NCAAB
Thursday, January 27
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Trend Report
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Thursday, January 27
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Trend Report
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NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Thursday, January 27
Arkansas State @ Appalachian State
— Arkansas State (13-4, 4-1) ranked #179 by KenPom
— Tempo: #125
— Experience: #273
— Continuity: #14
— Arkansas State won nine of last 11 D-I games.
— Red Wolves are 1-4 vs teams ranked in top 150.
— Arkansas State’s best win: 67-60 over #146 Texas State
— Red Wolves grab 32.2% of their misses (#66)
— Arkansas State’s schedule, to this point: #340
— bench minutes: #298
— Appalachian State (12-9, 6-2) ranked #171 by KenPom
— Tempo: #341
— Experience: #55
— Continuity: #6
— App State won six of its last seven games.
— App State is 6-8 against teams ranked in top 200.
— All six of App State’s Sun Belt wins were by 8 or less points.
— Opponents are shooting 55% inside arc (#331)
— Appalachian State’s schedule, to this point: #92
— bench minutes: #314
— Sun Belt home favorites of 5 or less points are 5-8 ATS.
— Arkansas State won four of last six series games.
— Three of last four series games went to OT.
— Red Wolves lost three of last four visits to App State.
Delaware @ Towson
— Delaware (14-7, 5-3) ranked #150 by KenPom
— Tempo: #205
— Experience: #110
— Continuity: #56
— Delaware won five of its last seven games.
— Blue Hens are 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 22-11-7 points.
— Delaware’s best win: 81-77 at #160 Drexel.
— Over is 7-2 in Blue Hens’ last nine games.
— Delaware’s schedule, to this point: #249
— bench minutes: #348
— Towson (15-6, 6-2) ranked #87 by KenPom
— Tempo: #318
— Experience: #61
— Continuity: #213
— Towson won six of its last seven games.
— CAA opponents are shooting 48% inside arc (#1 of 10)
— Towson is grabbing 35.5% of its misses (#19)
— Under is 6-3 in Tigers’ last nine games.
— Towson’s schedule to this point: #228
— bench minutes: #222
— CAA home favorites of 5 or less points are 4-6 ATS
— Towson won 69-62 at Delaware Monday night.
— Delaware was 5-26 on arc in that game.
— Towson won nine of last 11 series games.
— Blue Hens lost four of last five visits to Towson.
Weber State @ Northern Colorado
— Weber State (14-5, 7-1) ranked #132 by KenPom
— Tempo: #20
— Experience: #261
— Continuity: #191
— Weber State won last four games, scoring 87.3 ppg.
— Wildcats are forcing turnovers 21.3% of time (#52)
— Weber State is shooting 54.9% inside arc (#35)
— Wildcats are 12-1 vs teams ranked outside top 100.
— Over is 9-1 in Weber State’s last ten games.
— Weber State’s schedule, to this point: #283
— bench minutes: #323
— Northern Colorado (10-8, 5-1) ranked #187 by KenPom
— Tempo: #100
— Experience: #18
— Continuity: #135
— Northern Colorado won six of its last nine D-I games.
— Bears are shooting 55% inside arc (#32)
— Opponents are shooting 37.2% on arc (#323)
— Over is 9-1-1 in Bears’ last eleven games.
— Northern Colorado’s schedule, to this point: #103
— bench minutes: #334
— Big Sky home teams are 4-6 ATS if spread was 3 or less.
— Northern Colorado won four of last six series games.
— Weber lost 85-61/70-52 in last two visits to Greeley.
Ohio State @ Minnesota
— Ohio State (12-4, 5-2) ranked #24 by KenPom
— Tempo: #216
— Experience: #177
— Continuity: #207
— Ohio State hasn’t played in nine days.
— Buckeyes lost last two road games (Indiana/Wisconsin)
— Ohio State is shooting 55.8% inside arc (#18)
— Over is 10-5 in Buckeyes’ last fifteen games.
— Ohio State’s schedule, to this point: #16
— bench minutes: #175
— Minnesota (11-5, 2-5) ranked #88 by KenPom
— Tempo: #306
— Experience: #21
— Continuity: #343
— Minnesota lost four of its last five games.
— Gophers are 3-5 against top 100 teams.
— Big 14 opponents are shooting 54.3% inside arc (#13 of 14)
— Over is 8-2 in Gophers’ last ten games.
— Minnesota’s schedule, to this point: #48
— bench minutes: #355
— Big 14 home underdogs of 5+ points are 3-5 ATS.
— Minnesota won three of last four series games.
— Buckeyes lost their last three visits to Minnesota.
Troy @ South Alabama
— Troy (13-6, 4-2) ranked #182 by KenPom
— Tempo: #156
— Experience: #303
— Continuity: #112
— Troy won seven of its last nine D-I games.
— Trojans are 4-2 vs teams ranked in top 200.
— Troy is turning ball over 21.3% of time (#315)
— Trojans’ last five games stayed under total.
— Troy’s schedule, to this point: #250
— bench minutes: #8
— South Alabama (14-5, 4-2) ranked #138 by KenPom
— Tempo: #122
— Experience: #57
— Continuity: #334
— South Alabama won last four games, giving up 64.5 ppg.
— Jaguars are forcing turnovers 21.7% of time (#46)
— South Alabama is 6-4 against teams in top 200.
— Three of Jaguars’ last four games stayed under.
— South Alabama’s schedule, to this point: #214
— bench minutes: #321
— Sun Belt home favorites of more than 5 points are 1-5 ATS.
— South Alabama won last six series games.
— Troy lost four of last five visits to Mobile.
Loyola Chi @ Southern Illinois
— Loyola Chi (15-3, 6-1) ranked #29 by KenPom
— Tempo: #328
— Experience: #35
— Continuity: #51
— Loyola won 10 of its last 11 D-I games.
— Ramblers are 4-0 in true road games, giving up 56.5 ppg.
— Loyola is shooting 57.3% inside arc (#8)
— Over is 6-2 in Ramblers’ last eight games.
— Loyola Chi’s schedule, to this point: #137
— bench minutes: #106
— Southern Illinois (10-10, 3-5) ranked #129 by KenPom
— Tempo: #351
— Experience: #184
— Continuity: #106
— Southern Illinois lost five of its last six games.
— Salukis lost six of seven top 100 games.
— Southern Illinois’ best win: 67-63 over #78 Colorado.
— Under is 12-6 in Salukis games this year.
— Southern Illinois schedule, to this point: #185
— bench minutes: #281
— MVC home underdogs are 11-4 ATS.
— Loyola beat SIU 59-47 at home Tuesday.
— Ramblers won five of last seven series games.
— Loyola lost 63-53/68-63 in last two trips to Carbondale.
Armadillo's Write-Up
Thursday, January 27
Arkansas State @ Appalachian State
— Arkansas State (13-4, 4-1) ranked #179 by KenPom
— Tempo: #125
— Experience: #273
— Continuity: #14
— Arkansas State won nine of last 11 D-I games.
— Red Wolves are 1-4 vs teams ranked in top 150.
— Arkansas State’s best win: 67-60 over #146 Texas State
— Red Wolves grab 32.2% of their misses (#66)
— Arkansas State’s schedule, to this point: #340
— bench minutes: #298
— Appalachian State (12-9, 6-2) ranked #171 by KenPom
— Tempo: #341
— Experience: #55
— Continuity: #6
— App State won six of its last seven games.
— App State is 6-8 against teams ranked in top 200.
— All six of App State’s Sun Belt wins were by 8 or less points.
— Opponents are shooting 55% inside arc (#331)
— Appalachian State’s schedule, to this point: #92
— bench minutes: #314
— Sun Belt home favorites of 5 or less points are 5-8 ATS.
— Arkansas State won four of last six series games.
— Three of last four series games went to OT.
— Red Wolves lost three of last four visits to App State.
Delaware @ Towson
— Delaware (14-7, 5-3) ranked #150 by KenPom
— Tempo: #205
— Experience: #110
— Continuity: #56
— Delaware won five of its last seven games.
— Blue Hens are 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 22-11-7 points.
— Delaware’s best win: 81-77 at #160 Drexel.
— Over is 7-2 in Blue Hens’ last nine games.
— Delaware’s schedule, to this point: #249
— bench minutes: #348
— Towson (15-6, 6-2) ranked #87 by KenPom
— Tempo: #318
— Experience: #61
— Continuity: #213
— Towson won six of its last seven games.
— CAA opponents are shooting 48% inside arc (#1 of 10)
— Towson is grabbing 35.5% of its misses (#19)
— Under is 6-3 in Tigers’ last nine games.
— Towson’s schedule to this point: #228
— bench minutes: #222
— CAA home favorites of 5 or less points are 4-6 ATS
— Towson won 69-62 at Delaware Monday night.
— Delaware was 5-26 on arc in that game.
— Towson won nine of last 11 series games.
— Blue Hens lost four of last five visits to Towson.
Weber State @ Northern Colorado
— Weber State (14-5, 7-1) ranked #132 by KenPom
— Tempo: #20
— Experience: #261
— Continuity: #191
— Weber State won last four games, scoring 87.3 ppg.
— Wildcats are forcing turnovers 21.3% of time (#52)
— Weber State is shooting 54.9% inside arc (#35)
— Wildcats are 12-1 vs teams ranked outside top 100.
— Over is 9-1 in Weber State’s last ten games.
— Weber State’s schedule, to this point: #283
— bench minutes: #323
— Northern Colorado (10-8, 5-1) ranked #187 by KenPom
— Tempo: #100
— Experience: #18
— Continuity: #135
— Northern Colorado won six of its last nine D-I games.
— Bears are shooting 55% inside arc (#32)
— Opponents are shooting 37.2% on arc (#323)
— Over is 9-1-1 in Bears’ last eleven games.
— Northern Colorado’s schedule, to this point: #103
— bench minutes: #334
— Big Sky home teams are 4-6 ATS if spread was 3 or less.
— Northern Colorado won four of last six series games.
— Weber lost 85-61/70-52 in last two visits to Greeley.
Ohio State @ Minnesota
— Ohio State (12-4, 5-2) ranked #24 by KenPom
— Tempo: #216
— Experience: #177
— Continuity: #207
— Ohio State hasn’t played in nine days.
— Buckeyes lost last two road games (Indiana/Wisconsin)
— Ohio State is shooting 55.8% inside arc (#18)
— Over is 10-5 in Buckeyes’ last fifteen games.
— Ohio State’s schedule, to this point: #16
— bench minutes: #175
— Minnesota (11-5, 2-5) ranked #88 by KenPom
— Tempo: #306
— Experience: #21
— Continuity: #343
— Minnesota lost four of its last five games.
— Gophers are 3-5 against top 100 teams.
— Big 14 opponents are shooting 54.3% inside arc (#13 of 14)
— Over is 8-2 in Gophers’ last ten games.
— Minnesota’s schedule, to this point: #48
— bench minutes: #355
— Big 14 home underdogs of 5+ points are 3-5 ATS.
— Minnesota won three of last four series games.
— Buckeyes lost their last three visits to Minnesota.
Troy @ South Alabama
— Troy (13-6, 4-2) ranked #182 by KenPom
— Tempo: #156
— Experience: #303
— Continuity: #112
— Troy won seven of its last nine D-I games.
— Trojans are 4-2 vs teams ranked in top 200.
— Troy is turning ball over 21.3% of time (#315)
— Trojans’ last five games stayed under total.
— Troy’s schedule, to this point: #250
— bench minutes: #8
— South Alabama (14-5, 4-2) ranked #138 by KenPom
— Tempo: #122
— Experience: #57
— Continuity: #334
— South Alabama won last four games, giving up 64.5 ppg.
— Jaguars are forcing turnovers 21.7% of time (#46)
— South Alabama is 6-4 against teams in top 200.
— Three of Jaguars’ last four games stayed under.
— South Alabama’s schedule, to this point: #214
— bench minutes: #321
— Sun Belt home favorites of more than 5 points are 1-5 ATS.
— South Alabama won last six series games.
— Troy lost four of last five visits to Mobile.
Loyola Chi @ Southern Illinois
— Loyola Chi (15-3, 6-1) ranked #29 by KenPom
— Tempo: #328
— Experience: #35
— Continuity: #51
— Loyola won 10 of its last 11 D-I games.
— Ramblers are 4-0 in true road games, giving up 56.5 ppg.
— Loyola is shooting 57.3% inside arc (#8)
— Over is 6-2 in Ramblers’ last eight games.
— Loyola Chi’s schedule, to this point: #137
— bench minutes: #106
— Southern Illinois (10-10, 3-5) ranked #129 by KenPom
— Tempo: #351
— Experience: #184
— Continuity: #106
— Southern Illinois lost five of its last six games.
— Salukis lost six of seven top 100 games.
— Southern Illinois’ best win: 67-63 over #78 Colorado.
— Under is 12-6 in Salukis games this year.
