Announcement

**Udog** · 01-06-2016, 07:34 AM

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

-- Indiana 59, Wisconsin 58-- Hoosiers honored their undefeated 1976 team at halftime of this game.

-- VCU 85, St Joe's 82-- Hawks blew 13-point lead in second half.

-- Marquette 65, Providence 64-- Friars need to develop a third scorer.

-- South Carolina 81, Auburn 69-- Gamecocks are a very quiet 14-0.

-- LSU 85, Kentucky 67-- Two Wildcats scored more than six points.

-- Ohio State has already had nine underclassmen declare for NFL Draft.

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Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: Rambling on a winter day......

13) It's hard to root for the Cleveland Browns.

They're rebuilding their front office; since the season eneded, they promoted a lawyer to head of football operations- he has full control of the roster and transactions, but he is a lawyer and not a GM. Maybe he's a genius; we don't know, but he has no football background that we know of. Its like making me GM of the Vancouver Canucks.

Then on Tuesday, they poached an efficiency expert from another team to help the Browns get more from the analytics movement-- they hired Paul DePodesta from the New York Mets. DePodesta apparently once had a small job with CFL's Baltimore Stallions before his baseball career began-- he played football and baseball at Harvard, but what on God's green earth are they doing? Hire a football person!!!!

12) DePodesta was the inspiration for Jonah Hill's character in Moneyball, a smart guy who played college football/baseball but rose quickly in the world of pro sports thanks to an analytical approach that helped the Oakland A's make the playoffs despite a small payroll 10-15 years ago. He later was GM of the Dodgers for a while but has never held a job in the NFL. Browns fans have to be a little queasy about this. .

11) Golden Corral had a deluge of commercials on TV last weekend about how they serve breakfast for dinner and lunch, so I go there Monday morning to have some pancakes, some bacon-- I'm not a morning person, but I happened to be awake so off I went. One small problem; Golden Corral doesn't open until 11am.

So the place that buys tons of TV commercials promoting the fact that they'll serve you breakfast all day long, isn't open when breakfast actually takes place. Oy.

10) Want to win a bar bet? Will Clark hit the most home runs (six) off of Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, hitting six taters in only 39 plate appearances.

9) There are nine states in this country where when you vote, you can just pull one lever and automatically vote for all the candidates from one party or the other.

8) Serious question: How do you vote for Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens for the Hall of Fame and not vote for Pete Rose? Bonds and Clemens cheated, plain and simple. Rose bet on games; which is worse?

7) Kansas 109, Oklahoma 106 (3OT)-- From Monday night, this was one of the best college basketball games I've ever seen. Oklahoma was 16-33 from arc, Kansas 11-22, in a 55:00 game where eight kids played 43:00+. Buddy Hield played 54:00, scored 46 points, had 7 assists. Sooners went 21:02 in this game without subbing once.

It is possible these teams could play three more times: Feb 13 in Norman, again in Big X tournament, then in Final Four???? It would be a very good national title game.

6) 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick has torn ligaments in his right thumb, a torn labrum in his left shoulder and a rod in his left leg. Other than that, he is fine. Whoever the next coach of the 49ers is has to deal with that mess of a QB situation and if the 49ers cut Kaepernick loose, which team will roll the dice and sign him up?

5) NCAA had been investigating San Diego State for various improprieties but this week they exonerated the Aztecs, which almost always gets a lot less press than when the investigation is announced. Go figure.

4) Apparently New Orleans Saints want a 2nd-round draft pick in exchange for coach Sean Payton. If they deal Payton, it would be hard to imagine them keeping QB Drew Brees around- they would probably go to a total rebuild.

3) 1972 USC Trojans had 33 players who wound up being being drafted by NFL teams, including five first-round picks- thats a lot of great players on one team. NFL Draft was longer back then than it is now, but still, thats almost half the team.

2) Tom Coughlin is a 69-year old white guy who coached the Giants to two Super Bowl titles but was fired as coach this week after three losing seasons in a row.

Jerry Reese is a 52-year old black guy who was GM of the Giants for those same two Super Bowl titles, but he keeps his job despite those three straight losing seasons.

