11-15-11

[Mr. IWS]

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[Mr. IWS]

NHL NEWS AND NOTES
Leafs Look To Snap Home Funk Against Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes at Toronto Maple Leafs (-115, 5.5)
COYOTES (8-4-3) at MAPLE LEAFS (10-6-1)

TV: FS-A (HD), SNET-O

LAST 10: Phoenix 6-2-2; Toronto 5-5-0

SEASON SERIES: This is the first and only meeting. In last year's only meeting in Phoenix, the Coyotes smoked the Leafs 5-1.

BIG STORY: After a fast start, the Leafs are sliding back to the pack. They've lost three of four and have been outscored 19-6 during that span. The Leafs have 21 points and remain in the upper half of the Eastern Conference, but they'll need to right the ship to avoid a continued fall.

The Coyotes are headed in the opposite direction with five wins in their past seven games. Mike Smith has been a rock for coach Dave Tippett, going 7-2-3 with a 2.22 goals-against average and .931 save percentage.

TEAM SCOPE:

COYOTES: There's nothing like a little five-game road trip through the Eastern time zone to find out where your team stands. The Coyotes started the trip in the Western time zone Saturday with an impressive 3-0 win against the San Jose Sharks.

Smith made 31 saves, and continues to impress his coach.

"I know Smith from Dallas," said Tippett, who coached the Stars while Smith was there. "He has always been a good goaltender. I think it is a situation where the goaltender has to earn the trust of the players in front of him and they have to have the trust of their goaltender. Mike has come in and really stabilized that position. Our players have really fed off of how he has played."

MAPLE LEAFS: Playing in front of a raucous crowd at Air Canada Centre on Saturday night, the Leafs jumped to an early 1-0 lead by playing inspired hockey. The lead would dissipate in the second period, as the Ottawa Senators rallied for a 5-2 victory that ended with a pair of empty-net goals for the visiting team.

This recent slide is the first bump in the road for the Leafs, who are still learning what it takes to win consistently.

"I think we're on our way there, but we're still learning and we're going to have to learn how to win these one-goal games that seem to be slipping away from us," captain Dion Phaneuf said. "Not being negative, but when we're up by a goal we tend to sit back. We're going to have to learn to keep pushing and to win these kinds of games that we have leads in."

WHO'S HOT: For the Coyotes, Martin Hanzal has 3 goals and 5 assists in his past 7 games. … With his League-leading 24 points, Phil Kessel has accounted for 17.8 percent of the Maple Leafs' 135 points this season. To put that in perspective, Daniel Sedin of the Canucks has 22 points, which accounts for only 14.3 percent of his team's scoring.

INJURY REPORT: Defenseman Michal Rozsival took a puck in the face in the opener and hasn't played since. … The Leafs' Tim Connolly is dealing with an upper-body injury. Goaltender James Reimer (head/neck) is out, leaving the duties to either Jonas Gustavsson or Ben Scrivens.

STAT PACK: The Leafs haven't beaten the Coyotes since Oct. 23, 2003. The Coyotes have outscored the Leafs 26-11 while going 5-0 since that game. Mikael Tellqvist was the last Leafs goalie to beat the Coyotes, who used Sean Burke -- now the Coyotes' goalie coach -- in that 2003-04 contest.

PUCK DROP: "This is my fourth year with Phoenix and there are not too many times that we have won, so it is nice to get a win here. Most importantly, it shows that if we make that kind of effort here, we can win more often." -- Radim Vrbata, after the Coyotes won in San Jose for the first time since April 2009, a span of seven games

[Mr. IWS]

ICE PICKS

Tuesday's Best NHL Bets

New Jersey Devils at Boston Bruins (-190, 5)

It’s safe to say the Boston Bruins have shaken their Stanley Cup hangover.

They got out of the gate slow and had a lot of problems in their own end and on the forecheck on a nightly basis, but now they head into Tuesday’s date with the Devils riding a five-game winning streak.

They’re averaging six goals per game over the stretch and are playing nasty – just ask Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, who was steamrolled by Milan Lucic on Saturday.

"It's pretty to watch. As a goalie, it's OK to sit back and watch your team play like that sometimes. You've just got to be ready if it comes back your way," Boston goalie Tim Thomas told reporters. "We've seen some beautiful plays."

You wouldn’t go as far to say the same thing about New Jersey’s recent play, but the Devils have reeled off four wins in their last five. Ilya Kovalchuk may also return from his groin injury.

PICK: Over


Phoenix Coyotes at Toronto Maple Leafs (-115, 5.5)

It’s hard to complain about Toronto’s 10-6-1 record, but Leafs bettors should be cautious.

