Announcement

**pm530** · 01-29-2008, 05:21 AM

Six-pack for Tuesday

Six things to look forward to later this winter/spring........

-- Its been a fun college hoop season so far; March figures to be exciting, too.

-- Spring training, warm weather, crack of ball on bat, sound of Rocco Baldelli pulling his hamstring.....baseball begins.

-- NASCAR starts two weeks from Sunday.

-- Arena Football starts last weekend in February.

-- Will Celtic-Piston series live up to its hype if they meet in Eastern Conference finals? Can the survivor win in Finals?

-- In his last six tournaments, one person has finished atop Eldrick Woods in the standings; how long can he keep up with totally dominating his sport?

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**pm530** · 01-29-2008, 05:21 AM

Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but.......

13) Pete Carroll met for nine hours with Redskin owner Dan Snyder today; what do you talk about for nine hours? At end of the day, Carroll is, of course, staying at USC, but what in the name of Joe Bugel is Snyder doing?

12) Super Bowl tickets, which have face value of $700-900, are going for an average of $4,300 out in Arizona.

11) Does Tim Higgins ref seven nights a week? Every night, it seems, the freakin' guy is reffing a game somewhere.

10) When new Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal got sworn in last week, emcee of the inauguration was CBS announcer and Louisiana native Tim Brando, once an ESPN anchor.

9) Manhattan College is first hoop team I've seen with next year's 3-point arc already down on its court. Nine inches will be the distance the 3-point shot is increased next season.

8) In five seasons since losing to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl, the Raiders have gone 19-61 under four different coaches.

7) Memphis Tigers defend the arc well; in last four games in Conference USA, Memphis foes are 7-48 beyond the arc.

6) Phillies filled a big hole by adding Pedro Feliz to play 3B.

5) Missouri's best scorer, Stefhon Hannah, is out 4-6 weeks with a broken jaw suffered in a fracas Sunday morning.

4) New Falcon coach Smith is Brian Billick's brother-in-law.

3) Jerry Pate won his second Senior Tour event Sunday; he shot -2 Sunday, when the other eight guys in the final three groups of the day combined to shoot a ludicrous +33.

2) Pate was once a prodigy, winning eight tournaments by age 28; he then went 24 years without winning, 15 of which he couldn't even compete, he had so many injuries, so good for him for sticking with it and being mentally tough.

1) San Diego coach Grier, a longtime Gonzaga assistant, gave his old club a hand Monday night, as USD beat St Mary's at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, giving Gaels their first WCC loss, putting Gonzaga in first place by themselves.

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**pm530** · 01-29-2008, 05:26 AM

National Football League – Indexes, trends, stats, info.

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NFL
Dunkel Index

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
The Super Bowl features a rematch of Week 16 when the Giants gave New England a scare before losing (38-35). New York rode the motivation from that performance to three straight road wins in the playoffs, extending their road winning streak to 10 games. The Patriots continue to win, but not in the impressive fashion of earlier in the season and come into the game 0-5 ATS in their last five contests. The Giants are the underdog pick (+12) according to Dunkel, which has New England favored by only 9. Dunkel Pick: NY Giants (+12). Here are all of this week's picks.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Game 101-102: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
Dunkel Ratings: NY Giants 137.052; New England 146.340
Dunkel Line: New England by 9; 49
Vegas Line: New England by 12; 54
Dunkel Pick: NY Giants (+12); Under

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NFL
Long Sheet

Super Bowl XLII

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Sunday, February 3
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NY GIANTS (13 - 6) vs. NEW ENGLAND (18 - 0) - 2/3/2008, 6:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ENGLAND is 52-30 ATS (+19.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1992.
NY GIANTS are 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) in all games this season.
NY GIANTS are 13-6 ATS (+6.4 Units) in all lined games this season.
NY GIANTS are 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) as an underdog this season.
NY GIANTS are 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) revenging a loss against opponent over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY GIANTS is 1-0 against the spread versus NEW ENGLAND over the last 3 seasons
NEW ENGLAND is 1-0 straight up against NY GIANTS 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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NFL
Short Sheet

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Sunday, February 3
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Super Bowl XLII
TV: FOX
NY Giants vs. New England, 6:20 ET

NY Giants:
9-2 ATS in road games
8-2 ATS as an underdog

New England:
2-8 ATS off 8+ wins
1-8 ATS off a SU home win / ATS loss

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**pm530** · 01-29-2008, 05:27 AM

NFL

Sunday, February 3

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Tips and Trends
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New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
Super Bowl XLII (FOX | 6:30 PM ET)

New York is trying to become the 2nd team in NFL history to win all of its playoff games on the road and then hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy, following the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL. The Giants have won 10 straight away from home, going 9-1 ATS, with the lone loss coming in a 13-10 victory against Miami in London back on October 28th. EDGE: GIANTS
The Patriots are going for the 1st 19-0 season in NFL history and are already the 1st team to start 18-0. However, after covering their 1st 8 games of the regular season, they are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10, including 0-2 in the playoffs with a nearly identical spread as this one. The UNDER is also 4-1-1 in their last 6 games. EDGE: GIANTS
These teams met in the regular-season finale, which the Giants used as a springboard to the Super Bowl. Some questioned whether or not they would be mentally and physically drained after playing the Patriots hard when they had nothing on the line, but instead they gained a ton of confidence. Quarterback Eli Manning even admitted after winning the NFC Championship that playing competitively against New England in a playoff-type atmosphere is one of the main reasons they earned a rematch in the Super Bowl. EDGE: GIANTS
Manning continues his growth and maturity for the Giants with 8 touchdown passes and just 1 interception in his last 4 games. Ironically, that pick came against the Patriots, who were burned by 4 TD passes as well, 2 of which went to Plaxico Burress. While Manning's development has been crucial, New England QB Tom Brady is clearly in a league of his own as he goes for his 4th Super Bowl title in 4 attempts. Brady has been named Super Bowl MVP twice and is coming off the best regular season of any QB in league history with an NFL-record 50 touchdown passes. EDGE: PATRIOTS
New England is definitely seeing the benefit of a healthy Laurence Maroney, who remains as fresh as any running back the NFL has ever seen in the playoffs. Maroney was very limited for a majority of the regular season, sitting out 3 full games and carrying the ball 15 times or less in 9 other games. Maroney had scored just 2 touchdowns in the 1st 13 games of the regular season, but he has scored at least once in each of the last 5 - scoring 6 total during that stretch - including 2 in the regular-season finale against the Giants. He has rushed for 122 yards in each of the team's 2 playoff games so far on a combined 47 carries. BIG EDGE: PATRIOTS
Patriots are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games vs. a team with a winning record.
Patriots are 40-19-3 ATS in ther last 62 games on grass.
The UNDER is 13-5-1 in New England's last 19 playoff games.

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NFL
Recent Trends

Sunday, February 3

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NFL Recent Trends
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N.Y. Giants (13-6) vs New England (18-0)

New England:
Under is 13-5-1 in NE last 19 playoff games.
NE are 13-6 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
NE are 40-19-3 ATS in their last 62 games on grass.

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NFL

Sunday, February 3

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NFL In Depth Trends
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Trends – New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

Red - Hot trends are trends 80% or higher.
Blue - Cold trends are trends 20% or lower.

ATS Trends

N.Y. Giants
Giants are 5-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games on grass.
Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 playoff games.
Giants are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
Giants are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Giants are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win.

New England
Patriots are 36-16-1 ATS in their last 53 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.
Patriots are 13-6 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Patriots are 40-19-3 ATS in their last 62 games on grass.
Patriots are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win.
Patriots are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss.
Patriots are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

O/U Trends

N.Y. Giants
Under is 4-1 in Giants last 5 playoff games.
Under is 5-2 in Giants last 7 games on grass.
Under is 44-19-2 in Giants last 65 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.

New England
Over is 4-0 in Patriots last 4 games on grass.
Under is 4-1-1 in Patriots last 6 games following a S.U. win.
Under is 4-1-1 in Patriots last 6 games overall.
Under is 13-5-1 in Patriots last 19 playoff games.
Over is 9-4-1 in Patriots last 14 vs. a team with a winning record.

Head to Head
No trends available.

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NFL

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NFL – 5 Statistics
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Five Super Bowl stats you should know

With all the hype about this year’s Super Bowl it’s going to be relatively easy to find the obvious betting statistics, like against the spread and over/under records between the Pats and the Giants.

To give bettors a greater edge in their Super Bowl betting, we’ve gone back through 20 years worth of statistics to bring you a few nuggets of information that could help you make some money.

1. Big favorites have mixed results

The Patriots are hefty 12-point favorites to beat the Giants, which is not surprising for a team that is 18-0. But how have big favorites fared against the spread in past Super Bowls?

