Thursday 11/22/2018 ... Comps / Bonus Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Requests Etc

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Preview: Falcons at Saints


When they met in Week 3, the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints both were sitting at 1-1 and in need of a win to propel them in the right direction. The Saints eked out a 43-37 overtime victory and haven’t stopped since, as they aim for a 10th consecutive victory when they host the Falcons on Thursday night.


The Saints ran their winning streak to nine games with a 48-7 romp over Philadelphia last week, completing a difficult stretch of their schedule in impressive fashion. New Orleans has scored at least 45 points and rolled up 487 or more yards in three straight games, and the defense has forced eight turnovers in the last four contests. The loss to the Saints in Week 3 began a three-game skid for the Falcons. They then won three straight, including a 24-point triumph at Washington, but back-to-back losses have put Atlanta’s playoff hopes in peril.

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Saints -13. O/U: 60


ABOUT THE FALCONS (4-6): The first meeting with the Saints encapsulates Atlanta’s entire season - the team has one of the league’s top offenses and one of its worst defenses. Although the offense ranks sixth in total yards and ninth in the scoring, the ground game has been almost non-existent, so the Falcons have relied on Matt Ryan (3,306 yards, 22 touchdowns, four interceptions) and the passing attack. Ironically, the defense turned in its best effort since Week 1 last time out, holding Dallas to 323 total yards, but the offense fell flat in a 22-19 loss.

ABOUT THE SAINTS (9-1): New Orleans possesses the league’s top scoring offense and one of its most balanced, as complementary running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram have given the team a ground attack to go along with the prolific Drew Brees. The superstar quarterback has been especially good in five home games, completing 78.9 percent of his passes for 1,754 yards with 16 touchdowns and no interceptions. The Saints’ defensive stats are somewhat skewed by their opponents often playing catch-up, but they’ve been tough against the run while giving up substantial passing yardage, including a season-high 391 yards at Atlanta.


EXTRA POINTS

1. Brees threw four touchdown passes without an interception last week, his NFL-record 23rd such game - one more than Tom Brady.

2. Atlanta WR Julio Jones has caught a touchdown pass in three straight games after being kept out of the end zone in the first seven contests.

3. New Orleans WR Michael Thomas has recorded at least 10 receptions and 115 yards in three of his last four games against Atlanta.


PREDICTION: Saints 34, Falcons 23

 

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ATS Trends
Atlanta

Falcons are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 Thursday games.
Falcons are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Falcons are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Falcons are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Falcons are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.

New Orleans

Saints are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
Saints are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Saints are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Saints are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Saints are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 vs. NFC.
Saints are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf.
Saints are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 14 points.
Saints are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games in November.
Saints are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 games following a ATS win.
Saints are 22-7 ATS in their last 29 games following a straight up win.
Saints are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Saints are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Saints are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
Saints are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 vs. NFC South.
Saints are 11-5 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Saints are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games in Week 12.

OU Trends
Atlanta

Over is 5-1 in Falcons last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 4-1 in Falcons last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Over is 16-5 in Falcons last 21 games on fieldturf.
Under is 6-2 in Falcons last 8 road games.
Under is 23-9 in Falcons last 32 games in November.
Under is 5-2 in Falcons last 7 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 10-4 in Falcons last 14 vs. NFC.
Under is 10-4 in Falcons last 14 vs. a team with a winning record.

New Orleans

Under is 5-0-1 in Saints last 6 Thursday games.
Over is 4-0 in Saints last 4 vs. NFC South.
Over is 7-1 in Saints last 8 games after allowing less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
Over is 7-1 in Saints last 8 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Saints last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 4-1 in Saints last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Over is 16-5 in Saints last 21 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 11-4 in Saints last 15 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 19-8-1 in Saints last 28 home games.
Over is 14-6 in Saints last 20 vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 7-3 in Saints last 10 vs. NFC.
Under is 7-3 in Saints last 10 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
Over is 30-13 in Saints last 43 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
Over is 13-6 in Saints last 19 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.

Head to Head

Underdog is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings in New Orleans.
Falcons are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
Falcons are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 meetings in New Orleans.

 

[bmd1803]

Falcons at Saints 11/22/18 - NFL Picks & Predictions
by David

NFL: 8:20 PM EST
Nov. 22, 2018
TV: NBC
Latest Odds : NO -12.5 Total 59

The Atlanta Falcons visit the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to play a Thanksgiving Night game against the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons were defeated on Sunday by the Dallas Cowboys 22-19. Atlanta lost its second straight and has little hope of reaching the playoffs as the NFC South has Carolina and New Orleans in front of the Falcons.

New Orleans continues to win. The Saints have won nine straight after an opening week loss to Tampa Bay. The Saints latest victory was on Sunday routing the Philadelphia Eagles 48-7. Drew Brees threw for 363 yards and four touchdowns. The Saints offense is clicking on all cylinders averaging a league high 37.8 points per game.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown for 3,306 yards, 22 touchdowns and four interceptions. The leading rusher for Atlanta is Tevin Coleman with 500 yards and two touchdowns. The Falcons leading receiver is Julio Jones with 73 receptions for 1,158 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, the leading tackler is De’Vondre Campbell with 55 while Takkarist McKinley is the sacks leader with 5.5.

Saints QB Drew Brees has 2,964 yards passing, 25 touchdowns and one interception. Alvin Kamara is the leading rusher with 617 yards and 11 touchdowns. Michael Thomas is leading the team in receiving with 82 receptions for 1,042 yards and eight touchdowns. The leading tackler for the Saints is Demario Davis with 70, while Cameron Jordan is the sacks leader with 6.0.