— Southern Illinois schedule, to this point: #185
— bench minutes: #281
— MVC home underdogs are 11-4 ATS.
— Loyola beat SIU 59-47 at home Tuesday.
— Ramblers won five of last seven series games.
— Loyola lost 63-53/68-63 in last two trips to Carbondale.
UAB @ Western Kentucky
— UAB (16-4, 6-1) ranked #40 by KenPom
— Tempo: #75
— Experience: #85
— Continuity: #186
— UAB won 10 of its last 12 games.
— Blazers force turnovers 23.5% of time (#21)
— UAB is 2-4 in games decided by 6 or less points.
— Over is 8-3 in Blazers’ last eleven games.
— UAB’s schedule, to this point: #239
— bench minutes: #154
— Western Kentucky (10-9, 2-4) ranked #123 by KenPom
— Tempo: #61
— Experience: #48
— Continuity: #270
— Western Kentucky lost five of its last seven games.
— Hilltoppers are 0-5 against top 100 teams.
— Western Kentucky’s best win: 71-48 over #122 Ole Miss.
— Over is 6-1-1 in Hilltoppers’ last eight games.
— Western Kentucky’s schedule, to this point: #159
— bench minutes: #344
— C-USA single digit home underdogs are 6-2 ATS
— Teams split last six series games.
— Blazers lost three of last four visits to WKU.
Purdue @ Iowa
— Purdue (16-3, 5-3) ranked #6 by KenPom
— Tempo: #220
— Experience: #226
— Continuity: #15
— Purdue won eight of its last ten games.
— Boilers are shooting 57.2% inside arc (#9), 40.1% on arc (#3)
— Purdue’s losses are by 2-5-3 points.
— Over is 5-2 in Boilers’ last seven games.
— Purdue’s schedule, to this point: #59
— bench minutes: #21
— Iowa (14-5, 4-4) ranked #19 by KenPom
— Tempo: #52
— Experience: #231
— Continuity: #194
— Iowa won seven of its last nine games.
— Hawkeyes are shooting 54.4% inside arc (#43)
— Iowa is 6-5 against teams ranked in top 100.
— Over is 5-2 in Iowa’s last seven games.
— Iowa’s schedule, to this point: #93
— bench minutes: #44
— Big 14 home underdogs of 4 or less points are 5-4 ATS.
— Purdue beat Iowa 77-70 at home December 3.
— Boilers were 27-37 on foul line, Iowa 15-22.
— Purdue won five of last six series games.
— Boilers lost five of last seven visits to Iowa City.
Cal-Fullerton @ Cal-Davis
— Cal-Fullerton (11-5, 4-0) ranked #154 by KenPom
— Tempo: #260
— Experience: #86
— Continuity: #121
— Fullerton won its last five D-I games, scoring 75.8 ppg.
— Titans split their six games against top 200 teams.
— Fullerton has Big West road wins, at Bakersfield/Irvine.
— Four of Titans’ last five games went over.
— Cal-Fullerton’s schedule, to this point: #246
— bench minutes: #224
— Cal-Davis (8-5, 1-1) ranked #199 by KenPom
— Tempo: #135
— Experience: #332
— Continuity: #88
— Cal-Davis won five of its last seven games.
— Aggies are forcing turnovers 20.4% of time (#84)
— Four of last five Cal-Davis games went over.
— Opponents are shooting 45.2% inside arc (#31)
— Cal-Davis’s schedule, to this point: #330
— bench minutes: #296
— Big West home teams are 3-6 ATS if the spread was 3 or less.
— Fullerton won six of last eight series games.
— Titans lost four of last six visits here.
Long Beach State @ Cal-Riverside
— Long Beach State (8-9, 3-1) ranked #219 by KenPom
— Tempo: #50
— Experience: #187
— Continuity: #235
— Long Beach won its last four games, giving up 62.3 ppg.
— 49ers are 2-9 against teams ranked in top 200.
— Long Beach is forcing turnovers 22.4% of time in Big East tilts (#1 of 11)
— Opponents are shooting 37.4% on arc (#327)
— Long Beach State’s schedule, to this point: #61
— bench minutes: #130
— Cal-Riverside (10-5, 3-1) ranked #146 by KenPom
— Tempo: #311
— Experience: #145
— Continuity: #110
— Riverside won five of its last six games.
— Highlanders are 6-0 vs teams ranked outside top 200.
— Riverside is #4 team in country on defensive boards.
— Under is 9-4 in Highlanders games.
— Cal-Riverside’s schedule, to this point: #137
— bench minutes: #242
— Big West home favorites of 5+ points are 4-2 ATS.
— Long Beach won 21 of last 23 series games.
— Long Beach won their last four visits to Riverside.
Saint Mary’s @ San Francisco
— Saint Mary’s (15-4, 3-1) ranked #22 by KenPom
— Tempo: #330
— Experience: #78
— Continuity: #17
— Saint Mary’s won five of its last six games.
— Gaels are 6-4 vs teams ranked in top 100.
— Saint Mary’s is #5 team in country on defensive boards.
— Four of Gaels’ last six games went over the total.
— Saint Mary’s schedule, to this point: #57
— bench minutes: #315
— San Francisco (16-4, 3-2) ranked #34 by KenPom
— Tempo: #131
— Experience: #72
— Continuity: #130
— San Francisco split its last six games.
— Dons are 4-3 against teams ranked in top 100.
— San Francisco is shooting 55.8% inside arc (#6)
— Dons’ last three games stayed under the total.
— San Francisco’s schedule, to this point: #107
— bench minutes: #197
— WCC single digit home favorites are 3-5 ATS.
— Saint Mary’s won 11 of last 13 series games.
— Teams split last four meetings played here.
BYU @ Santa Clara
— BYU (17-4, 5-1) ranked #23 by KenPom
— Tempo: #126
— Experience: #152
— Continuity: #160
— BYU won six of its last seven D-I games.
— Cougars are 6-3 against top 100 teams.
— BYU is #38 team in country on defensive boards.
— Under is 5-2 in Cougars’ last seven games.
— BYU’s schedule, to this point: #27
— bench minutes: #94
— Santa Clara (12-7, 2-2) ranked #83 by KenPom
— Tempo: #33
— Experience: #96
— Continuity: #172
— Santa Clara won five of its last seven games.
— Broncos are 2-5 against teams in top 100.
— Santa Clara is shooting 37.6% on arc (#27)
— Over is 5-2 in Broncos’ last seven games.
— Santa Clara’s schedule, to this point: #125
— bench minutes: #326
— WCC home teams are 3-2 ATS if spread was 5 or less.
— BYU is 17-1 vs Santa Clara in WCC meetings.
— Cougars won won six of seven visits to Santa Clara.
Stanford @ USC
— Stanford (11-6, 4-3) ranked #91 by KenPom
— Tempo: #145
— Experience: #314
— Continuity: #111
— Stanford won five of its last seven games.
— Cardinal is turning ball over 23% of time (#346)
— Under is 5-2 in Stanford’s last seven games.
— Cardinal is #14 team in country on defensive boards.
— Stanford’s schedule, to this point: #21
— bench minutes: #35
— USC (17-2, 7-2) ranked #21 by KenPom
— Tempo: #184
— Experience: #193
— Continuity: #117
— USC won last three games, giving up 60.3 ppg.
— Opponents are shooting 40% inside arc (#2)
— USC is 12-0 when it scores 70+ points.
— Over is 5-2 in Trojans’ last seven games.
— USC’s schedule, to this point: #110
— bench minutes: #239
— Pac-12 double digit home favorites are 3-7 ATS.
— USC lost 75-69 at Stanford January 11.
— Trojans made 10-24 on arc, outscored Stanford 16-8 over final 5:58
— USC won five of last seven series games.
— Cardinal lost their last five games in Galen Center.
— UAB (16-4, 6-1) ranked #40 by KenPom
— Tempo: #75
— Experience: #85
— Continuity: #186
— UAB won 10 of its last 12 games.
— Blazers force turnovers 23.5% of time (#21)
— UAB is 2-4 in games decided by 6 or less points.
— Over is 8-3 in Blazers’ last eleven games.
— UAB’s schedule, to this point: #239
— bench minutes: #154
— Western Kentucky (10-9, 2-4) ranked #123 by KenPom
— Tempo: #61
— Experience: #48
— Continuity: #270
— Western Kentucky lost five of its last seven games.
— Hilltoppers are 0-5 against top 100 teams.
— Western Kentucky’s best win: 71-48 over #122 Ole Miss.
— Over is 6-1-1 in Hilltoppers’ last eight games.
— Western Kentucky’s schedule, to this point: #159
— bench minutes: #344
— C-USA single digit home underdogs are 6-2 ATS
— Teams split last six series games.
— Blazers lost three of last four visits to WKU.
Purdue @ Iowa
— Purdue (16-3, 5-3) ranked #6 by KenPom
— Tempo: #220
— Experience: #226
— Continuity: #15
— Purdue won eight of its last ten games.
— Boilers are shooting 57.2% inside arc (#9), 40.1% on arc (#3)
— Purdue’s losses are by 2-5-3 points.
— Over is 5-2 in Boilers’ last seven games.
— Purdue’s schedule, to this point: #59
— bench minutes: #21
— Iowa (14-5, 4-4) ranked #19 by KenPom
— Tempo: #52
— Experience: #231
— Continuity: #194
— Iowa won seven of its last nine games.
— Hawkeyes are shooting 54.4% inside arc (#43)
— Iowa is 6-5 against teams ranked in top 100.
— Over is 5-2 in Iowa’s last seven games.
— Iowa’s schedule, to this point: #93
— bench minutes: #44
— Big 14 home underdogs of 4 or less points are 5-4 ATS.
— Purdue beat Iowa 77-70 at home December 3.
— Boilers were 27-37 on foul line, Iowa 15-22.
— Purdue won five of last six series games.
— Boilers lost five of last seven visits to Iowa City.
Cal-Fullerton @ Cal-Davis
— Cal-Fullerton (11-5, 4-0) ranked #154 by KenPom
— Tempo: #260
— Experience: #86
— Continuity: #121
— Fullerton won its last five D-I games, scoring 75.8 ppg.
— Titans split their six games against top 200 teams.
— Fullerton has Big West road wins, at Bakersfield/Irvine.
— Four of Titans’ last five games went over.
— Cal-Fullerton’s schedule, to this point: #246
— bench minutes: #224
— Cal-Davis (8-5, 1-1) ranked #199 by KenPom
— Tempo: #135
— Experience: #332
— Continuity: #88
— Cal-Davis won five of its last seven games.
— Aggies are forcing turnovers 20.4% of time (#84)
— Four of last five Cal-Davis games went over.
— Opponents are shooting 45.2% inside arc (#31)
— Cal-Davis’s schedule, to this point: #330
— bench minutes: #296
— Big West home teams are 3-6 ATS if the spread was 3 or less.
— Fullerton won six of last eight series games.
— Titans lost four of last six visits here.
Long Beach State @ Cal-Riverside
— Long Beach State (8-9, 3-1) ranked #219 by KenPom
— Tempo: #50
— Experience: #187
— Continuity: #235
— Long Beach won its last four games, giving up 62.3 ppg.
— 49ers are 2-9 against teams ranked in top 200.
— Long Beach is forcing turnovers 22.4% of time in Big East tilts (#1 of 11)
— Opponents are shooting 37.4% on arc (#327)
— Long Beach State’s schedule, to this point: #61
— bench minutes: #130
— Cal-Riverside (10-5, 3-1) ranked #146 by KenPom
— Tempo: #311
— Experience: #145
— Continuity: #110
— Riverside won five of its last six games.
— Highlanders are 6-0 vs teams ranked outside top 200.
— Riverside is #4 team in country on defensive boards.
— Under is 9-4 in Highlanders games.
— Cal-Riverside’s schedule, to this point: #137
— bench minutes: #242
— Big West home favorites of 5+ points are 4-2 ATS.
— Long Beach won 21 of last 23 series games.
— Long Beach won their last four visits to Riverside.
Saint Mary’s @ San Francisco
— Saint Mary’s (15-4, 3-1) ranked #22 by KenPom
— Tempo: #330
— Experience: #78
— Continuity: #17
— Saint Mary’s won five of its last six games.
— Gaels are 6-4 vs teams ranked in top 100.
— Saint Mary’s is #5 team in country on defensive boards.
— Four of Gaels’ last six games went over the total.
— Saint Mary’s schedule, to this point: #57
— bench minutes: #315
— San Francisco (16-4, 3-2) ranked #34 by KenPom
— Tempo: #131
— Experience: #72
— Continuity: #130
— San Francisco split its last six games.
— Dons are 4-3 against teams ranked in top 100.
— San Francisco is shooting 55.8% inside arc (#6)
— Dons’ last three games stayed under the total.
— San Francisco’s schedule, to this point: #107
— bench minutes: #197
— WCC single digit home favorites are 3-5 ATS.
