2016 wnba thread news notes picks !

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, July 20

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW YORK (17 - 7) at WASHINGTON (9 - 13) - 7/20/2016, 11:30 AM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 22-7 ATS (+14.3 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in road games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in road games after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 290-344 ATS (-88.4 Units) in all games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 33-53 ATS (-25.3 Units) in home games when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 181-223 ATS (-64.3 Units) vs. division opponents since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 14-34 ATS (-23.4 Units) after scoring 55 points or less since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 7-6 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 7-6 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONNECTICUT (6 - 16) at DALLAS (9 - 14) - 7/20/2016, 12:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 32-18 ATS (+12.2 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
CONNECTICUT is 3-2 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 3-2 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ATLANTA (12 - 11) at MINNESOTA (19 - 4) - 7/20/2016, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 27-14 ATS (+11.6 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) against Western conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 92-66 ATS (+19.4 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1997.
ATLANTA is 34-18 ATS (+14.2 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 3-2 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 4-1 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN ANTONIO (5 - 17) at SEATTLE (8 - 14) - 7/20/2016, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 113-79 ATS (+26.1 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1997.
SEATTLE is 54-35 ATS (+15.5 Units) in home games after a non-conference game since 1997.
SEATTLE is 56-34 ATS (+18.6 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.
SEATTLE is 20-35 ATS (-18.5 Units) on Wednesday since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 7-4 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 6-5 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




WNBA

Wednesday, July 20

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11:30 AM
NEW YORK vs. WASHINGTON
New York is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 6 games on the road
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New York
Washington is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against New York

12:30 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. DALLAS
Connecticut is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Connecticut is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Dallas is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games

1:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. MINNESOTA
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games at home

3:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. SEATTLE
San Antonio is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
San Antonio is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Seattle's last 11 games at home
Seattle is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Dunkel

Wednesday, July 20


New York @ Washington

Game 601-602
July 20, 2016 @ 11:30 am

Dunkel Rating:
New York
112.159
Washington
113.579
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1 1/2
150
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York
by 3 1/2
155
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(+3 1/2); Under

Connecticut @ Dallas

Game 603-604
July 20, 2016 @ 12:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Connecticut
106.332
Dallas
113.498
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Dallas
by 7
164
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
by 5
169
Dunkel Pick:
Dallas
(-5); Under

Atlanta @ Minnesota

Game 605-606
July 20, 2016 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
105.625
Minnesota
121.106
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 14 1/2
167
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
by 12
162
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-12); Over

San Antonio @ Seattle

Game 607-608
July 20, 2016 @ 3:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Antonio
102.809
Seattle
107.674
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 5
156
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
by 8
150
Dunkel Pick:
San Antonio
(+8); Over

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Liberty (17-7) at Mystics (9-13)
Date: July 20, 2016 11:30 AM EDT

New York coach Bill Laimbeer wants his first-place Liberty to close out the first half of the regular season like they're in the playoffs, beginning with Wednesday's 11:30 a.m. ET tipoff against the struggling Washington Mystics at Verizon Center.

"We take every game like a playoff game," Laimbeer told the Liberty's website. "We scrape out as many wins as possible. We don't blow teams out. We just try to win any way we can, and these games will be no exception."

With two games left before the monthlong Olympic break, the Liberty (17-7) sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, 4.5 games ahead of the second-place Atlanta Dream. New York is third in the overall league standings, behind the Los Angeles Sparks and Minnesota Lynx. The top eight teams, regardless of conference, qualify for the postseason.

The Mystics (9-13) have lost five straight games and are desperate to turn things around ahead of the break. They are coming off an 80-51 blowout loss at Seattle on Friday and have lost three consecutive meetings with the Liberty, including an 87-76 defeat at home in the first game of the season.

New York star Tina Charles scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the season-opening win over the Mystics. Charles now has 13 double-doubles on the season and has emerged as a leading MVP candidate.

Washington did not have sparkplug guard Ivory Latta in the loss to New York, but she'll play Wednesday against the Liberty. Charles says Latta is a difference-maker for the Mystics.

"The first go around they didn't have Ivory Latta," Charles said. "So I know she poses a threat and holds their unit together."