Favorites of seven points or more have gone 7-6-1 against the spread in the Super Bowl since the 1986 season, while faves of 10 points or more have gone 4-3-1. Ironically, the biggest spread over that time came in the 2002 clash between St. Louis and New England. The Rams were 14-point favorites, but ended up losing 20-17 to the Pats.

In their next two Super Bowl appearances, the Patriots were seven-point favorites. But they failed to cover on both occasions, beating the Panthers by three in 2004 and the Eagles by three in 2005. In fact, the Pats have been to five Super Bowls in 21 years, but have covered just once.

2. NFC wins battle of the East

Recent history is on the Giants’ side if you look back at Super Bowl matchups between teams from the AFC East and the NFC East.

In the five contests between teams from those divisions in the past 20 years, the NFC East teams are 4-1 straight and 5-0 against the spread, with three of those games going over the total. The Giants were involved in one of those battles, beating the Buffalo Bills 20-19 in 1991.

But the only AFC East team to hand an NFC East franchise a Super Bowl loss over that time was the New England Patriots. They beat the Eagles 24-21 in 2005.

3. Giants home record sets a record

The Giants set an unwanted record this season, becoming the only team in history to make football’s showpiece game, despite having a losing home record.

New York went 3-5 at home this season, losing to Green Bay, Dallas, Minnesota, Washington and New England at Giants Stadium. They lost to the Packers and Dallas by a combined 33 points in those home losses, but it’s worth noting that they defeated both teams on the road in the playoffs.

The home loss to New England will also be a source of encouragement for the Giants. They were only the third team this season to take a lead into the final quarter against the Patriots (28-23), but ended up losing 38-35 because of Tom Brady’s pinpoint passing under pressure.

4. Don’t overlook the total

There have only been five Super Bowls in the last 20 years with a total of 50 or more, with two of them going over the total and the other three going under. The Patriots were involved in one of those games – their 2004 win over Carolina went over the 53-point total.

Of more relevance are the total trends in recent matchups between the Pats and the Giants. Three straight meetings between these teams have gone over, but the totals only ranged from 35 to 46 ½ over that period.

In fact, the 53 ½-point spread between the New England and New York is the highest in well over 10 years and is likely the reaction of oddsmakers to the offensive shootout these teams produced in their last meeting.

5. Successful road teams in the Super Bowl

The New York Giants have won 10 straight road games (a single season record), including three straight in this season’s playoffs. Only five wild-card teams since 1970 have reached the Super Bowl.

The two most recent were the 1986 New England Patriots and the 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots went on to lose the ‘86 final to the Chicago Bears – a 46-10 blowout loss. But the Steelers continued their momentum, defeating Seattle 21-10 as four-point favorites.

Although the Super Bowl is technically at a neutral venue in Arizona, the Giants have been designated as the visiting team.

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NFL
What bettors need to know…….

Sunday, February 3

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What bettors need to know: Giants vs. Patriots
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What bettors need to know: Super Bowl XLII

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
Sunday, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m. ET (-12, 53 ½)

Line moves

Some Vegas sportsbooks opened with New England favored by as many as 13 ½ points. Since then, heavy action on New York has moved the line to Patriots -12 at most Vegas and offshore books. The game’s total has held steady between 53 ½ and 54 points.

Brady’s boot

On Monday, Tom Brady was photographed heading from an SUV to his girlfriend Gisele Bundchen's apartment in New York on what looked like a walking cast on his right foot.

"Ah, you know, there's always bumps and bruises. I'll be ready for the Super Bowl," Brady said Monday during his weekly radio appearance on WEEI. "I'm not worried about that. I'm not missing this one. I'd have to be on a stretcher to miss this one. There will be treatment this week. In games like this, you get a little nicked up. It's nothing serious."

Stay tuned for updates.

Raising Arizona

The Super Bowl will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The stadium, which opened Aug. 1, 2006, features a retractable grass field and roof and should accommodate more than 73,000 fans.

Slaying the Giants

New York gave up 80 combined points in its first two games of the season, both of which, not surprisingly, ended up as straight up and ATS losses. Since then, the Giants have held 14 of their last 17 opponents to 24 points or fewer with only Dallas, Minnesota and New England topping that total. The Giants lost all three of those games, covering only against New England in Week 17’s 38-35 loss.

The kicking game

New York’s Lawrence Tynes was 23-of-27 in his field goal attempts in the regular season, with all four of his misses coming on kicks from less than 40 yards out. Tynes missed two huge field goal attempts during the NFC championship game, but he hit the one that counted in overtime from 47 yards. His longest kick of the year was a 48-yarder.

Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski hit 21 of his 24 regular season field goal attempts, with two misses from outside 40 yards. He has only attempted two field goals in the playoffs, hitting one of them. His longest kick of the year was a 45-yarder.

Super stats

The Giants are 5-0 in their last five against the spread and against teams with a winning record.

The Patriots are 0-5 in their last five against the spread.

The favored team has gone 9-3 straight up and 4-6-2 against the spread in the last dozen Super Bowls.

Teams that score more than 27 points in the Super Bowl are 23-1 and 22-2-1 against the spread. New England has averaged 35.6 points per game, while New York averages 23.2.

Recent meetings

The two teams have split the last four meetings between them dating back to 2005, but the Giants covered the number in three of those games. The over cashed in three times as well.

Notable injuries:

New England:
Tom Brady QB - (ankle) probable.
Mike Wright DE - (foot) IR
Rosevelt Colvin LB - (foot) IR
Sammy Morris RB - (chest) IR
David Thomas TE - (foot) IR

New York:
Rich Seubert OG - (knee) questionable
Craig Dahl S - (knee) IR
Jeremy Shockey TE - (leg) IR
Derrick Ward RB – (fibula) IR
Mathias Kiwanuka LB – (leg) IR
Robert Douglas FB – (knee) IR
Adrian Awasom DL – (back) IR
Jim Finn FB – (shoulder) IR
Will Demps SS – (elbow) IR

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NFL
Key Matchups

Sunday, February 3

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Giants vs. Patriots: the key matchups
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Matchups for the Super Bowl between the New York Giants and New England Patriots on Feb. 3 at the University of Phoenix Stadium:

When the Giants have the ball

Having scored 35 points in their season-finale loss to New England, the Giants know they can move the ball on the Patriots. Moving the ball is not enough, though. Nor is kicking field goals. New York must reach the end zone several times, while also trying to use up the clock.

That means Brandon Jacobs (27) and Ahmad Bradshaw (44) running often. Both have been particularly effective down the stretch, with the rookie Bradshaw breaking some long runs. New England is most vulnerable in that area, although calling the Patriots' run defense a weakness would be an exaggeration.

Linebackers Tedy Bruschi (54), Mike Vrabel (50), Junior Seau (55) and Adalius Thomas (96) will be kept busy by those running backs. The Giants could be without left guard Rich Seubert (69), who hurt his knee, which won't help against the assortment of defensive linemen New England uses. The star is Richard Seymour (93), who missed half the season recovering from a knee injury and has not been particularly dynamic yet. But Ty Warren (94) and Vince Wilfork (75) certainly have been, and Jarvis Green (97) provides depth up front.

New York's blocking has been superb in the playoffs, providing ample protection for Eli Manning (10) and opening wide holes for the running backs. Tackle David Diehl (66) and guard Chris Snee (76) have been particularly impressive.

If Manning gets the same amount of time he's received recently, his hookups with WRs Plaxico Burress (17) and Amani Toomer (81), and rookies Steve Smith (12) and TE Kevin Boss (89) will give the Patriots plenty of trouble. Burress is not the deep threat the Patriots' Randy Moss (81) provides, but he's nearly as dangerous because of his size, good hands and athletic ability. Burress also has been at his healthiest recently, which makes him a matchup problem for Asante Samuel (22) and Ellis Hobbs (27).

Manning has been at his most accurate, playing the best football of his four-year career. His playoff numbers - particularly four touchdowns to no interceptions and a 99.2 rating - are worthy of brother Peyton, last year's Super Bowl MVP.

When the Patriots have the ball

Unquestionably, the key for New York is slowing Moss, who overwhelmed Giants cornerbacks and safeties in the last meeting. Moss had six receptions for 100 yards and two TDs as he broke Jerry Rice's NFL mark with 23 touchdown catches. While Corey Webster (23) has made some big plays in the postseason, he'll need help from Gibril Wilson (28) and the other safeties. The Giants must be aggressive in their approach against Moss.

Of course, that usually leaves Wes Welker (83) with single coverage, and Welker can be destructive on underneath routes. He had 11 catches for 122 yards in the season finale.