Toronto has dropped three of its last four and some disturbing trends are surfacing. The Leafs had no business picking up a point in an overtime loss to St. Louis last week when they were outshot 32-8 in the final 45 minutes. And they weren’t any better in a 5-2 loss at home to the rival Senators on Saturday, when they welcomed in this year’s Hall of Fame inductees.

“We didn’t have a killer instinct,” coach Ron Wilson told reporters. “Again, like in St. Louis, we backed off a little bit … That’s what we’re going to have to figure out: How to push the pace for 60 minutes and develop that kind of instinct to keep pushing a team down.”

Phoenix won’t let the Leafs off the hook, either. The Coyotes are coming off an impressive 3-0 shutout at San Jose.

PICK: Phoenix

[Mr. IWS]

NCAA CBB NEWS AND NOTES
Tuesday's NCAAB Action: What Bettors Need To Know

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Kentucky Wildcats (-6, N/A)

THE STORY: The two winningest programs in Division I square off when No. 13 Kansas and No. 2 Kentucky meet in the State Farm Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden. Kentucky (2,053 wins) will try to add to its relatively slim lead over Kansas (2,039 wins) on the all-time victory list. Both teams rolled to easy victories in their openers, Kansas routing Towson 100-54 in the EA Sports Maui Invitational and Kentucky rolling Marist 108-58.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT KANSAS (1-0, 0-0 Big 12): The Jayhawks return only one full-time starter in guard Tyshawn Taylor, but they certainly aren't short on talent. Junior forward Thomas Robinson showed the force he is capable of being with 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists against Towson. Junior guard Travis Releford scored 14 points, and 7-foot center Jeff Withey had 10 points and four blocked shots. Kansas will have to nurse along some of its younger, less experienced players, but an eighth straight Big 12 title is not out of the question.

ABOUT KENTUCKY (1-0, 0-0 SEC): The Wildcats have another crop of stellar freshmen with point guard Marquis Teague, 6-10 forward Anthony Davis, 6-7 swingman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and 6-9 forward Kyle Wiltjer. Add to the mix sophomores Doron Lamb (12.3 ppg) and Terrence Jones (15.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg), who returned rather than jumping to the NBA, and the Wildcats should be poised for a deep run. In a testament to their depth, the Wildcats had five players score in double figures against Marist, and Jones wasn't one of them. Davis made a huge splash in his debut, putting up 23 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots. Teague added 16 points to go along with 15 apiece from Lamb and Kidd-Gilchrist and 14 from Wiltjer.

TIP-INS

1. The meeting will mark the first between head coach Bill Self and John Calipari since Self's Kansas team beat Calipari's Memphis squad 75-68 in overtime in the national championship game on April 7, 2008.

2. The teams last met in the second round of the 2007 NCAA tournament, with Kansas winning 88-76 in Chicago. Kentucky leads the all-time series 19-6, but Kansas has won the last three meetings.

3. The Wildcats will be the highest-ranked team Kansas has faced since beating No. 2 Memphis in the national title game in 2007 and the highest-ranked regular-season opponent since the Jayhawks beat No. 1 Florida in the 2006 Las Vegas Invitational.


Florida Gators at Ohio State Buckeyes (-10.5)

THE STORY: The reigning Big Ten and SEC champions clash when No. 3 Ohio State hosts No. 10 Florida as part of the Global Sports Shootout. The Buckeyes opened their four-game Shootout slate with a 73-43 rout of Wright State, while the Gators rolled to a 99-59 home win over Jackson State. Ohio State won at Florida last season, 93-75.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT FLORIDA (1-0, 0-0 SEC): The Gators won their opener for the 21st consecutive season, using an early 23-0 run to build a 33-point lead in the first 11:08 of play. Junior guards Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario paced five players in double digits with 19 points, while sophomore C Patric Young had 12 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Senior PG Erving Walker joined Boynton as a second-team All-SEC pick last season.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten): The Buckeyes had no trouble getting past the Raiders on Friday, riding a 19-point effort from sophomore All-America PF Jared Sullinger. Senior SG William Buford, who will make his 100th career start Tuesday, added 13 points in the opener, while sophomore Aaron Craft added 10 points and three steals. Sophomore SF Deshaun Thomas and sophomore SG Lenzelle Smith Jr. both made a smooth transition into the starting lineup, combining for 17 points.

TIP-INS

1. Ohio State leads the all-time series, 7-4, but Florida claimed the biggest matchup — an 84-75 victory in the 2007 national championship game.

