Thursday Trends and Indexes 12/28

[Udog]

NCAAB
Dunkel

New Orleans at Denver
About the only thing that has saved Denver from a defeat these days was the blizzard that knocked out the Pioneers' game with Arkansas State on the 21st. Aside from that Denver has been in a free fall that has seen the team drop eight straight by an average margin of 20 points. Tonight the Pioneers will host New Orleans, which has won its first two Sun Belt contests against North Texas and Louisiana-Lafayette behind the fourth-leading Division I scorer in Bo McCalebb (26.2 points per game), who had 36 and 39 points, respectively. McCalebb and the Privateers look like a solid pick to cover the Vegas line (-6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has New Orleans favored by 14. Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-6 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28
Time Posted: 9:30 a.m. EST

Game 707-708: Troy at Georgia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Troy 46.759; Georgia Tech 71.757
Dunkel Line: Georgia Tech by 25
Vegas Line: Georgia Tech by 19
Dunkel Pick: Georgia Tech (-19)

Game 709-710: Rutgers at North Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Rutgers 53.992; North Carolina 82.080
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 28
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 28
Dunkel Pick: Neutral

Game 711-712: UNLV at Texas Tech
Dunkel Ratings: UNLV 67.602; Texas Tech 71.088
Dunkel Line: Texas Tech by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas Tech by 7
Dunkel Pick: UNLV (+7)

Game 713-714: East Carolina at NC State
Dunkel Ratings: East Carolina 44.726; NC State 61.050
Dunkel Line: NC State by 16 1/2
Vegas Line: NC State by 12 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NC State (-12 1/2)

Game 715-716: Tulane at Richmond
Dunkel Ratings: Tulane 52.275; Richmond 49.775
Dunkel Line: Tulane by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Richmond by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tulane (+2 1/2)

Game 717-718: Duquesne at Boston College
Dunkel Ratings: Duquesne 45.505; Boston College 73.803
Dunkel Line: Boston College by 28 1/2
Vegas Line: Boston College by 18 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston College (-18 1/2)

Game 719-720: Florida Atlantic at Florida International
Dunkel Ratings: Florida Atlantic 44.244; Florida International 48.643
Dunkel Line: Florida International by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida International by 5
Dunkel Pick: Florida Atlantic (+5)

Game 721-722: Yale at Massachusetts
Dunkel Ratings: Yale 47.529; Massachusetts 64.716
Dunkel Line: Massachusetts by 17
Vegas Line: Massachusetts by 16 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Massachusetts (-16 1/2)

Game 723-724: Purdue at Indiana State
Dunkel Ratings: Purdue 69.550; Indiana State 57.063
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Purdue by 5
Dunkel Pick: Purdue (-5)

Game 725-726: San Francisco at Louisville
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco 52.595; Louisville 69.782
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 17
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 727-728: George Mason at Drexel
Dunkel Ratings: George Mason 60.908; Drexel 70.537
Dunkel Line: Drexel by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Drexel by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Drexel (-7 1/2)

Game 729-730: Georgia at Clemson
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia 67.287; Clemson 74.739
Dunkel Line: Clemson by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Clemson by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Clemson (-6 1/2)

Game 731-732: Arkansas-Little Rock at UL Lafayette
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas-Little Rock 47.659; UL Lafayette 42.191
Dunkel Line: Arkansas-Little Rock by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Arkansas-Little Rock

Game 733-734: SMU at Oklahoma
Dunkel Ratings: SMU 59.203; Oklahoma 71.669
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Oklahoma by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma (-7 1/2)

Game 735-736: South Alabama at Arkansas State
Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 49.593; Arkansas State 51.730
Dunkel Line: Arkansas State by 2
Vegas Line: Arkansas State by 5
Dunkel Pick: South Alabama (+5)

Game 737-738: Drake at Evansville
Dunkel Ratings: Drake 60.775; Evansville 60.143
Dunkel Line: Drake by 1
Vegas Line: Evansville by 3
Dunkel Pick: Drake (+3)

Game 739-740: Detroit at Kansas
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 49.764; Kansas 78.434
Dunkel Line: Kansas by 28 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas by 26
Dunkel Pick: Kansas (-26)

Game 741-742: Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee St.
Dunkel Ratings: Western Kentucky 63.267; Middle Tennessee St. 49.811
Dunkel Line: Western Kentucky by 13 1/2
Vegas Line: Western Kentucky by 7
Dunkel Pick: Western Kentucky (-7)