This is the first of back-to-back games for the Liberty before the Olympic break. New York returns to Madison Square Garden on Thursday to host the Indiana Fever.

"We've been pushing and grinding for a long time right now, and the end's in sight," Laimbeer said. "Back-to-back games unfortunately, but games that we can win, but also playing teams desperate for playoff position."

The Mystics close out the first half of the season at home against the Sparks, who own the best record in the WNBA.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

May 14, 2016 Score ATS Results
NEW « 87 Cover: 8.5
WAS 76 Over: 163
Tools: Recaps

Sep 22, 2015 Score ATS Results
WAS 74 Cover: 1
NEW « 79 Over: 153
Tools:

Sep 20, 2015 Score ATS Results
NEW « 86 Cover: 16.5
WAS 68 Over: 154
Tools:

Sep 18, 2015 Score ATS Results
WAS « 86 Cover: 8.5
NEW 83 Over: 169
Tools:

Sep 11, 2015 Score ATS Results
WAS « 82 Cover: 31
NEW 55 Under: 137
Tools: Recaps

Jul 9, 2015 Score ATS Results
NEW « 79 Cover: 7
WAS 76 Over: 155
Tools: Recaps

Jun 14, 2015 Score ATS Results
WAS « 74 Cover: 19.5
NEW 59 Under: 133
Tools: Recaps

Jun 6, 2015 Score ATS Results
NEW 62 Cover: 2
WAS « 67 Under: 129
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Sun (6-16) at Wings (9-14)
Date: July 20, 2016 12:30 PM EDT

With two games to play before taking a monthlong break for the Summer Olympics, the Connecticut Sun and the Dallas Wings square off in a Wednesday matinee with a few things in common.

They both struggled the past four games. They both had a chance at notching upset wins Sunday. They both lost, and both now must try to rebound and close out the first part of the season on a positive note.

That next step comes at Wednesday at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

How the Wings respond coming off a crushing overtime loss to the Minnesota Lynx will say a lot about the mental toughness of the team. Dallas (9-14) fought back from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit only to lose 98-87 in overtime to the team with the second-best record in the WNBA.

On Sunday against the New York Liberty, the Sun fell behind early, then scored 19 of 22 points in the second period to take a seven-point, third-quarter lead. Connecticut (6-16) led midway through the fourth until running out of steam and falling 83-76.

Even though the Sun have lost three of four, they have shown signs of life. Before they were unable to close out the Liberty, they took a 16-point lead in the third quarter Friday against the Los Angeles Sparks, the team with the best WNBA mark, before succumbing.

Alex Bentley continues to lead the Sun in scoring at 14 points a game. Three others of her teammates also are in double figures: Alyssa Thomas (11.1), Chiney Ogwumike (10.2) and Jasmine Thomas (10.0).

The Wings have lost four straight. However, throw out a 37-point loss to the Lynx, and they dropped the other three games by a total of eight points.

Dallas has plenty of firepower, as six players, led by Odyssey Sims (14.7), Karima Christmas (13.5) and Glory Johnson (13.2), are scoring in double figures.

The Wings added some much needed experience on Monday when they signed guard Tiffany Bias and waived Brinna Kiesel.

"Tiffany brings energy, speed and tenacity to our roster," Dallas general manager Greg Bibb said. "She has playoff experience and has won a WNBA Championship. We are excited to have her join our team and help us improve."

The Sun travel to Chicago to take on the Sky on Friday, while the Wings head to Atlanta to take on the Dream the same day.

Play will resume following the Olympics on Aug. 26.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dream (12-11) at Lynx (19-4)
Date: July 20, 2016 1:00 PM EDT

Six Minnesota players scored in double figures when the Lynx ran roughshod over the Atlanta Dream and won by 32 points on June 10 at Phillips Arena in Atlanta.

The Dream have a chance to pay back the Lynx on Wednesday, but the task of beating Minnesota at home is a tall one, for sure.

The Lynx have the second-best record in the league at 19-4. They are 9-2 at home, 6-4 in their last 10 games and have won four straight.

But no team is soaring as high as the Dream as the WNBA prepares for a monthlong hiatus because of the Summer Olympics.