There's also Donte' Stallworth (18) and Jabar Gaffney (10) for New York cornerbacks Webster, Sam Madison (29), rookie Aaron Ross (31) and R.W. McQuarters (25) to deal with. The safeties have to handle tight end Benjamin Watson (84), who's extremely dangerous in the red zone.

Plus, there's RB Kevin Faulk (33) on screens, flares and other short passes he turns into decent gains, particularly on first down. Faulk also is terrific on third downs for the highest-scoring offense in league history.

Faulk won't do a lot of running with RB Laurence Maroney (39) now a focal point of the offense. Maroney has run for 244 yards and two TDs and is averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

Engineering it all is the league MVP, Tom Brady (12), who is 3-0 in Super Bowls, twice earning MVP honors. Unless the Giants get ample pressure on Brady with their standout linemen - Michael Strahan (92), Osi Umenyiora (72), Justin Tuck (91) and Fred Robbins (98) - and linebacker Antonio Pierce (58), Brady might get a third individual trophy.

Brady supposedly has a slight ankle injury. Or maybe coach Bill Belichick invented that to make his superb offensive line even stauncher in their protection. Tackle Matt Light (72), guard Logan Mankins (70) and center Dan Koppen (67) are the standouts.

Special Teams

Adam Vinatieri played a leading role in all three Patriots Super Bowl victories, and then won a title with Indianapolis last year. Now Stephen Gostkowski (3) does the placekicking, and he's money.

Lawrence Tynes (9) was inconsistent in his first year with the Giants, and he missed two potential winning field goals at frigid Green Bay in the title game. But he made a 47-yarder to send New York to the Super Bowl.

Patriots punter Chris Hanson (6) didn't get used much during the season, and his gross average in the playoffs is 38.0 yards, less than 20-year veteran Jeff Feagles' net. Feagles (18) is appearing in his first Super Bowl despite two decades in the league.

Neither team has dangerous threats on kick or punt returns, although Domenik Hixon (87) has given the Giants a late-season spark. Hobbs had a 108-yard kickoff return, but that was in the opener.

Coaching

A matchup of former colleagues with the Giants under Bill Parcells. Belichick has won three titles with the Patriots and, given two weeks to prepare for a team, he is virtually unbeatable. Then again, his team has been totally unbeatable this season.

The 2007 Coach of the Year despite the Spygate scandal that cost him a $500,000 league fine, Belichick will come up with a variety of defensive schemes to confuse Manning. His offense will be full-throttle all game.

Coughlin's work this season has been very impressive, too. The Giants were 8-8 in 2006 and barely squeezed into the playoffs, where they lost in the first round. Another such performance might have led to his firing.

Instead, he's improved his relationship with the players and, during the postseason, he's developed solid game plans that the Giants have executed magnificently. Coughlin heads to his first Super Bowl as a head coach with a contract extension certain.

Intangibles

New York simply doesn't lose on the road, and the Giants are the designated away team at University of Phoenix Stadium. They've won 10 straight away games, and they have outplayed all three opponents in the playoffs on both sides of the ball.

Don't forget that they tested the Patriots on Dec. 29, even led by 12 points in the third quarter. And all the pressure is on New England.

Not that the Patriots care about pressure. They are the, uh, perfect example of a team that responds to whatever challenge. This is the best version of any of the Pats teams to make the Super Bowl this decade, and their undefeated record has placed them in a glaring spotlight for months.

New England is experienced, well-rounded and incredibly focused on this championship.

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NFL
Line Report

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NFL – Super Bowl line report
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(01-20-08)

Patriots heavy favorites against Giants at Vegas sports books

LAS VEGAS (AP) -New England Patriots fans who want to bet on their team in the Super Bowl will face a significant point spread against the underdog Giants as quarterback Tom Brady aims for a 19-0 record and fourth championship ring.

The Patriots are favored by 13 to 14 points against the New York Giants (13-6) at Las Vegas sports books, a higher-than-normal spread to entice underdog bettors on the biggest booked game of the season.

''The Patriots are still considered by far the best team in the league,'' said Jay Kornegay, sports book director at the Las Vegas Hilton. ''We obviously make that line to get equal action on both sides. To do that, because of the perception of the Patriots, we have to increase their number more than usual.''

Bets were flowing in on the Patriots early in the season as they destroyed opponents and the spread, but the team has won by a margin that was larger than the spread only once in its last eight games, said Chuck Esposito, Caesars Palace's assistant vice president of race and sports book operations.

''A game of this magnitude, historically you'll see some money on the favorite,'' said Esposito, who put the Patriots as 14-point favorites. ''I think that's one of the reasons that the number might be a little bit high.''

The spread is the point difference oddsmakers set to even out lopsided matchups. A bettor who put $110 on the Patriots would need the team to beat the Giants by at least 14 or 15 points to get back $210, which includes his original bet.

Oddsmakers set the total score of the two teams at around 55. Bettors can wager that the final total will be more or less than that amount.

Kornegay predicted a record handle at Nevada sports books, topping the $94.5 million record set in 2006 when Pittsburgh beat Seattle 21-10.

The Patriots are trying to become the second team in NFL history to go undefeated. They already beat the Giants this season, winning 38-35 in the regular-season finale.

''The Giants played right with them for the majority of the game,'' Esposito said. ''And there will be another Manning (New York quarterback Eli Manning) in the Big Game.''

MGM Mirage Inc. sports book director Robert Walker expected the handle in Nevada sports books to hit $100 million.

''I think with the New York team and the Patriots being the most popular team in football, it has the makings of being a special game,'' he said.

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Pats always Super Bowl faves
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(01-28-08)

The New England Patriots are sitting as 12-point favorites to get past the New York Giants and win the Super Bowl on Sunday - but where were they listed in the summer?

During our rundown of the Super Bowl odds back in June we found that the Vegas oddsmakers had spurned the defending-champion Indianapolis Colts and instead pegged Tom Brady and company as the favorites. New England was installed at 5/1 championship odds at that time, while Indianapolis was just a bit behind them at 11/2.

So if you wagered on the Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII back in June you're now waiting for that 5/1 payoff on Sunday night. On the other hand, if you wagered on the Colts to win a second consecutive championship this year you're down a bit of money.

How did the rest of the National Football League fare on those early lines? The San Diego Chargers were third at 6/1 odds, followed by the Chicago Bears at 8/1, and the Baltimore Ravens at 10/1. The New Orleans Saints were pegged at 12/1 odds to win the title, while the Cincinnati Bengals and the Seattle Seahawks were both at 15/1. Of those six teams only the Chargers and the Seahawks managed to make the postseason.

The other eight playoff teams this season all began the year with Super Bowl odds of 20/1 or worse. The Dallas Cowboys led that group at 20/1, while the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Pittsburgh Steelers were at 25/1. The Green Bay Packers and the Washington Redskins were both back on the list at just 50/1 odds, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sitting at 60/1, and the Tennessee Titans close to the bottom at 70/1 odds.

And what about the Giants, who could still pay off on that futures bet this weekend? Vegas had Eli Manning's team sitting at 30/1 odds to win the Super Bowl back in June.

If you'd like to skip ahead to next year's Super Bowl and lock in some longshots you can find those early championship odds provided by the Vegas oddsmakers right now. The biggest money can be made on huge turnarounds by the Atlanta Falcons and the Miami Dolphins - should one of those clubs get an unlikely Super Bowl win they pay at 150/1.

Four other teams are listed at 100/1 odds or higher to win Super Bowl XLIII - the Kansas City Chiefs are at 100/1, while each of the Ravens, Oakland Raiders, and San Francisco 49ers are at 125/1. However, no team listed at 100/1 odds or worse by the Vegas oddsmakers in the preseason last season managed to advance to the playoffs.

So who is listed as the favorite for next year's Super Bowl? The same team that is currently the favorite to win this year's Super Bowl. The Patriots are sitting high atop the odds list for next year's championship at 5/2, with the Cowboys and Colts the closest teams to them at 6/1. Next up are Brett Favre's Packers, who are pegged with 7/1 odds.

The Giants are in the Super Bowl this week, but that feat only has them listed seventh at 12/1 odds to win next year's championship - the Jaguars and Chargers are also ahead of them at 10/1. The Seahawks and Steelers are both listed at 18/1 odds to win Super Bowl XLIII, while the Bucs are 28/1, and the Titans and Redskins sit at 30/1 odds.

The Saints and Bears both fell to 7-9 this season, but they're listed at modest 20/1 and 25/1 odds, respectively, to win next year's Super Bowl. The Cleveland Browns had the most wins of any non-playoff team this year, and they're at 30/1 to get into the next postseason and win it all. The Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, and Minnesota Vikings are at 38/1, while the Philadelphia Eagles and the Arizona Cardinals are at 45/1.

Bigger longshots to win Super Bowl XLIII include the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, and Houston Texans, who all opened at lucrative 60/1 odds to become the champions. The New York Jets and the St. Louis Rams trail on that list at 75/1 odds.

