Announcement

**Udog** · 04-06-2015, 07:21 AM

Armadillo: Monday's six-pack

League leaders in various baseball categories last season........

-- On-base %age-- McCutchen .410, VMartinez .409, Bautista .403

-- Runs-- Trout 115, Dozier 112, Rendon 111, Pence 106

-- RBI-- AGonzalez 116, Trout 111, MiCabrera 109, Cruz 108

-- HRs-- Cruz 40, Stanton/Carter 37, Abreu/Trout 36

-- Strikeouts-- Price 271, Kluber 269, Scherzer 252, Hernandez 248

-- ERA-- Kershaw 1.77, Hernandez 2.14, Sale 2.17, Cueto 2.25

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Armadillo: Monday's List of 13: Happy Opening Day, everyone!!!

13) Atlanta Braves raised a white flag the day before Opening Day, shedding roughly $55M in net salary, but dealing closer Craig Kimbrel to San Diego. You know your career is in the ashcan when a team trades their closer so they can also get rid of you (BJ Upton).

12) Meanwhile, the Padres are an intriguing team as the season starts; no one can say they're not trying to challenge the Dodgers/Giants in NL West.

11) Alabama hires Avery Johnson as its hoop coach; he was NBA Coach of the Year in 2006, but has never coached in college. Johnson's son plays for Texas A&M, an SEC rival of Alabama. People think he'll be a great recruiter.

Guys on ESPN Sunday went out of their way to praise Johnson as a person, so thats cool. The SEC has some outstanding basketball coaches.

10) One last thought on Shaka Smart-to-Texas: Smart made $1.8M at VCU LY; they offered him a raise to $2.8M, but he bolted to Texas for $3M a year. There is a thought process among some coaches (think Buzz Williams-- Marquette to Virginia Tech) that it is wise to align with a school that plays bigtime football, that the real money/security is there. It'll be interesting to follow, but it is unfair to say that Texas blew VCU out of the water financially.

9) Cavaliers are 31-7 in their last 38 games, so no one talks about them- they haven't lost at home since January 7.

8) NBA handicapping trend: Celtics are 10-1 vs spread on the road, when they played at home the previous night.

7) Would love to know how Brad Stevens likes coaching in the NBA, as compared to college. Getting Butler to the national title game two years in a row is one of the great achievements in recent college history. Boston is #8 in the East right now; Stevens can have his choice of college jobs, if he wants that.

6) As if this season hasn't been dismal enough for the Knicks, you watch the Cavaliers on TV and see JR Smith being a huge part of their success. Yikes.

5) How is Bo Ryan not in the basketball Hall of Fame? Four national titles at the D-3 level, two Final Fours in D-1-- he's not a Hall of Famer? Bull.

4) Texas Rangers employed professional ball shaggers in spring training; they pay guys to suit up, go out in the field and shag balls during batting practice, so players don't have to do that. Not that modern ballplayers are pampered or anything. No infield practice during the season, now no shagging. Oy.

3) Reds' 3B Todd Frazier is from Toms River, NJ; his walk-up music is very Jersey: "Best is Yet to Come" by Frank Sinatra.

2) I feel bad for Kentucky's players; they had a great year, winning 38 games in a row, but all anyone will remember is the one loss.

1) Cardinals 3, Cubs 0-- Was great to watch game that counts; Chicago could have used a third baseman who can hit. Too bad they don't have anyone like that in their farm sys-- oh wait, forget I said anything.

**Udog** · 04-06-2015, 07:27 AM

NCAAB
Dunkel

Monday, April 6

Wisconsin @ Duke

Game 601-602
April 6, 2015 @ 9:18 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Wisconsin
77.159
Duke
79.526
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Duke
by 2 1/2
155
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Duke
Pick
140
Dunkel Pick:
Duke
(Pick); Over

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Monday, April 6

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WISCONSIN (36 - 3) vs. DUKE (34 - 4) - 4/6/2015, 9:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DUKE is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games this season.
DUKE is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all lined games this season.
DUKE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all neutral court games this season.
DUKE is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in road games after a non-conference game this season.
DUKE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) when playing on a neutral court this season.
DUKE is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in non-conference games this season.
DUKE is 21-11 ATS (+8.9 Units) after scoring 80 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DUKE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all tournament games this season.
DUKE is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DUKE is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
DUKE is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game after 15+ games this season.
DUKE is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game this season.
WISCONSIN is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 2 seasons.
WISCONSIN is 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
WISCONSIN is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 2 seasons.
WISCONSIN is 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) in non-conference games this season.
WISCONSIN is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in road games revenging a home loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
WISCONSIN is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
WISCONSIN is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DUKE is 1-0 against the spread versus WISCONSIN over the last 3 seasons
DUKE is 1-0 straight up against WISCONSIN over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, April 6

-- My question for Wisconsin is how much energy do they have 48 hours after upsetting undefeated Kentucky? Kaminsky/Hayes both played 37:00, Dekker played 34:00; all starters played 31+.