— Saint Mary’s won 11 of last 13 series games.
— Teams split last four meetings played here.
BYU @ Santa Clara
— BYU (17-4, 5-1) ranked #23 by KenPom
— Tempo: #126
— Experience: #152
— Continuity: #160
— BYU won six of its last seven D-I games.
— Cougars are 6-3 against top 100 teams.
— BYU is #38 team in country on defensive boards.
— Under is 5-2 in Cougars’ last seven games.
— BYU’s schedule, to this point: #27
— bench minutes: #94
— Santa Clara (12-7, 2-2) ranked #83 by KenPom
— Tempo: #33
— Experience: #96
— Continuity: #172
— Santa Clara won five of its last seven games.
— Broncos are 2-5 against teams in top 100.
— Santa Clara is shooting 37.6% on arc (#27)
— Over is 5-2 in Broncos’ last seven games.
— Santa Clara’s schedule, to this point: #125
— bench minutes: #326
— WCC home teams are 3-2 ATS if spread was 5 or less.
— BYU is 17-1 vs Santa Clara in WCC meetings.
— Cougars won won six of seven visits to Santa Clara.
Stanford @ USC
— Stanford (11-6, 4-3) ranked #91 by KenPom
— Tempo: #145
— Experience: #314
— Continuity: #111
— Stanford won five of its last seven games.
— Cardinal is turning ball over 23% of time (#346)
— Under is 5-2 in Stanford’s last seven games.
— Cardinal is #14 team in country on defensive boards.
— Stanford’s schedule, to this point: #21
— bench minutes: #35
— USC (17-2, 7-2) ranked #21 by KenPom
— Tempo: #184
— Experience: #193
— Continuity: #117
— USC won last three games, giving up 60.3 ppg.
— Opponents are shooting 40% inside arc (#2)
— USC is 12-0 when it scores 70+ points.
— Over is 5-2 in Trojans’ last seven games.
— USC’s schedule, to this point: #110
— bench minutes: #239
— Pac-12 double digit home favorites are 3-7 ATS.
— USC lost 75-69 at Stanford January 11.
— Trojans made 10-24 on arc, outscored Stanford 16-8 over final 5:58
— USC won five of last seven series games.
— Cardinal lost their last five games in Galen Center.
Ohio State is 1-4 ATS in the past five road games.
Minnesota is 1-5-1 ATS in the past seven home games.
The OVER is 19-7 in the past 26 road games for Ohio State.
The OVER is 20-6 past 26 road games for Ohio State vs. teams with winning home mark.
The UNDER is 3-0-1 in the past four vs. winning teams.
The OVER is 4-0 in the past four overall for Minnesota.
The favorite is 20-6 ATS in the past 26 meetings.
The home team is 10-4 ATS in the past 14 meetings.
Purdue is 1-4 ATS in the past five road games.
Iowa is 33-15-3 ATS in the past 51 home games.
Iowa is 7-3 ATS in the past 10 following a SU win.
The OVER is 5-2 in the past seven games for Purdue.
The OVER is 5-2-1 in the past eight vs. winning teams for Purdue.
The OVER is 15-5-1 in the past 21 games overall for Iowa.
The OVER is 23-9-1 in the past 33 home games for Iowa.
The OVER is 6-0 in the past six home games for Iowa vs. teams with a winning road mark.
The home team is 16-6 ATS in the past 22 meetings.
Minnesota is 1-5-1 ATS in the past seven home games.
The OVER is 19-7 in the past 26 road games for Ohio State.
The OVER is 20-6 past 26 road games for Ohio State vs. teams with winning home mark.
The UNDER is 3-0-1 in the past four vs. winning teams.
The OVER is 4-0 in the past four overall for Minnesota.
The favorite is 20-6 ATS in the past 26 meetings.
The home team is 10-4 ATS in the past 14 meetings.
Purdue is 1-4 ATS in the past five road games.
Iowa is 33-15-3 ATS in the past 51 home games.
Iowa is 7-3 ATS in the past 10 following a SU win.
The OVER is 5-2 in the past seven games for Purdue.
The OVER is 5-2-1 in the past eight vs. winning teams for Purdue.
The OVER is 15-5-1 in the past 21 games overall for Iowa.
The OVER is 23-9-1 in the past 33 home games for Iowa.
The OVER is 6-0 in the past six home games for Iowa vs. teams with a winning road mark.
The home team is 16-6 ATS in the past 22 meetings.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27
Game Time(ET) Pick Units
ARST at APP 06:30 PM
ARST +3.5
+500
HOF at COFC 07:00 PM
HOF -2.5
+500
DREX at JMU 07:00 PM
JMU -3.5
O 147.0
+500 +500
CWM at ELON 07:00 PM
ELON -8.0
+500
DEL at TOWS 07:00 PM
U 139.5
+500
NE at UNCW 07:00 PM
NE +4.0
O 137.0
+500 +500
SFPA at WAG 07:00 PM
WAG -15.0
+500
SFBK at SH 07:00 PM
SFBK +2.5
+500
MSM at FDU 07:00 PM
MSM -6.0
+500
LIU at CCSU 07:00 PM
O 142.5
+500
MILW at RMU 07:00 PM
MILW -1.5
+500
MURR at TNTC 07:00 PM
MURR -12.5
+500
NORAL at LIB 07:00 PM
LIB -14.0
+500
WEBB at UNCA 07:00 PM
O 139.0
+500
UALR at CCU 07:00 PM
U 141.5
+500
MTU at MRSH 07:00 PM
MTU +2.5
+500
LIP at JAC 07:00 PM
JAC -3.0
+500
WIGB at YSU 07:00 PM
YSU -5.5
+500
UIC at DETU 07:00 PM
UIC +5.0
+500
MW at BRY 07:00 PM
BRY -7.5
+500
JVST at KENN 07:30 PM
KENN +2.5
+500
GASO at ULM 07:30 PM
GASO +1.0
+500
BELL at STET 07:30 PM
BELL -4.5
+500
RICE at LT 07:30 PM
RICE +10.0
O 148.5
+500 +500
***********************
GSU at ULL 08:00 PM
GSU +2.0
+500
FIU at UTSA 08:00 PM
FIU -2.5
+500
UNO at HBU 08:00 PM
O 148.0
+500
OSU at MINN 08:00 PM
U 134.5
+500
ORU at NEOM 08:00 PM
O 165.0
+500
TXST at UTA 08:00 PM
TXST -3.5
+500
UND at SDST 08:00 PM
U 160.5
+500
TNST at SIUE 08:30 PM
SIUE -5.0
+500
BEL at PEAY 08:30 PM
O 146.0
+500
***********************
UAB at WKU 09:00 PM
U 146.5
+500
KC at DEN 09:00 PM
O 134.0
+500
PUR at IOWA 09:00 PM
PUR -2.0
+500
CAL at UCLA 09:00 PM
U 131.0
+500
ECU at MEM 09:00 PM
U 147.0
+500
IDHO at MONT 09:00 PM
MONT -14.0
+500
EWU at MTST 09:00 PM
MTST -7.5
+500
**********************
SMC at SF 10:00 PM
SF -2.0
+500
LBSU at UCRV 10:00 PM
LBSU +5.0
+500
CSB at UCI 10:00 PM
U 122.0
+500
CP at UCSD 10:00 PM
CP +6.5
U 131.5
+500 +500
SUU at PRST 10:00 PM
SUU -6.0
O 146.5
+500 +500
IDST at CSUS 10:00 PM
O 131.0
+500
PEPP at USD 10:30 PM
O 139.5
+500
LMU at GONZ 11:00 PM
O 156.5
+500
BYU at SCU 11:00 PM
SCU +3.0
+500
COLO at WASH 11:00 PM
COLO -2.5
U 135.0
+500 +500
STAN at USC 11:00 PM
USC -10.5
+500
Game Time(ET) Pick Units
ARST at APP 06:30 PM
ARST +3.5
+500
HOF at COFC 07:00 PM
HOF -2.5
+500
DREX at JMU 07:00 PM
JMU -3.5
O 147.0
+500 +500
CWM at ELON 07:00 PM
ELON -8.0
+500
DEL at TOWS 07:00 PM
U 139.5
+500
NE at UNCW 07:00 PM
NE +4.0
O 137.0
+500 +500
SFPA at WAG 07:00 PM
WAG -15.0
+500
SFBK at SH 07:00 PM
SFBK +2.5
+500
MSM at FDU 07:00 PM
MSM -6.0
+500
LIU at CCSU 07:00 PM
O 142.5
+500
MILW at RMU 07:00 PM
MILW -1.5
+500
MURR at TNTC 07:00 PM
MURR -12.5
+500
NORAL at LIB 07:00 PM
LIB -14.0
+500
WEBB at UNCA 07:00 PM
O 139.0
+500
UALR at CCU 07:00 PM
U 141.5
+500
MTU at MRSH 07:00 PM
MTU +2.5
+500
LIP at JAC 07:00 PM
JAC -3.0
+500
WIGB at YSU 07:00 PM
YSU -5.5
+500
UIC at DETU 07:00 PM
UIC +5.0
+500
MW at BRY 07:00 PM
BRY -7.5
+500
JVST at KENN 07:30 PM
KENN +2.5
+500
GASO at ULM 07:30 PM
GASO +1.0
+500
BELL at STET 07:30 PM
BELL -4.5
+500
RICE at LT 07:30 PM
RICE +10.0
O 148.5
+500 +500
***********************
GSU at ULL 08:00 PM
GSU +2.0
+500
FIU at UTSA 08:00 PM
FIU -2.5
+500
UNO at HBU 08:00 PM
O 148.0
+500
OSU at MINN 08:00 PM
U 134.5
+500
ORU at NEOM 08:00 PM
O 165.0
+500
TXST at UTA 08:00 PM
TXST -3.5
+500
UND at SDST 08:00 PM
U 160.5
+500
TNST at SIUE 08:30 PM
SIUE -5.0
+500
BEL at PEAY 08:30 PM
O 146.0
+500
***********************
UAB at WKU 09:00 PM
U 146.5
+500
KC at DEN 09:00 PM
O 134.0
+500
PUR at IOWA 09:00 PM
PUR -2.0
+500
CAL at UCLA 09:00 PM
U 131.0
+500
ECU at MEM 09:00 PM
U 147.0
+500
IDHO at MONT 09:00 PM
MONT -14.0
+500
EWU at MTST 09:00 PM
MTST -7.5
+500
**********************
SMC at SF 10:00 PM
SF -2.0
+500
LBSU at UCRV 10:00 PM
LBSU +5.0
+500
CSB at UCI 10:00 PM
U 122.0
+500
CP at UCSD 10:00 PM
CP +6.5
U 131.5
+500 +500
SUU at PRST 10:00 PM
SUU -6.0
O 146.5
+500 +500
IDST at CSUS 10:00 PM
O 131.0
+500
PEPP at USD 10:30 PM
O 139.5
+500
LMU at GONZ 11:00 PM
O 156.5
+500
BYU at SCU 11:00 PM
SCU +3.0
+500
COLO at WASH 11:00 PM
COLO -2.5
U 135.0
+500 +500
STAN at USC 11:00 PM
USC -10.5
+500
JANUARY'S NCAA BASKETBALL OPINIONS AND BEST BETS !