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NFL
Reports

for Sunday’s game (February 3)

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Reports: Super Bowl
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NFL Rumors

Walking wounded: Brady spotted in cast
Monday, Jan 21, 2008 11:44 pm EST

AP
Fans of the New England Patriots had to be swallowing hard Monday when pictures of quarterback Tom Brady sporting a walking cast on his right foot surfaced.

A video taken of Brady in New York Sunday, which is available on TMZ, shows the NFL's MVP returning to girlfriend Gisele Bundchen's apartment. He's walking gingerly on the sidewalk after emerging from a black SUV parked on the street.

During his weekly appearance on WEEI's "Dennis and Callahan" show, Brady didn't dismiss the notion he had suffered some type of leg injury during Sunday's AFC Championship win. "Ah, you know, there's always bumps and bruises. I'll be ready for the Super Bowl," Brady said, when asked point-blank if he had a leg injury.

Source: Boston Herald

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UPDATE

Brady's injury minor - Boot is seen as just a precaution

Boston Globe / January 23, 2008

The sight of star quarterback Tom Brady wearing a protective boot over his right foot Monday had New York tabloids buzzing and Patriots followers fearing the worst, but the injury is not serious.

Brady has a high right ankle sprain, according to an NFL source, which explains why he was wearing the device during a visit to New York. The sprain, which is minor, will not jeopardize Brady's chances of playing in Super Bowl XLII Feb. 3, the source said.

Both the Patriots and Giants are not required to submit an injury report until a week from today. The Patriots do not return to practice until tomorrow.

Two medical experts, neither of whom is treating Brady, indicated that he likely was wearing the boot as a preventative measure.

"Since two weeks remain [to the game], the medical/training staff may have determined that using this short leg walker would provide some relief of pressure, and provide support and rest, even if it was a minor injury," said Dr. Michael A. Robinson, a sports podiatrist and foot surgeon based in Brookline. "The short leg walker would help promote more rapid recovery."

Dr. Nicholas DiNubile, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, further described the benefit of the boot.

"It is a way to rest that body part and prevent the normal movement that goes on with everyday walking," said DiNubile, who serves as an orthopedic consultant to the Philadelphia 76ers. "That allows things to settle down because it's protecting that area and preventing the motions.

"Not knowing the specifics, it looks to me that they just wanted to put it to rest for a day or two."

Brady's foot became a hot topic when he was photographed in New York City Monday afternoon. Gossip website TMZ.com also posted a 1-minute-18-second video clip of Brady and his girlfriend, Gisele Bundchen, which showed Brady favoring his right foot.

Later in the night, Brady was photographed again in New York City, but without the boot.

Brady's father was a guest on 1510 ESPN radio in New York yesterday, and said that if the injury were serious, Brady would have spoken to him about it. Tom Brady Sr. also said that there is no question Brady will play.

"If he had to go out there with two crutches and a cast on each leg, he is playing," Brady Sr. said. "He won't voluntarily walk off the field. Anybody that thinks a little tweak is going to stop [him] is just wasting ink."

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TOM'S PLAYING PATRIOT GAMES

January 25, 2008-- FOXBOROUGH - Who said the Patriots don't have a game until Super Bowl XXLII against the Giants on Feb. 3 in Arizona?
They played a game yesterday - a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game of hide-and-seek with their superstar quarterback Tom Brady.

Should there be there considerable concern about the health of Brady and his famously photographed ailing right ankle?

The footsie-playing Patriots would love the Giants to think so.

On the Patriots players' first day back to work after three days off, Brady was nowhere to be found - at least during the periods when reporters had access to the locker room and practice field, which was perfectly choreographed.

Giants Notes: Guarded Optimism

A Couple of Friendly Enemies

Brady was more visible on the streets of Manhattan squiring his supermodel girlfriend Gisele Bundchen around early this week than he was at the team's practice facility yesterday at Gillette Stadium.

He was a no-show in the locker room during the period it was opened to reporters, and Patriots' officials said he would not be available for interviews.

And then, about an hour later, he was a no-show on the practice field during the short window during which the media is permitted to attend.

A ruse?

Absolutely.

A mind game from Bill Belichick?

Bet on it.

Plax: Pats Don't Have Best Wide Receivers

Don't Bet Against Them

The Giants, however, are unlikely to fall for this banana-in-the-tailpipe trick.

In fact, listening to some of Brady's teammates yesterday, you got the distinct impression that there isn't a significant amount of concern about Brady's health.

Several players, in fact, were amused by the attention L'Affaire Brady has attracted, and none seemed concerned that their record-shattering MVP leader would be affected in the least come Super Bowl XLII.

"I mean, it was a walking boot, wasn't it?" Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour said, referring to the photos published in The Post this week of Brady wearing a protective boot on his right foot to protect what is believed to be a mild high ankle sprain. "The New York media wanted to make more out of it than it was. New York, New York, what can you say?

"Every channel I turned to, there it was," Seymour added. "The funny part - the good part - was the flowers (Brady was carrying to Bundchen's West Village apartment). I was (focused) on the flowers, not on the boot. I went and got my wife flowers after seeing that.

"Obviously, Tom can speak for himself (though he chose not to yesterday), but I don't foresee him not being in this game."

Nor do any of Brady's other teammates.

"He's fine. Tommy's the least of my worries. I'm going to put on a boot and see if you guys follow me around," Patriots fullback Heath Evans said.

"He's going to play, man, don't even worry about it," Patriots veteran running back Kevin Faulk said. "If the game would have been today (yesterday) he was going to play. If the game would have been on Monday or Tuesday or whenever the report (from New York) was, he was going to play. Tom is going to be all right and that's it. Simple as that. No more Tom questions, please."

Tough Mann Contest

Strahan, Captain Clutch an Inspiration

Unfortunately for the Patriots players, who were besieged with the Brady questions yesterday, the team's handling of it - purposely creating a shroud of mystery - has perpetuated the mini-hysteria.

Belichick, for example, appeared almost giddy (for him) when he began fielding questions about his quarterback.

"I don't have any comment on it," he said initially.

When asked if Brady would practice, Belichick said, "We'll go out there . . . I don't know."

A moment later, he smirked, "The injury report will be out next Wednesday and we're excited to get that to you. (It'll be) filled out completely and I can't wait to get that to you, because I know you're anxious for it."

Of course, on cue from Belichick, Patriots officials declined to say whether Brady participated in any part of the practice session.

The Patriots will conduct another practice today and players who choose to make themselves available will be speak to reporters again.

All eyes, of course, will be in search of Brady. Let the games continue.

Source: New York Post

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Bootless Brady looks fine at Super arrival

Patriots QB acknowledges injury, but says he'll be fine

The Associated Press
updated 6:54 p.m. PT, Sun., Jan. 27, 2008

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Relax, Patriots fans. A smiling Tom Brady says not to worry about his much publicized and photographed ankle. It won’t keep him out of Sunday’s Super Bowl.

New England’s star quarterback walked up the three short steps to the podium with ease Sunday night, showing no signs of the right ankle injury that had become such a hot topic since he was spotted wearing a protective boot last Monday.

“It’s feeling good. I’ll be ready to go,” Brady said as the AFC champions met the media for the first time shortly after arriving in Phoenix.

It was also the first time Brady acknowledged he was injured in the AFC championship game.

“It was in the San Diego game, I think in the third quarter,” Brady said, referring to the Patriots’ 21-12 victory last Sunday.

Brady hasn’t practiced since, but said he moved a little bit during the week and “shuffled around.”

“I’m not concerned about how it’s going to affect my play,” he said. “This won’t keep me out.”

The face of New England’s franchise reportedly has a minor high ankle sprain. He wore a protective boot on his right foot last Monday in New York while visiting supermodel girlfriend Gisele Bundchen, causing a major stir and concern among Patriots fans.

“I was just trying to get into the house as fast as I could,” Brady said. “I was trying to hobble along. It kind of caught me off guard.”

New England will try to become the first team in NFL history to finish 19-0 when it plays the New York Giants in the Super Bowl next Sunday.

After returning to Foxborough on Wednesday, Brady wasn’t spotted by the media the next two days while reporters were allowed into the locker room and at practice.

“I was glad to be back in New England and in the insulated atmosphere of our locker room,” he said.

It sure wasn’t safe on the streets of New York for Brady.

“Yeah, it’s been an interesting week,” he said. “I’m much lighter on my toes than I thought.”

Brady also issued a playful warning: “Don’t any of you chase me around. I won’t be nearly as nice as I was last week.”

That was when he was followed by paparazzi as he exited a taxi in New York, with a handful of flowers for his girlfriend. Later that day and on Tuesday, he wasn’t wearing the boot when photographed.