Recent Betting Trends:

Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 on the road
The UNDER has cashed in 6 of the Falcons last 8 on the road
New Orleans is 8-0 ATS in its last 8
The OVER has cashed in 19 of the Saints last 28 at home

Bonus Betting Pick: Over 59

New Orleans has covered the number in 5 of the last 7 against Atlanta and in 5 of the last 7 played in New Orleans against the Falcons. The Saints defeated the Falcons in Week 3 in Atlanta 43-37 in a shootout that the Saints covered as 1.5-point road dogs. Take the home chalk in this one. Final Score Prediction, New Orleans Saints win and cover ATS but we like the over total the best 41-23.

 

[bmd1803]

Redskins at Cowboys 11/22/18 - NFL Picks & Predictions
by Thomas

NFL: 4:30 PM EST
Nov. 22, 2018
TV: FOX
Latest Odds : DAL -7.5 Total 40.5

The Dallas Cowboys head back home for a Thanksgiving showdown against the Washington Redskins. The Cowboys beat the Falcons on the road last week and have won two straight games. Dallas is 3-1 on their home field and are 2-1 in divisional games. The Cowboys average 133.3 rushing yards per game which ranks 4th in the NFL.

Dallas lost in Washington by a field goal earlier this season. Washington was a much healthier team them and the Cowboys have all the momentum heading into this game. Running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for over 100 yards in the last two games scoring in both games.

The Washington Redskins lost a tough fought game at home last week and now have to travel on a short week. The Redskins are 6-4 on the season and sit one game ahead of Dallas in the NFC East. Washington is 3-1 on the road this season.

The Redskins are 2-0 in divisional games this season but that was led by Alex Smith. Washington may start Colt McCoy who threw a touchdown against Houston but are also looking to add someone to the depth chart. The Redskins average 19.7 points per game which ranks 27th in the NFL.

Recent Betting Trends:

Redskins are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NFC.
Cowboys are 4-11 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 6-1 in Redskins last 7 Thursday games.
Under is 9-0 in Cowboys last 9 games following a straight up win.

Bonus Betting Pick: Dallas Cowboys -7.5

Lay it and play it with Dallas at home. Huge game on Thanksgiving that favors the home team. Washington is extremely banged up and that will show in this weeks game. The Cowboys are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NFC East. The Cowboys defense ranks 8th in yards allowed and will come up big. Final Score Prediction, Dallas Cowboys win and cover ATS 31-17.

 

[bmd1803]

Bears at Lions 11/22/18 - NFL Picks & Predictions
by Eddie

NFL: 12:30 PM EST
Nov. 22, 2018
TV: CBS
Latest Odds : CHI -4 Total 45.5

The annual Thanksgiving slate of NFL games will get underway with a meeting between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions from Ford Field.

The Bears have won seven of their first ten games and lead the NFC North Division standings. On Sunday, Chicago built a 14-point halftime lead and held on for a 25-20 home victory versus Minnesota. Eddie Jackson returned an interception for a touchdown for the Bears, who have won four straight games.

Through ten games, Chicago ranks 16th in the league in total offense and is scoring 29.4 points on average. Detroit counters with an improving defense that allows 364 yards and 26.3 points per game.

The Detroit Lions have lost six of their first ten games and are sitting in last place for first year head coach Matt Patricia. On Sunday, the Lions stopped a two-point conversion attempt with 1:07 remaining to secure a 20-19 home victory versus Carolina. Rookie RB Kerryon Johnson rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown for the Lions, who were out-gained by a 387-209 margin.

For the season, Detroit ranks 24th in the league total offense and is scoring 22.2 points per game. Chicago features an outstanding defense that ranks 3rd in yards allowed and gives up just 19.5 points per contest.

Recent Betting Trends:

Bears are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Lions are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Over is 6-1 in Bears last 7 games overall.
Over is 5-1 in Lions last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Bears are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 meetings in Detroit.

Bonus Betting Pick: Detroit Lions +4

Chicago QB Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder) did not practice on Monday and is expected to play in this matchup. Two weeks ago, the Bears sacked Matthew Stafford six times during a 34-22 home victory. Look for Detroit to protect better at home and pull off the upset. Final Score Prediction, Detroit Lions win in upset but grab the points just in case 24-23.

 

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Colorado State Rams vs. Air Force Falcons Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAF Predictions 21st November 2018 By Charles Jay for Scores And Stats
by Charles Jay Scores & Stats on 11/21/2018

For the Colorado State Rams, it's been a thoroughly disappointing season, and there is really nothing left but to start thinking about next season. However, there is at least one measure of satisfaction they can get from beating the geographic rival.

The Air Force Falcons have also been somewhat disappointed because this is a team that has become accustomed to going to bowl games. But this season they will miss out on that action. Can they close out the season on a winning note?

These teams will meet up on Thanksgiving day at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs.

TV: CBS Sports Network, 3:30 PM ET. LINE: Air Force -14. O/U: 62.5

ABOUT COLORADO STATE: Current Status - The Rams are 3-8 straight-up and 4-7 against the pointspread. They have had only two wins in the Mountain West – taking place against San Jose State and New Mexico. Last week they put up a spirited effort but lost 29-24 ti Utah State when a Hail Mary touchdown was overturned. Still, it can be said that CSU has allowed fewer points only twice then they allowed against the high-octane Aggies. The Good - Colorado State ranks 16th in the nation in passing offense, just shy of 300 yards per game. And interestingly enough, for a team that likes to pass the ball, they are 27th among the 130 FBS teams in time of possession. The Bad - They have given up 450 yards per game, and haven't run the ball enough, averaging just 109. It's been very hard for them to stop people on the ground, as they rank outside the top 100 with 203.7 rushing yards allowed per contest, and they are fourth from the bottom in passing efficiency defense, although that doesn't matter as much here as it usually might. The Rams are one of the 20 most penalized teams in the country, getting flagged an average of 7.8 times per game. They are currently on a four-game losing streak.