Game 743-744: California at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: California 63.028; Arizona 79.060
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 16
Vegas Line: Arizona by 14 1/2
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 745-746: Stanford at Arizona State
Dunkel Ratings: Stanford 61.587; Arizona State 59.003
Dunkel Line: Stanford by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Stanford by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Stanford (-1 1/2)

Game 747-748: New Orleans at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 50.008; Denver 35.889
Dunkel Line: New Orleans by 14
Vegas Line: New Orleans by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-6 1/2)

Game 749-750: Portland at Oregon
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 46.698; Oregon 74.631
Dunkel Line: Oregon by 28
Vegas Line: Oregon by 28
Dunkel Pick: Neutral

Game 751-752: CS-Fullerton at Cal Poly
Dunkel Ratings: CS Fullerton 58.981; Cal Poly 53.789
Dunkel Line: CS-Fullerton by 5
Vegas Line: CS-Fullerton by 3
Dunkel Pick: CS-Fullerton (-3)

Game 753-754: UC-Riverside at UC-Santa Barbara
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 42.959; UC-Santa Barbara 58.309
Dunkel Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 15 1/2
Vegas Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 17 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Riverside (+17 1/2)

Game 755-756: Washington State at UCLA
Dunkel Ratings: Washington State 64.092; UCLA 79.870
Dunkel Line: UCLA by 16
Vegas Line: UCLA by 12
Dunkel Pick: UCLA (-12)

Game 757-758: Washington at USC
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 71.593; USC 68.591
Dunkel Line: Washington by 3
Vegas Line: USC by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+3 1/2)

Game 759-760: Harvard at UC-Irvine
Dunkel Ratings: Harvard 49.346; UC-Irvine 57.474
Dunkel Line: UC-Irvine by 8
Vegas Line: UC-Irvine by 8
Dunkel Pick: Neutral

Game 761-762: Holy Cross at LaSalle
Dunkel Ratings: Holy Cross 56.035; LaSalle 56.907
Dunkel Line: LaSalle by 1
Vegas Line: LaSalle by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Holy Cross (+1 1/2)

Game 763-764: Niagara vs. Delaware
Dunkel Ratings: Niagara 49.890; Delaware 44.381
Dunkel Line: Niagara by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Niagara by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Delaware (+6 1/2)

Game 765-766: Samford vs. Wright State
Dunkel Ratings: Samford 51.720; Wright State 49.448
Dunkel Line: Samford by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 767-768: Mississippi Valley St. at LSU
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi Valley St. 45.411; LSU 73.291
Dunkel Line: LSU by 28
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 769-770: St. Joseph's vs. Hofstra
Dunkel Ratings: St. Joseph's 58.019; Hofstra 54.303
Dunkel Line: St. Joseph's by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Hofstra by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Joseph's (+1 1/2)

Game 771-772: Boston at St. John's
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 50.776; St. John's 58.175
Dunkel Line: St. John's by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: St. John's by 12 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+12 1/2)

Game 773-774: Seton Hall vs. Oral Roberts
Dunkel Ratings: Seton Hall 62.659; Oral Roberts 58.148
Dunkel Line: Seton Hall by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Seton Hall by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seton Hall (-1 1/2)

Game 775-776: Liberty at BYU
Dunkel Ratings: Liberty 45.203; BYU 62.965
Dunkel Line: BYU by 17 1/2
Vegas Line: BYU by 17 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Neutral

Game 777-778: Belmont vs. Rice
Dunkel Ratings: Belmont 58.274; Rice 52.367
Dunkel Line: Belmont by 6
Vegas Line: Belmont by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Belmont (-2 1/2)

Game 779-780: Western Carolina at St. Mary's (CA)
Dunkel Ratings: Western Carolina 45.779; St. Mary's (CA) 60.907
Dunkel Line: St. Mary's (CA) by 15
Vegas Line: St. Mary's (CA) by 12
Dunkel Pick: St. Mary's (CA) (-12)

Game 781-782: Alcorn State at New Mexico
Dunkel Ratings: Alcorn State 33.370; New Mexico 62.922
Dunkel Line: New Mexico by 29 1/2
Vegas Line: New Mexico by 24 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Mexico (-24 1/2)