“It’s just part of the world we’re living in,” he said. “Those places I went for refuge, I guess I can’t go anymore. If we were 0-16, nobody would (care).”

Coach Bill Belichick, who spoke before Brady, wouldn’t address the injury or Brady’s status.

“We’ll update our injury report on Wednesday,” Belichick said with a smirk. “And, I look forward to it, too.”

When Brady was asked, he grinned and said, “How’s the ankle? What did Coach say?”

The reporter responded with: “He said ask you.”

Brady laughed and shook his head.

“Did he?” he said. “Wow, that’s different.”

Brady, who stood at the podium in a navy, pinstriped suit, with a navy vest and his white shirt open at the collar, smiled throughout the news conference and was in a playful mood. When asked about the ankle once again, he interrupted the reporter and said, “Last question of the week.”

He then went through the details one more time and closed with, “Good? That work?”

Earlier Sunday, Brady appeared in front of reporters and photographers in Foxborough for the first time since the game against the Chargers. At a departure rally shortly before the team buses left for their trip to Phoenix, he walked without slipping on a light dusting of snow on the Gillette Stadium field as flurries fell.

“Now this is Foxborough faithful right here,” Brady told the cheering crowd of about 15,000 after he reached the podium at midfield along the Patriots sideline. “We can just go ahead and play the game today. Thank you guys for coming out.”

================================================== =============

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Vegas - the Only Place Patriots Don't Win
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Although the rest of the sporting world may look at the Patriots as being one win away from completing a perfect season, Las Vegas views them through a much different prism.

To the oddsmakers on the Strip, the 18-0 Patriots are really 10-8.

"As far as the pointspread goes, that's correct," said Chuck Esposito, director of the race and sports book at Caesars Palace, where the Patriots were installed last week as 14-point favorites over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII Sunday.

"Granted, it's a lot of points," Esposito said, "but we looked for a number that would draw good two-way action [an equal number of bets on both teams]. We're not predicting who is going to win or lose, but it's a pointspread that we feel is going to draw good two-way action."

Since its initial release, however, the pointspread has gone down to 121/2, which, oddsmakers say, is not so much a reflection of the recent news about quarterback Tom Brady's right ankle sprain as it is of the Patriots' 2-7 record against the spread in their past nine games.

"[Brady] would probably affect the line more than anybody in the NFL; maybe Peyton Manning could rival him," said Tony Sinisi, odds director at Las Vegas Sports Consultants. "But it might be a 10-point drop if it went from Tom Brady to Matt Cassel. It would probably go down to New England 3. But there's not any feeling out there that Brady won't play."

Before news broke about Brady's ankle, "I think the betting public was looking for value and felt that, at 13 or 14, there was just too good a value on the Giants," Esposito said. "They have covered nine out of 10 road games and have won 10 straight road games and covered all three playoff games."

It has prompted many bettors to take the Giants and the points.

"We opened the Super Bowl line at 14 and it quickly moved from 14 to 131/2, and ever since then, it's been dropping little by little," said Jay Kornegay, executive director of the race and sports book at the Las Vegas Hilton, who estimated that 70 percent of the early action has been on the Giants.

"It's a little odd, because the favorite in the Super Bowl is always inflated and in this case, it's no different. This is one line that we make that's geared toward the general public, because the general public's money always dominates the action in the Super Bowl. When we put that line out, we expected a little bit more support on the Patriots and we haven't seen that yet, but we're hoping it comes out later."

At the beginning of the season, the Patriots were a sure bet after they trampled not only their opposition en route to an 8-0 start, but the Vegas sports books as well, beating the spread in those wins. Their perfect record (against the spread, that is) was blemished when they failed to cover as a 5-point favorite in a 24-20 triumph at Indianapolis Nov. 4.

"Actually, the Patriots all season long have been a thorn in our side," Kornegay said. "It's a team we just cannot figure out. We took it in the shorts for pretty much two-thirds of the season. The last game that we won -- one of the games that we won -- was the Eagles game [a 31-28 Patriots triumph]. That was the last game we saw this huge snowball effect of support for the Patriots.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
“Six Pack” Super Bowl notes
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Six quick, random thoughts on the Super Bowl

-- Patriots are 3-0 in Super Bowls under Belichick, but won all three games by a field goal.

-- New England is 12-point favorite; they were 12-point dog in their first Super Bowl win, against the Rams.

-- Belichick and Tom Coughlin coached together with the Giants from 1988-1990.

-- Don't forget, when Giants led New England 26-14 in the second half Dec 30, before losing 38-35, when Randy Moss got loose for some long passes in fourth quarter.

-- Eli Manning played college football in the SEC, where games against Alabama, LSU, Auburn are treated like the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras rolled into one. He'll do fine.

-- Must respect Patriots' 18-0 record, the best record ever in the NFL, to this point. Its going to take a supreme effort to beat them; they've taken everyone's best shot so far.

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

**pm530** · 01-29-2008, 05:28 AM

National Basketball Association – Write up

NBA
Write-up

Tuesday, January 29

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Today's NBA analysis

Hot Teams
-- Raptors won seven of their last nine games. Wizards won last five home games, also covering all five.
-- Minnesota won three of last four, covered last five games.
-- Warriors won seven of their last nine games. Rockets are 4-1 in their last five games.
-- Suns won, covered six of their last seven games.
-- Knicks covered six of their last eight games.

Cold Teams
-- Pistons lost three of their last four road games. Pacers lost 13 of their last seventeen games.
-- Miami ended 15-game losing streak Sunday. Celtics are 5-5 in their last ten games, after hot 29-3 start.
-- Bucks lost seven of their last ten games. Nets lost their last nine games (1-8 vs spread).
-- Bulls lost six of their last nine games.
-- Hawks lost five of their last six games.
-- Sonics lost last fourteen games, covered three of last four. Spurs lost last two games, are 5-6 in last eleven games.
-- Lakers lost last three games, by 12-7-3 points.

Previous meetings this season
-- Pistons beat Indiana twice this season, 114-101/98-92.
-- Raptors (+1) lost 101-97 at Washington December 1.
-- Celtics beat Miami twice this season, 92-91/95-85.
-- Nets (+3) won 97-95 in Milwaukee Dec 29.
-- Warriors waxed Houston twice this season, by 17-19 points.
-- Suns (-5.5) lost 105-96 in Atlanta on November 7.
-- Spurs (-9) won 116-101 in Seattle Nov 25.
-- Lakers (-5.5) won 95-90 in New York Dec 23.

Totals
-- Last three Indiana games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 5-2 in last seven Toronto games.
-- Last four Miami games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven New Jersey games went over the total.
-- Last five Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Golden State games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Phoenix games went over the total.
-- Last eight San Antonio games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Laker games stayed under the total.

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**pm530** · 01-29-2008, 05:29 AM

National Basketball Association - Tips & Trends

NBA

Tuesday, January 29

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Tips and Trends
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Detroit Pistons at Indiana Pacers (7 PM ET)
The Indiana Pacers have lost 3 straight and 13 of 17, including a 98-96 defeat to woeful Miami on Saturday. Indiana averages 103 points per game - tied for 6th-most in the NBA - but has been held below 100 in the last 3 contests. EDGE: PISTONS
Indiana's problems also stem from its inability to stop opponents on the offensive end, allowing 107 ppg in January. "It comes down to defense, and we are not getting stops," said Pacers head coach Jim O'Brien. EDGE: PISTONS
The Pistons are 2-0 SU & ATS against the Pacers this year, averaging 106 ppg and shooting 47% from the field. EDGE: PISTONS
Pistons are 11-3-1 ATS in their last 15 games after scoring 100+ points previously.
Pacers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games against the Eastern Conference.
The UNDER is 17-4 in the last 21 meetings in Indiana.

Boston Celtics at Miami Heat (NBATV | 7:30 PM ET)

Celtics are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 road games against a losing home team.
Heat are 2-14-1 ATS in their last 17 games after a SU win.
The UNDER is 5-0-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (8:30 PM ET)

Warriors are 3-15 ATS in their last 18 games following a SU win.
Rockets are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games against the Pacific Division.
The OVER is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.