ABOUT AIR FORCE: Current Status - Air Force is 4-7 straight-up and 6-3-2 ATS. They are out of the bowl picture unless it's one of those circumstances where there are not enough teams with six wins. But for all intents and purposes, this is their season finale. The Good - As you might expect, rushing is a strength for this team, as they rank fifth in the nation with 273.5 yards per game. And unlike Colorado State, this is a disciplined crew, ranking among the nation's 20 best in terms of fewest penalties per game. They know how to convert when they get in close, scoring points on 92.7% of their red zone trips (seventh in the country). And they are also seventh in time of possession. Air Force does not throw the ball a lot, but they do average 17.6 yards per completion, which is third-best nationwide, and that is not an unexpected thing for teams running the option; Army, for example, leads the nation with 20.34 yards per pass completion. The Bad - They haven't done a great job defending the pass; in fact, they are 116th in the country in passing efficiency defense, and this is always a concern for option-based teams who don't have a chance to practice against sophisticated air attacks. They have intercepted only five passes, and on special teams, they have averaged only 32.3 net yards per punt, next to last in the nation.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Colorado State has been on a rather prolonged pointspread slump, covering just four of their last 17 games.

2. There's quite a difference in the way Air Force defends kickoffs and punts; they are 12th in the nation in kickoff return defense, but just 120th in punt return defense.

3. Last year's game resulted in a 45-28 Air Force victory, as the Falcons rolled up 413 rushing yards on the Rams.

PREDICTION: Air Force 40, Colorado State 21

 

[bmd1803]

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Mississippi Rebels Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAF Predictions 20th November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/20/2018

Matt Luke will serve as head coach for his second Egg Bowl when Ole Miss hosts No. 20 Mississippi State on Thanksgiving, but the way he sees it, the Gulfport, Miss. native has been involved for most of his 42 years on Earth. "It's a game that means so much to so many people," Luke, who played for the Rebels from 1995-98 and was an assistant coach for 10 years, told reporters. "... It's a 365-day bragging rights. It's just always been important in my family ever since I can remember."

It matters little that the Bulldogs are winding down a season in which many believe they underachieved or that the Rebels need a victory to become bowl-eligible when the Battle for the Golden Egg ensues. "This game has all of the ingredients of what makes college football and a great rivalry special," Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead, who will experience his first Egg Bowl, told reporters. "Two great opponents, proximity, familiarity, tradition, history. Really, quite frankly and most importantly, a lot of players from the state who have played with or against each other. I think that's what makes this game unique and special." The Bulldogs have struggled on the road in the SEC - albeit versus tough competition, losing to then-No. 17 Kentucky, No. 8 LSU and No. 1 Alabama by a combined 71-10. Ole Miss leads the series 64-46-6, including 58-27-5 since the Battle for the Golden Egg began in 1927, and has won three of the last four meetings after hanging on for a 31-28 upset victory last season after leading 24-6 in the third quarter.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Mississippi State -11

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (7-4, 3-4 SEC): The Bulldogs are coming off a 52-6 victory over Arkansas last week as senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (51.7 completion rating, 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions) passed for four scores and ran for another - extending his school-record total for career rushing TDs to 43. Fitzgerald has recorded team highs of 901 yards and 10 TDs on the ground, with sophomore Kylin Hill (583 yards) and senior Aeris Williams (438) combining for five scores. Senior defensive end Montez Sweat (9.5 sacks) and junior defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (12.5 tackles for loss, zero sacks) spearhead a defense that has allowed the second-fewest points in FBS at 12.8 per game.



ABOUT OLE MISS (5-6, 1-6): The Rebels have lost four straight after a 36-29 overtime setback at Vanderbilt last week in which quarterback Jordan Ta'amu (19 touchdowns, seven interceptions) passed for a career-high 457 yards with two scores and two interceptions. The senior from Hawaii is second in the country with 348.3 passing yards per game while junior wideout A.J. Brown (six touchdowns) is fifth nationally with 1,259 receiving yards. Ole Miss yields 489.2 yards per game - 123rd among the 129 FBS teams - and ranks 113th against the run (213.8).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mississippi State has allowed 12 touchdowns - fewest in the FBS.

2. Ta'amu needs 212 passing yards to break the school record for most in a season set in 2015 by Chad Kelly.

3. Fitzgerald joined Dak Prescott - his predecessor at Mississippi State - and Florida's Tim Tebow (2007-09) as the only SEC quarterbacks to rush for 10 touchdowns and pass for 10 in three consecutive seasons.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 35, Ole Miss 24

 

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Wisconsin Badgers vs. Oklahoma Sooners Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAB Predictions 21st November 2018 by Gracenote
Wisconsin has answered its first losing season since 1997-98 by jumping out to a 4-0 start and looks to remain unbeaten when it takes on Oklahoma in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas on Thursday. The Badgers, who finished 15-18 in 2017-18, averaged 86 points in their first three wins and flexed their defensive muscles Wednesday with a 62-46 victory over Stanford in the first round.

Senior forward Ethan Happ has a triple-double and three double-doubles for Wisconsin, including 16 points and 12 rebounds Wednesday, and the Badgers held Stanford to 27.1 percent shooting from the field to pull away. Wisconsin won't have it easy against an Oklahoma team that knocked off Florida 65-60 in the first round Wednesday by dominating on the glass (48-34) and limiting the Gators to 39 percent shooting from the floor. "From the start I thought we were aggressive to the boards," Sooners coach Lon Kruger told reporters. "We got some big rebounds (inside), and our perimeter guys rebounded pretty well, too. That was a big key in the game. Limiting them to generally one shot was huge for us." Senior guard Christian James has led the way for Oklahoma this season, averaging 21.5 points on 52.9 percent shooting, and pulled down a season-high seven rebounds in Wednesday's win.

TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT WISCONSIN (4-0): Happ is averaging 17.8 points, 12.0 boards and 5.7 assists in the early going and teamed with sophomore guards D'Mitrik Trice and Brad Davison to score 46 of the 62 in the first round. Trice, who missed the last 23 games of 2017-18 with a foot injury, is tied for the team scoring lead although he was just 6-for-20 from the field and 0-of-5 from behind the arc Wednesday. Davison is chipping in 12.3 points per contest and junior guard Brevin Pritzl has scored 33 total points in two games this season, but was shut out in the other two.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (4-0): James poured in 18 points against Florida and nine others made the scoresheet as the Sooners won despite shooting just 39.1 percent from the field with 14 turnovers. Senior center Jamuni McNeace and senior guard Rashard Odomes each delivered a season-high 11 points to support James while sophomore Brady Manek hauled in double-figure rebounds for the fourth straight contest. Senior guard Aaron Calixte, a transfer from Maine, scored 33 points in the first two games of the season before managing 11 combined the last two.

TIP-INS

1. Manek leads the Sooners with 11 rebounds per game and junior F Kristian Doolittle adds 7.8, including 9.3 in the last three contests.

2. Wisconsin sophomore F Nate Reuvers blocked a tournament-record nine shots Wednesday, tying the school mark set by Brad Sellers in 1982.

3. The Badgers beat Oklahoma in the 2014 Battle 4 Atlantis championship game and lead the all-time series 5-4.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 76, Oklahoma 68

 

[bmd1803]

Villanova Wildcats vs. Canisius Golden Griffins Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAB Predictions 21st November 2018 by Gracenote
Villanova has won the last five November tournaments it has participated in, but this group of Wildcats appears to be a different breed. The suddenly unranked Wildcats take the court in the first round of the AdvoCare Invitational on Thursday when they face off with Canisius in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

After two easy wins to open the season, Villanova was hammered by Michigan in an NCAA Tournament title game rematch and then, three days later, a home loss to Furman made it clear that things have changed for Jay Wright's team. "I thought we had a lot of good looks," Wright, whose team shot 33.8 percent Saturday, told reporters. "We just didn't make them." Added senior guard Phil Booth, who led the team with 20 points in a losing effort: "It's not that shocking, to be honest. They're a very good team. We're still a young team trying to find our way." Canisius has played one major college opponent so far and dropped a 32-point decision to Florida State.

TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2 Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT VILLANOVA (2-2): The Wildcats need more production from senior forward Eric Paschall, who is 3-of-14 from the field in each of the last two games and shot just 2-of-11 from behind the 3-point line in the loss to Furman. Villanova attempted 44 3-pointers in that game while taking just 27 shots from two-point range. Collin Gillespie made four 3s in seven attempts against the Palladins and is 8-of-13 from outside the arc over the last three contests.

ABOUT CANISIUS (1-2): The Golden Griffins' Takal Molson has raised his scoring average from 12.6 points as a freshman to 21.3 points as a sophomore. He shot well in a season-opening win over Bucknell but has made just 2-of-16 shots from 3-point range over the last two games - both losses. Malik Johnson paced the team with 20 points against Florida State thanks to 5-of-6 shooting from 3-point range, although he also had six of the team's 19 turnovers.

TIP-INS

1. Villanova F Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree has at least three blocks in three of the Wildcats' four games.

2. Paschall, who shot 35.6 percent from long range last season, is 3-of-17 from behind the arc this year.

3. The winner of this game will face either Oklahoma State or Memphis in the next round.

PREDICTION: Villanova 88, Canisius 60

 

[bmd1803]

La Salle Explorers vs. Miami-Florida Hurricanes Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAB Predictions 21st November 2018 by Gracenote
Miami sought out each of its first three opponents of the season specifically because the Hurricanes anticipated all of them being the favorite to win their respective conferences. Coach Jim Larranaga likely had events like the Wooden Legacy in mind, and Miami will test itself away from home for the first time Thursday when it faces La Salle in quarterfinal action in Fullerton, Calif.

The Hurricanes easily dispatched Lehigh (Patriot League) and Stephen F. Austin (Southland) before getting tested by Bethune-Cookman (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) in Saturday's 78-70 victory, blowing a 10-point second-half advantage before taking the lead back for good with 2:19 remaining. "We're going to face adversity a lot, especially during the ACC. It is very competitive during that part of the season. Any type of competition like that is going to make us better," Miami sophomore guard Chris Lykes told reporters. The Hurricanes have been among the best in college basketball during in-season tournaments of late, winning tournament titles in two of their last five entries and going 3-1 in two others. The Explorers was predicted to finish 12th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 and have done nothing to prove the preseason projections wrong while matching their worst start to a season since 2003-04, although they managed to remain competitive in road losses to Temple and Florida.

TV: 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT LA SALLE (0-4): Pookie Powell (20.5 points) has been an offensive spark plug since a poor showing in the opener against Temple, scoring at least 21 points in each of his last three outings while shooting 42.9 percent beyond the arc over that stretch. Junior guard Isiah Deas (15.5) has reached double figures in every game as well and nailed at least two triples (including at least three or more in all but one contest), although he is doing so while shooting 38.5 percent from the field. Sophomore guard David Beatty (6.8) totaled only three points on 1-of-13 from the floor while battling foul trouble over his first two games but has bounced back with 11- and 13-point performances on 8-of-18 shooting over the last two.