Date .................W-L-T..............%.................Units
01/27/2022....26-29-1.....47.27%..........-29.50
01/26/2022....17-19-0.....47.22%.........-19.50
01/25/2022....23-15-0.....60.52%........+37.50
01/23/2022.......7-4-0......63.64%........+13.00
01/22/2022....41-42-0.....49.39%..........-26.00
01/21/2022....10-13-1......43.75%..........-21.50
01/20/2022....19-22-0..... 46.34%..........-26.00
01/18/2022....19-22-2.......46.34%..........-26.00
01/17/2022....18-16-1........52.94%.........+2.00
01/16/2022.......5-4-1........55.00%..........+3.00
01/15/2022....35-44-2........44.44%..........-67.00
01/14/2022.......3-2-0.........60.00%..........+4.00
01/13/2022....14-19-1........42.42%...........-34.50
01/12/2022....22-25-0.........46.80%..........-27.50
01/10/2022.......8-9-0..........47.06%............-9.50
01/09/2022.......5-7-2..........42.86%..........-13.50
01/08/2022....47-57-0..........45.19%..........-78.50
01/07/2022........9-9-1.........50.00%...........- 4.50
01/06/2022.....22-17-0.........56.41%.........+16.50
01/05/2022.....12-14-1.........46.30%..........-17.00
01/04/2022.....17-32-0..........34.69%..........-91.00
01/03/2022.........5-3-0..........62.50%.........+ 8.50
01/02/2022.......11-3-1..........76.67%.........+38.50
TOTALS........395-427-9.........48.05%..........-368.50
BEST BETS:
01/27/2022........18-21-1............46.15............-25.50
01/26/2022........10-11-1............47.61............-10.50
01/25/2022........12-11-0............52.17%.........-0.50
01/23/2022...........6-3-0............66.66%.........+13.50
01/22/2022.........25-29-0..........46.49%...........-34.50
01/21/2022.........10-13-1..........43.75%..........-21.50
01/20/2022.........12-17-0...........41.37%.........-33.50
01/18/2022...........9-12-0...........42.85%.........-21.00
01/17/2022...........10-7-0...........58.82%.........+11.50
01/16/2022............5-4-1............55.55%..........+3.00
01/15/2022.........19-19-0...........50.00%...........-9.50
01/14/2022............3-2-0............60.00%..........+4.00
01/13/2022...........12-10-1..........54.54%.........+5.00
01/12/2022..........12-13-0...........48.00%.........-11.50
01/10/2021..........4-4-0.............50.00%...........-2.00
01/09/2022............5-4-1.............55.55%..........+3.00
01/08/2022.........28-23-0............54.90%.........+13.50
01/07/2022.............5-5-1............50.00%...........- 2.50
01/06/2022...........12-9-0............57.14%..........+10.50
01/05/2022.......... 9-11-0............45.00%...........-15.50
01/04/2022...........3-11-0............21.42%...........-45.50
01/03/2022.............3-3-0.............50.00%..........- 1.50
01/02/2022.............5-1-0.............83.33%.........+19.50
TOTALS............237-248-6.............48.86%..........-120.50
01/27/2022
Date .................W-L-T..............%.................Units
01/27/2022....26-29-1.....47.27%..........-29.50
01/26/2022....17-19-0.....47.22%.........-19.50
01/25/2022....23-15-0.....60.52%........+37.50
01/23/2022.......7-4-0......63.64%........+13.00
01/22/2022....41-42-0.....49.39%..........-26.00
01/21/2022....10-13-1......43.75%..........-21.50
01/20/2022....19-22-0..... 46.34%..........-26.00
01/18/2022....19-22-2.......46.34%..........-26.00
01/17/2022....18-16-1........52.94%.........+2.00
01/16/2022.......5-4-1........55.00%..........+3.00
01/15/2022....35-44-2........44.44%..........-67.00
01/14/2022.......3-2-0.........60.00%..........+4.00
01/13/2022....14-19-1........42.42%...........-34.50
01/12/2022....22-25-0.........46.80%..........-27.50
01/10/2022.......8-9-0..........47.06%............-9.50
01/09/2022.......5-7-2..........42.86%..........-13.50
01/08/2022....47-57-0..........45.19%..........-78.50
01/07/2022........9-9-1.........50.00%...........- 4.50
01/06/2022.....22-17-0.........56.41%.........+16.50
01/05/2022.....12-14-1.........46.30%..........-17.00
01/04/2022.....17-32-0..........34.69%..........-91.00
01/03/2022.........5-3-0..........62.50%.........+ 8.50
01/02/2022.......11-3-1..........76.67%.........+38.50
TOTALS........395-427-9.........48.05%..........-368.50
BEST BETS:
01/27/2022........18-21-1............46.15............-25.50
01/26/2022........10-11-1............47.61............-10.50
01/25/2022........12-11-0............52.17%.........-0.50
01/23/2022...........6-3-0............66.66%.........+13.50
01/22/2022.........25-29-0..........46.49%...........-34.50
01/21/2022.........10-13-1..........43.75%..........-21.50
01/20/2022.........12-17-0...........41.37%.........-33.50
01/18/2022...........9-12-0...........42.85%.........-21.00
01/17/2022...........10-7-0...........58.82%.........+11.50
01/16/2022............5-4-1............55.55%..........+3.00
01/15/2022.........19-19-0...........50.00%...........-9.50
01/14/2022............3-2-0............60.00%..........+4.00
01/13/2022...........12-10-1..........54.54%.........+5.00
01/12/2022..........12-13-0...........48.00%.........-11.50
01/10/2021..........4-4-0.............50.00%...........-2.00
01/09/2022............5-4-1.............55.55%..........+3.00
01/08/2022.........28-23-0............54.90%.........+13.50
01/07/2022.............5-5-1............50.00%...........- 2.50
01/06/2022...........12-9-0............57.14%..........+10.50
01/05/2022.......... 9-11-0............45.00%...........-15.50
01/04/2022...........3-11-0............21.42%...........-45.50
01/03/2022.............3-3-0.............50.00%..........- 1.50
01/02/2022.............5-1-0.............83.33%.........+19.50
TOTALS............237-248-6.............48.86%..........-120.50
01/27/2022
Armadillo Sports
Friday’s 6-pack:
— Hofstra 76, Charleston 73— Speedy Claxton has Hofstra 13-7, 5-2 in CAA.
— UNCW 67, Northeastern 62— Surprising Seahawks are 7-0 in CAA.
— Cal-Fullerton 74, Cal-Davis 58— Fullerton/Hawai’i are both 5-0 in Big West.
— Saint Mary’s 72, USF 70— Gsels were down 21 early in second half.
— Santa Clara 77, BYU 76— Broncos outscored USF 7-2 over final 0:45.
— Stanford 64, USC 61— Cardinals swept USC this season.
Quote of the Day
“Where do the Packers go from here? That’s a good question. I think we may have seen the last of Aaron (Rodgers) in Green Bay. I don’t know that for certain, it’s just a gut [feeling]. He may try his hand somewhere else. It’s not uncommon for a guy to switch teams after a long productive career somewhere else.”
Brett Favre
Friday’s quiz
In the baseball movie Summer Catch, what well-known actor plays the manager of the Chatham A’s?
Thursday’s quiz
UMBC is the only #16-seed to beat a #1-seed in the NCAA basketball tournament; they upset Virginia 74-54 in the first round of the 2018 tournament.
Wednesday’s quiz
When Sean Payton won his Super Bowl coaching the Saints, they beat the Colts, 31-17.
*******************************
Friday’s Den: Baseball knowledge on a chilly day
Here is baseball knowledge, with help from the guys at CBS Fantasy Sports
13) Players who hit 31+ homers with 16+ stolen bases last year:
— Javier Baez
— Adolis Garcia
— Shohei Ohtani
— Jose Ramirez
— Fernando Tatis
12) Three players hit 300+ with 20+ stolen bases:
— Nicky Lopez
— Starling Marte
— Trea Turner
11) Of all the players with 300+ plate appearances last year, the guy who hit the most home runs per plate appearance was surprising— Tampa Bay catcher Mike Zunino.
10) Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez led the major leagues LY in home runs and RBI, the last catcher to do that was Johnny Bench, in 1972.
9) Washington’s Juan Soto had a .465 on-base %age last year, .525 in second half of the season. Curious to see how the Nationals rebuild their team around him.
8) Reds’ ace Luis Castillo had a 7.22 ERA in April/May LY, but had a 2.73 mark from June 1st on.
7) Pitchers with the most innings per start last year:
Zack Wheeler, Adam Wainwright, Walker Buehler
6) Oakland is expected to deal Frankie Montas sometime this year, as their cheapskate owner slashes the payroll. Last year, Montas had a 4.63 ERA in his first 17 starts, 2.11 in his last 15.
5) They’re moving back the left-field fence at Camden Yards in Baltimore, raising it from 7 to 12-feet high in some places, but that shouldn’t impact Cedric Mullins much. None of Mullins’ 30 home runs last year went to the opposite field.
4) Nick Castellanos is still a free agent, one of several outstanding free agents; he should really consider staying in Cincinnati.
Castellanos hit .359 at home, with a 1.109 OPS and 23 homers
On the road, he hit .260, with 11 homers and a .772 OPS.
3) Also in Cincinnati, Joey Votto hit 36 homers last year, despite missing 33 games with a broken thumb. He his 31 of those 36 homers from June 8th on, after his thumb healed. Last year was Votto’s best OPS since 2017.
2) Miami 2B Jazz Chisholm got lot of hype early last year, when he hit .311 in April with a .969 OPS, but after April, he hit only .236 with a .681 OPS. Flashy player, runs really fast, but maybe a little overrated. Marlins traded P Zac Gallen for him; not sure how smart that was.
1) Last July 22, Tampa Bay traded for Nelson Cruz, trying to bolster their lineup to make the playoffs; at the time of the trade, Cruz was hitting .294, with a .904 OPS.
After the trade, Cruz hit .226 with a .725 OPS; he is a free agent, will be 42 in July. Which team is going to take a chance and sign Cruz as a DH?
Friday’s 6-pack:
— Hofstra 76, Charleston 73— Speedy Claxton has Hofstra 13-7, 5-2 in CAA.
— UNCW 67, Northeastern 62— Surprising Seahawks are 7-0 in CAA.
— Cal-Fullerton 74, Cal-Davis 58— Fullerton/Hawai’i are both 5-0 in Big West.
— Saint Mary’s 72, USF 70— Gsels were down 21 early in second half.
— Santa Clara 77, BYU 76— Broncos outscored USF 7-2 over final 0:45.
— Stanford 64, USC 61— Cardinals swept USC this season.
Quote of the Day
“Where do the Packers go from here? That’s a good question. I think we may have seen the last of Aaron (Rodgers) in Green Bay. I don’t know that for certain, it’s just a gut [feeling]. He may try his hand somewhere else. It’s not uncommon for a guy to switch teams after a long productive career somewhere else.”
Brett Favre
Friday’s quiz
In the baseball movie Summer Catch, what well-known actor plays the manager of the Chatham A’s?
Thursday’s quiz
UMBC is the only #16-seed to beat a #1-seed in the NCAA basketball tournament; they upset Virginia 74-54 in the first round of the 2018 tournament.
Wednesday’s quiz
When Sean Payton won his Super Bowl coaching the Saints, they beat the Colts, 31-17.
*******************************
Friday’s Den: Baseball knowledge on a chilly day
Here is baseball knowledge, with help from the guys at CBS Fantasy Sports
13) Players who hit 31+ homers with 16+ stolen bases last year:
— Javier Baez
— Adolis Garcia
— Shohei Ohtani
— Jose Ramirez
— Fernando Tatis
12) Three players hit 300+ with 20+ stolen bases:
— Nicky Lopez
— Starling Marte
— Trea Turner
11) Of all the players with 300+ plate appearances last year, the guy who hit the most home runs per plate appearance was surprising— Tampa Bay catcher Mike Zunino.
10) Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez led the major leagues LY in home runs and RBI, the last catcher to do that was Johnny Bench, in 1972.
9) Washington’s Juan Soto had a .465 on-base %age last year, .525 in second half of the season. Curious to see how the Nationals rebuild their team around him.
8) Reds’ ace Luis Castillo had a 7.22 ERA in April/May LY, but had a 2.73 mark from June 1st on.
7) Pitchers with the most innings per start last year:
Zack Wheeler, Adam Wainwright, Walker Buehler
6) Oakland is expected to deal Frankie Montas sometime this year, as their cheapskate owner slashes the payroll. Last year, Montas had a 4.63 ERA in his first 17 starts, 2.11 in his last 15.
5) They’re moving back the left-field fence at Camden Yards in Baltimore, raising it from 7 to 12-feet high in some places, but that shouldn’t impact Cedric Mullins much. None of Mullins’ 30 home runs last year went to the opposite field.
4) Nick Castellanos is still a free agent, one of several outstanding free agents; he should really consider staying in Cincinnati.
Castellanos hit .359 at home, with a 1.109 OPS and 23 homers
On the road, he hit .260, with 11 homers and a .772 OPS.
3) Also in Cincinnati, Joey Votto hit 36 homers last year, despite missing 33 games with a broken thumb. He his 31 of those 36 homers from June 8th on, after his thumb healed. Last year was Votto’s best OPS since 2017.
2) Miami 2B Jazz Chisholm got lot of hype early last year, when he hit .311 in April with a .969 OPS, but after April, he hit only .236 with a .681 OPS. Flashy player, runs really fast, but maybe a little overrated. Marlins traded P Zac Gallen for him; not sure how smart that was.
1) Last July 22, Tampa Bay traded for Nelson Cruz, trying to bolster their lineup to make the playoffs; at the time of the trade, Cruz was hitting .294, with a .904 OPS.
After the trade, Cruz hit .226 with a .725 OPS; he is a free agent, will be 42 in July. Which team is going to take a chance and sign Cruz as a DH?
NCAAB
Friday, January 28
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Trend Report
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Friday, January 28
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Trend Report
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NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Friday, January 28
Wyoming @ Air Force
— Wyoming (15-3, 4-1) ranked #57 by KenPom
— Tempo: #251
— Experience: #192
— Continuity: #81
— Wyoming won six of its last seven games.
— Cowboys are shooting 57.7% inside arc (#5)
— Wyoming is 6-0 vs teams ranked outside top 200 (all by 13+)
— Cowboys have #37 eFG% defense in country.