Tuesday, the Giants held a press conference where the undercurrents of ageism and racism collided head-on. It was interesting to watch. It'll be fascinating to see who the Giants hire to replace Coughlin and if Coughlin coaches elsewhere.

1) With the Giants changing coaches, Seattle's Pete Carroll is now the oldest head coach in the NFL, at age 64.

**Udog** · 01-06-2016, 07:43 AM

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, January 6

Hot teams
-- Devils won three of their last four games.
-- Chicago won seven of its last nine games.
-- Maple Leafs won five of their last seven games. Anaheim won four of its last five.

Cold teams
-- Montreal lost eight of its last ten games.
-- Penguins lost three of their last five games.
-- Hurricanes lost three of their last four games. Vancouver lost four of last six at home.
-- St Louis lost four of its last five games. Colorado lost four of its last six.

Series records
-- Canadiens are 5-3 in last eight games with New Jersey.
-- Blackhawks won four of last five games with Pittsburgh.
-- Ducks lost six of last seven games with Toronto.
-- Canucks won last four games with Carolina.
-- Blues won seven of last ten games with Colorado

Totals
-- Under is 5-1-2 in last eight New Jersey games.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Pittsburgh-Chicago games.
-- Under is 3-0-1 in last four Anaheim games.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in last nine Carolina games.
-- Under is 8-0-1 in last nine St Louis-Colorado games.

Back-to-backs
-- Montreal is 4-4 if it played the night before.
-- Chicago is 4-0 at home if it played night before; Penguins are 2-6 if they played night before.

NHL

Wednesday, January 6

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
NEW JERSEY vs. MONTREAL
New Jersey is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
New Jersey is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Montreal is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against New Jersey

8:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games at home
Chicago is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home

10:00 PM
CAROLINA vs. VANCOUVER
Carolina is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
Carolina is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games
Vancouver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Carolina

10:00 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. COLORADO
St. Louis is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Colorado
St. Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Colorado's last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing St. Louis

10:00 PM
TORONTO vs. ANAHEIM
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Toronto's last 21 games on the road
Toronto is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 7 games when playing Toronto
Anaheim is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at hom

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**Udog** · 01-06-2016, 08:46 AM

This Week's Best Spot Bets

Lookahead spot

There’s a Big 12 battle on the horizon with No. 14 Iowa State hosting No. 20 Baylor this weekend. Before those conference powers collide, the Cyclones are home to Texas Tech Wednesday night. Iowa State just dropped a 4-point loss to Oklahoma in Norman and faces another tough task in the Red Raiders, who are 11-1 SU and 7-2 ATS heading into this week.

Texas Tech has won 10 straight since losing the second game of the season to Utah at the Puerto Rico Tip-off back in November. The Red Raiders haven’t played that rough a schedule, fattening up on some mid-major foes, but they do have victories over Miss State, Minnesota, Richmond and Texas. Tubby Smith could add another notable name to that resume if ISU looks ahead to Baylor and past TTU Wednesday.

Letdown spot

The UCLA Bruins, while not ranked, have likely punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament thanks to some big-name opponents already this season. The Bruins took down power programs like Kentucky and Gonzaga, and lost tough games against Kansas and North Carolina. Up next are the No. 6 Arizona Wildcats, who come to Pauley Pavilion on Thursday.

UCLA is set up for a cookie-cutter letdown spot two days later when it welcomes another Arizona school, Arizona State, on Saturday. The Sun Devils had won four in a row before losing a 12-point decision to the Wildcats last weekend. Arizona State won its lone meeting with UCLA last season, stealing a 68-66 win in Pauley in February.

Schedule spot

The New York Knicks are away from the Big Apple this week and playing a short but hectic road schedule. New York visits Atlanta Tuesday night and heads down the coast to play at Miami Wednesday. The Knicks enjoy a day off Thursday before taking on the Spurs in San Antonio Friday night, wrapping a stretch of three games in four nights.

New York has dropped four straight road games SU and went 1-3 ATS in those outings, sitting at 7-11 SU and 11-7 ATS as a visitor on the year. Looking ahead to the San Antonio game, the Knicks are 6-5 SU and ATS against Western Conference opponents and lost 94-84 at home to the Spurs as 7.5-point underdogs back in November.