ABOUT MIAMI (3-0): Lykes (21.0 points, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals) has picked up where he left off last season when he was the team's leading scorer over the final 12 games, becoming the first Hurricane sophomore to record three straight 20-point efforts to begin a season in 29 years (Joe Wylie). Dejan Vasiljevic (17.7 points) is one of three other Miami players averaging at least 12 points and has knocked down exactly four 3-pointers in every game so far. Swingman Anthony Lawrence II (16.7 points, 8.0 rebounds) nearly posted his second double-double in three outings Saturday with 13 points and nine boards, while Ebuka Izundu (12.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.3 blocks) is one game removed from a 22-point, 19-board, four-block effort against Stephen F. Austin.

TIP-INS

1. The winner will play either Northwestern or Fresno State in the semifinals Friday.

2. Lykes is the first Hurricane - regardless of class - to score at least 20 points in three straight games since Shane Larkin accomplished the feat during the 2013 ACC Tournament.

3. Freshman F Jared Kimbrough (7.3 boards) has led the Explorers in rebounding in every contest, grabbing at least seven each time.

PREDICTION: Miami 86, La Salle 72

 

[bmd1803]

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Memphis Tigers Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAB Predictions 21st November 2018 by Gracenote
Memphis needed everything it could muster to defeat Ivy League opponent Yale over the weekend. Now it's time for the Tigers to contend with Oklahoma State when the teams meet Thursday in the first round of the AdvoCare Invitational at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

The Tigers needed two overtime sessions to hold off Yale 109-102 in their last contest despite some clear flaws to their game. "We just outlasted them," Memphis coach Anfernee Hardaway told reporters. "To be able to turn them over 25 times, that's what we have to do. We also shot 56 free throws, even though we missed 19 of them." Memphis missed 17 of its 23 attempts from 3-point range, as opposed to Oklahoma State, which was a crisp 10-of-22 from long range in its last contest. The Cowboys topped Charleston 70-58 in that game with junior Cameron McGriff (16 points) leading the charge offensively.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2 Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (2-1): The Cowboys are aiming for a third straight win since losing to Charlotte in the season opener, although their defense has been solid all season. They have given up 66, 60 and 58 points in their three games and, most recently, they held Charleston to 38.3 percent shooting and 5-of-26 from long range. McGriff leads the team in scoring (17.7 points) after averaging 8.4 a season ago, and Thomas Dziagwa is averaging 15 points while shooting 11-of-15 over the last two contests.

ABOUT MEMPHIS (2-1): The Tigers are averaging 87 points per game (aided by the double-overtime affair) and have four double-digit scorers on the season. The Tigers' early-season scoring is somewhat surprising given that they aren't shooting particularly well from the field (42.9 percent), the arc (28.6) or the foul line (67.8) and they are also committing almost 15 turnovers per game. Jeremiah Martin (17.7 points) is the top guy for Memphis offensively, followed by Kyvon Davenport (16.7), who had 30 points and 10 boards in a season-opening win against Tennessee Tech.

TIP-INS

1. The winner of this game will face Villanova or Canisius in the next round.

2. Freshman F Yor Anei, who only plays 15.3 minutes per game, has half of Oklahoma State's 14 blocks.

3. Memphis G Tyler Harris has taken 28 of his 34 shots from 3-point range.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 69, Memphis 62

 

[bmd1803]

Dayton Flyers vs. Virginia Cavaliers Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAB Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

Sophomore guard De'Andre Hunter looks to stuff the scoresheet for a second straight game when fourth-ranked Virginia faces Dayton in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis on Thursday at Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas. Hunter recorded 15 points, nine assists and eight rebounds as the Cavaliers rolled past Middle Tennessee 74-52 in Wednesday's first round.

Hunter, who missed top-seeded Virginia's historic loss to 16th seed UMBC in the NCAA Tournament last March with a broken wrist, shares the team lead in scoring with junior guard Ty Jerome (14.5) and is shooting 59.5 percent from the field through four games. The 6-7 Hunter also contributes on the defensive end for the Cavaliers, who have allowed 47.8 points per game and 36 percent shooting in the young season. Dayton rolled to a double-digit lead and held off a late rally from Butler for a 69-64 victory in the first round Wednesday as preseason All-Atlantic 10 preseason pick Josh Cunningham produced his second straight standout game to open his season. Cunningham missed the first two contests with a wrist injury before scoring 20 points on 9-of-10 shooting against Purdue Fort Wayne and connecting on 7-of-11 for 18 against Butler, while grabbing eight rebounds in each contest.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT DAYTON (4-0): Sophomore guard Jalen Crutcher has also put together two outstanding performances, scoring 18 against Fort Wayne and draining 6-of-8 from the field Wednesday to register a game-high 20 points. Junior guard Trey Landers had 10 points against Butler and has reached double figures in three of four games this season while freshman forward Obadiah Toppin is averaging 12.3 points on 22-of-33 shooting overall. The Flyers, who committed 16 turnovers Wednesday, are shooting 51.6 percent from the field overall.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (4-0): Jerome has cooled off after starting the season with back-to-back 20-point games, managing 18 combined in the last two, but has dished out a team-best five assists per contest this season. Junior guard Kyle Guy poured in 15 points against Middle Tennessee, connecting on 3-of-9 from 3-point range, and junior forward Mamadi Diakite is 16-of-24 from the field in his last three contests. Junior guard Braxton Key, a transfer from Alabama, scored a season-high 13 points Wednesday and is hauling in 6.5 rebounds per game early on.

TIP-INS

1. Virginia senior C Jack Salt had four points and four rebounds Wednesday after missing the previous game with back stiffness.

