Announcement

**Udog** · 04-03-2021, 08:47 AM

He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.

**Udog** · 04-03-2021, 08:47 AM

Armadillo: Saturday's six-pack

Six of the better “17th game” NFL matchups this season:
— Packers @ Chiefs
— Cowboys @ Patriots
— Seahawks @ Steelers
— Buccaneers @ Colts
— Rams @ Ravens
— Saints @ Titans

Americans who have died from COVID-19: 553,980
PLEASE wear a mask (over your nose/mouth) when you go out.

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Armadillo: Saturday's Den: Clearing out a cluttered mind……..

Its been a busy few days, even beyond baseball starting:
13) North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams retired, with 903 career wins, 485 for the Tar Heels, 418 at Kansas. He won’t be easily replaced; where does North Carolina turn from here?

My guess is former Tar Heel player Wes Miller, who is coach at NC-Greensboro; last five years, he’s gone 125-43 with the Spartans of the Southern Conference.

Back to Roy Williams for a minute; he seems like a genuinely nice person in addition to being a great coach. I remember reading a article where he read a book about golf— I think Rick Reilly wrote the book, but Williams really liked it, so he bought 20 copies of it and gave them to his friends. There aren’t enough nice people in today’s world: Roy Williams will be missed.

12) Kansas Jayhawks gave basketball coach Bill Self a lifetime contract this week, despite Kansas not having an AD right now. I guess the school’s chancellor stepped in and did the deal.

Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated wrote this about what the contract says about Kansas: “We like to win, we don’t care how, we don’t care what NCAA sanctions may come, we don’t care about anything but continuing to win.”

Kansas is headed towards some type of probation because of recruiting violations, but Self’s new contract says that he cannot be fired for cause due to NCAA sanctions.

11) As I starting writing this piece, Oklahoma tabbed Porter Moser as its next basketball coach, replacing the retired Lon Kruger. Moser went 178-141 in 10 years at Loyola, going 99-36 the last four years, including a run to the Final Four in 2018.

One of the interesting things about college hoop is how teams take advantage of circumstances to become relevant. Creighton left the MVC in 2013, Wichita State in 2017; they had dominated the Valley before moving on to greener pa$ture$. Loyola’s 56-16 run in MVC games the last four years coincide with Wichita State moving elsewhere.

10) Then there is Texas Tech, which got kicked in the teeth this week when Chris Beard left the Red Raiders to become the new coach at rival Texas, his alma mater. Bears was a student assistant to Tom Penders with the Longhorns in the early 90’s.

Beard went 112-55 in five years at Tech, after a 30-5 season at Little Rock. Texas has won one NCAA Tournament game in the last decade (1-6). Beard will be expected to win more than that.

9) Chris Ogden quit his job as HEAD COACH at Texas-Arlington, to become one of Beard’s ASSISTANTS at Texas. Ogden was 44-47 in three years at UTA, after they canned Scott Cross, who went 72-33 in his last three years with the Mavericks. Cross is now the coach at Troy- he knocked Ogden’s Arlington team out of the Sun Belt tournament last month.

8) Washington Wizards’ Russell Westbrook a triple-double earlier this week, the first one ever where the guy scored 35+ points and had 20+ assists in the same game. He had 35 points, 21 assists, 14 rebounds; he must’ve had the ball a lot, that’s for sure.

Most importantly, Washington beat the Pacers 132-124.

7) Utah Jazz had a scary night this week, when their flight to Memphis struck a flock of birds during takeoff, damaging the left engine of the plane. There was a loud sound like an explosion, flames coming out of the engine and visible damage. Then the plane started to tilt and slowly lose altitude.

Players were actually texting their families, saying their goodbyes; luckily, the flight turned around and made an emergency landing back in Salt Lake City. The rest of the team got on a rescheduled flight to Memphis, but star Donovan Mitchell, who apparently hates flying in the first place, stayed home and skipped that game, which the Jazz won anyway.