— Wyoming’s schedule, to this point: #124
— bench minutes: #330
— Air Force (10-8, 6-2) ranked #233 by KenPom
— Tempo: #346
— Experience: #341
— Continuity: #263
— Air Force lost seven of its last ten games.
— Falcons are turning ball over 23.3% of time (#347)
— Air Force is 1-3 vs top 100 teams (losses by 8-6-20)
— Under is 8-2 in Falcons’ last ten games.
— Air Force’s schedule, to this point: #225
— bench minutes: #238
— Mountain West single digit home dogs are 5-3 ATS.
— Air Force won four of last six series games.
— Teams split last six meetings played here.
Rhode Island @ Dayton
— Rhode Island (12-6, 3-3) ranked #101 by KenPom
— Tempo: #273
— Experience: #270
— Continuity: #84
— Rhode Island lost last two games, scoring 61-63 points.
— Rams are 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 14-4-7 points.
— Under is 7-3 in last ten Rhode Island games.
— Opponents are shooting 43% inside arc (#9)
— Rhode Island’s schedule, to this point: #232
— bench minutes: #147
— Dayton (13-7, 5-2) ranked #77 by KenPom
— Tempo: #332
— Experience: #359
— Continuity: #291
— Dayton won five of its last six games.
— Flyers are shooting 55.1% inside arc (#31)
— Dayton turns ball over 21.5% of time (#323)
— Under is 6-1-1 in Flyers’ last eight games.
— Dayton’s schedule to this point: #176
— bench minutes: #104
— A-14 home favorites of 7 or less points are 5-11 ATS.
— Dayton won four of last five series games.
— URI lost 81-67/67-56 in last two visits to Dayton.
Fort Wayne @ Northern Kentucky
— Fort Wayne (11-8, 6-4) ranked #239 by KenPom
— Tempo: #166
— Experience: #20
— Continuity: #55
— Fort Wayne won five of its last six D-I games.
— Mastodons are 8-4 vs teams ranked outside top 200.
— Opponents are shooting 54.8% inside arc (#331)
— Mastodons are #256 team in country on defensive boards.
— Fort Wayne’s schedule, to this point: #333
— bench minutes: #286
— Northern Kentucky (9-9, 5-4) ranked #248 by KenPom
— Tempo: #289
— Experience: #247
— Continuity: #70
— Northern Kentucky won last three games, giving up 58 prog.
— Norse is rebounding 35.9% of its misses (#15)
— Northern Kentucky is shooting 44.8% inside arc (#319)
— Under is 5-1 in last six Norse games.
— Northern Kentucky’s schedule, to this point: #332
— bench minutes: #172
— Horizon home favorites of 4 or less points are 7-7 ATS.
— Fort Wayne beat NKU 71-57 at home December 4.
— Mastodons shot 69.2% inside arc in that game.
— Home side won last three series games.
— Fort Wayne lost 75-68/70-68 in two games here LY.
Canisius @ Monmouth
— Canisius (7-12, 3-5) ranked #284 by KenPom
— Tempo: #132
— Experience: #71
— Continuity: #32
— Canisius is 0-9 this season in true road games.
— Opponents are shooting 54.2% inside arc (#320)
— Canisius has #323 eFG% in country.
— Under is 10-2 in Griffins’ last dozen games.
— Canisius schedule, to this point: #223
— bench minutes: #143
— Monmouth (12-6, 4-3) ranked #116 by KenPom
— Tempo: #157
— Experience: #13
— Continuity: #153
— Monmouth won last two games, giving up 58-62 points.
— Hawks are 4-1 against teams ranked outside top 200.
— Opponents are shooting 45.2% inside arc (#35)
— Under is 12-2 in Hawks’ last 14 games.
— Monmouth’s schedule, to this point: #103
— bench minutes: #336
— MAAC double digit favorites are 4-1 ATS.
— Monmouth won 79-65 at Canisius December 5
— Hawks ran out to a 39-15 lead in that game.
— Monmouth won last six series games.
— Canisius lost last three visits here, by 19-18-28 points.
Manhattan @ Saint Peter’s
— Manhattan (10-6, 3-4) ranked #264 by KenPom
— Tempo: #87
— Experience: #1
— Continuity: #42
— Manhattan lost three of its last five games.
— Jaspers get 25.4% of their points on foul line (#2)
— Opponents are shooting 51.7% inside arc (#267)
— Over is 11-2 in Jaspers’ last 13 games.
— Manhattan’s schedule, to this point: #323
— bench minutes: #99
— Saint Peter’s (8-7, 6-2) ranked #191 by KenPom
— Tempo: #195
— Experience: #174
— Continuity: #33
— Saint Peter’s won five of its last six games.
— Peacocks are forcing turnovers 22.4% of time (#31)
— Saint Peter’s is shooting 42.6% inside arc (#343)
— Under is 8-2 in Peacocks’ last ten games.
— Saint Peter’s schedule, to this point: #48
— bench minutes: #355
— MAAC home favorites of 7 or less points are 5-9 ATS.
— Saint Peter’s won last four series games.
— Jaspers lost last three visits here, by 17-4-14 points.
Fairfield @ Rider
— Fairfield (9-10, 3-5) ranked #194 by KenPom
— Tempo: #315
— Experience: #76
— Continuity: #7
— Fairfield lost seven of its last eight games.
— Fairfield’s last four losses are by 7 or less points.
— Stags are 7-3 vs teams ranked outside top 200.
— Under is 6-4 in last Stags’ ten games.
— Fairfield’s schedule, to this point: #271
— bench minutes: #191
— Rider (6-12, 2-6) ranked #288 by KenPom
— Tempo: #116
— Experience: #70
— Continuity: #157
— Rider lost eight of last ten D-I games.
— Broncs are 1-7 against teams ranked in top 200.
— Rider is shooting 42.1% inside arc (#348)
— Under is 7-3 in Broncs’ last ten games.
— Rider’s schedule, to this point: #260
— bench minutes: #208
— MAAC home underdogs of 4 or less points are 6-4 ATS.
— Rider won six of last seven series games.
— Stags lost 96-77/68-52 in last two visits to Rider.
Armadillo's Write-Up
Friday, January 28
Wyoming @ Air Force
— Wyoming (15-3, 4-1) ranked #57 by KenPom
— Tempo: #251
— Experience: #192
— Continuity: #81
— Wyoming won six of its last seven games.
— Cowboys are shooting 57.7% inside arc (#5)
— Wyoming is 6-0 vs teams ranked outside top 200 (all by 13+)
— Cowboys have #37 eFG% defense in country.
— Wyoming’s schedule, to this point: #124
— bench minutes: #330
— Air Force (10-8, 6-2) ranked #233 by KenPom
— Tempo: #346
— Experience: #341
— Continuity: #263
— Air Force lost seven of its last ten games.
— Falcons are turning ball over 23.3% of time (#347)
— Air Force is 1-3 vs top 100 teams (losses by 8-6-20)
— Under is 8-2 in Falcons’ last ten games.
— Air Force’s schedule, to this point: #225
— bench minutes: #238
— Mountain West single digit home dogs are 5-3 ATS.
— Air Force won four of last six series games.
— Teams split last six meetings played here.
Rhode Island @ Dayton
— Rhode Island (12-6, 3-3) ranked #101 by KenPom
— Tempo: #273
— Experience: #270
— Continuity: #84
— Rhode Island lost last two games, scoring 61-63 points.
— Rams are 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 14-4-7 points.
— Under is 7-3 in last ten Rhode Island games.
— Opponents are shooting 43% inside arc (#9)
— Rhode Island’s schedule, to this point: #232
— bench minutes: #147
— Dayton (13-7, 5-2) ranked #77 by KenPom
— Tempo: #332
— Experience: #359
— Continuity: #291
— Dayton won five of its last six games.
— Flyers are shooting 55.1% inside arc (#31)
— Dayton turns ball over 21.5% of time (#323)
— Under is 6-1-1 in Flyers’ last eight games.
— Dayton’s schedule to this point: #176
— bench minutes: #104
— A-14 home favorites of 7 or less points are 5-11 ATS.
— Dayton won four of last five series games.
— URI lost 81-67/67-56 in last two visits to Dayton.
Fort Wayne @ Northern Kentucky
— Fort Wayne (11-8, 6-4) ranked #239 by KenPom
— Tempo: #166
— Experience: #20
— Continuity: #55
— Fort Wayne won five of its last six D-I games.
— Mastodons are 8-4 vs teams ranked outside top 200.
— Opponents are shooting 54.8% inside arc (#331)
— Mastodons are #256 team in country on defensive boards.
— Fort Wayne’s schedule, to this point: #333
— bench minutes: #286
— Northern Kentucky (9-9, 5-4) ranked #248 by KenPom
— Tempo: #289
— Experience: #247
— Continuity: #70
— Northern Kentucky won last three games, giving up 58 prog.
— Norse is rebounding 35.9% of its misses (#15)
— Northern Kentucky is shooting 44.8% inside arc (#319)
— Under is 5-1 in last six Norse games.
— Northern Kentucky’s schedule, to this point: #332
— bench minutes: #172
— Horizon home favorites of 4 or less points are 7-7 ATS.
— Fort Wayne beat NKU 71-57 at home December 4.
— Mastodons shot 69.2% inside arc in that game.
— Home side won last three series games.
— Fort Wayne lost 75-68/70-68 in two games here LY.
Canisius @ Monmouth
— Canisius (7-12, 3-5) ranked #284 by KenPom
— Tempo: #132
— Experience: #71
— Continuity: #32
— Canisius is 0-9 this season in true road games.
— Opponents are shooting 54.2% inside arc (#320)
— Canisius has #323 eFG% in country.
— Under is 10-2 in Griffins’ last dozen games.
— Canisius schedule, to this point: #223
— bench minutes: #143
— Monmouth (12-6, 4-3) ranked #116 by KenPom
— Tempo: #157
— Experience: #13
— Continuity: #153
— Monmouth won last two games, giving up 58-62 points.
— Hawks are 4-1 against teams ranked outside top 200.
— Opponents are shooting 45.2% inside arc (#35)
— Under is 12-2 in Hawks’ last 14 games.
— Monmouth’s schedule, to this point: #103
— bench minutes: #336
— MAAC double digit favorites are 4-1 ATS.
— Monmouth won 79-65 at Canisius December 5
— Hawks ran out to a 39-15 lead in that game.
— Monmouth won last six series games.
— Canisius lost last three visits here, by 19-18-28 points.
Manhattan @ Saint Peter’s
— Manhattan (10-6, 3-4) ranked #264 by KenPom
— Tempo: #87
— Experience: #1
— Continuity: #42
— Manhattan lost three of its last five games.
— Jaspers get 25.4% of their points on foul line (#2)
— Opponents are shooting 51.7% inside arc (#267)
— Over is 11-2 in Jaspers’ last 13 games.
— Manhattan’s schedule, to this point: #323
— bench minutes: #99
— Saint Peter’s (8-7, 6-2) ranked #191 by KenPom
— Tempo: #195
— Experience: #174
— Continuity: #33
— Saint Peter’s won five of its last six games.
— Peacocks are forcing turnovers 22.4% of time (#31)
— Saint Peter’s is shooting 42.6% inside arc (#343)
— Under is 8-2 in Peacocks’ last ten games.
— Saint Peter’s schedule, to this point: #48
— bench minutes: #355
— MAAC home favorites of 7 or less points are 5-9 ATS.
— Saint Peter’s won last four series games.
— Jaspers lost last three visits here, by 17-4-14 points.
Fairfield @ Rider
— Fairfield (9-10, 3-5) ranked #194 by KenPom
— Tempo: #315
— Experience: #76
— Continuity: #7
— Fairfield lost seven of its last eight games.
— Fairfield’s last four losses are by 7 or less points.
— Stags are 7-3 vs teams ranked outside top 200.
— Under is 6-4 in last Stags’ ten games.
— Fairfield’s schedule, to this point: #271
— bench minutes: #191
— Rider (6-12, 2-6) ranked #288 by KenPom
— Tempo: #116
— Experience: #70
— Continuity: #157
— Rider lost eight of last ten D-I games.
— Broncs are 1-7 against teams ranked in top 200.
— Rider is shooting 42.1% inside arc (#348)
— Under is 7-3 in Broncs’ last ten games.
— Rider’s schedule, to this point: #260
— bench minutes: #208
— MAAC home underdogs of 4 or less points are 6-4 ATS.
— Rider won six of last seven series games.
— Stags lost 96-77/68-52 in last two visits to Rider.
Niagara @ Siena
— Niagara (8-10, 3-6) ranked #222 by KenPom
— Tempo: #325
— Experience: #33
— Continuity: #200
— Niagara lost three of its last four games.
— Eagles are 0-5 in MAAC if they allow 70+ points.
— Niagara is shooting 36.2% on arc (#65)
— Over is 5-3 in Eagles’ last eight games.
