan/SC Upstate. Carolina was +6 in turnovers Wednesday in a brickfest where teams were combined 7-26 from arc. Zips turn ball over 20.4% of time, shoot just 60.8% on foul line- they lost last two games.

BYU won three of four games with LMU since becoming WCC rivals, winning by 8-3 points in two visits here. Cougars lost three of last four games, but four of their five losses are to top 25 teams- they've played #31 schedule so far. LMU lost by 9 to Vandy, 17 to Pitt in its top 100 games; Lions are making just 26.9% from arc- this is just their third D-I home game this season- they beat Northern Arizona/Cal Poly so far.

Wake Forest-Xavier play most years to honor Skip Prosser, who died a few years ago- he coached at both schools. Home side won last three in series; Wake lost 83-75 in last visit here. Deacons are 10-2 against #334 schedule- this is their first true road game (1-2 on neutral floor). Xavier won last four games, with three of wins by 3 or less points, or in OT.

Providence has been hurt by loss of PG Dunn; they lost to Maryland by 4, Kentucky by 14 on neutral floor, their only top 75 games. Best win for Friars is over #93 Vandy. UMass lost by 5 at Florida State last week its first loss in 11 games; Minutemen outscored Providence 10-4 in last 3:04 of last year's 77-75 win on neutral floor in Puerto Rico tourney.

VCU won six of last seven games, with five of six wins by 13+ points; they lead country, forcing turnovers 28.1% of time; Rams are 3-3 when away from Richmond, with only one win by more than 6 points. BC is 3-8 vs D-I teams, with seven losses to top 100 teams, but 77-67 loss at Auburn Sunday is red flag. All Eagles' defensive metrics are terrible.

NC State is young, hasn't played tough (#290) schedule, but they have won seven games in row, with win at Tennessee; Wolfpack lost by 11 at Cincinnati in its other top 100 game- they protect ball well, but shoot only 30.7% from arc. This is first true road game for Missouri team that lost rivalry game with Illinois by point last week; Tigers hold teams to 28.6% from arc, make 55.8% of their own shots inside arc.

San Francisco won six of last seven games with Portland, winning its last three visits here by 9-1-3 points; Dons are 1-2 on road, losing by 18 at Oregon, 24 at St John's, winning by point at Oregon. Portland is 5-1 in last six games, with impressive win over Princeton in Vegas; weird thing about Pilots is their two home losses to teams not ranked in top 200.

UCLA is 10-2 with both losses east of Mississippi; Bruins are 2-2 vs top 100 teams, winning home games by 5-13 points over Drexel/UCSB. UCLA is making 57.3% of shots inside arc, 40/2% outside. Alabama lost five of last seven games- their last four losses were all by five points or less, with last two at home. Tide lost by hoop at South Florida, in its only true road game this season.

Belmont was down 16 at half, rallied to beat Indiana State 96-95 Nov 14 at home; Bruins shot 68% inside arc in game with lot of fouls called, as both sides shot 29+ FTs. Belmont lost its last three games by 13-28-13 points, all on road; they're overscheduled and haven't played at home in four weeks- opponents are shooting 55.3% inside arc against them. ISU won four of last five games, they're # in US behind arc, making 43.8%.