6) ESPN signed 81-year old Dick Vitale to a new, 2-year contract to continue working for them; they need to tell him to stop pouring that cooler of water over his head that he does in the GEICO commercial— a guy can catch pneumonia.

Not sure if everyone nows this, but Dick Vitale was a really good coach before he worked on TV; he was an assistant coach at Rutgers who recruited a lot of the players who formed the nucleus of their Final Four squad in 1976.

From there, he went 78-30 as head coach at Detroit, finishing ranked #12 in the country in his last season there. He went 34-60 in a brief stint coaching the NBA’s Detroit Pistons.

The man has amazing energy, even now; he’s helped raise over $100M to fight cancer. At times he is tough to listen to, but damn, he’s had a hell of a career.

5) DePaul hired Oregon assistant Tony Stubblefield as its new basketball coach; they haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2004. Since 2008, the Blue Demons are 43-206 in Big East conference games, which is, as we like to say, no bueno.

Stubblefield just turned 51; he’s never been a head coach, though he was an interim coach at New Mexico State in 2005, when Lou Henson got sick. He worked as an assistant under Mick Cronin at Cincinnati.

4) The clusterbleep of the year may be at East Tennessee State, where coach Jason Shay was told to take a hike this week- they say he “resigned” but guys don’t quit after their first year as a head coach, not a guy who waited until he was 47 to become a head coach.

East Tennessee’s players took a knee during the national anthem before a few games this year, which ticked off boosters/state politicians, who publicly said so. Shay backed the players; if you want to be a successful coach, you back your players, especially when they’re right.

Shay went 13-12 in his one year as a head coach; he had assisted Steve Forbes for the five years before that, when ETSU went 130-43, going 71-19 in SoCon games.

East Tennessee’s decision makers have some questions to answer:
— Who do they hire from here?
— Who would want this job, if you fired Shay for supporting his players?
— Do the ETSU decision makers want to win?
— If you get a reputation as a racist organization, how do you recruit basketball players?

3) NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers have some internal issues involving the Spanos family, which owns the team. Chargers have to start paying a $650M relocation fee to the NFL pretty soon; they can’t sell the team just yet— the NFL will penalize them even more money if they move the team too quickly after bolting up the freeway to LA— its called a “flip tax”.

In a November 2019 letter included with a court filing, Dean Spanos vowed to his three siblings that he would retain an investment bank at the end of the 2024 season in an effort to find a new owner- by 2024, the “flip tax” wouldn’t be relevant anymore.

But Spanos’ sister says the family’s finances are such that the team needs to be sold before that; the family has owned the Chargers since 1984. If you go broke while you own an NFL franchise, you’re a candidate for the Moron Hall of Fame.

There is a rumor that when the team is sold, they could move back to San Diego, which happens to be the 8th-biggest city in America.

2) In 1979, the Kansas City Royals drafted both John Elway and Dan Marino, which would be great, if the Royals were an NFL team. But they’re a baseball team; Elway played a year for Oneonta in the NY-Penn League, after New York drafted him in the 2nd round of the 1981 draft.

1) Amazing Fact of the Day: Tampa Bay won its season opener 1-0 at Miami Thursday; it is the first time since 1946 that a road team won 1-0 on Opening Day!!!!

Back then, Bob Feller blanked the White Sox on three hits at Comiskey Park; former major league manager Bob Lemon played CF for Cleveland that day.

Additional thing that happened Friday: this weekend’s Mets-Nationals series was cancelled, due to four Washington players testing positive for COVID.

**Udog** · 04-03-2021, 08:48 AM

563DALLAS -564 WASHINGTON
DALLAS are 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 25% to 40%) in the current season.

565CLEVELAND -566 MIAMI
CLEVELAND is 8-21 ATS (-15.1 Units) in road games after a blowout loss by 15 points or more in the last 3 seasons.