Atlanta heads into Wednesday's 1 p.m. tip-off with a chance to knock off the league's two best teams in consecutive games. The Dream are still savoring Sunday's 91-74 victory over Los Angeles, which prevented the Sparks (20-2) from setting a WNBA record for the best mark after 22 games.

After losing to Indiana, Atlanta coach Michael Cooper had a heart-to-hear with his team, stressing effort and fundamentals to his players. The message was heard loud and clear, and the result was a 17-point win over the Sparks.

And despite just being 4-6 in their last 10 games, the 12-11 Dream are a confident bunch heading into Minnesota.

Leading scorer Angel McCoughtry, at 18.9 points per game, has struggled from the field in the past three games going 11-for-33.

Layshia Clarendon sparked the effort and picked up the slack against the Sparks. Clarendon toyed with a triple-double as she recorded 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

The defending WNBA champs took notice of the Dream's win against the Sparks and won't be looking past Atlanta.

Maya Moore leads four Lynx players in double figures at 20.0 points per game.

Minnesota's Sylvia Fowles remains a handful inside. She ranks sixth in field-goal percentage at .575 while averaging 12.9 points and 8.5 rebounds.

In Sunday's overtime win over Dallas, Fowles grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds, matched her season high with four blocks and notched her fifth double-double.

The Lynx will play host to the Seattle Storm on Friday while Atlanta will entertain Dallas.

The WNBA schedule resumes after the Olympics on Aug. 26.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 10, 2016 Score ATS Results
MIN « 110 Cover: 24.5
ATL 78 Over: 188
Tools: Recaps

Aug 14, 2015 Score ATS Results
MIN « 84 Over: 166
ATL 82 Cover: 6
Tools: Recaps

Jul 31, 2015 Score ATS Results
ATL 70 Over: 156
MIN « 86 Cover: 2.5
Tools:

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Stars (5-17) at Storm (8-14)
Date: July 20, 2016 3:00 PM EDT

The Olympic break could be just what the struggling San Antonio Stars need.

The Stars (5-17) have the fewest wins in the WNBA and are on a four-game losing streak, heading into Wednesday's afternoon tip at Seattle.

"What you lack during a WNBA season is repetition," San Antonio assistant coach James Wade told the team's website. "Because of the turnover with the games, you're playing every other the day, you're on the road, so you don't get a lot of chance to practice. And with a young team, they need practice time. They need repetition time. They need to see things get better."

The Stars need to improve in a lot of areas. San Antonio is last in the WNBA in scoring, averaging 72.4 points per game, and saw leading scorer Kayla McBride go down with a season-ending injury in early July. The Stars are 0-4 since McBride's injury. She was averaging a team-high 17.1 points. Moriah Jefferson is the only other player averaging double-figures in points (11.6) for the Stars.

The Storm (8-14) also are in need of a strong finish to the first half of the regular season. Seattle sits in 10th in the overall league standings. The top eight teams, regardless of conference, qualify for the postseason.

Seattle has won only twice in its last seven games, but one of those wins came against the Stars, 78-68, July 8 in San Antonio. Storm rookie star Breanna Stewart, the No. 1 overall draft pick, scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the win over the Stars. Stewart leads the Storm in scoring (19.1) and rebounding (9.5).

Seattle shot 50 percent from the floor against San Antonio, and Stars assistant coach Vickie Johnson believes any second-half turnaround will be built on defense.

"The most important thing is defense," Johnson told the team's website. "Defense wins championship. Offense wins games, so it's important for us to focus on our defensive schemes, rebounding the basketball and then attacking them in transition and making them defend us"

Seattle will wrap up the first half of the regular season Friday on the road against the defending-champion Minnesota Lynx.