2. The Buckeyes have won 23 straight home games and are 38-1 in Columbus since the start of the 2009-10 season.

3. Florida posted the third-best road record in the nation last season, winning 75 percent of its games away from home.


Belmont Bruins at Memphis Tigers (N/A)

THE STORY: Belmont is certainly not shying away from big-time competition early in the season. After narrowly falling at No. 6 Duke on Friday, the Bruins will take another stab at a top 10 team when they visit No. 10 Memphis on Tuesday in the opening round of the EA Sports Maui Invitational. Belmont, which returns 10 of its top 12 players from last season, battled Duke to the final buzzer before falling 77-76. A strong favorite to take the Atlantic Sun Conference, the Bruins are hoping for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and are tuning up against top competition. The Tigers return five starters and are the favorites to assume their customary place atop Conference USA.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN3.com.

ABOUT BELMONT (0-1): The Bruins start three seniors and two juniors on a team that went 30-5 last season and lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Belmont certainly did not appear fazed by the big stage Friday, going into Cameron Indoor Stadium on national television and taking Duke to the wire. The Bruins forced 19 turnovers and were even on the glass (33-33). Five players reached double figures in scoring for Belmont, led by Kerron Johnson’s 15 points.

ABOUT MEMPHIS (2010-11: 25-10, 10-6 C-USA): Coach Josh Pastner has done a remarkable job of rebuilding the program since taking over from John Calipari. After missing the NCAA Tournament in his first season, Pastner guided the Tigers to a Conference USA tournament title in 2011. Still very young with five freshmen and sophomores among the top seven in the rotation, Memphis will lean on senior Wesley Witherspoon and sophomore Will Barton - the team’s leading returning scorer.

TIP-INS:

1. The Bruins led the nation in bench production last season at 40.2 points.

2. The Tigers are 17-5 all-time against Atlantic Sun Conference foes.

3. Memphis is getting some help on the sidelines from Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton, who played with Pastner at Arizona and is serving as an assistant during the NBA lockout

[Mr. IWS]

COLLEGE FUNDS

Tuesday's Best NCAA CBB Bets

Michigan State Spartans vs Duke Blue Devils (-6, N/A)

With all eyes on Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski as he looks for his 903rd career win, Michigan State is getting lost in the shuffle.

If nothing else, you have to admire the Spartans’ gumption for starting the season on an air craft carrier against North Carolina and then following it up with a date with Duke at Madison Square Garden in the State Farm Champions Classic.

"We’re going to know, and we’re going to learn, where we’re at," Spartans coach Tom Izzo told reporters. "It’ll be easier to coach guys, to say, if you didn’t win the game, and you did a poor job, this is where you gotta get to, this is where you gotta be."

The Spartans allowed the Tar Heels to get out on a 22-6 run before the half on Veteran’s Day and then cruised to a 67-55 victory as Michigan State battled foul trouble.

Tom Izzo’s boys will have a tough time again as Coach K and the Blue Devils look to make history.

PICK: Duke


Kansas Jayhawks vs Kentucky Wildcats (-6, N/A)

Kentucky coach John Calipari knows how important it is for his young Wildcats to get out to a solid start to the season, but it doesn’t sound like everyone’s on the same page yet.

“This is a great test,” Calipari told reporters. “If we’re in a close game and stuff doesn’t go right, don’t look at my players. That’s me. We just haven’t had time. It’s the middle of November. Let’s hope it’s not a one-point game and someone has the ball late.”

Kentucky does have six freshman, but it’s not like the Jayhawks have a ton of experience either and both clubs aren’t afraid to talk about this matchup’s importance either.

“This game right here is like a statement game, to let everybody know how good we are,” UK guard Doron Lamb said. “We just want to prove to everybody that we’re the best team in the country.”

This one goes down to the wire.

PICK: Kansas

[Mr. IWS]

NCAA CFB NEWS AND NOTES
What Bettors Need To Know: Ball State at Northern Illinois
By David Payne Purdum


Ball State Cardinals at Northern Illinois Huskies (-18.5), 8 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Two first-year MAC coaches getting the most out of their teams collide Tuesday, when Northern Illinois hosts Ball State in chilly DeKalb, Ill.

Dave Doeren, a former Wisconsin defensive coordinator, has the Huskies (7-3 SU, 5-5 ATS) in position to defend their MAC West Crown. Northern Illinois is ninth in the nation in both rushing offense (250.4 yards ppg.) and scoring offense (41.6 points).

Pete Lembo’s Cardinals (6-4 SU, 6-4 ATS) have equaled their win total for the last two years combined, despite being ranked 118th in total defense.

The seven weekday MAC games in November have averaged 76.28 points with five of the seven eclipsing the total.