2. Dayton junior F Ryan Mikesell is 14-for-19 from the field over the last three games after missing 6-of-9 on opening night.

3. The Cavaliers won both previous meetings, including 69-50 in the last matchup in 1987-88.

PREDICTION: Virginia 66, Dayton 54

 

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Northwestern Wildcats vs. Fresno St. Bulldogs Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAB Predictions 21st November 2018 by Gracenote
Five of the 10 players to see action for Northwestern may be newcomers, but their relative unfamiliarity with each other hasn't kept them from playing some of the best defense in the country. The Wildcats attempt to keep a fourth straight opponent under 55 points Thursday when they square off against Fresno State in the quarterfinals of the Wooden Legacy in Fullerton, Calif.

Transfers Ryan Taylor and A.J. Turner as well as three freshmen - including highly touted recruit Pete Nance - have seamlessly gelled with holdovers such as Vic Law and Dererk Pardon to limit opponents to an average of 52.3 points. The Wildcats held Binghamton to 22 percent from the field en route to a 48-19 halftime lead Friday before settling for an 82-54 win over the Bearcats. Stellar defensive play is nothing new to Northwestern, which has finished inside the top 40 in the country in scoring defense in each of the previous three seasons. The Bulldogs pushed No. 18 TCU for a little more than a half on the road last Thursday, taking a two-point lead into the break before giving up 48 in the second half in a 77-69 defeat.

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (3-0): Law, who underwent offseason surgery to correct a lung issue, has finished among the Wildcats' top two scorers in every outing so far and ranks first or second on the team in scoring (19.3 points), assists (3.0) and blocks (1.3) while pulling down 5.7 rebounds per game. Pardon (12.0 points, 12.7 boards) fell one rebound shy of posting his third double-double in as many contests despite logging only 13 minutes against Binghamton and is one game removed from an 18-rebound effort against American. Taylor, who led the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring with Evansville in 2017-18 at 21.3 points per game, totaled 17 points on 5-for-16 from the field after scoring 20 points in his Northwestern debut against New Orleans.

ABOUT FRESNO STATE (1-1): New Mexico State transfer Braxton Huggins (team-high 20.5 points) is off to a hot start in his senior season after averaging 13.7 points with the Aggies in 2016-17, scoring at least 18 points in both games while shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 44.4 percent beyond the arc. Junior guard New Williams (15.5) has been even more efficient, converting 56.3 percent of his field goals and 58.3 percent of his 3-point attempts while recording exactly four rebounds and three steals in both contests. All-Mountain West Conference first-teamer Deshon Taylor (12.0), who flirted with turning pro before opting to return for his senior season, is 6-for-19 from the floor while averaging 5.8 fewer points than last season.

TIP-INS

1. The winner will play either Miami or La Salle in the semifinals Friday.

2. Taylor, who is only beginning his third season with Fresno State after transferring from Missouri-Kansas City after the 2014-15 season, became the 33rd Bulldog to score 1,000 career points Thursday.

3. Opponents are shooting 21.6 percent from 3-point range against the Wildcats.

PREDICTION: Northwestern 69, Fresno State 64

 

[bmd1803]

Stanford Cardinal vs. Florida Gators Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAB Predictions 21st November 2018 by Gracenote
Florida coach Mike White told reporters his team isn't playing with much swagger and the Gators will try to begin changing that when they meet Stanford in the consolation round of the Battle 4 Atlantis on Thursday at Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas. Florida shot 39 percent from the field, was pounded on the boards (48-34) and could not get over the hump before falling 65-60 against Oklahoma in the first round Wednesday.

"Confidence is a big issue with this team right now, and that's something we've got to get to the bottom of," White told reporters. ". ... We had six or eight basketballs go through our hands because we're playing a little too fast. Missed layups. Missed tip-ins. Some of it is playing hard ... but you have to play more confidently." The Gators have one double-figure scorer on the season, and their starters were 13-for-41 from the field versus the Sooners as they prepare to play a Stanford team that managed just 27.1 percent shooting in a 62-46 loss to Wisconsin during Wednesday's first round. The Cardinal started the season with a pair of double-digit wins against mid-majors, but were beaten by 18 at North Carolina before allowing 18 of the final 22 points against the Badgers. Sophomore forward KZ Okpala leads the team at 19.8 points per game and was the only player in double figures Wednesday with 11, but he went 2-for-12 from the field as Stanford's starters were a cold 10-for-47.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT STANFORD (2-2): Okpala also averages 7.5 rebounds, second on the team behind sophomore forward Oscar da Silva from Germany (8.0) as both hauled in eight caroms in the loss to Wisconsin. Freshman guard Cormac Ryan was very consistent in his first three collegiate games while averaging 14.7 points, but he went 1-for-9 from the floor in the first round and missed all six 3-pointers after coming in 10-for-22 from long range. The Cardinal also need more from sophomore guard Daejon Davis, who was 8-for-15 from the field in the first two games but is 5-for-20 since.

ABOUT FLORIDA (2-2): Senior guard Jalen Hudson leads the team at 10 points per game but was limited to four in the first round and is shooting just 35.1 percent from the field after missing 6-of-8 attempts Wednesday. Sophomore forward Dontay Bassett stepped up with 14 points in 16 minutes against Oklahoma after logging just 18 total minutes in the first three games and going scoreless without attempting a shot in all three of those contests. Sophomore guard Deaundrae Ballard was averaging in double figures coming into Wednesday's game, but did not score in just seven minutes of action.