567MINNESOTA -568 PHILADELPHIA
PHILADELPHIA is 10-2 ATS (7.8 Units) in home games versus up-tempo teams averaging 88 or more shots/game in the current season.

569NEW YORK -570 DETROIT
DETROIT is 9-1 ATS (7.9 Units) after 2+ home games in the current season.

571INDIANA -572 SAN ANTONIO
SAN ANTONIO is 12-4 ATS (7.6 Units) in non-conference games in the current season.

573ORLANDO -574 UTAH
UTAH is 10-0 ATS (10 Units) in home games versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game in the current season.

575MILWAUKEE -576 SACRAMENTO
MILWAUKEE is 27-11 ATS (14.9 Units) as a road favorite of 6.5 to 12 points in the last 3 seasons.

575MILWAUKEE -576 SACRAMENTO
Mike Budenholzer is 27-11 ATS (14.9 Units) in road games as a road favorite of 6.5 to 12 points (Coach of MILWAUKEE)

577OKLAHOMA CITY -578 PORTLAND
OKLAHOMA CITY is 12-3 ATS (8.7 Units) revenging a loss where opponent scored 110 or more points in the current season.

**Udog** · 04-03-2021, 08:51 AM

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, April 3

Dallas @ Washington
Mavericks (26-21)
— Mavericks are 8-5 SU since All-Star break.
— Mavericks are 5-1 ATS in last six road games.
— Dallas is 2-6 ATS if it played the night before.
— Under is 14-5 in last 19 Dallas games.

Wizards (17-30)
— Wizards lost 10 of their last 13 games SU.
— Wizards are 3-1 ATS in last four home games.
— You’re reading ***************.com
— Under is 4-1 in their last five games

— Home side won last five series games.
— Dallas is 3-2 ATS in last five visits to Washington
— Under is 4-2 in last six series games.

New York @ Detroit
Knicks (24-25)
— New York lost last three games, scoring 91.7 ppg.
— Knicks are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games.
— Under is 8-1 in New York’s last nine games.

Pistons (14-34)
— Detroit lost five of its last seven games
— Pistons are 8-4 ATS since the All-Star break.
— Over is 4-2 in Detroit’s last six home games.

— New York won/covered last four series games.
— Knicks are 3-2 ATS in last five visits to Detroit.
— Three of last four series games stayed under.

Cleveland @ Miami
Cavaliers (17-31)
— Cleveland lost last four games, by 14-2-39-20 points.
— Cavaliers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games.
— Last five Cleveland games stayed under the total.

Heat (25-24)
— Miami won its last three games, after an 0-6 skid (3-6 ATS)
— Heat is 2-6 ATS in last eight home games.
— Under is 10-6 in their last sixteen games.

— Heat won nine of last ten series games.
— Cavaliers are 0-6 ATS in last six trips to Miami.
— Over is 7-2 in last nine series games.

Minnesota @ Philadelphia
Timberwolves (12-37)
— Minnesota lost six of its last eight games.
— Wolves are 3-2 ATS in their last five games overall.
— Minnesota is 4-6-1 ATS if they played night before.
— Under is 6-2 in their last eight games.

76ers (33-15)
— 76ers won five of their last seven games.
— Sixers are 6-3 ATS in their last nine road games.
— Under is 7-3 in Philly’s last ten road games.

— 76ers won/covered last seven series games.
— Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in last five visits to Philly.
— Last three series games stayed under the total.

Indiana @ San Antonio
Pacers (21-26)
— Indiana is 4-8 SU in its last dozen games.
— Pacers are 4-2 ATS in their last six road games.
— Indiana is 5-3-1 ATS if it okayed the night before.
— Under is 3-1 in Indiana’s last four games.

Spurs (24-22)
— San Antonio lost six of its last eight games.
— Spurs are 2-5 ATS in last seven home games.
— Over is 6-3 in Spurs’ last nine games.

— Indiana won four of last five series games.
— Pacers are 4-1 ATS in last five visits to the Alamo.
— Last three series games went over the total.