Wednesday's game will be San Antonio's final game before the month-long Olympic break


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 8, 2016 Score ATS Results
SEA « 78 Cover: 6
SA 68 Under: 146
Tools: Recaps

Jun 14, 2016 Score ATS Results
SEA 70 Under: 147
SA « 77 Cover: 11
Tools: Recaps

Sep 13, 2015 Score ATS Results
SA « 59 Cover: 8.5
SEA 58 Under: 117
Tools: Recaps

Aug 28, 2015 Score ATS Results
SA 69 Over: 152
SEA « 83 Cover: 10
Tools: Recaps

Aug 16, 2015 Score ATS Results
SA 63 Under: 135
SEA « 72 Cover: 6.5
Tools: Recaps

Aug 8, 2015 Score ATS Results
SEA 81 Over: 169
SA « 88 Cover: 2.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 27, 2015 Score ATS Results
SEA 71 Cover: 3.5
SA « 73 Over: 144
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

7/19 - Tuesday's Results: 1 - 3

July's Total: 29 - 45 39.18 %

Overall : WLT PCT UNITS RANK

ATS Picks 56-61-3 47.86% -5550

O/U Picks 56-64-0 46.67% -7200

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

NY at WAS 11:30 AM

NY -3.5

U 154.0


CONN at DAL 12:30 PM

CONN +5.0

U 168.0


ATL at MIN 01:00 PM

MIN -12.5

O 163.0


SA at SEA 03:00 PM

SA +7.5

U 149.0

[StarDust Bum]

Standings

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak

New York Liberty 17 7 0.708 0 8-4 9-3 9-1 7-3 W-1

Atlanta Dream 12 11 0.522 4 7-4 5-7 7-6 4-6 W-1

Indiana Fever 11 12 0.478 5 5-6 6-6 4-6 6-4 W-2

Chicago Sky 11 12 0.478 5 6-5 5-7 5-5 5-5 W-3

Washington Mystics 9 13 0.409 7 4-6 5-7 5-4 4-6 L-5

Connecticut Sun 6 16 0.273 10 3-8 3-8 1-9 4-6 L-2


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak

Los Angeles Sparks 20 3 0.870 0 11-1 9-2 7-1 8-2 L-2

Minnesota Lynx 19 4 0.826 1 9-2 10-2 11-1 6-4 W-4

Phoenix Mercury 10 14 0.417 10 7-6 3-8 2-9 5-5 L-1

Dallas Wings 9 14 0.391 11 5-7 4-7 7-5 3-7 L-4

Seattle Storm 8 14 0.364 11 5-7 3-7 3-6 4-6 L-1

San Antonio Stars 5 17 0.227 14 4-7 1-10 1-9 3-7 L-4

Updated Wed Jul 20 11:07 AM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA Capsules
July 21, 2016

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Seimone Augustus scored 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Atlanta Dream 83-65 on Wednesday to wrap up a spot in the WNBA playoffs.

Minnesota (20-4) won its fifth straight and reached 20 victories for the sixth straight season, tying the Los Angeles Sparks (1999-2004) for the longest streak in WNBA history. The Lynx are the second team to clinch a playoff berth after Los Angeles (20-3) qualified Tuesday in a loss.

Sylvia Fowles had 14 points and five blocked shots, and Rebekkah Brunson added 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Lynx. Layshia Clarendon led Atlanta (12-12) with 11 points.

LIBERTY 88, MYSTICS 81

WASHINGTON (AP) - Reserve Rebecca Allen hit four 3-pointers and finished with 19 points - both career highs - and New York's backup scored WNBA-record 69 points in the victory over Washington.

Brittany Boyd had 17 points and seven assists, Amanda Zahui B. added 15 points and nine rebounds, and Shavonte Zellous had 14 points for the Liberty (18-7). New York's starters scored just 19 points - including 13 by Tina Charles - to tie the WNBA record for fewest by starters in a victory.

The Mystics' backups had 63 points in a triple-overtime win against over Los Angeles in 2014.

Emma Meesseman led the Mystics (9-14) with 20 points.

SUN 89, WINGS 78

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Chiney Ogwumike had career bests with 26 points, four steals and seven blocked shots and grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds in Connecticut's victory over Dallas.

Ogwumike was 9 of 15 from the field and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line.

Jasmine Thomas had 20 points and three blocked shots - both season highs - for Connecticut (7-16).

Odyssey Sims led Dallas (9-15) with 20 points and eight assists, and Courtney Paris added 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Wings have lost five in a row and six of seven.

STORM 83, STARS 69

SEATTLE (AP) - Jewell Loyd scored 25 points and Beanna Stewart added 22 points and five blocked shots in Seattle's victory over San Antonio.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis had 10 points, Crystal Langhorne grabbed 10 rebounds and Sue Bird had eight assists for Seattle (9-14).