— Niagara’s schedule, to this point: #240
— bench minutes: #291
— Siena (6-8, 3-3) ranked #280 by KenPom
— Tempo: #242
— Experience: #107
— Continuity: #288
— Siena lost last two games, giving up 74-75 points.
— Saints are shooting 45.7% inside arc (#302)
— Siena split six games vs teams ranked outside top 200.
— Over is 7-4 in last eleven Saints’ games.
— Siena’s schedule, to this point: #250
— bench minutes: #154
— MAAC home teams are 6-9 ATS if spread was 3 or less.
— Siena won 12 of last 16 series games.
— Niagara lost six of last seven road series games.
Ohio @ Buffalo
— Ohio (15-3, 6-1) ranked #99 by KenPom
— Tempo: #63
— Experience: #135
— Continuity: #143
— Ohio won 10 of its last 11 games.
— Bobcats are 3-0 on MAC road, winning by 12-6-23 points.
— Ohio is forcing turnovers 20.6% of time (#80)
— Bobcats’ last five games went over the total.
— Ohio’s schedule, to this point: #268
— bench minutes: #333
— Buffalo (10-7, 4-3) ranked #106 by KenPom
— Tempo: #17
— Experience: #26
— Continuity: #82
— Buffalo won four of its last five games.
— Bulls lost three of four games vs top 100 teams.
— Buffalo is rebounding 35.4% of its misses (#22)
— Under is 6-2 in Bulls’ last eight games.
— Buffalo’s schedule, to this point: #135
— bench minutes: #262
— MAC home favorites of 5 or less points are 3-4 ATS
— Ohio won three of last four series games.
— Bobcats lost three of last four visits to Buffalo.
Akron @ Toledo
— Akron (13-5, 6-2) ranked #151 by KenPom
— Tempo: #344
— Experience: #320
— Continuity: #119
— Akron won four in row, 11 of last 13 games.
— Three of their last four wins were by 4 or less points.
— Last three games, Akron gave up 55.3 ppg.
— Opponents are shooting 46.8% inside arc (#64)
— Akron’s schedule, to this point: #316
— bench minutes: #279
— Toledo (16-4, 8-1) ranked #68 by KenPom
— Tempo: #79
— Experience: #317
— Continuity: #193
— Toledo won its last seven games, scoring 85.4 ppg.
— Rockets are 4-0 at home in MAC, winning by 27-31-13-11.
— Toledo is shooting 36% on the arc (#65)
— Over is 4-2 in Rockets’ last six games.
— Toledo’s schedule, to this point: #175
— bench minutes: #353
— MAC home favorites of 8 or less points are 8-5 ATS.
— Toledo won five of last six series games.
— Zips lost their last five visits here, by 17-14-2-11-15 points.
Marist @ Quinnipiac
— Marist (8-10, 3-6) ranked #183 by KenPom
— Tempo: #262
— Experience: #146
— Continuity: #75
— Marist lost four of its last five games.
— Red Foxes are 1-7 in last eight games decided by 7 or less points.
— Opponents are shooting 46.7% inside arc (#63)
— Under is 5-3 in Red Foxes’ last eight games.
— Marist’s schedule, to this point: #310
— bench minutes: #33
— Quinnipiac (10-7, 5-4) ranked #249 by KenPom
— Tempo: #83
— Experience: #161
— Continuity: #83
— Quinnipiac won three of its last four games.
— Bobcats are 1-4 against teams ranked in top 200.
— Quinnipiac’s best win: 72-66 over #194 Fairfield
— Bobcats’ last five games stayed under the total.
— Quinnipiac’s schedule, to this point: #348
— bench minutes: #153
— MAAC home teams are 6-9 ATS if spread was 3 or less.
— Teams split last six series games.
— Marist lost four of last five visits to Quinnipiac.
UNLV @ Colorado State
— UNLV (11-9, 3-4) ranked #122 by KenPom
— Tempo: #161
— Experience: #45
— Continuity: #331
— UNLV is 0-8 against top 100 teams.
— Rebels’ best win: 55-52 over #123 California.
— UNLV has #249 eFG% in country.
— Over is 8-5 in Rebels’ last thirteen games.
— UNLV’s schedule, to this point: #118
— bench minutes: #90
— Colorado State (16-1, 6-1) ranked #35 by KenPom
— Tempo: #209
— Experience: #158
— Continuity: #20
— Colorado State won its last five games, scoring 77 ppg.
— Rams are shooting 57.4% inside arc (#8)
— Colorado State’s one loss: 79-49 at #39 San Diego State.
— Under is 9-1 in Rams’ last ten games.
— Colorado State’s schedule, to this point: #180
— bench minutes: #91
— Mountain West double digit home favorites are 2-7 ATS
— Colorado State won three of last four series games.
— UNLV lost last three visits here, by 18-3-3 points.
Cleveland State @ Wright State
— Cleveland State (13-4, 9-1) ranked #176 by KenPom
— Tempo: #190
— Experience: #2
— Continuity: #49
— Cleveland State won 11 of its last 13 D-I games.
— Vikings are 2-0 on Horizon road, winning by 1-6 points.
— Cleveland State forces turnovers 22.5% of time (#31)
— Three of Vikings’ last four games stayed under total.
— Cleveland State’s schedule, to this point: #27
— bench minutes: #94
— Wright State (11-9, 8-3) ranked #216 by KenPom
— Tempo: #54
— Experience: #267
— Continuity: #74
— Wright State won nine of its last eleven games.
— Raiders lost three of their four top 200 games.
— Wright State is shooting 54% inside arc (#47)
— Opponents are shooting 52.3% inside arc (#285)
— Wright State’s schedule, to this point: #338
— bench minutes: #355
— Horizon home favorites of 4 or less points are 7-7 ATS.
— Vikings beat Wright State 85-75 at home December 4.
— Wright State is 8-3 in last 11 series games.
— Cleveland State lost its last five visits to Dayton.
Boise State @ Fresno State
— Boise State (16-4, 7-0) ranked #40 by KenPom
— Tempo: #284
— Experience: #35
— Continuity: #68
— Boise State won its last twelve games.
— Broncos are 4-0 on MW road, winning by 15-8-3-5 points.
— Opponents are shooting 44.2% inside arc (#15)
— Broncos’ last five games stayed under the total.
— Boise State’s schedule, to this point: #73
— bench minutes: #248
— Fresno State (14-5, 4-2) ranked #59 by KenPom
— Tempo: #354
— Experience: #195
— Continuity: #29
— Fresno State won four of its last five games.
— Bulldogs are 2- at home in MW, winning by 59-54 points.
— Fresno State is #38 team in country on defensive boards.
— Over is 4-2 in Bulldogs’ last six games.
— Fresno State’s schedule, to this point: #148
— bench minutes: #227
— Mountain West home teams are 3-7 ATS if spread was 4 or less.
— Boise State beat Fresno State 65-55 at home December 28
— Broncos outscored Fresno 17-5 over final 6:12 of game.
— Teams split last eight series games.
— Broncos lost four of last six series games.
— Niagara (8-10, 3-6) ranked #222 by KenPom
— Tempo: #325
— Experience: #33
— Continuity: #200
— Niagara lost three of its last four games.
— Eagles are 0-5 in MAAC if they allow 70+ points.
— Niagara is shooting 36.2% on arc (#65)
— Over is 5-3 in Eagles’ last eight games.
— Niagara’s schedule, to this point: #240
— bench minutes: #291
— Siena (6-8, 3-3) ranked #280 by KenPom
— Tempo: #242
— Experience: #107
— Continuity: #288
— Siena lost last two games, giving up 74-75 points.
— Saints are shooting 45.7% inside arc (#302)
— Siena split six games vs teams ranked outside top 200.
— Over is 7-4 in last eleven Saints’ games.
— Siena’s schedule, to this point: #250
— bench minutes: #154
— MAAC home teams are 6-9 ATS if spread was 3 or less.
— Siena won 12 of last 16 series games.
— Niagara lost six of last seven road series games.
Ohio @ Buffalo
— Ohio (15-3, 6-1) ranked #99 by KenPom
— Tempo: #63
— Experience: #135
— Continuity: #143
— Ohio won 10 of its last 11 games.
— Bobcats are 3-0 on MAC road, winning by 12-6-23 points.
— Ohio is forcing turnovers 20.6% of time (#80)
— Bobcats’ last five games went over the total.
— Ohio’s schedule, to this point: #268
— bench minutes: #333
— Buffalo (10-7, 4-3) ranked #106 by KenPom
— Tempo: #17
— Experience: #26
— Continuity: #82
— Buffalo won four of its last five games.
— Bulls lost three of four games vs top 100 teams.
— Buffalo is rebounding 35.4% of its misses (#22)
— Under is 6-2 in Bulls’ last eight games.
— Buffalo’s schedule, to this point: #135
— bench minutes: #262
— MAC home favorites of 5 or less points are 3-4 ATS
— Ohio won three of last four series games.
— Bobcats lost three of last four visits to Buffalo.
Akron @ Toledo
— Akron (13-5, 6-2) ranked #151 by KenPom
— Tempo: #344
— Experience: #320
— Continuity: #119
— Akron won four in row, 11 of last 13 games.
— Three of their last four wins were by 4 or less points.
— Last three games, Akron gave up 55.3 ppg.
— Opponents are shooting 46.8% inside arc (#64)
— Akron’s schedule, to this point: #316
— bench minutes: #279
— Toledo (16-4, 8-1) ranked #68 by KenPom
— Tempo: #79
— Experience: #317
— Continuity: #193
— Toledo won its last seven games, scoring 85.4 ppg.
— Rockets are 4-0 at home in MAC, winning by 27-31-13-11.
— Toledo is shooting 36% on the arc (#65)
— Over is 4-2 in Rockets’ last six games.
— Toledo’s schedule, to this point: #175
— bench minutes: #353
— MAC home favorites of 8 or less points are 8-5 ATS.
— Toledo won five of last six series games.
— Zips lost their last five visits here, by 17-14-2-11-15 points.
Marist @ Quinnipiac
— Marist (8-10, 3-6) ranked #183 by KenPom
— Tempo: #262
— Experience: #146
— Continuity: #75
— Marist lost four of its last five games.
— Red Foxes are 1-7 in last eight games decided by 7 or less points.
— Opponents are shooting 46.7% inside arc (#63)
— Under is 5-3 in Red Foxes’ last eight games.
— Marist’s schedule, to this point: #310
— bench minutes: #33
— Quinnipiac (10-7, 5-4) ranked #249 by KenPom
— Tempo: #83
— Experience: #161
— Continuity: #83
— Quinnipiac won three of its last four games.
— Bobcats are 1-4 against teams ranked in top 200.
— Quinnipiac’s best win: 72-66 over #194 Fairfield
— Bobcats’ last five games stayed under the total.
— Quinnipiac’s schedule, to this point: #348
— bench minutes: #153
— MAAC home teams are 6-9 ATS if spread was 3 or less.
— Teams split last six series games.
— Marist lost four of last five visits to Quinnipiac.
UNLV @ Colorado State
— UNLV (11-9, 3-4) ranked #122 by KenPom
— Tempo: #161
— Experience: #45
— Continuity: #331
— UNLV is 0-8 against top 100 teams.
— Rebels’ best win: 55-52 over #123 California.
— UNLV has #249 eFG% in country.
— Over is 8-5 in Rebels’ last thirteen games.
— UNLV’s schedule, to this point: #118
— bench minutes: #90
— Colorado State (16-1, 6-1) ranked #35 by KenPom
— Tempo: #209
— Experience: #158
— Continuity: #20
— Colorado State won its last five games, scoring 77 ppg.
— Rams are shooting 57.4% inside arc (#8)
— Colorado State’s one loss: 79-49 at #39 San Diego State.
— Under is 9-1 in Rams’ last ten games.
— Colorado State’s schedule, to this point: #180
— bench minutes: #91
— Mountain West double digit home favorites are 2-7 ATS
— Colorado State won three of last four series games.
— UNLV lost last three visits here, by 18-3-3 points.
Cleveland State @ Wright State
— Cleveland State (13-4, 9-1) ranked #176 by KenPom
— Tempo: #190
— Experience: #2
— Continuity: #49
— Cleveland State won 11 of its last 13 D-I games.
— Vikings are 2-0 on Horizon road, winning by 1-6 points.
— Cleveland State forces turnovers 22.5% of time (#31)
— Three of Vikings’ last four games stayed under total.
— Cleveland State’s schedule, to this point: #27
— bench minutes: #94
— Wright State (11-9, 8-3) ranked #216 by KenPom
— Tempo: #54
— Experience: #267
— Continuity: #74
— Wright State won nine of its last eleven games.
— Raiders lost three of their four top 200 games.
— Wright State is shooting 54% inside arc (#47)
— Opponents are shooting 52.3% inside arc (#285)
— Wright State’s schedule, to this point: #338
— bench minutes: #355
— Horizon home favorites of 4 or less points are 7-7 ATS.