Atlanta Hawks at Phoenix Suns (9 PM ET)

Hawks are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 road games against a home team winning over 60%.
Suns are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on 1 days rest.
The underdog is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 PM ET)

Lakers star Kobe Bryant has excelled against the New York Knicks in recent games. Bryant is averaging 37 points in his last 5 games against New York. The Lakers have won 4 of the last 6 meetings but have failed to cover 4 of the last 5. SLIGHT EDGE: LAKERS
New York has lost 10 straight road games to Western Conference foes, including a 106-104 setback on Sunday night against the Warriors. EDGE: LAKERS
The Knicks have won 5 of their last 9 games, and Nate Robinson has stepped up to average of 16 ppg over his last 9. Robinson had 16 points and a career-high 9 rebounds against the Lakers back in December. EDGE: KNICKS
Knicks are 4-13 ATS in their last 17 games after scoring 100+ points previously.
Lakers are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU loss.
The road team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

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**pm530** · 01-29-2008, 05:31 AM

College Basketball – Long Sheet

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Tuesday, January 29

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OHIO ST (14 - 6) at PENN ST (10 - 9) - 1/29/2008, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OHIO ST is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in road games against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
OHIO ST is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
OHIO ST is 26-16 ATS (+8.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PENN ST is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PENN ST is 3-2 against the spread versus OHIO ST over the last 3 seasons
OHIO ST is 5-0 straight up against PENN ST over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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W MICHIGAN (10 - 9) at BUFFALO (6 - 13) - 1/29/2008, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
W MICHIGAN is 39-60 ATS (-27.0 Units) in road games after a conference game since 1997.
W MICHIGAN is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1997.
BUFFALO is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.

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

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MIAMI (15 - 4) at WAKE FOREST (12 - 6) - 1/29/2008, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 76-53 ATS (+17.7 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
MIAMI is 66-42 ATS (+19.8 Units) in road games since 1997.
MIAMI is 66-42 ATS (+19.8 Units) in road lined games since 1997.
MIAMI is 60-36 ATS (+20.4 Units) in road games against conference opponents since 1997.
MIAMI is 60-35 ATS (+21.5 Units) in road games after a conference game since 1997.
MIAMI is 30-13 ATS (+15.7 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival since 1997.
MIAMI is 70-48 ATS (+17.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
WAKE FOREST is 128-166 ATS (-54.6 Units) in all games since 1997.
WAKE FOREST is 128-166 ATS (-54.6 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
WAKE FOREST is 101-144 ATS (-57.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
WAKE FOREST is 60-89 ATS (-37.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
WAKE FOREST is 1-1 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
WAKE FOREST is 2-1 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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VA COMMONWEALTH (15 - 4) at GEORGE MASON (15 - 6) - 1/29/2008, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GEORGE MASON is 49-31 ATS (+14.9 Units) in home games after a conference game since 1997.
VA COMMONWEALTH is 29-18 ATS (+9.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
VA COMMONWEALTH is 29-18 ATS (+9.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
VA COMMONWEALTH is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in road games after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
VA COMMONWEALTH is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

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

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C MICHIGAN (8 - 10) at OHIO U (13 - 7) - 1/29/2008, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
C MICHIGAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in road games after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
C MICHIGAN is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.
OHIO U is 158-122 ATS (+23.8 Units) in all games since 1997.
OHIO U is 158-122 ATS (+23.8 Units) in all lined games since 1997.
OHIO U is 83-59 ATS (+18.1 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
OHIO U is 75-44 ATS (+26.6 Units) in all home games since 1997.
OHIO U is 75-44 ATS (+26.6 Units) in home lined games since 1997.
OHIO U is 58-37 ATS (+17.3 Units) in home games against conference opponents since 1997.
OHIO U is 113-79 ATS (+26.1 Units) after a conference game since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
OHIO U is 2-1 against the spread versus C MICHIGAN over the last 3 seasons
OHIO U is 3-0 straight up against C MICHIGAN over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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COLORADO (9 - 10) at IOWA ST (12 - 8) - 1/29/2008, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 85-114 ATS (-40.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
IOWA ST is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.

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

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S FLORIDA (10 - 11) at MARQUETTE (14 - 5) - 1/29/2008, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
S FLORIDA is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) as an underdog this season.
S FLORIDA is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
S FLORIDA is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons.
S FLORIDA is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
S FLORIDA is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) after a conference game this season.
S FLORIDA is 3-14 ATS (-12.4 Units) off a loss against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.
S FLORIDA is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
S FLORIDA is 1-0 against the spread versus MARQUETTE over the last 3 seasons
MARQUETTE is 1-0 straight up against S FLORIDA 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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EVANSVILLE (6 - 13) at S ILLINOIS (10 - 10) - 1/29/2008, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
S ILLINOIS is 30-17 ATS (+11.3 Units) after allowing 60 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
EVANSVILLE is 44-27 ATS (+14.3 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
EVANSVILLE is 44-27 ATS (+14.3 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
EVANSVILLE is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
EVANSVILLE is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road lined games over the last 3 seasons.
EVANSVILLE is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) versus poor offensive teams - scoring <=64 points/game over the last 3 seasons.
S ILLINOIS is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) as a home favorite of 12.5 or more points since 1997.
S ILLINOIS is 33-52 ATS (-24.2 Units) in home games after a conference game since 1997.
S ILLINOIS is 19-38 ATS (-22.8 Units) in home games off a win against a conference rival since 1997.
S ILLINOIS is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
S ILLINOIS is 3-3 against the spread versus EVANSVILLE over the last 3 seasons
S ILLINOIS is 4-2 straight up against EVANSVILLE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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FLORIDA ST (13 - 8) at VIRGINIA TECH (12 - 8) - 1/29/2008, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA ST is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in January games this season.
VIRGINIA TECH is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in home games in January games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
VIRGINIA TECH is 1-1 against the spread versus FLORIDA ST over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA ST is 2-1 straight up against VIRGINIA TECH over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MISSOURI ST (11 - 10) at WICHITA ST (8 - 12) - 1/29/2008, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MISSOURI ST is 5-12 ATS (-8.2 Units) in all games this season.
MISSOURI ST is 5-12 ATS (-8.2 Units) in all lined games this season.
MISSOURI ST is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in road games this season.
MISSOURI ST is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in road lined games this season.
WICHITA ST is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) against conference opponents this season.
WICHITA ST is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
WICHITA ST is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home games after scoring 60 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
WICHITA ST is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.
WICHITA ST is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WICHITA ST is 3-3 against the spread versus MISSOURI ST over the last 3 seasons
MISSOURI ST is 4-2 straight up against WICHITA ST over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SAN DIEGO ST (14 - 6) at COLORADO ST (6 - 13) - 1/29/2008, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO ST is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) against conference opponents over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO ST is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) after a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO ST is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO ST is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO ST is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO ST is 5-1 against the spread versus COLORADO ST over the last 3 seasons
SAN DIEGO ST is 5-1 straight up against COLORADO ST over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TENNESSEE (18 - 2) at ALABAMA (12 - 8) - 1/29/2008, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ALABAMA is 49-28 ATS (+18.2 Units) in home games after a conference game since 1997.
ALABAMA is 38-22 ATS (+13.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
ALABAMA is 2-0 against the spread versus TENNESSEE over the last 3 seasons
ALABAMA is 1-1 straight up against TENNESSEE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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AUSTIN PEAY (14 - 8) at SE MISSOURI ST (11 - 12) - 1/29/2008, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
AUSTIN PEAY is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in all games this season.
AUSTIN PEAY is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in all lined games this season.
AUSTIN PEAY is 2-8 ATS (-6.8 Units) against conference opponents this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SE MISSOURI ST is 3-2 against the spread versus AUSTIN PEAY over the last 3 seasons
AUSTIN PEAY is 5-0 straight up against SE MISSOURI ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TENNESSEE TECH (10 - 13) at MOREHEAD ST (10 - 10) - 1/29/2008, 7:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MOREHEAD ST is 3-2 against the spread versus TENNESSEE TECH over the last 3 seasons
TENNESSEE TECH is 4-1 straight up against MOREHEAD ST over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SAMFORD (9 - 12) at MURRAY ST (12 - 7) - 1/29/2008, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAMFORD is 5-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) after allowing 60 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
MURRAY ST is 23-40 ATS (-21.0 Units) in home games after a conference game since 1997.
MURRAY ST is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) in home games off a win against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.
MURRAY ST is 9-23 ATS (-16.3 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAMFORD is 4-3 against the spread versus MURRAY ST over the last 3 seasons
SAMFORD is 4-3 straight up against MURRAY ST over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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E KENTUCKY (10 - 10) at TENN-MARTIN (10 - 13) - 1/29/2008, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
E KENTUCKY is 21-11 ATS (+8.9 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
E KENTUCKY is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.

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

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JACKSONVILLE ST (4 - 17) at TENNESSEE ST (10 - 11) - 1/29/2008, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TENNESSEE ST is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE ST is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE ST is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
TENNESSEE ST is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.
TENNESSEE ST is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

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

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**pm530** · 01-29-2008, 05:32 AM

College Basketball – Write up

NCAAB
Write-up

Tuesday, January 29

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Tuesday's College Basketball

Games of the Night

Virginia Commonwealth won last seven games, with road wins at UNCW, Old Dominion, Hofstra; they've allowed 56.2 ppg in CAA games, holding five of last six foes under 40%. George Mason won four of last five games; they're 3-1 as a home fave, winning by 47-9-28-33 points. Rams were 3-0 vs Mason LY.