Duke had a fairly stress-free game in pounding Michigan State.

-- Ryan won all four of his national title games, but they were at the D-3 level, not exactly the same, but he has won four national titles, same as Krzyzewski.

-- Duke shot 67.6% inside arc, 7-12 outside it, scoring 1.29 ppg in a 80-70 win at Wisconsin Dec 3; Duke held Wisconsin to 39.4% inside arc that night in Wisconsin- Jackson had 25 for Badgers that night - he played only 12 minutes Saturday- Badgers' bench played total of only 29:00.

-- Wisconsin is #54 in experience, Duke #331.

-- Blue Devils are 13-2 vs Big 14 teams in NCAAs (since '89).

-- Coach K is 4-4 in national title games, 0-3 vs #1 seeds.

-- Since 1987, favorites are 3-2 in finals with two #1 seeds; in four titles Krzyzewski has won, he was favored by 3.5/6/3/7.5 points in the national final, against seeds 3-6-2-5.

-- Teams from Big 14 are 0-5 in their last five national finals; 2000 was league's last title, when Michigan State won.

-- Favorites are 8-3 vs spread in last eleven national titles.

NCAAB

Monday, April 6

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Trend Report
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9:18 PM
WISCONSIN vs. DUKE
No trends available
Duke is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Duke's last 7 games

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**Udog** · 04-06-2015, 07:28 AM

NCAAB

Monday, April 6

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Game of the Day: NCAA tournament national championship game
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(1) Wisconsin Badgers vs. (1) Duke Blue Devils (+1, 140)

The NCAA Tournament national championship game features two front-runners for the Wooden Award, two of the top coaches in the game and two teams looking to ride the momentum from impressive victories on Saturday. When fellow No. 1 seeds Wisconsin and Duke square off Monday in Indianapolis, all eyes will be focused on the matchup between the Badgers' Frank Kaminsky and the Blue Devils' Jahlil Okafor, although both big men are complemented by plenty of talent.

Perhaps nowhere is the talent display greater than on the sidelines, where Duke's Mike Krzyzewski is aiming for his fifth national title - and his third in Indianapolis - while Wisconsin's Bo Ryan is trying to lead the Badgers to their first championship since 1941. Kaminsky scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds Saturday as the Badgers upset previously undefeated Kentucky 71-64. The Blue Devils took Saturday's first semifinal with an 81-61 triumph against Michigan State led by Okafor's 18 points, six rebounds and two blocks. This game also is a rematch from a Dec. 3 contest that saw Duke shoot 65.2 percent in handing Wisconsin one of its three losses - and its only home defeat.

TV: 9:18 p.m. ET, CBS

LINE HISTORY: Most shops opened the game at a pick'em, but that's since been moved to Duke +1.

INJURY REPORT: No injuries to report.

ABOUT WISCONSIN (36-3): The Badgers have won 21 of their last 22 games, including each of the last four victories by exactly seven points, and avenged a 2014 Final Four loss to Kentucky with Saturday's emotional victory. “This is something we’ve been talking about since Day 1 this season,” Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker told reporters. “Look where we are now.” Kaminsky (18.7 points, 8.1 rebounds) was recently named the Associated Press Player of the Year and is the favorite for the Wooden Award, while Dekker (13.9 points) has averaged 20.6 points on 61.3 percent shooting during the NCAA Tournament.

ABOUT DUKE (34-4): The Blue Devils have won 17 of 18, capped by a rout of Michigan State in which Okafor was complemented by fellow freshman star Justise Winslow (19 points, nine rebounds) and sturdy senior Quinn Cook (17 points). "It's an amazing thing, I mean, just to be in the Final Four, but to play on Monday night is the ultimate honor," Krzyzewski said to the media. "I hope our guys get their rest and we can get the same type of effort we got tonight. Now they've got a chance to play for a national championship, and damn, damn, how great is that?" The keys for the Blue Devils will include getting off to a better start - they overcame an early 14-6 deficit versus Michigan State - and improved 3-point shooting, as they were 2-of-10 against the Spartans.

TRENDS:

*Under is 6-1 in Blue Devils last 7 overall.
*Blue Devils are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
*Badgers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
*Over is 5-1 in Badgers last 6 overall.

CONSENSUS: According to Consensus, 51 percent of bettors are on the Badgers.

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**Udog** · 04-06-2015, 07:29 AM

NCAAB

Monday, April 6

Duke stays hot ATS with Final Four win over MSU

Duke cashed in once again for bettors in Saturday's 81-61 Final Four victory over Michigan State.

The Dukies, who closed -5.5, have now covered the spread in each of their five NCAA tournament games.

**Udog** · 04-06-2015, 07:39 AM

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, April 6

Hot Teams
-- Portland won six of its last seven games (10-8 AU). Brooklyn won 10 of its last 13 games (3-0 last three HF).