Game 783-784: Binghamton vs. Pepperdine
Dunkel Ratings: Binghamton 50.351; Pepperdine 54.363
Dunkel Line: Pepperdine by 4
Vegas Line: Pepperdine by 2
Dunkel Pick: Pepperdine (-2)

Game 785-786: Colgate at Santa Clara
Dunkel Ratings: Colgate 45.354; Santa Clara 63.203
Dunkel Line: Santa Clara by 18
Vegas Line: Santa Clara by 19 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colgate (+19 1/2)

Game 787-788: Air Force vs. George Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Air Force 71.028; George Washington 62.007
Dunkel Line: Air Force by 9
Vegas Line: Air Force by 7
Dunkel Pick: Air Force (-7)

Game 789-790: Eastern Illinois at Eastern Michigan
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Illinois 46.444; Eastern Michigan 44.523
Dunkel Line: Eastern Illinois by 2
Vegas Line: Eastern Michigan by 2
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Illinois (+2)

Game 791-792: Fairfield at Fordham
Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 48.250; Fordham 57.437
Dunkel Line: Fordham by 9
Vegas Line: Fordham by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (+11 1/2)

Game 793-794: Tennessee State at Siena
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee State 47.481; Siena 58.018
Dunkel Line: Siena by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Siena by 9
Dunkel Pick: Siena (-9)

Game 795-796: Tennessee Tech at Tennessee
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee Tech 52.233; Tennessee 75.822
Dunkel Line: Tennessee by 23 1/2
Vegas Line: Tennessee by 18
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee (-18)

Game 797-798: Rider at Notre Dame
Dunkel Ratings: Rider 50.633; Notre Dame 75.406
Dunkel Line: Notre Dame by 25
Vegas Line: Notre Dame by 22
Dunkel Pick: Notre Dame (-22)

Game 799-800: Sacramento State at Northern Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento State 46.498; Northern Arizona 51.782
Dunkel Line: Northern Arizona by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Northern Arizona by 8
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento State (+8)

Game 801-802: Montana State at Eastern Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Montana State 42.222; Eastern Washington 58.776
Dunkel Line: Eastern Washington by 16 1/2
Vegas Line: Eastern Washington by 19
Dunkel Pick: Montana State (+19)

Game 803-804: Montana at Portland State
Dunkel Ratings: Montana 54.439; Portland State 58.422
Dunkel Line: Portland State by 4
Vegas Line: Portland State by 4
Dunkel Pick: Neutral

Game 805-806: Tennessee-Martin at Hawaii
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee-Martin 42.993; Hawaii 67.208
Dunkel Line: Hawaii by 24
Vegas Line: Hawaii by 19
Dunkel Pick: Hawaii (-19)

[pm530]

NBA
Dunkel



THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28

Phoenix at Dallas
There aren't many opportunities to knock off the Mavericks at home as Dallas has won five straight at American Airlines Center and seven straight overall. But the one team that looks like it can challenge the Mavs right now is Phoenix, which has lost only once in its last 17 games and that came in overtime to the streaking Wizards. The Suns quickly bounced back from that loss with 110-87 rout of Portland on Tuesday. Phoenix is certainly a dangerous underdog (+2) and looks to be a good pick according to Dunkel, which has the Suns favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+2). Here are all of today's games.

Game 501-502: Utah at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 119.052; San Antonio 128.997
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 10; 193 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 6 1/2; 191
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-6 1/2); Over

Game 503-504: Phoenix at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 127.189; Dallas 126.414
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1; 195 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 2; 215
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+2); Under

Game 505-506: Seattle at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 115.169; Denver 124.895
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 9 1/2; 218 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 8; 213 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-8); Over

[pm530]

NHL
Dunkel



THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28

Philadelphia at Tampa Bay
Things have gone from bad to worse for Philadelphia. Tonight the Flyers bring a 10-game losing streak to Tampa Bay against a Lightning team that has beaten them 10 straight times. The Flyers have been outscored 9-3 in losing both meetings to the Lightning this season. Tampa Bay looks like a solid pick in this one according to Dunkel, which has the Lightning favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-1 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

Game 51-52: Detroit at Columbus
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 13.624; Columbus 12.099
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Neutral; Over

Game 53-54: Carolina at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 12.861; Buffalo 13.476
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo by 1 1/2; 7
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+1 1/2); Under