Tennessee needed OT to beat Alabama at home LY; with Tide having young guards with Steele out this year, interesting to see if Bama can score against Vol pressure. Bama is 1-4 in SEC, with losses by 7-4-7-10 pts; they were 12-25 from arc Saturday, first time in five SEC games they made over 33% from arc.

Rest of the Card

-- Penn State lost last five games, by 3-25-16-22-15 pts. Big 11 home dogs are 2-8 vs spread. Ohio State is 5-2 in Big 11, with only road win in three tries 74-58 at Illinois. Buckeyes held all seven Big 11 foes to 39% or less from floor.

-- Buffalo is 0-6 in MAC, losing home games by 8-9 pts; they're 2-4 as MAC dog, 0-2 at home. Western Michigan lost two of its three MAC road games. MAC home dogs are 6-3 vs spread. Broncos held four of last five foes under 39% from floor.

-- Miami won tough game vs Clemson Sunday, now hits road, while Wake Forest hasn't played in a week. Deacons are 2-0 at home in ACC, winning by 2-17, scoring 75.5 ppg. Miami is 0-2 on ACC road, allowing 77.5 ppg. Wake swept 'canes LY (1,5).

-- Home side is 6-0 in Central Michigan games; Chippewas are 0-3 on MAC road, losing by 13-11-20 points (0-2 as road dog). Ohio U won last three games by 12-9-2 points; they're 2-1 as a MAC home favorite- they're giving up 57.5 ppg in MAC tilts.

-- Home team won all five of Iowa State's Big 12 games; ISU is 2-0 at home, winning by 5-7 points in Ames (1-0 as home fave). Big 12 home favorites are 7-11 vs spread. Colorado lost three in a row, by 2-16-4 points; they're 4-1 vs spread as Big 12 dog.

-- Marquette covered one of last six games; they're 2-2 as home favorite in Big East, winning home games by 29-5-26-8 points. South Florida lost last six games, as favorite covered all seven Big East games; they're 0-3 as road dog, losing by 12-16-10.

-- Southern Illinois shot 58.7% from floor in 80-67 win Jan 15 at Evansville. Salukis are 3-1 as home fave, winning at home by 8-13-11-4 points. Aces got first MVC win in nine tries last game; they're 2-3 as road dog. MVC home favorites are 19-15.
-- Florida State lost four of last five games; they're 1-2 as ACC road dog, losing by 12ot at Clemson, by 17 at Eake, winning at Ga Tech. Virginia Tech is 3-3 in ACC, with last two wins in OT. ACC home favorites are 11-13 vs spread.

-- Missouri State is 0-4 on MVC road, losing at Evansville last game (Aces were 0-8 at time); they waxed Wichita 71-47 Jan 8 (-6), holding Shockers to 28.1% from floor. Wichita is 2-7 so far in Marshall's first year, losing four of five at home in Valley.

-- San Diego State is 4-2 in MWC, 1-1 on road, winning 72-67 at New Mexico; they lost last two games, after 4-0 start. Colorado State is 0-5 in MWC, losing home games by 3-12 pts to UNLV, TCU; they scored 58.3 ppg in their last three games.

-- Austin Peay is 9-2 in OVC after getting waxed at Samford in last game; they nipped SE Missouri 85-82 at home Jan 12 (-10), making 10-21 from arc. SEMo lost last six OVC games after 6-0 start; three of their last five losses are by four or less points.

-- Morehead State (+7) lost 73-55 at Tennessee Tech Jan 7 (+7) Eagles won five of last six games, but lost at Eastern Illinois in last game. Tech lost last two games; they covered three of last four as home fave. OVC home faves are 17-25 against spread.

-- Eastern Kentucky shot 55% from floor in 70-51 win Dec 19 vs UT-Martin (-5.5); Colonels won last two road games, are 3-3 on OVC road. Martin won last two games, allowing 56.5 ppg; they lost three of their last four home games.

-- Murray State won last six games after 2-3 start in OVC; they lost 65-64 at Samford Dec 20 (-1.5), in game where both teams shot 50%+ from floor. Samford is 6-6 in OVC, 3-2 on road, with Bulldogs 2-2 as OVC road dog, losing on road by 14-16 points.

-- Jacksonville State is 2-10, losing four in row since upsetting Tennessee State in first meeting, 83-79 (+6); they were 28-40 at foul line, TSU was 8-14. Tigers won three of its last four games, are 1-4 as OVC home favorite, winning at home by 6-12-7 pts.

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**pm530** · 01-29-2008, 05:33 AM

College Basketball - Tips & Trends

NCAAB

Tuesday, January 29

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Tips and Trends
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Ohio State at Penn State (ESPN | 7 PM ET)

Ohio State is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games overall.
Penn State is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games against the Big Ten.
The road team is 7-2ATS in the last 9 meetings.

Virginia Commonwealth at George Mason (ESPN2 | 7 PM ET)

VCU is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games against a winning team.
George Mason is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 home games.
The home team is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings.

#8 Tennessee at Alabama (ESPN | 9 PM ET)

Tennessee is 0-8 ATS in its last 8 games against a winning team.
Tennessee is 0-8 ATS in the last 8 meetings with Alabama.
Alabama is 6-0 ATS in its last 6 games against a winning team.
The home team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 games.

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**pm530** · 01-29-2008, 05:35 AM

National Hockey League - Dunkel Index

NHL
Dunkel Index

St. Louis at Toronto
The Blues hit the All-Star break with a seven-game losing streak. They start the second half on the road against a Toronto team that won four of its last six before the break. The Maple Leafs are the pick (-145) according to Dunkel, which has Toronto favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-145). Here are all of today's games.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29

Game 51-52: Pittsburgh at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.122; New Jersey 11.878
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-210); 5
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-210); Under

Game 53-54: NY Rangers at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 10.833; Carolina 10.601
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (+100); Under

Game 55-56: Ottawa at NY Islanders
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 10.899; NY Islanders 11.885
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (+125); Over

Game 57-58: Buffalo at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 10.538; Tampa Bay 12.144
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay (-120); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-120); Over

Game 59-60: Los Angeles at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 10.813; Philadelphia 12.615
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-230); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-230); Over

Game 61-62: Nashville at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 12.191; Boston 10.910
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (+110); Under

Game 63-64: Phoenix at Columbus
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 11.726; Columbus 11.639
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Columbus (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+125); Over

Game 65-66: St. Louis at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 10.066; Toronto 11.492
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-145); Over

Game 67-68: Washington at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.664; Montreal 12.259
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-170); 6
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-170); Over

Game 69-70: San Jose at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 10.943; Edmonton 10.809
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-150); 5
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-150); Over

Game 71-72: Dallas at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 12.348; Vancouver 10.860
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

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**pm530** · 01-29-2008, 05:36 AM

National Hockey League – Write up

NHL
Write-up

Tuesday, January 29

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

Today's NHL analysis

Hot Teams
-- Rangers won three of their last four games.
-- Lightning won three of their last four games.
-- Kings won five of their last seven games. Flyers are 11-3 in their last fourteen games.
-- Predators won three of their last four games.
-- Columbus won six of its last eight games. Coyotes won last two games, are 9-4 in last thirteen.
-- Maple Leafs won their last three home games.
-- Capitals won seven of their last nine games. Canadiens won six of their last eight games.
-- Oilers won four of their last five home games. Sharks are 9-5 in their last fourteen games, 10-2 in last twelve on road.

Cold Teams
-- Penguins lost three of their last four games. Devils lost three of their last four at home.
-- Carolina lost five of its last seven games.
-- Islanders lost three of their last four games. Senators are 2-5 in their last seven games.
-- Sabres lost twleve of their last fourteen games.
-- Bruins are 6-8 in their last fourteen home games.
-- Blues lost last seven games, outscored 34-16.
-- Dallas lost five of its last seven road games. Canucks lost six of their last eight games.

Series Records
-- Devils are 11-4 in last fifteen games against Pittsburgh.
-- Rangers won four of last five against Carolina.
-- Islanders are 2-1 vs Ottawa this season, after being 0-8 last two seasons against the Senators.
-- Sabres won eight of last nine against Tampa Bay.
-- Flyers won 4-3 at Staples LY, in last series meeting.
-- Bruins lost 5-0 as Nashville LY, in last meeting.
-- Jackets won their last three games against Phoenix.
-- Toronto won 2-1 at St Louis LY, in last series meeting.
-- Canadiens won three of last four vs Washington.
-- Oilers won seven of their last nine against San Jose.
-- Canucks lost five of last seven visits to Dallas.