TIP-INS

1. Davis had seven assists Wednesday after combining for the same amount in his first three games.

2. Florida junior F Keith Stone scored 10 points Wednesday for his first double-figure game of the season.

3. Stanford won the first four meetings, but the Gators rolled over the Cardinal 108-87 last season in Portland.

PREDICTION: Florida 76, Stanford 62

 

[bmd1803]

Texas Longhorns vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAB Predictions 21st November 2018 by Gracenote
After winning their first five games by an average of 30.6 points, including two by 49- and 50-point margins, the North Carolina Tar Heels are anxious to pick on someone their own size, or at least ability. They'll get that chance starting Thursday night in the semifinals of the Las Vegas Invitational where they face undefeated Texas.

The Tar Heels will make a quick turnaround on Friday and play either No. 11 Michigan State or No. 17 UCLA in either the championship game or consolation game at the Orleans Arena. Both contests figure to be a lot more competitive for Roy Williams' squad than teams like Elon (116-67) and Tennessee Tech (108-58) that the Tar Heels crushed earlier. "No disrespect to any of the teams we've played, but these teams are a little bit more physically imposing, and they kind of match up with us" North Carolina guard Kenny Williams told the Raleigh News & Observer. "I'm super excited for it, especially to see where we stack up against some of the better teams in the country." Texas counts a 73-71 overtime win over Arkansas among its four wins and comes in off a 97-69 victory over The Citadel on Friday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1 Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT TEXAS (4-0): The Longhorns are doing it with defense, holding opponents to just 63.5 points on 39.4 percent shooting, including 29 percent from 3-point range. Senior guard Kerwin Roach II leads the team in scoring (15.3) and is also grabbing 6.3 rebounds, while senior forward Dylan Osetkowski also averages in double figures (11.8). The Longhorns, who ranked last in the Big 12 and 321st in the nation in 3-point shooting percentage last season at 32.0 percent, are off to an even worse start this season shooting just 29.3 percent beyond the arc.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (5-0): The Tar Heels announced Wednesday afternoon that they will be without point guard Seventh Woods for the tournament after he suffered a concussion in practice on Tuesday. Woods leads the team in assists (5.4) and has just six turnovers to 27 assists this season but is averaging just 2.8 points per game. Five Tar Heels are averaging in double figures, led by senior guard Cameron Johnson (17.0 points) and senior forward Luke Maye (14.8) - a national player of the year candidate who is also averaging team-best 8.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

TIP-INS

1. Texas leads the series with North Carolina 7-3 and has won the last three in a row and seven of the last eight, including an 84-82 home victory in the last meeting on Dec. 12, 2015.

2. Johnson, a grad student who began his career at Pitt, needs nine points to hit the 1,000 mark for his career.

3. Osetkowski brings in a streak of three straight double-doubles and leads the Longhorns in rebounding with an average of 9.8 per game.

PREDICTION: North Carolina 88, Texas 76

 

[bmd1803]

Butler Bulldogs vs. Middle Tennessee St. Blue Raiders Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAB Predictions 22nd November 2018 by Gracenote
by Gracenote on 11/22/2018

Butler will try to rebound from a disappointing performance when it begins play in the consolation round of the Battle 4 Atlantis on Thursday at Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, against Middle Tennessee. The Bulldogs fell behind by double digits in the first half, allowed 54.3 percent shooting overall and a late comeback came up short in a 69-64 loss to Dayton on Wednesday.

"We've got to do a better job protecting the paint, protecting the rim," Butler coach LaVall Jordan told the Indianapolis Star. "We didn't get them to miss enough. When we did, I thought we had some good opportunities in transition. They shot 54 percent for the game. That's not a formula for winning." The Bulldogs, who got off to a 3-0 start for the fifth time in six seasons before Wednesday's setback, received a career-high 18 points from junior forward Sean McDermott but leading scorer Kamar Baldwin had a tough night with 11 on 5-for-17 shooting against Dayton. Butler will lick its wounds and take on a Middle Tennessee team that has lost two of three after a 74-52 setback against fourth-ranked Virginia in Wednesday's first round. Junior guard Antonio Green, a transfer from UT-Rio Grande Valley, led the way with 11 points against Virginia on 4-of-12 shooting and averages a team-high 20 per contest.

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

ABOUT BUTLER (3-1): Baldwin still leads the team in scoring (20.3), rebounds (6.3), assists (6.0) and steals (1.3) despite the junior guard's off night while senior backcourt partner Paul Jorgensen averages 18.5 points after scoring 18 in the first round. Sophomore forward Joey Brunk had a quiet night with three points after averaging 15 in the first three games, but is 15-for-17 from the field overall. Sophomore guard Aaron Thompson ran into foul trouble Wednesday and was held scoreless in 17 minutes without an assist, after dishing out 12 helpers in the first three contests.

ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE (3-2): Green is one of four players averaging double figures in scoring for the Blue Raiders, who shot 39.2 percent from the field and turned the ball over 15 times against Virginia. Junior forward Reggie Scurry has scored in double figures in all five games and averages 12.8 points while connecting on 22-of-35 from the field and senior forward Karl Gamble chips in 11.2 per game after scoring nine off the bench Wednesday. Sophomore guard Donovan Sims started the season with three double-figure efforts before averaging eight points the last two.

TIP-INS

1. McDermott had 19 points total in the first three games and is 8-for-21 from 3-point range overall.

2. Middle Tennessee senior F James Hawthorne is 18-of-34 from the field, but has missed all five 3-point tries.

3. Baldwin needs 26 points to become the 40th Butler player to reach 1,000 points in a career.

PREDICTION: Butler 78, Middle Tennessee 66

 

[bmd1803]

Michigan St Spartans vs. UCLA Bruins Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAB Predictions 21st November 2018 by Gracenote
Michigan State has won preseason tournaments in three of the last five seasons including the Victory Bracket of the prestigious PK80 Invitational in Portland, Ore., last season, rolling past North Carolina in the championship game. The 11th-ranked Spartans are focused on bringing home another trophy this week, but it won't be easy as they open the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic with a semifinal game against No. 17 UCLA on Thanksgiving night.