Game 55-56: Philadelphia at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 10.022; Tampa Bay 12.118
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 6
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-1 1/2); Over

Game 57-58: Los Angeles at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 10.976; Edmonton 12.423
Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Edmonton by 1 1/2; 6
Dunkel Pick: Neutral; Over

Game 59-60: Phoenix at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 11.264; San Jose 12.885
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose by 1 1/2; 6
Dunkel Pick: Neutral; Over

[pm530]

NCAA FB
Dunkel - Write-up on Holiday Bowl

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28

Texas A&M vs. California
The Golden Bears were picked by many to contend for the national championship with an offense that includes big names like RB Marshawn Lynch and WR DeSean Jackson. Even though an opening-game loss to Tennessee snubbed out that dream, the Bears regrouped and won eight straight to put themselves back into the picture. But a bad stretch at the end that included losses to Arizona and USC and a narrow victory over lower-rated Stanford has relegated Cal to today's Holiday Bowl. While that might be a step down for Jeff Tedford's team, it's a step up for Texas A&M. Not much was expected from Dennis Franchione's team, but the Aggies were able to overcome narrow losses to Nebraska (28-27) and Oklahoma (17-16) before finishing with a 12-7 win over Texas that saved Franchione's job. The Aggies have their own one-two punch in the backfield in Mike Goodson (785 yards) and 280-pound Jovorskie Lane (19 TDs) that should help keep A&M within the Vegas line (Cal by 5) according to Dunkel, which has the Aggies favored straight up by 2. Dunkel Pick: Texas A&M (+5).

- -

(Full Dunkel Index for NCAA FB at post #2)

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet

Thursday, December 28th

Utah at San Antonio, 8:05 EST
Utah: 9-17 ATS off a home win by 10+ points
San Antonio: 33-17 ATS off a SU loss as a favorite

Phoenix at Dallas, 8:05 EST TNT
Phoenix: 37-17 ATS after scoring 110+ points
Dallas: 11-3 ATS off BB wins

Seattle at Denver, 10:35 EST TNT
Seattle: 13-4 Over off BB home wins
Denver: 12-3 ATS off BB games allowing 100+ points

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet

Thursday, December 28th

Detroit at Columbus, 7:05 EST
Detroit: 19-3 SU away vs. division opponents
Columbus: 5-24 SU vs. Detroit

Carolina at Buffalo, 7:05 EST
Carolina: 8-16 SU at Buffalo
Buffalo: 42-19 SU off an Over

Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 7:35 EST
Philadelphia: 0-10 SU in December
Tampa Bay: 14-6 SU after scoring 1 or 0 goals

Los Angeles at Edmonton, 9:05 EST
Los Angeles: 2-11 SU off a win
Edmonton: 8-1 Under in December

Phoenix at San Jose, 10:35 EST
Phoenix: 11-3 Over revenging a road loss by 3+ goals
San Jose: 9-0 SU after allowing 4+ goals

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NCAAB
Short Sheet

Thursday, December 28th

Troy at Georgia Tech, 2:00 EST
Troy: 6-1 Over off BB ATS losses
Georgia Tech: 32-16 ATS off ATS losses in 4 or 5 of their last 6 games

Rutgers at North Carolina, 7:00 EST ESPN2
Rutgers: 3-13 ATS away off a win by 6 points or less
North Carolina: 9-2 ATS off BB wins by 10+ points

(TC) UNLV at Texas Tech, 9:00 EST ESPN2
UNLV: 10-1 ATS away off BB home wins
Texas Tech: 0-8 ATS off 3+ wins

East Carolina at NC State, 7:00 EST ESPNU
East Carolina: 4-14 ATS off a loss
NC State: 16-6 ATS at home after playing BB games as an underdog

Tulane at Richmond, 7:00 EST
Tulane: 8-0 ATS after winning 2 of their last 3 games
Richmond: 1-9 ATS as a home favorite

Duquesne at Boston College, 7:00 EST
Duquesne: 17-32 ATS away off a road game
Boston College: 8-1 ATS at home off a non-conference game

Florida Atlantic at Florida International, 7:00 EST
Florida Atl: 5-1 Over off a non-conference game
Florida Int: 0-6 ATS after winning 3 of their last 4 games

Yale at Massachusetts, 7:00 EST
Yale: 18-7 ATS as a road underdog of 12.5+ points
Massachusetts: 2-11 ATS as a home favorite of 12.5+ points