Moriah Jefferson led San Antonio (5-18) with 25 points. The Stars have lost five straight.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Favorites to win the college basketball national title next April:

-- Duke 7-2-- Blue Devils were only 11-7 in ACC last year.

-- Kentucky 7-1-- Wildcats are 71-17 in SEC games last five years.

-- Villanova, Kansas 8-1-- Defending champs still highly regarded.

-- Michigan State, North Carolina, Oregon-- 15-1

-- Louisville, Virginia, Arizona-- 20-1

-- Indiana, Xavier 25-1-- Musketeers starting to gain national recognition.

**********

Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud.......

13) Mariners 6, White Sox 5 (11)-- Can't remember ever seeing a pitcher, umpire go at it over balls/strikes in first inning of a game. Plate ump Andy Fletcher blatantly missed a 3-2 pitch to Justin Morneau that put two on with two out in the first inning, and Hernandez let him have it, with Fletcher taking off his mask and yelling back.

When Todd Frazier hit the next pitch for a 3-run homer, Felix' return from the DL was off to a very bad start.

12) RIP Garry Marshall-- A TV genius in the 70s and also a movie maker, he passed away this week at age 81. Odd Couple, Happy Days, Laverne/Shirley, Runaway Bride, just some of Marshall's handiwork. RIP, sir.

11) New Orleans Saints rookies are already in training camp at Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia- their first regular season game isn't until September 11th.

10) James Loney got thrown out at the plate in top of 4th inning with Mets down 3-0 Wednesday, but replays showed he was safe, but the Mets never challenged the call. No bueno. Some teams have much better replay coaches than others.

9) So I spent much of Wednesday and will spend all day today at the adidas Uprising basketball tournament in downtown Las Vegas; saw lot of good games last night, lot of good players. Seven games going on at once under one roof in the Cashman Center, a convention center next to the ballpark where the Mets' AAA team plays.

8) Very well-run event; good officials, a main court where the game is shown on a big screen on the wall, comfortable place to watch kids play ball. Lot of the coaches you see on TV all winter were there to recruit- this is the last part of this recruiting season.

Player of the Game is brought to a platform where he is interviewed on camera, which is a good prep for when he goes to college and meets the press.

7) With seven games going on at once, how do you choose which game to watch? If you want to see elite players, you look at which big-name coaches are watching each game. If Tom Izzo and Lon Kruger are at one court, thats a good place to be.

If you just want to be comfortable, then pick one spot, stay there and hope the games on that court turn out to be good ones. There are so many good players, the games I saw were mostly all hard-fought, competitive games.

6) For kids playing this week, their goal is to get a college scholarship, or land one at as good a basketball program as possible.

One way not to get a scholarship is this: Your team is up 3 with 0:57 left, shot clock is at 0:19-- ball is reversed to you and you quickly jack up a 3-pointer, when the play is to hold the ball, milk the clock-- you can get a 3-pointer anytime.

Basketball IQ is a valuable asset to impress coaches with.

5) Surprisingly, the 30-second shot clock came into play a few times; you'd think in AAU games, it would be very fast-paced, but couple teams put on 1-2-2 presses and that slowed their opponents down, so the shot clock did matter.

I was talking to a high school coach from Georgia; his son had never played with a shot clock during his high school career, so this was all new to him.

4) A team from Virginia subbed five guys at a time, which makes it tough when a close game comes down to the wire, because which five do you play, or do you mix/match and have kids play together who haven't played together the whole game? This team got beat at the end by a Minnesota team that probably wasn't the better team.

3) One of my cab drivers is from Iraq; his English wasn't good, but I asked him what he thought about Donald Trump when he drove past the Trump Hotel, which is just off the Las Vegas Strip. He didn't want to answer, saying "my English isn't too good". He has only been in America three years-- he was a pleasant guy.

2) Had chance to talk with North Carolina assistant coach Hubert Davis for a few minutes-- terrific guy. He enjoys coaching more than he did working on ESPN-- he did not like the travel too much that came with working on television.

1) I'll have a lot more on this tomorrow, but championship game of this event will be Sunday at 6:00 ET on ESPNU.