— Vikings beat Wright State 85-75 at home December 4.
— Wright State is 8-3 in last 11 series games.
— Cleveland State lost its last five visits to Dayton.
Boise State @ Fresno State
— Boise State (16-4, 7-0) ranked #40 by KenPom
— Tempo: #284
— Experience: #35
— Continuity: #68
— Boise State won its last twelve games.
— Broncos are 4-0 on MW road, winning by 15-8-3-5 points.
— Opponents are shooting 44.2% inside arc (#15)
— Broncos’ last five games stayed under the total.
— Boise State’s schedule, to this point: #73
— bench minutes: #248
— Fresno State (14-5, 4-2) ranked #59 by KenPom
— Tempo: #354
— Experience: #195
— Continuity: #29
— Fresno State won four of its last five games.
— Bulldogs are 2- at home in MW, winning by 59-54 points.
— Fresno State is #38 team in country on defensive boards.
— Over is 4-2 in Bulldogs’ last six games.
— Fresno State’s schedule, to this point: #148
— bench minutes: #227
— Mountain West home teams are 3-7 ATS if spread was 4 or less.
— Boise State beat Fresno State 65-55 at home December 28
— Broncos outscored Fresno 17-5 over final 6:12 of game.
— Teams split last eight series games.
— Broncos lost four of last six series games.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28
Game Time(ET) Pick Units
WYO at AFA 06:00 PM
WYO -7.5
U 126.0
+500 +500
CAN at MONM 07:00 PM
CAN +11.5
O 141.5
+500 +500
MAN at SPC 07:00 PM
SPC -5.5
U 131.0
+500 +500
NIAG at SIE 07:00 PM
NIAG -1.0
U 128.0
+500 +500
FAIR at RID 07:00 PM
RID +2.0
O 134.5
+500 +500
URI at DAY 07:00 PM
URI +6.5
U 125.0
+500 +500
AKR at TOL 07:00 PM
AKR +7.0
U 140.0
+500 +500
OHIO at BUFF 07:00 PM
BUFF -2.5
O 151.5
+500 +500
PFW at NKU 07:00 PM
NKU -2.5
O 138.5
+500 +500
MRST at QUIN 07:30 PM
MRST -1.5
U 139.0
+500 +500
CLEVST at WRST 09:00 PM
WRST -2.0
U 148.0
+500 +500
SJSU at UNM 09:00 PM
SJSU +10.0
U 145.5
+500 +500
UNLV at CSU 09:00 PM
CSU -15.0
O 142.0
+500 +500
BSU at FRES 11:00 PM
BSU -1.5
O 119.0
+500 +500
Game Time(ET) Pick Units
WYO at AFA 06:00 PM
WYO -7.5
U 126.0
+500 +500
CAN at MONM 07:00 PM
CAN +11.5
O 141.5
+500 +500
MAN at SPC 07:00 PM
SPC -5.5
U 131.0
+500 +500
NIAG at SIE 07:00 PM
NIAG -1.0
U 128.0
+500 +500
FAIR at RID 07:00 PM
RID +2.0
O 134.5
+500 +500
URI at DAY 07:00 PM
URI +6.5
U 125.0
+500 +500
AKR at TOL 07:00 PM
AKR +7.0
U 140.0
+500 +500
OHIO at BUFF 07:00 PM
BUFF -2.5
O 151.5
+500 +500
PFW at NKU 07:00 PM
NKU -2.5
O 138.5
+500 +500
MRST at QUIN 07:30 PM
MRST -1.5
U 139.0
+500 +500
CLEVST at WRST 09:00 PM
WRST -2.0
U 148.0
+500 +500
SJSU at UNM 09:00 PM
SJSU +10.0
U 145.5
+500 +500
UNLV at CSU 09:00 PM
CSU -15.0
O 142.0
+500 +500
BSU at FRES 11:00 PM
BSU -1.5
O 119.0
+500 +500
JANUARY'S NCAA BASKETBALL OPINIONS AND BEST BETS !
Date .................W-L-T..............%.................Units
01/28/2022....12-15-0.....44.44%.........-22.50
01/27/2022....26-29-1.....47.27%..........-29.50
01/26/2022....17-19-0.....47.22%.........-19.50
01/25/2022....23-15-0.....60.52%........+37.50
01/23/2022.......7-4-0......63.64%........+13.00
01/22/2022....41-42-0.....49.39%..........-26.00
01/21/2022....10-13-1......43.75%..........-21.50
01/20/2022....19-22-0..... 46.34%..........-26.00
01/18/2022....19-22-2.......46.34%..........-26.00
01/17/2022....18-16-1........52.94%.........+2.00
01/16/2022.......5-4-1........55.00%..........+3.00
01/15/2022....35-44-2........44.44%..........-67.00
01/14/2022.......3-2-0.........60.00%..........+4.00
01/13/2022....14-19-1........42.42%...........-34.50
01/12/2022....22-25-0.........46.80%..........-27.50
01/10/2022.......8-9-0..........47.06%............-9.50
01/09/2022.......5-7-2..........42.86%..........-13.50
01/08/2022....47-57-0..........45.19%..........-78.50
01/07/2022........9-9-1.........50.00%...........- 4.50
01/06/2022.....22-17-0.........56.41%.........+16.50
01/05/2022.....12-14-1.........46.30%..........-17.00
01/04/2022.....17-32-0..........34.69%..........-91.00
01/03/2022.........5-3-0..........62.50%.........+ 8.50
01/02/2022.......11-3-1..........76.67%.........+38.50
TOTALS........407-442-9.........47.93%..........-391.00
BEST BETS:
0128/2022...........8-7-0..............53.33%........+1.50
01/27/2022........18-21-1............46.15............-25.50
01/26/2022........10-11-1............47.61............-10.50
01/25/2022........12-11-0............52.17%.........-0.50
01/23/2022...........6-3-0............66.66%.........+13.50
01/22/2022.........25-29-0..........46.49%...........-34.50
01/21/2022.........10-13-1..........43.75%..........-21.50
01/20/2022.........12-17-0...........41.37%.........-33.50
01/18/2022...........9-12-0...........42.85%.........-21.00
01/17/2022...........10-7-0...........58.82%.........+11.50
01/16/2022............5-4-1............55.55%..........+3.00
01/15/2022.........19-19-0...........50.00%...........-9.50
01/14/2022............3-2-0............60.00%..........+4.00
01/13/2022...........12-10-1..........54.54%.........+5.00
01/12/2022..........12-13-0...........48.00%.........-11.50
01/10/2021..........4-4-0.............50.00%...........-2.00
01/09/2022............5-4-1.............55.55%..........+3.00
01/08/2022.........28-23-0............54.90%.........+13.50
01/07/2022.............5-5-1............50.00%...........- 2.50
01/06/2022...........12-9-0............57.14%..........+10.50
01/05/2022.......... 9-11-0............45.00%...........-15.50
01/04/2022...........3-11-0............21.42%...........-45.50
01/03/2022.............3-3-0.............50.00%..........- 1.50
01/02/2022.............5-1-0.............83.33%.........+19.50
TOTALS............245-255-6.............49.00%..........-119.00
01/28/2022
Date .................W-L-T..............%.................Units
01/28/2022....12-15-0.....44.44%.........-22.50
01/27/2022....26-29-1.....47.27%..........-29.50
01/26/2022....17-19-0.....47.22%.........-19.50
01/25/2022....23-15-0.....60.52%........+37.50
01/23/2022.......7-4-0......63.64%........+13.00
01/22/2022....41-42-0.....49.39%..........-26.00
01/21/2022....10-13-1......43.75%..........-21.50
01/20/2022....19-22-0..... 46.34%..........-26.00
01/18/2022....19-22-2.......46.34%..........-26.00
01/17/2022....18-16-1........52.94%.........+2.00
01/16/2022.......5-4-1........55.00%..........+3.00
01/15/2022....35-44-2........44.44%..........-67.00
01/14/2022.......3-2-0.........60.00%..........+4.00
01/13/2022....14-19-1........42.42%...........-34.50
01/12/2022....22-25-0.........46.80%..........-27.50
01/10/2022.......8-9-0..........47.06%............-9.50
01/09/2022.......5-7-2..........42.86%..........-13.50
01/08/2022....47-57-0..........45.19%..........-78.50
01/07/2022........9-9-1.........50.00%...........- 4.50
01/06/2022.....22-17-0.........56.41%.........+16.50
01/05/2022.....12-14-1.........46.30%..........-17.00
01/04/2022.....17-32-0..........34.69%..........-91.00
01/03/2022.........5-3-0..........62.50%.........+ 8.50
01/02/2022.......11-3-1..........76.67%.........+38.50
TOTALS........407-442-9.........47.93%..........-391.00
BEST BETS:
0128/2022...........8-7-0..............53.33%........+1.50
01/27/2022........18-21-1............46.15............-25.50
01/26/2022........10-11-1............47.61............-10.50
01/25/2022........12-11-0............52.17%.........-0.50
01/23/2022...........6-3-0............66.66%.........+13.50
01/22/2022.........25-29-0..........46.49%...........-34.50
01/21/2022.........10-13-1..........43.75%..........-21.50
01/20/2022.........12-17-0...........41.37%.........-33.50
01/18/2022...........9-12-0...........42.85%.........-21.00
01/17/2022...........10-7-0...........58.82%.........+11.50
01/16/2022............5-4-1............55.55%..........+3.00
01/15/2022.........19-19-0...........50.00%...........-9.50
01/14/2022............3-2-0............60.00%..........+4.00
01/13/2022...........12-10-1..........54.54%.........+5.00
01/12/2022..........12-13-0...........48.00%.........-11.50
01/10/2021..........4-4-0.............50.00%...........-2.00
01/09/2022............5-4-1.............55.55%..........+3.00
01/08/2022.........28-23-0............54.90%.........+13.50
01/07/2022.............5-5-1............50.00%...........- 2.50
01/06/2022...........12-9-0............57.14%..........+10.50
01/05/2022.......... 9-11-0............45.00%...........-15.50
01/04/2022...........3-11-0............21.42%...........-45.50
01/03/2022.............3-3-0.............50.00%..........- 1.50
01/02/2022.............5-1-0.............83.33%.........+19.50
TOTALS............245-255-6.............49.00%..........-119.00
01/28/2022
Armadillo Sports
Saturday’s 6-pack
— UNLV 88, Colorado State 74— Bryce Hamilton exploded for 45 points.
— Dayton 53, Rhode Island 51— Flyers outscored URI 13-5 on foul line.
— Ohio 74, Buffalo 53— Bobcats improve to 7-1 in the MAC.
— Saint Peter’s 77, Manhattan 51— Peacocks are in 2nd place in MAAC.
— Toledo 84, Akron 76— Rockets won their 8th game in a row.
— Boise State 68, Fresno State 63 OT— Boise tied game on a 3 with 0:02 left.
Quote of the Day
“I promise I will do better than Michael Jordan in baseball.”
Tennessee Titans WR AJ Brown, campaigning for a tryout with the San Diego Padres
Saturday’s quiz
Which starting QB in the NFL was a WR his first two years in college?
Friday’s quiz
In the baseball movie Summer Catch, Brian Dennehy plays the manager of the Chatham A’s.
Thursday’s quiz
UMBC is the only #16-seed to beat a #1-seed in the NCAA basketball tournament; they upset Virginia 74-54 in the first round of the 2018 tournament.
*******************************
Saturday’s Den: Clearing out a cluttered mind……..
13) Earlier this week, there were nine openings for NFL head coaches; now there are six:
— Chicago Bears named Colts’ DC Matt Eberflus head coach
— Denver Broncos named Packers’ OC Nathaniel Hackett head coach
— New Jersey Giants named Bills’ OC Brian Daboll head coach
12) Curious to see who the Bears hire as offensive coordinator, seeing how they have young QB Justin Fields to develop.
11) I am told that quarterback is an important position in football; here are some of the terrific young QB’s on AFC teams right now:
Burrow, Mahomes, Allen, Jackson, Herbert, all AFC starting QB’s. AFC is going to be a minefield for defenses the next few years- lot of good QB’s.
NFC has Murray, Prescott, Goff as quality younger QB’s- they have several older guys who are really good- Rodgers, Stafford, Wilson, Ryan.
These coaching hires happening now will decide if some of the lesser/suspect QB’s can be developed into stars- Tagovailoa, Daniel Jones, Fields, Hurts.
10) Pittsburgh Steelers have had only three head coaches since 1969; they’ve been very stable, but next year, Steelers will have:
— a new QB
— a new general manager
— a new defensive coordinator
— a new offensive line coach.
This is, for them, a big re-boot. Will be curious how it goes for them- they desperately need a quality quarterback.