THE LINE

The Huskies opened as 17-point favorites Sunday at the Las Vegas Wynn. But early money came in on Northern Illinois, pushing the line up to -18.5 by Monday morning. The Huskies have covered seven of their last eight home games as a favorite.

RECENT HISTORY

The Huskies went on the road and blasted Ball State 59-21 as 15.5-point favorites last season, with quarterback Chandler Harnish passing for 247 yards and two touchdowns.

Northern Illinois has won five straight overall, including last Tuesday’s 45-14 pummeling of Bowling Green. The Huskies have covered the spread in four of their last five.

Ball State also is surging down the stretch, having won three of four, including a 33-31 win at improving Eastern Michigan on Nov. 5. The Cardinals have covered the spread in four straight games.

INJURY REPORT

Northern Illinois will be without starting freshman linebacker Jamaal Bass (suspension). Freshman Michael Santacaterina started in place of Bass last week and played well.

Ball State is not reporting any recent significant injuries.

WEATHER

Temperatures are expected to dip into the 30s around kickoff with a calming 12 mph NW wind.

TRENDS

Cardinals are 23-8 ATS as road underdogs and 30-11 ATS in last 41 road games overall.

Most of Huskies’ ATS success has come against weaker competition. Northern Illinois is 5-11 ATS versus a team with a winning record.

The over is 10-3 in Ball State’s last 13 conference games and 6-1 in Northern Illinois last seven games in November.

[Mr. IWS]

BANG THE BOOK

Tuesday's Best NCAA CFB Bet

Ball State Cardinals at Northern Illinois Huskies (-18.5)

Tuesday night NCAA football betting action heads to DeKalb this week in the MAC, as the Northern Illinois Huskies try to take down the Ball State Cardinals.

The Cardinals have only played in five bowl games in their history, and they have yet to win their first. If they can figure out how to win these final two games of the regular season, they’ll win the MAC West and will be guaranteed a bowl bid. It’s easier said than done, though, and anything less than two wins probably won’t send Ball State bowling. This is an offense that has been all over the board over the course of this season. The team scored a combined 13 points against the South Florida Bulls, Oklahoma Sooners, and Temple Owls, but over the course of the last three weeks, the unit has scored at least 31 points in all three and has averaged 33.0 points per game. This is a team that is going to throw the pill all over the field, as it has already thrown it 354 times with QB Keith Wenning this year. Wenning has 2,233 yards and 15 TDs against nine picks to show for his work, and he also has 158 rushing yards to boot. He spreads the ball around quite a bit though, as Wenning has seven receivers with at least 15 catches and 123 yards.

The Huskies just keep putting the ball in the end zone. They have scored at least 40 points eight times this year, and they have now won five games in a row because of their offense. This unit is good for 486.1 yards and 41.6 points per game, which is stunning considering how badly the team played against the vaunted Wisconsin Badgers earlier this year. It’s all about the play of QB Chandler Harnish, though. At least in terms of statistically, this is one of the most electric players in the entire country. Harnish has 2,256 passing yards and 20 TDs against four picks as a passer, and he has 1,022 rushing yards and nine scores with an 8.0 yards per carry average on the ground. Of course, RB Jasmin Hopkins isn’t one to rest on either. He has rumbled for 726 yards and has 13 visits to the end zone. If you’re going to beat this team, it’s going to come against this defense. However, the poor Toledo Rockets scored 60 on these Huskies, and it wasn’t enough, which basically took them out of the MAC West title race without a lot of help.

Ball State Cardinals @ Northern Illinois Huskies Pick: In the end, this defense has really struggled a lot more on the road than at home. NIU has played a lot better ball here in DeKalb, and with the MAC West crown on the line, it will come up with a big effort in a standalone game on the Tuesday night slate.

PICK: Northern Illinois -18.5

[Mr. IWS]

Tuesday’s Betting Tips: Coach K Goes For Record Win

WEATHER TO WATCH

Meteorologists predict temperatures will dip into the 30s around the kickoff of Tuesday’s Ball State-Northern Illinois matchup with a 12 mph NW wind.

WHO'S HOT

NCAAF: Ball State has covered in four straight games.

NHL: Colorado is 10-3-1 in its last 14 meetings with Pittsburgh.

NHL: Dallas is 15-6 in its last 21.

NCAAB: The over is 21-7-1 in California’s last 29.

NCAAB: Florida is riding an 8-2-1 run against the spread.

WHO'S NOT

NCAAF: Northern Illinois is 5-11 against the spread against teams with a winning record.

NHL: Columbus is 4-15 in its last 19 home games.

NHL: Nashville is 0-5 in its last five meetings with Washington.