[StarDust Bum]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Thursday, July 21

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INDIANA (11 - 12) at NEW YORK (17 - 7) - 7/21/2016, 11:00 AM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 35-19 ATS (+14.1 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) in a road game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
INDIANA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in road games after allowing 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 7-6 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 9-5 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




WNBA

Thursday, July 21

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11:00 AM
INDIANA vs. NEW YORK
Indiana is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New York
Indiana is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New York
New York is 2-2-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
New York is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games when playing Indiana

------------------------------

WNBA
Dunkel

Thursday, July 21


Indiana @ New York

Game 651-652
July 21, 2016 @ 11:00 am

Dunkel Rating:
Indiana
111.173
New York
118.547
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New York
by 7 1/2
154
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New York
by 5
158
Dunkel Pick:
New York
(-5); Under

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Fever (11-12) at Liberty (18-7)
Date: July 21, 2016 11:00 AM EDT

The Indiana Fever have a chance to close out the first half of the regular season with wins over the first-place teams in the Western and Eastern Conferences when they face the New York Liberty on Thursday in New York.

Tamika Catchings had a vintage performance in the Fever's big win over the Los Angeles Sparks, who are in first place in the Western Conference and own the best record in the WNBA. Catchings scored 23 points in the Fever's 92-82 win over the Sparks on Tuesday.

"We really buckled down," Catchings told reporters after the win. "Defensively, that is where it starts for us. When we play really good on the defensive end, we finish it off with a rebound and we're able to get out in transition, we look like a great team. "

The Fever (11-12) have won four of five games, but have their hands full with the first-place Liberty. New York got 69 points from its bench in an 88-80 win over the Washington Mystics on Tuesday. The 69 points off the bench were a WNBA record

The Liberty (18-7) have won six of seven and have beaten Indiana twice this season. Star forward Tina Charles, who is having an MVP-caliber season for the Liberty, had 26 points and 15 rebounds in a 78-75 overtime win against the Fever on June 19. New York also blew out the Fever 91-59 on June 3.

Indiana believes it has improved since those losses.

"When we play like this," Catchings said after the win over Los Angeles, "there are very few teams that can beat us when we're playing at our best. "

Charles is second in the WNBA in scoring (21.2 points) and rebounding (9.5 rebounds). Sugar Rodgers is second on the Liberty in scoring, averaging 15.3 points per game.

Catchings, who has announced that this will be her last season in the WNBA, leads the Fever in scoring, at 13.9 points per game. Tiffany Mitchell is averaging 10.7 points per game.

The two Eastern Conference rivals met in the playoffs last season, with Indiana winning the series 2-1.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 19, 2016 Score ATS Results
NEW « 78 Under: 153
IND 75 Cover: 0
Tools: Recaps

Jun 3, 2016 Score ATS Results
IND 59 Under: 150
NEW « 91 Cover: 27
Tools: Recaps

Sep 29, 2015 Score ATS Results
IND « 66 Cover: 19
NEW 51 Under: 117
Tools:

Sep 27, 2015 Score ATS Results
IND « 70 Cover: 10
NEW 64 Under: 134
Tools:

Sep 23, 2015 Score ATS Results
IND 67 Over: 151
NEW « 84 Cover: 15
Tools:

Sep 13, 2015 Score ATS Results
NEW 76 Cover: 0.5
IND « 81 Over: 157
Tools: Recaps

Aug 23, 2015 Score ATS Results
NEW 79 Cover: 1
IND « 80 Over: 159
Tools: Recaps

Jul 29, 2015 Score ATS Results
NEW 72 Over: 156
IND « 84 Cover: 14.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 19, 2015 Score ATS Results
IND « 80 Cover: 20.5
NEW 63 Under: 143
Tools: Recaps

Jun 9, 2015 Score ATS Results
IND 79 Over: 165
NEW « 86 Cover: 4
Tools: Recaps

[StarDust Bum]