**Udog** · 01-06-2016, 09:11 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

Wednesday, January 6

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NEW JERSEY (20-15-0-5, 45 pts.) at MONTREAL (22-16-0-3, 47 pts.) - 1/6/2016, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 9-5 ATS (+15.8 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game this season.
NEW JERSEY is 10-6 ATS (+17.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NEW JERSEY is 10-6 ATS (+17.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 5-3 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 5-3-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.4 Units)

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PITTSBURGH (19-15-0-5, 43 pts.) at CHICAGO (24-13-0-4, 52 pts.) - 1/6/2016, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 4-1 (+3.0 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 4-1-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)

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TORONTO (15-15-0-7, 37 pts.) at ANAHEIM (16-15-0-7, 39 pts.) - 1/6/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 2-12 ATS (+15.5 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 10-35 ATS (+53.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 17-29 ATS (-16.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 25-8 ATS (+13.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 460-384 ATS (+72.8 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 29-14 ATS (+8.7 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 10-6 ATS (+17.9 Units) in non-conference games this season.
ANAHEIM is 16-22 ATS (+42.6 Units) in all games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-1 (+2.7 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-1-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

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CAROLINA (16-17-0-7, 39 pts.) at VANCOUVER (15-16-0-9, 39 pts.) - 1/6/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 13-40 ATS (+71.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
CAROLINA is 57-109 ATS (+191.2 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 15-25 ATS (-11.5 Units) in all games this season.
VANCOUVER is 218-206 ATS (-122.3 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
VANCOUVER is 4-11 ATS (-10.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 13-15 ATS (-9.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 4-0 (+4.0 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 4-0-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.0 Units)

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ST LOUIS (23-14-0-5, 51 pts.) at COLORADO (19-18-0-3, 41 pts.) - 1/6/2016, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 113-98 ATS (-69.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 57-40 ATS (+14.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 43-32 ATS (+10.3 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 98-78 ATS (+177.8 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.
COLORADO is 2-8 ATS (+10.5 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 7-3 (+2.0 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 7-3-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+7.2 Units)

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**Udog** · 01-06-2016, 11:56 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Wednesday, January 6

New Jersey @ Montreal

Game 51-52
January 6, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Jersey
12.411
Montreal
11.512
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Jersey
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Montreal
-145
5
Dunkel Pick:
New Jersey
(+125); Under

Pittsburgh @ Chicago

Game 53-54
January 6, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
11.565
Chicago
13.065
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago
-160
5
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(-160); Over

Toronto @ Anaheim

Game 55-56
January 6, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
12.414
Anaheim
11.317
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Anaheim
-165
5
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(+145); Under

Carolina @ Vancouver

Game 57-58
January 6, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Carolina
10.920
Vancouver
12.371
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vancouver
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Vancouver
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
Vancouver
(-120); Over

St. Louis @ Colorado

Game 59-60
January 6, 2016 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
12.173
Colorado
10.644
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-125
5
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-125); Under

**Udog** · 01-06-2016, 05:43 PM

NHL
Short Sheet

Wednesday, January 6

New Jersey at Montreal, 7:05 PM ET
New Jersey: 9-5 SU after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game
Montreal: 6-10 SU in home games revenging a same season loss vs opponent

Pittsburgh at Chicago, 8:05 PM ET
Pittsburgh: 9-16 against the money line when playing on back-to-back days
Chicago: 12-2 SU after a non-conference game

Toronto at Anaheim, 10:05 PM ET
Toronto: 8-27 SU in road games when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days
Anaheim: 29-14 SU after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game

Carolina at Vancouver, 10:05 PM ET
Carolina: 17-11 SU in January games
Vancouver: 4-11 SU after 3 or more consecutive unders

St Louis at Colorado, 10:05 PM ET
St Louis: 12-16 SU after 1 or more consecutive unders
Colorado: 43-32 SU vs. division opponents

Announcement

Wednesday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 1/6

Wednesday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 1/6

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