Purdue at Indiana State, 7:00 EST
Purdue: 3-11 ATS off an ATS win
Indiana State: 10-2 ATS vs. non-conference opponents

San Francisco at Louisville, 7:00 EST
San Francisco: 1-5 ATS in December
Louisville: 10-2 ATS off 4+ games allowing 65 points or less

(TC) George Mason at Drexel, 7:00 EST
George Mason: 15-5 ATS after allowing 60 points or less
Drexel: 0-6 ATS at home off a non-conference game

(TC) Georgia at Clemson, 7:00 EST
Georgia: 9-2 ATS off an ATS loss
Clemson: 3-14 ATS off BB games allowing 60 points or less

Arkansas Little Rock at Louisiana Lafayette, 8:00 EST
Ark Little Rock: 16-45 ATS playing their second game in eight days
LA Lafayette: 8-1 Under at home off an ATS loss

SMU at Oklahoma, 8:00 EST
SMU: 0-6 ATS away after playing BB games as a favorite
Oklahoma: 22-8 Under off 3+ non-conference games

South Alabama at Arkansas State, 8:00 EST
South Alabama: 9-2 ATS away vs. conference opponents
Arkansas State: 9-1 Over at home off a conference game

Drake at Evansville, 8:00 EST
Drake: 7-1 Over as a road underdog of 6 points or less
Evansville: 8-1 ATS after winning 3 of their last 4 games

Detroit at Kansas, 8:00 EST
Detroit: 11-3 Under away after losing 2 of their last 3 games
Kansas: 12-4 ATS after playing 3+ games as a favorite

Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee State, 8:00 EST
Western Kentucky: 3-12 ATS as a road favorite
Mid Tenn State: 8-1 ATS after allowing 80+ points

California at Arizona, 8:30 EST
California: 12-4 Under away off an Over
Arizona: 7-1 ATS after playing as a favorite

Stanford at Arizona State, 9:00 EST
Stanford: 9-2 ATS off a road game
Arizona State: 1-10 ATS at home off an Over

New Orleans at Denver, 9:00 EST
New Orleans: 5-1 ATS off 3+ Overs
Denver: 0-7 ATS in December

Portland at Oregon, 10:00 EST
Portland: 1-8 ATS playing with 5 or 6 days rest
Oregon: 8-1 ATS at home off a win

CS Fullerton at Cal Poly Slo, 10:00 EST
CS Fullerton: 8-1 Over vs. conference opponents
Cal Poly Slo: 8-1 ATS off a road loss by 10+ points

Cal Riverside at Cal Santa Barbara, 10:00 EST
Cal Riverside: 13-2 ATS away off a loss by 6 points or less
UCSB: 7-0 Under at home in December

Washington State at UCLA, 10:30 EST
Washington State: 2-10 ATS off 3+ wins
UCLA: 14-3 ATS off an Over

Washington at USC, 10:30 EST
Washington: 0-6 ATS off 3+ home wins
USC: 10-2 ATS off 3+ non-conference games

Harvard at Cal Irvine, 10:30 EST
Harvard: 5-1 Over off a combined score of 155+ points
Cal Irvine: 8-19 ATS at home off a road loss


LaSalle Tournament
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Opening Round

Holy Cross at LaSalle, 6:00 EST
Holy Cross: 6-1 Over off a road game
LaSalle: 2-9 ATS as a home favorite

Niagara vs. Delaware, 8:15 EST
Niagara: 28-11 ATS away off BB games scoring 75+ points
Delaware: 9-23 ATS playing their second game in eight days


Hispanic College Fund Classic
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Second Round

Samford vs. Wright State, 6:00 EST
Samford: 9-2 Under away vs. conference opponents
Wright State: 9-0 ATS playing with 1 or 0 days rest

Missouri Valley State at LSU, 8:15 EST
Missouri Valley State: 2-2 ATS since 1997
LSU: 1-8 ATS after playing BB games as a home favorite


Holiday Festival
New York, New York
Opening Round

St. Joseph's vs. Hofstra, 6:30 EST
St. Joseph's: 6-0 Over in December
Hofstra: 12-4 ATS off an ATS loss

Boston U at St. John's, 8:45 EST
Boston U: 5-1 ATS as a road underdog of 10+ points
St. John's: 3-13 ATS as a home favorite of 9.5 to 12 points