Orlando @ Utah
Magic (17-31)
— Orlando lost 13 of its last 17 games.
— Magic is 8-3 ATS in last 11 games overall.
— Under is 9-2 in their last 11 road games.

Jazz (37-11)
— Utah won its last seven games overall.
— Jazz is 4-5 ATS in its last nine home games.
— Under is 5-2 in Utah’s last seven games.

— Jazz won eight of last nine series games.
— Orlando is 2-3 ATS in last five visits to Utah.
— Under is 4-2 in last six series games.

Oklahoma City @ Portland
Thunder (20-28)
— Thunder are 1-4 SU in their last five games.
— OKC is 4-6 ATS in their last 10 road games.
— Under is 7-2 in their last nine road games.

Trailblazers (29-19)
— Portland won 12 of its last 16 games.
— You’re reading ***************.com
— Blazers are 3-5 ATS in last eight home games.
— Over is 4-1 in Portland’s last five games.

— OKC won three of last four series games.
— Thunder is 3-2 ATS in last five visits to Portland.
— Over is 5-5 in last ten series games.

Milwaukee @ Sacramento
Bucks (31-17)
— Milwaukee lost three of its last five games.
— Bucks are 3-7 ATS in last ten road games.
— Over is 8-4 in Milwaukee’s last 12 games.

Kings (22-27)
— Sacramento won seven of its last ten games.
— Kings are 3-2 ATS in their last five home games.
— Under is 9-4 in Sacramento’s last 13 games.

— Milwaukee won last nine series games (7-2 ATS)
— Bucks are 3-2 ATS in last five visits to Sacramento.
— Last ten series games went over the total.

**Udog** · 04-03-2021, 08:54 AM

NBA

Saturday, April 3

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Trend Report
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Dallas @ Washington
Dallas
Dallas is 17-3 SU in its last 20 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games

New York @ Detroit
New York
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 5 games
New York is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Detroit
Detroit is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against New York
Detroit is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games

Cleveland @ Miami
Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games
Miami
Miami is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland

Minnesota @ Philadelphia
Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota's last 10 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota

Indiana @ San Antonio
Indiana
Indiana is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing San Antonio
Indiana is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio
San Antonio is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Indiana
San Antonio is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games when playing Indiana

Orlando @ Utah
Orlando
Orlando is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games on the road
Utah
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

Oklahoma City @ Portland
Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oklahoma City's last 9 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games at home
Portland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

Milwaukee @ Sacramento
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing Sacramento
Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing Milwaukee

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**Udog** · 04-03-2021, 10:01 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Saturday, April 3

**Udog** · 04-03-2021, 10:05 AM

Hoop Trends for Saturday April 3
Vince Akins

ATS Play ON Trend of the Day
Matchup: Minnesota at Philadelphia (8:10 p.m. ET)

-- The 76ers are 11-0 ATS (8.45 ppg) when Ben Simmons played fewer than 30 minutes in each of the last 2 games.

ATS Play AGAINST Trend of the Day
Matchup: Cleveland at Miami (8:10 p.m. ET)

-- The Cavaliers are 0-11 ATS (-14.50 ppg) as a 8+ point dog after Collin Sexton was their high scorer last game.

OU Play OVER Trend of the Day
Matchup: Cleveland at Miami (8:10 p.m. ET)

-- The Heat are 11-0-1 OU (9.96 ppg) at home with rest after they had assists on at least 75 percent of their field goals.

OU Play UNDER Trend of the Day
Matchup: New York at Detroit (8:10 p.m. ET)

-- The Knicks are 0-12 OU (-14.79 ppg) when the line is within 3 of pick after being outscored in the paint by at least four points last game.

Trends are verified using Sports Data Query Language (SDQL)

**Udog** · 04-03-2021, 10:06 AM

Announcement

Saturday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 4/3

Saturday's NBA Trends and Indexes - 4/3

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