Standings

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak

New York Liberty 18 7 0.720 0 8-4 10-3 10-1 8-2 W-2

Atlanta Dream 12 12 0.500 5 7-4 5-8 7-6 4-6 L-1

Indiana Fever 11 12 0.478 6 5-6 6-6 4-6 6-4 W-2

Chicago Sky 11 12 0.478 6 6-5 5-7 5-5 5-5 W-3

Washington Mystics 9 14 0.391 8 4-7 5-7 5-5 3-7 L-6

Connecticut Sun 7 16 0.304 10 3-8 4-8 1-9 4-6 W-1

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Team Win Loss Percent GB Home Away Conf. Last 10 Streak

Los Angeles Sparks 20 3 0.870 0 11-1 9-2 7-1 8-2 L-2

Minnesota Lynx 20 4 0.833 0 10-2 10-2 11-1 7-3 W-5

Phoenix Mercury 10 14 0.417 10 7-6 3-8 2-9 5-5 L-1

Seattle Storm 9 14 0.391 11 6-7 3-7 4-6 5-5 W-1

Dallas Wings 9 15 0.375 11 5-8 4-7 7-5 2-8 L-5

San Antonio Stars 5 18 0.217 15 4-7 1-11 1-10 3-7 L-5

Updated Thu Jul 21 11:38 AM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

7/20 - Tuesday's Results: 5 - 3

July's Total: 34 - 48 41.46 %

Overall : WLT PCT UNITS RANK

ATS Picks 59-62-3 48.76% -4600

O/U Picks 57-67-0 45.97% -8350

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Friday's six-pack

Favorites to win the NBA this coming season

-- Golden State 2-3-- Added Durant, but are much thinner, still need some depth.

-- Cavaliers 5-2-- If Indians win World Series, Cleveland is city of champions.

-- San Antonio 8-1-- Spurs will miss Duncan's leadership.

-- Clippers, Celtics 20-1

-- Oklahoma City 30-1

-- Toronto 40-1

**********

Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Random stuff with weekend here.......

13) Saw a kid shatter a backboard dunking today, the highlight of my full day inside the Cashman Centr, watching the adidas Uprising summer tournament. As soon as I figure out how to post pictures on this website, that'll be the first one I post.

12) ACC basketball will go to a 20-game conference schedule when ACC Network gets off the ground, to create more progamming.

11) Most of the games I watched on Thursday were tight, competitive games, good basketball. Louisville Magic were a solid team with lot of good players; they got off to bad starts in both games I saw, but kept their poise and rallied both times- they lost to a very good Florida Sons team, after beating the Atlanta Celtics.

10) AAU players play a ton of games and they get seen by D-I coaches, which is essential to getting scholarship offers, but some of these kids would be better off at home, working on their skills, or becoming quicker, or stronger.

9) Couple years ago I went to a JC showcase at a boys' club, with only one court and about 30 coaches, mostly low majors, looking to find a diamond in the rough. It was a little bit sad, kids on their last chance for a college scholarship. One kid blew his knee out, undoubtedly ending his career. Not good.

8) Saw two kids this week step out of the bounds on the sideline while catching ball and getting ready to shoot a 3-pointer. Last time I had seen that was in an 8th grade game-- you have to know where you are on the court.

7) Utah-BYU will renew their rivalry next year (2017-18) which is good news, since they basically despise each other, which is always fun.

6) Referees huddle with supervisors during timeouts; one guy called three seconds 1:28 into a game-- good lord, no one came here to watch you ref.

That said, most of the officiating was good-- these are really good players and they're fast and the games get physical. but please stop with the three seconds calls.

5) In 15 hours of watching games this week, I didn't see one technical foul; the kids were all well-behaved, the coaches didn't act out too much. Good to watch.

4) One thing: teams that attack the basket get more calls; if you just pass the ball around the arc then jack a 3-pointer, you're not gong to get calls. Drive to the basket, be aggressive and you will get to the foul line more often.

3) Hubert Davis: "When I was a kid, I went to one week of basketball camp, then played pickup the rest of the summer". Times have changed.

2) I like to watch teams that press; you get to see how players defend, handle ball, make quick decisions, pass, shoot, run, defend. Only bad thing is that big kids suffer in these fast-paced games- they rarely touch the ball unless they rebound it.

1) Saw a promising 7-footer from Louisville, Chris Vogt, who has a soft touch around the hoop but he needs to get stronger, which will come with age. Smart kid; he told me Yale, Vanderbilt are among the teams vying for his services.