NCAAB: Michigan State is 7-18-1 against the spread in its last 26.

NCAAB: Kentucky is 0-4-1 against the spread in its last five against Big 12 teams.

KEY STAT

41.6 – Northern Illinois averages 41.6 points per game this season and has been held under 40 points just once in its last seven games. The Huskies won six of those games outright and they are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight home contests.

INJURY THAT SHOULDN'T BE OVERLOOKED

Mike Green, Washington Capitals - Washington Capitals stud defenseman Mike Green's return to the lineup was short-lived. Green re-injured his right ankle in the first period of Friday's victory over the New Jersey Devils and didn’t join the team’s trip for Tuesday’s game in Nashville. He had been sidelined for six consecutive games during which the Capitals went 2-4. Green initially suffered the injury Oct. 22 against the Detroit Red Wings. The former first-round pick has three goals and three assists in eight games this season.

GAME OF THE DAY

Kansas Jayhawks versus Kentucky Wildcats (-6, N/A)

NOTABLE QUOTABLE

“It’s one of those games where things you’ve got to get better are going to get exposed. We’re going to have to address something coming out of that game. Something’s going to get exposed that we’re going to have to look at and you guys will ask me, ‘Is that going to be a problem for the whole entire year?” – Florida coach Billy Donovan ahead of Florida’s matchup with Ohio State. The Gators are pegged as 10.5-point underdogs.

TIPS AND NOTES

Mike Krzyzewski takes his first stab at his 903rd career win Tuesday against Michigan State at Madison Square Garden in the State Farm Champions Classic. Coach K is tied for the most wins in Division I hoops with Bob Knight after the Blue Devils hammered Presbyterian in their season opener. “I’d rather go out and try to win this game for the right reasons, and the residual is you get 903,” Krzyzewski told reporters. “I mean, that’s another perk you get from it. That’s not the perk. The perk is beating Michigan State, going 3-0 and becoming a better team. And then things add up.” Duke is set as a 6-point favorite.

Rex Grossman will remain the starting quarterback of the Washington Redskins. Coach Mike Shanahan said Monday that he is sticking with Grossman over John Beck for this week's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Grossman was tabbed to start Sunday’s tilt against Miami, his first since being benched in favor of Beck after starting the season's first five games. Beck went 0-3 as the starter, prompting the switch. Grossman has thrown for 1,347 yards and six touchdowns this season. The Redskins opened around +9 at home to Dallas.

Michigan coach Brady Hoke believes quarterback Denard Robinson will be healthy and ready to play in this weekend's game against No. 17 Nebraska. Robinson suffered a sprained wrist during the third quarter of the 20th-ranked Wolverines' 31-14 win over Illinois and did not return. Hoke said Robinson looked good during Sunday's practice and should be fine all week. Robinson has passed for 1,709 yards and rushed for 910 more with 25 total touchdowns this season. Michigan opened as a 3.5-point home favorite.

[Mr. IWS]

NCAA Football Game Picks

Ball State at Northern Illinois

The Huskies look to build on their 7-1 ATS record in their last 8 games as a home favorite. Northern Illinois is the pick (-17) according to Dunkel, which has the Huskies favored by 25. Dunkel Pick: Northern Illinois (-17). Here are all of this week's lined games.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Time Posted: 10:00 p.m. EST (11/14)

Game 301-302: Ball State at Northern Illinois (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Ball State 73.073; Northern Illinois 98.041 Dunkel Line: Northern Illinois by 25; 67 Vegas Line: Northern Illinois by 17; 71 Dunkel Pick: Northern Illinois (-17); Under

[Mr. IWS]

DCI NHL

Season: 71-65 (.522)

BOSTON 3, New Jersey 2
Phoenix vs. TORONTO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
N.Y. Rangers 3, N.Y. ISLANDERS 2
Minnesota vs. COLUMBUS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
PITTSBURGH 4, Colorado 2
Detroit vs. ST. LOUIS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
NASHVILLE 3, Washington 2
DALLAS 3, Florida 2
CALGARY 3, Ottawa 2

[Mr. IWS]

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

753- 552 57 % Free Play Run over 3 YEARS

Free play Tues Charlotte U. -2 1/2

[Mr. IWS]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty hit with the Packers (-13) Monday.

Tuesday it’s Northern Illinois. The deficit is 3029 sirignanos.

[Mr. IWS]

Football Crusher
Play of the Day:

Ball State + Northern Ill OVER 705

[Mr. IWS]

Hockey Crusher
Play of the Day:

Detroit Red Wings + St Louis Blues OVER 5

[Mr. IWS]

Basketball Crusher
Play of the Day:

Villanova -14 over La Salle