Cold Teams
-- None

Series Records
-- Portland won seven of last ten games with Brooklyn.

Totals
-- Four of last five Brooklyn games went over the total.

Back-to-Backs
-- None

East vs West
SU: West 241-174 ATS: West 214-198-3
East teams HF vs West: 53-57
East teams HU vs West: 45-52
West teams HF vs East: 81-79-3
West teams HU vs East: 24-21

NBA

Monday, April 6

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
PORTLAND vs. BROOKLYN
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
Portland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 6 games when playing Portland
Brooklyn is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Portland

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NBA

Monday, April 6

Blazers have struggled mightily on the road this year

There may not be a team in the NBA that enjoys home court advantage as much as the Portland Trail Blazers. As a result, they're a much different team on the road.

The Blazers are a sizzling 31-8 straight up at the Moda Center but are a pedestrian 19-18 SU away from home. Dame Lillard and company will be on the road once again Monday when they travel to Brooklyn for a date with the Nets - the only game on tap in the Association.

At the time of writing, oddsmakers had set the Nets as a 6.5-point favorite. The total was sitting at 199.5.

**Udog** · 04-06-2015, 08:29 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Monday, April 6

Portland Trail Blazers @ Brooklyn Nets

Game 603-604
April 6, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Portland Trail Bl
118.490
Brooklyn Nets
127.906
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Brooklyn Nets
by 9 1/2
185
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Brooklyn Nets
by 7
201 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Brooklyn Nets
(-7); Under

**Udog** · 04-06-2015, 11:45 AM

NBA
Short Sheet

Monday, April 6

Portland at Brooklyn, 7:05 ET
Portland: 18-7 ATS when playing 8 or more games in 14 days
Brooklyn: 69-109 ATS in home games after a combined score of 205 points or more

**StarDust Bum** · 04-06-2015, 12:34 PM

Preview: Trail Blazers (50-26) at Nets (35-41)

Date: April 06, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Portland Trail Blazers enjoyed an eventful back-to-back, clinching the Northwest Division and notching another 50-win season.

They'll still have to overcome a challenging remaining road schedule to obtain home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, however.

Portland seeks a fourth straight road win Monday night against the Brooklyn Nets.

The Trail Blazers (50-26) clinched their first division title in six years with Friday's 107-77 win against the Los Angeles Lakers, then wrapped up their 13th 50-win campaign in Saturday's 99-90 victory over New Orleans. The division title, though, doesn't assure them of home-court advantage in the first round, where they'll likely face the Los Angeles Clippers or San Antonio.

Portland has won six of seven, but the Clippers and Spurs are also surging.

"It's something to be proud of, which we are, but we're not done," coach Terry Stotts said. "We've got to continue to get better and prepare for the playoffs."

This game was originally scheduled for Jan. 26, but was postponed due to Winter Storm Juno.

"It's a long flight for one game. We'll try to take care of business," said LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 21 against the Pelicans. "They've been playing well as of late ... Just trying to sharpen up our tools for the playoffs."

Portland has home games against Minnesota and Utah on Wednesday and Saturday, but also visits league-leading Golden State on Thursday before closing the season on the road against playoff contenders Oklahoma City and Dallas.

Brooklyn (35-41) had won six straight and 10 of 12 prior to a 131-99 loss at Atlanta on Saturday. The Nets gave up 59.8 percent shooting, including 17 of 33 from 3-point range, and the 131 points were the most against them in a non-overtime game since a 132-123 loss at Milwaukee on April 13, 1997.

Coming off a 114-109 win over Toronto on Friday, Brooklyn committed 21 turnovers and trailed by as many as 39.

"They beat us ... From start to finish," coach Lionel Hollins said. "It was a good whipping. There's nothing else that I can say. They dominated the game."

The Nets still lead Boston by one half-game for the East's seventh seed, which would set them up for a likely first-round matchup with Cleveland. Ninth-place Miami is also in the picture, as are Indiana and Charlotte.

"It's still back to what I said before," Hollins said. "We have to win."

Brooklyn is shooting 49.3 percent and averaging 109.5 points while winning a season-high four in a row at home. The Trail Blazers, who are looking for a fourth straight road win for the first time since a seven-game streak from Nov. 12-Dec. 9, have held five of their last seven opponents below 91 points.

Brook Lopez and Deron Williams hope their strong play at home continues after combining for only 21 points against the Hawks. Lopez is averaging 27.8 points and 11.7 rebounds while shooting 58.5 percent in his last six home games, while Williams scored a season-high 31 and was 5 for 7 from beyond the arc against the Raptors.

Lopez's 21.9 career scoring average versus Portland is his second-highest against one opponent, trailing his 24.2 mark against the Lakers.

Portland has won 10 of 13 in the series, including a 97-87 victory on Nov. 15 as Damian Lillard had 28 points and 10 assists.

Announcement

Monday's NBA and NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 4/6

Monday's NBA and NCAAB Trends and Indexes - 4/6

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