Totals
-- Under is 9-3 in last dozen Penguin games.
-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Carolina games; under is 5-1 in last six Ranger games.
-- Last three Ottawa games went over the total.
-- Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Buffalo games.
-- Last eight Flyer games all went over the total.
-- Over is 9-4-2 in last fifteen Boston games.
-- Over is 7-2-1 in last ten Columbus-Phoenix games.
-- Over is 7-0-2 in last nine St Louis games.
-- Over is 8-4-1 in last thirteen Washington games.
-- Last five Edmonton games went over the total.
-- Under is 11-1-3 in last fifteen Dallas-Vancouver games.

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**pm530** · 01-29-2008, 05:37 AM

National Hockey League - Gameday

NHL
Gameday

Tuesday, January 29

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NHL Gameday
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday NHL Gameday

The National Hockey League resumes its regular-season schedule on Tuesday night with 22 teams in action. Here's a look at four of those matchups in your NHL Gameday:

Pittsburgh Penguins at New Jersey Devils, 7:00pm ET

The Penguins are going to have to get by without the services of Sidney Crosby for a little while, as the superstar is out of action with a sprained ankle. Pittsburgh sits just one point behind the Flyers and Devils in the Atlantic Division coming out of the All-Star Break, but they've only managed to win twice in their past six games to fall to 27-18-4.

New Jersey sits at 28-18-3 right now, but they're coming off a 4-3 loss to the Canadiens last Thursday night. The Devils have lost three of their past five games, falling to the Islanders and Panthers as well while beating the Maple Leafs and Flyers. New Jersey can still play some strong defense though - they've allowed the fewest goals in the East.

New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes, 7:00pm ET

The Rangers won just two of their first 10 games in the month of January, but they did manage to knock off the Thrashers in back-to-back contests just prior to the All-Star Break. That poor start to 2008 dropped New York into the basement of the Atlantic Division, and they haven't been great on the road so far this season (record of 7-10-6).

Carolina has struggled in January as well, winning just four of their 11 outings this month. That string of results has allowed the rest of the division to catch up to them - the Capitals are now just one point behind. The Hurricanes fell 6-3 to the Islanders in their last outing before the break, which dropped their record to just 24-24-4 this season.

Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens, 7:30pm ET

Washington will be looking to make up a bit more ground on the first-place Canes when they take on the Habs on Tuesday night. Alexander Ovechkin and company have been one of the top stories in the league this month, winning eight of their 11 contests. That's boosted the Capitals' mark to 23-22-5, although they're still just 10th in the conference.

The Canadiens are another second-place team that has been gaining ground on the division leader this month. The Habs have won seven of their 10 January games so far, and they've moved to within six points of the first-place Senators in the Northeast Division. At 26-15-8 the Habs entered the break with the second-most points in the East.

Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks, 10:00pm ET

The Stars come out of the All-Star Break tied for top spot in the Pacific Division with the Sharks, but they've gone just 5-8 so far in the month of January. Dallas had started to get back on track with a three-game winning streak vs. the Sharks, Blue Jackets, and Ducks, but they then dropped back-to-back games to the Jackets and Sabres last week.

The Canucks are in just third place in the Northwest right now, but they're also only two points behind the Wild for top spot in the tight division. Vancouver has won just twice over their past eight games - both times against the Blues - to fall to 26-19-5 on the season. The Canucks have scored fewer goals than any other Northwest team this year.

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**Udog** · 01-29-2008, 09:29 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Atlanta at Phoenix
The Hawks have dropped seven of their last eight on the road with the only win coming at lower-rated Seattle. Phoenix has averaged nearly 124 points in its last five home games and has won six of its last seven overall. The Suns are the pick (-9) according to Dunkel, which has Phoenix favored by 11. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-9). Here are all of today's games.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29

Game 701-702: Detroit at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 118.166; Indiana 117.235
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1; 195
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 703-704: Toronto at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 123.852; Washington 122.938
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 2 1/2; 192 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+2 1/2); Over

Game 705-706: Boston at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 124.298; Miami 110.641
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 13 1/2; 184
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 707-708: Milwaukee at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 113.836; New Jersey 110.965
Dunkel Line & Total: Milwaukee by 3; 203
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 709-710: Minnesota at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 113.271; Chicago 115.700
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 711-712: Golden State at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 117.063; Houston 122.783
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 5 1/2; 202 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 713-714: Atlanta at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 115.564; Phoenix 126.309
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 11; 212
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 9; 207
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-9); Over

Game 715-716: San Antonio at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 118.254; Seattle 114.973
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 3 1/2; 188
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 8; 194 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (+8); Under

Game 717-718: New York at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: New York 114.887; LA Lakers 121.887
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 7; 202
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 9; 206
Dunkel Pick: New York (+9); Under

**Udog** · 01-29-2008, 09:30 AM

NCAAB
Dunkel

Florida State at Virginia Tech
The Hokies come off a solid road win at Boston College and face an FSU team that has dropped four of its last five, including its last two road games (vs. Wake Forest and Clemson) by double digits. Virginia Tech is the pick (-4) according to Dunkel, which has the Hokies favored by 9 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Virginia Tech (-4). Here are all of today's games.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29

Game 717-720: Ohio State at Penn State
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio State 69.635; Penn State 58.152
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 8
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-8)

Game 721-722: Western Michigan at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Western Michigan 58.792; Buffalo 49.406
Dunkel Line: Western Michigan by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Western Michigan by 5
Dunkel Pick: Western Michigan (-5)

Game 723-724: Miami (FL) at Wake Forest
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (FL) 62.658; Wake Forest 67.549
Dunkel Line: Wake Forest by 5
Vegas Line: Wake Forest by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wake Forest (-1 1/2)

Game 725-726: VA Commonwealth at George Mason
Dunkel Ratings: VA Commonwealth 63.750; George Mason 65.031
Dunkel Line: George Mason by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: George Mason by 4
Dunkel Pick: VA Commonwealth (+4)

Game 727-728: Central Michigan at Ohio
Dunkel Ratings: Central Michigan 49.591; Ohio 67.785
Dunkel Line: Ohio by 18
Vegas Line: Ohio by 10
Dunkel Pick: Ohio (-10)

Game 729-730: Colorado at Iowa State
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 58.391; Iowa State 64.023
Dunkel Line: Iowa State by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Iowa State by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+6 1/2)

Game 731-732: South Florida at Marquette
Dunkel Ratings: South Florida 58.573; Marquette 76.164
Dunkel Line: Marquette by 17 1/2
Vegas Line: Marquette by 16
Dunkel Pick: Marquette (-16)

Game 733-734: Evansville at Southern Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Evansville 53.692; Southern Illinois 65.063
Dunkel Line: Southern Illinois by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Southern Illinois by 16
Dunkel Pick: Evansville (+16)

Game 735-736: Florida State at Virginia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Florida State 60.639; Virginia Tech 70.049
Dunkel Line: Virginia Tech by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech by 4
Dunkel Pick: Virginia Tech (-4)

Game 737-738: Missouri State at Wichita State
Dunkel Ratings: Missouri State 60.978; Wichita State 58.674
Dunkel Line: Missouri State by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Missouri State

Game 739-740: San Diego State at Colorado State
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego State 62.249; Colorado State 49.572
Dunkel Line: San Diego State by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: San Diego State by 7
Dunkel Pick: San Diego State (-7)

Game 741-742: Tennessee at Alabama
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 73.542; Alabama 64.948
Dunkel Line: Tennessee by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Tennessee by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee (-5 1/2)

Game 743-744: Austin Peay at SE Missouri State
Dunkel Ratings: Austin Peay 50.462; SE Missouri State 45.319
Dunkel Line: Austin Peay by 5
Vegas Line: Austin Peay by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Austin Peay (-2 1/2)

Game 745-746: Tennessee Tech at Morehead State
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee Tech 49.566; Morehead State 52.099
Dunkel Line: Morehead State by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Morehead State by 2
Dunkel Pick: Morehead State (-2)

Game 747-748: Samford at Murray State
Dunkel Ratings: Samford 43.137; Murray State 60.898
Dunkel Line: Murray State by 17 1/2
Vegas Line: Murray State by 10
Dunkel Pick: Murray State (-10)

Game 749-750: Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee-Martin
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Kentucky 45.530; Tennessee-Martin 49.837
Dunkel Line: Tennessee-Martin by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Tennessee-Martin by 4
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee-Martin (-4)

Game 751-752: Jacksonville State at Tennessee State
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville State 40.669; Tennessee State 52.956
Dunkel Line: Tennessee State by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Tennessee State by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville State (+13 1/2)

Announcement

Tuesday Trends and Indexes 01/29

Tuesday Trends and Indexes 01/29

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