9) First 16 days New York State had a mobile sports betting app, the state did $1.176B in handle, that’s billion, with a B. State cost themselves lot of money by being so slow to get mobile sports betting up, but at least they have it now.
8) Looking at college basketball teams as we roll towards March Madness, what is the most important factor to judge?
— Experience?
— Continuity?
— Offense? Defense?
UNLV 88, Colorado State 74
— Rebels made 12-29 on the arc, led by 18 at halftime.
— Bryce Hamilton exploded for 45 points.
— UNLV scored 1.29 points per possession.
UNLV has been struggling this season at 12-9 overall, 4-4 in league. Five of the Rebels’ top seven scorers are transfers, so while they’re experience team #45, they’re continuity team #331- they’re not used to playing together, but they looked great Friday night.
Too bad there is no metric for talent; a team like Marquette (#350 experience, #337 continuity) is on a roll because they identified Darryl Morsell as a talented player who could be a key player, which he wasn’t at Maryland. Morsell is scoring 13.4 ppg for a team where five of their eight rotation guys are freshmen.
7) Arizona Wildcats are doing really well, but they’re experience team #355, continuity team #199- they don’t have any player who has ever played in an NCAA Tournament game. Arizona started four freshmen and a sophomore at UCLA Thursday, lot of foreign kids. Will be fun to see if they can keep winning as post-season play approaches.
6) Illinois-Chicago is bolting the Horizon League for the Missouri Valley, where they’ll replace Loyola, which is moving to the Atlantic 15. Lot of shuffling between conferences in mid-major college basketball.
5) USFL re-boots in mid-April. Eight teams, the whole league will happen in Birmingham. Here are the eight head coaches:
— Michigan Panthers— Jeff Fisher- Panthers will play good defense
— New Jersey Generals— Mike Riley- Generals will have a good offense
— Pittsburgh Maulers— Kirby Wilson- RB coach for 8 different NFL teams
— Birmingham Stallions— Skip Holtz- was a college head coach for 16 years (160-125)
— Houston Gamblers— Kevin Sumlin- was a college head coach for 13 years (108-87)
— Tampa Bay Bandits- Todd Haley- former head coach/OC in the NFL.
— New Orleans Breakers- Larry Fedora- went 79-62 as coach at Southern Miss/UNC
— Philadelphia Stars— Bart Andrus- Was head coach in the CFL and NFL Europe.
If the baseball labor dispute delays the start of the season, the USFL will be very popular.
4) Few years ago in July, I went to a Boys Club in Las Vegas on a Saturday afternoon to see the Junior College showcase, 50 kids trying very hard to impress the college coaches there so they could get a scholarship. Very interesting afternoon.
— The high school showcases are way more glamorous; several games going at once, the big names in college coaches sitting courtside. This event had one court, and the coaches were mostly from the Sun Belt/Southland leagues, which take a lot more JC kids than most.
— Kid blew out his knee, was laying on the floor for several minutes, which put the whole day behind schedule, since there was only one court. Felt terrible for the kid; this was his last shot at a scholarship and he left the gym on a stretcher.
— Games were VERY competitive, so it was more fun to watch.
That day, it was 108 degrees in Las Vegas and the Boys’ Club had a tiny parking lot; had to park at a strip mall down the street, and walk a block or so in the scorching heat. Good news; no one made me pay go get in, so saved few bucks there. Wish they had a list of players who played that day; would be good to look back and see how many turned out to be D-I players.
More good news; on the way home, stopped at a bar in the strip mall, had some lunch and won $100 playing video poker. All in all, not a bad day.
6) Weird TV game Thursday night; UAB is playing at Western Kentucky. Blazers are wearing their dark green road uniforms and for some reason, WKU is wearing black uniforms at home, which made the game hard to watch.
Would it kill someone to wear white unis, or could WKU at least have worn red, so you could tell one team from another?
3) Sundance TV channel is having a 48-hour marathon of Gilligan’s Island this weekend; have not seen that show in years. Spent lot of time watching it as a kid; the Professor could make batteries out of pineapples, but could never fix the hole in the boat.
Go figure.
2) I’m looking forward to baseball season, so I can see how my fantasy team will do (pretty sure the A’s are going into a salary dump/downturn, not looking forward to that). We’ve had our fantasy league going since 2005; still haven’t won a championship, though I did win the regular season title once, which means very little.
Anyway, going back to 2009, I’m at my desk at work, around 2pm (I worked 8-4) reading a Peter Gammons baseball column on espn.com. Gammons is touting this outfielder in the Marlins farm system, raving about the guy, but he is in Class A ball. Long way from the majors.
But the more I read about this guy, the more intrigued I am; our league didn’t have a phone app yet, so I go to my boss’s desk, fill out a leave slip, and take the rest of the day off, so I can get to my apartment and pick this guy off the scrap heap.
Turned out pretty well; Giancarlo Stanton has been on my team ever since then (he got to the majors the next year) and except for lot of injuries, he’s been very productive. Thanks to Peter Gammons; I miss reading his stuff on the Interweb.
1) Happy 86th birthday to the great actor Alan Alda, best known as Hawkeye Pierce on M*A*S*H. He was so good as Hawkeye that it probably cost him chances to get lot of other roles, since he was so identified with his M*A*S*H character.
Alda appeared on the Showtime series Ray Donovan the last couple years. Happy birthday, sir!!!
Saturday’s 6-pack
— UNLV 88, Colorado State 74— Bryce Hamilton exploded for 45 points.
— Dayton 53, Rhode Island 51— Flyers outscored URI 13-5 on foul line.
— Ohio 74, Buffalo 53— Bobcats improve to 7-1 in the MAC.
— Saint Peter’s 77, Manhattan 51— Peacocks are in 2nd place in MAAC.
— Toledo 84, Akron 76— Rockets won their 8th game in a row.
— Boise State 68, Fresno State 63 OT— Boise tied game on a 3 with 0:02 left.
Quote of the Day
“I promise I will do better than Michael Jordan in baseball.”
Tennessee Titans WR AJ Brown, campaigning for a tryout with the San Diego Padres
Saturday’s quiz
Which starting QB in the NFL was a WR his first two years in college?
Friday’s quiz
In the baseball movie Summer Catch, Brian Dennehy plays the manager of the Chatham A’s.
Thursday’s quiz
UMBC is the only #16-seed to beat a #1-seed in the NCAA basketball tournament; they upset Virginia 74-54 in the first round of the 2018 tournament.
*******************************
Saturday’s Den: Clearing out a cluttered mind……..
13) Earlier this week, there were nine openings for NFL head coaches; now there are six:
— Chicago Bears named Colts’ DC Matt Eberflus head coach
— Denver Broncos named Packers’ OC Nathaniel Hackett head coach
— New Jersey Giants named Bills’ OC Brian Daboll head coach
12) Curious to see who the Bears hire as offensive coordinator, seeing how they have young QB Justin Fields to develop.
11) I am told that quarterback is an important position in football; here are some of the terrific young QB’s on AFC teams right now:
Burrow, Mahomes, Allen, Jackson, Herbert, all AFC starting QB’s. AFC is going to be a minefield for defenses the next few years- lot of good QB’s.
NFC has Murray, Prescott, Goff as quality younger QB’s- they have several older guys who are really good- Rodgers, Stafford, Wilson, Ryan.
These coaching hires happening now will decide if some of the lesser/suspect QB’s can be developed into stars- Tagovailoa, Daniel Jones, Fields, Hurts.
10) Pittsburgh Steelers have had only three head coaches since 1969; they’ve been very stable, but next year, Steelers will have:
— a new QB
— a new general manager
— a new defensive coordinator
— a new offensive line coach.
This is, for them, a big re-boot. Will be curious how it goes for them- they desperately need a quality quarterback.
9) First 16 days New York State had a mobile sports betting app, the state did $1.176B in handle, that’s billion, with a B. State cost themselves lot of money by being so slow to get mobile sports betting up, but at least they have it now.
8) Looking at college basketball teams as we roll towards March Madness, what is the most important factor to judge?
— Experience?
— Continuity?
— Offense? Defense?
UNLV 88, Colorado State 74
— Rebels made 12-29 on the arc, led by 18 at halftime.
— Bryce Hamilton exploded for 45 points.
— UNLV scored 1.29 points per possession.
UNLV has been struggling this season at 12-9 overall, 4-4 in league. Five of the Rebels’ top seven scorers are transfers, so while they’re experience team #45, they’re continuity team #331- they’re not used to playing together, but they looked great Friday night.
Too bad there is no metric for talent; a team like Marquette (#350 experience, #337 continuity) is on a roll because they identified Darryl Morsell as a talented player who could be a key player, which he wasn’t at Maryland. Morsell is scoring 13.4 ppg for a team where five of their eight rotation guys are freshmen.
7) Arizona Wildcats are doing really well, but they’re experience team #355, continuity team #199- they don’t have any player who has ever played in an NCAA Tournament game. Arizona started four freshmen and a sophomore at UCLA Thursday, lot of foreign kids. Will be fun to see if they can keep winning as post-season play approaches.
6) Illinois-Chicago is bolting the Horizon League for the Missouri Valley, where they’ll replace Loyola, which is moving to the Atlantic 15. Lot of shuffling between conferences in mid-major college basketball.
5) USFL re-boots in mid-April. Eight teams, the whole league will happen in Birmingham. Here are the eight head coaches:
— Michigan Panthers— Jeff Fisher- Panthers will play good defense
— New Jersey Generals— Mike Riley- Generals will have a good offense
— Pittsburgh Maulers— Kirby Wilson- RB coach for 8 different NFL teams
— Birmingham Stallions— Skip Holtz- was a college head coach for 16 years (160-125)
— Houston Gamblers— Kevin Sumlin- was a college head coach for 13 years (108-87)
— Tampa Bay Bandits- Todd Haley- former head coach/OC in the NFL.
— New Orleans Breakers- Larry Fedora- went 79-62 as coach at Southern Miss/UNC
— Philadelphia Stars— Bart Andrus- Was head coach in the CFL and NFL Europe.
If the baseball labor dispute delays the start of the season, the USFL will be very popular.
4) Few years ago in July, I went to a Boys Club in Las Vegas on a Saturday afternoon to see the Junior College showcase, 50 kids trying very hard to impress the college coaches there so they could get a scholarship. Very interesting afternoon.
— The high school showcases are way more glamorous; several games going at once, the big names in college coaches sitting courtside. This event had one court, and the coaches were mostly from the Sun Belt/Southland leagues, which take a lot more JC kids than most.
— Kid blew out his knee, was laying on the floor for several minutes, which put the whole day behind schedule, since there was only one court. Felt terrible for the kid; this was his last shot at a scholarship and he left the gym on a stretcher.
— Games were VERY competitive, so it was more fun to watch.
That day, it was 108 degrees in Las Vegas and the Boys’ Club had a tiny parking lot; had to park at a strip mall down the street, and walk a block or so in the scorching heat. Good news; no one made me pay go get in, so saved few bucks there. Wish they had a list of players who played that day; would be good to look back and see how many turned out to be D-I players.
More good news; on the way home, stopped at a bar in the strip mall, had some lunch and won $100 playing video poker. All in all, not a bad day.
6) Weird TV game Thursday night; UAB is playing at Western Kentucky. Blazers are wearing their dark green road uniforms and for some reason, WKU is wearing black uniforms at home, which made the game hard to watch.
Would it kill someone to wear white unis, or could WKU at least have worn red, so you could tell one team from another?
3) Sundance TV channel is having a 48-hour marathon of Gilligan’s Island this weekend; have not seen that show in years. Spent lot of time watching it as a kid; the Professor could make batteries out of pineapples, but could never fix the hole in the boat.
Go figure.
2) I’m looking forward to baseball season, so I can see how my fantasy team will do (pretty sure the A’s are going into a salary dump/downturn, not looking forward to that). We’ve had our fantasy league going since 2005; still haven’t won a championship, though I did win the regular season title once, which means very little.
Anyway, going back to 2009, I’m at my desk at work, around 2pm (I worked 8-4) reading a Peter Gammons baseball column on espn.com. Gammons is touting this outfielder in the Marlins farm system, raving about the guy, but he is in Class A ball. Long way from the majors.
But the more I read about this guy, the more intrigued I am; our league didn’t have a phone app yet, so I go to my boss’s desk, fill out a leave slip, and take the rest of the day off, so I can get to my apartment and pick this guy off the scrap heap.
Turned out pretty well; Giancarlo Stanton has been on my team ever since then (he got to the majors the next year) and except for lot of injuries, he’s been very productive. Thanks to Peter Gammons; I miss reading his stuff on the Interweb.
1) Happy 86th birthday to the great actor Alan Alda, best known as Hawkeye Pierce on M*A*S*H. He was so good as Hawkeye that it probably cost him chances to get lot of other roles, since he was so identified with his M*A*S*H character.
Alda appeared on the Showtime series Ray Donovan the last couple years. Happy birthday, sir!!!