No. 6 North Carolina and Texas are on the other side of the bracket so it could take two top-20 wins within the span of 24 hours for the Spartans to take home the hardware. Either way, it figures to help toughen up Michigan State for the battles that lie ahead in a very deep Big Ten Conference race. "It's just building that championship mentality, learning what it feels like to win a championship," guard Cassius Winston, who took home MVP honors last year at the PK80 Tourney, told the Detroit News. "That's the mindset we're trying to get this week." That means first getting past a UCLA squad that has won its first four games by an average of 22 points and presents a big problem in 7-1 freshman center Moses Brown, who is averaging 17.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1 Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (3-1): The Spartans have bounced back from a 92-87 loss to then-No. 1 Kansas in the Champions Classic to win three straight games over Florida Gulf Coast (106-82), Louisiana-Monroe (80-59) and Tennessee Tech (101-33) without breaking much of a sweat. Winston leads the team in scoring (17.3) and assists (7.0) after averaging 12.6 points and a Big Ten-best 6.9 assists last season. Junior guard Joshua Langford is second in scoring (17.0), while 6-8, 245-pound junior forward Nick Ward, considered an NBA prospect, is averaging 15.3 points and 6.0 rebounds.

ABOUT UCLA (4-0): The Bruins surprisingly struggled in an 80-65 win over Presbyterian on Monday night, watching a 24-point second half lead dwindle to just three points thanks to a pair of 11-0 runs by the Blue Hose and 21 turnovers. "Really disappointed with the first 15 minutes of the second half," UCLA coach Steve Alford said. "I thought we were making growth in the first half and then we took about two steps back in the second half." Sophomore guard Jaylen Hands scored 19 points to lead the Bruins, while 6-10 freshman forward Jalen Hill grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds.

TIP-INS

1. UCLA leads the series 6-2, although this marks the first meeting between the schools since the Bruins edged the Spartans 78-76 in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

2. Brown is the first UCLA freshman to record double-doubles in his first three games.

3. Winston, Ward and Langford have combined to start 168 games in their career at Michigan State and are averaging a combined 49.6 points, 13.3 rebounds and 10.5 assists so far this season.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 86, UCLA 81

 

[bmd1803]

Hawaii Warriors vs. Utah Utes Preview and Predictions 11-22-2018

NCAAB Predictions 21st November 2018 by Gracenote
While most teams take part in regular-season tournaments to face unfamiliar opponents, Utah and Hawaii have a fair amount of history - albeit one-sided - with each other. The two former Western Athletic Conference rivals square off for the third time in as many years Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Wooden Legacy in Fullerton, Calif.

The two teams faced each other 41 times from 1980-99 in the WAC before the Utes bolted for the Mountain West, and although the two teams have kept in touch recently, little has changed as Utah has won both meetings - 66-52 in 2016 and 80-60 in 2017 - to extend its series lead to 49-10. The Utes have been off for a week since tying a school record with 17 3-pointers in a 98-63 rout of Mississippi Valley State. A repeat performance seems unlikely against the Rainbow Warriors, who rank among the best in the country in 3-point percentage defense (21.6). Hawaii also put on an offensive display while cruising to an 85-68 victory over Northern Arizona on Sunday, shooting a season-high 55.9 percent while topping 80 points for the third time in four contests.

TV: 11:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2 Check Intertops for the latest line

ABOUT HAWAII (3-1): Junior forward Zigmars Raimo, who entered the season with career averages of 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds, leads the team in scoring (13.8 points), rebounds (7.8), steals (1.8), blocks (1.0) and field-goal percentage (68.6). Junior college transfer Eddie Stansberry (13.0 points) has buried at least four 3-pointers in three of four contests and leads the team with 15, while senior forward Jack Purchase (12.8) has scored in double figures in every game and ranks second on the team with 12 triples. Nine Rainbow Warriors average at least 13 minutes and the bench is averaging 29.5 points - led by Stansberry - and has accounted for at least 42 percent of Hawaii's offense in its last two wins.

ABOUT UTAH (2-1): Ten Utes average at least 12 minutes per game and all of them score between five and 12 points per game, led by senior guard Sedrick Barefield (12.0 points), who also paces the team in assists (4.7) and has drained all eight of his free throw attempts. Sophomore forward Donnie Tillman (12.0 points, 7.7 rebounds) flirted with a triple-double Thursday with 12 points, nine boards and seven assists in only 17 minutes of action. Novak Topalovic (9.7, 6.0) tallied seven points, five boards and two blocks versus the Delta Devils despite being limited to 12 minutes due to the lopsided score; the 7-0 Idaho State transfer leads the team in made free throws (11) as well as attempts (16).

TIP-INS

1. The winner will play either Seton Hall or Grand Canyon in the semifinals Friday.

2. Hawaii and Utah are the only two teams in the nation that have three 7-footers on their current roster.

3. The Utes have hit at least 15 3-pointers in one game in each of the last three seasons.

PREDICTION: Utah 68, Hawaii 56

 

[bmd1803]

Mike Wynn

Bonus Play: Colorado St/Air Force Over 63 Points

 

[bmd1803]

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Thursday, November 22, 2018

CF (113) MISSISSIPPI STATE VS (114) MISSISSIPPI

Take: (113) MISSISSIPPI STATE

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Thursday, November 22, 2018 is in the scheduled college football contest between Mississippi State and Mississippi. Your Bonus Play is on the Mississippi State Bulldogs