Basketball Travelers Classic
Provo, Utah
Opening Round

Seton Hall vs. Oral Roberts, 7:00 EST
Seton Hall: 9-1 ATS after making 78%+ of their free throws
Oral Roberts: 1-4 ATS off a road game

Liberty at BYU, 9:15 EST
Liberty: 3-3 ATS since 1997
BYU: 4-13 ATS off a win by 10+ points


Shamrock Classic
Moraga, California
Opening Round

Belmont vs. Rice, 8:00 EST
Belmont: 4-0 ATS off a road game
Rice: 5-16 ATS vs. non-conference opponents

Western Carolina at St. Mary's, 10:15 EST
Western Carolina: 5-1 Over as an underdog
St. Mary's: 6-17 ATS at home off 3+ losses


Lobo Invitational
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Opening Round

Alcorn State at New Mexico, 8:00 EST
Alcorn State: 3-2 ATS since 1997
New Mexico: 3-11 ATS after scoring 60 points or less

Binghampton vs. Pepperdine, 10:15 EST
Binghampton: 2-2 ATS since 1997
Peppperdine: 8-2 ATS off BB non-conference games


Cable Car Classic
Santa Clara, California
Opening Round

Colgate at Santa Clara, 9:00 EST
Colgate: No lined games since 1997
Santa Clara: 1-6 ATS as a favorite of 10+ points

Air Force vs. George Washington, 11:15 EST
Air Force: 8-1 ATS off BB non-conference games
George Washington: 1-9 ATS away vs. non-conference opponents


Added Games:

Eastern Illinois at Eastern Michigan, 3:00 EST
Eastern Illinois: 15-5 Over with a line of +3 to -3
Eastern Michigan: 6-15 ATS at home after playing as an underdog

Fairfield at Fordham, 7:00 EST
Fairfield: 8-19 ATS as a road underdog of 10+ points
Fordham: 10-1 ATS at home after playing BB games as an underdog

Tennessee State at Siena, 7:00 EST
Tennessee State: 12-4 Under away playing their second game in seven days
Siena: 8-1 ATS off a non-conference game

(TC) Tennessee Tech at Tennessee, 7:00 EST
Tennessee Tech: 4-12 ATS off an Under
Tennessee: 9-2 ATS at home after playing as a favorite

Rider at Notre Dame, 8:00 EST
Rider: 3-11 ATS after playing as a road underdog
Notre Dame: 8-1 ATS after making 50%+ of their three-pointers

Sacramento State at Northern Arizona, 8:30 EST
Sacramento State: 1-8 ATS away in December
Northern Arizona: 15-5 ATS at home after allowing 80+ points

Montana State at Eastern Washington, 10:00 EST
Montana State: 0-8 ATS off a road loss by 3 points or less
Eastern Washington: 11-3 ATS as a favorite

Montana at Portland State, 10:00 EST
Montana: 17-7 Over off an Under
Portland State: 6-0 ATS at home after shooting 55% or better

Tennessee Martin at Hawaii, 11:59 EST
Tenn Martin: 13-4 ATS away off a conference loss by 10+ points
Hawaii: 0-7 ATS after winning 4 of their last 5 games

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[pm530]

College Football - Tips and Trends (Texas Bowl)

NCAA FB
Tips and Trends - Texas Bowl

DECEMBER 28

Texas Bowl - #16 Rutgers vs. Kansas State
(NFL Network - 8 PM ET)

• Some insiders wonder how motivated the Scarlet Knights will be after nearly winning the Big East title and the conference's BCS berth. However, others believe Rutgers will still be very pumped to go out and earn the school's first-ever bowl victory. "We had an opportunity to be in the BCS, and more importantly to be league champions - to come close and not get it hurts," Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said. "But in 137 years of football, we've only been to two bowl games, so we're thrilled to be going to another bowl game -- and for the first time in our history, to be going to back-to-back bowl games." EDGE: RUTGERS

• Rutgers is one of the best defensive teams in the country, finishing the regular season ranked ninth in scoring defense, seventh in total defense and sixth in pass defense. That spells trouble for a Kansas State team whose best attribute is ranking #1 in kickoff returns. EDGE: RUTGERS

• Rutgers is 9-3-1 ATS in its last 13 games.

• Kansas State is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 night games.

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(Tips and Trends for the other two bowl games for today are at post # 7)