Saturday Trends and Indexes 12/27 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[pm530]

NCAAB
Write-up


When available, we will post an update on today’s games

Saturday, December 27

Notes on today's game.............

Miami lost ACC opener by 19 at home to Clemson in last game; 'canes are 8-3, also losing to Ohio State/UConn- their only previous road game was 73-67 win at Kentucky. ACC road favorites are 5-9 vs the spread. St John's' two best players are hurt; they're 7-2, losing to only two good teams they played, BC (82-70), Virginia Tech (81-67).

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[pm530]

NCAAB
Write-up


Updated

Saturday, December 27

Notes on today's games.............

Miami lost ACC opener by 19 at home to Clemson in last game; 'canes are 8-3, also losing to Ohio State/UConn- their only previous road game was 73-67 win at Kentucky. ACC road favorites are 5-9 vs the spread. St John's' two best players are hurt; they're 7-2, losing to only two good teams they played, BC (82-70), Virginia Tech (81-67)

Washington State is 8-3, winning only road game 55-41 at Idaho, 1-1 on neutral floor; they're 0-2 vs spread as underdog. Pac-10 road underdogs are 6-4 vs spread. LSU is coached by former Stanford coach Johnson, so he is familiar with Wazzu- his Tigers are 9-1, losing only road game at LSU-- they haven't beaten anyone good.

Kentucky won nine of last ten games after an 0-2 start; they covered last three games, winning by 18-24-42 points. SEC home favorites are 22-14 vs spread. Florida Atlantic is 3-8, losing last game by 33 at UAB team that only has six scholarship players. Sun Belt road underdogs are 17-23.

UAB is 8-3, but they're down to six scholarship players; they're 1-2 as an underdog, but did win last three games, allowing 53 ppg. C-USA road dogs are 3-7 vs spread. Louisville is 7-2 after losing to Minnesota out in Arizona last week- they failed to cover last four games. Big East home favorites are 25-30 against the spread.

West Virginia is 9-2, losing on neutral court to Kentucky, Davidson in a stretch where they played five games in three time zones in 10 days, so they should be rested at least now- their only true road games were wins at Ole Miss (80-78), Duquesne (68-63). Ohio State is 9-0, beating three good teams: Butler (54-41), Notre Dame (67-62), Miami (73-68).

Utah lost four of last five games; they're 1-3 on road, with only win at Missouri State (71-58); Mountain West road favorites are 8-5 against spread. Cal-Irvine is 2-9, beating Norfolk State and dreadful Pepperdine; Anteaters covered three of last four tries as underdog. Big West dogs are 22-24 vs spread, 4-3 at home.

St Mary's finally has a home game after eight straight on road; Gaels are 10-1, losing only to UTEP; they covered their last seven games. WCC home favorites are 7-7 vs spread. San Jose State won its last three, with wins vs San Francisco and at San Diego of the WCC- they lost by three to Santa Clara. WAC road underdogs are 11-11 vs spread.

Portland lost three of last four games, is 6-5, 1-4 on road, but they beat Washington- they lost 91-76 at BYU of MWC. WCC teams are 10-10 vs spread on neutral floor. Air Force won its last five games, all vs stiffs, since they lost by 19 at Stanford. Falcons are 1-1 away from home, with win by a hoop at Northern Colorado.

Dartmouth is brutal, 1-6 vs D-I teams, beating Furman for only win; Big Green lost by 18 at Providence, best team they've played so far. Dogs from Ivy League are 13-9 away from home. Cal Bears are 9-2 and start Pac-10 play next week- they're 3-2 as favorite, crushing Colgate by 35 in last game. Pac-10 home favoritea are 21-24 against the spread.

George Washington is 3-0 vs America East teams, beating Boston U by 5 in OT, Binghamton by 14, UMBC by 6. Well-coached Vermont is 6-2, losing by 19 to Pitt, 15 to Maryland, two best teams they've played- they've beaten Delaware and NC-Wilmington. A-14 favorites are 8-12 away from home, 2-5 on neutral floors.

Colorado State lost its last six games, with last four all by 9+ points; as a road dog, they're 0-4, losing by hoop at San Francisco, 9 at Boise, 19 at Colorado, 11 at Denver. MWC road dogs are 5-8. Hawai'i won six of its last seven games, winning last three, all by 10+ points; they're 2-3 as home favorite. WAC home favorites are 7-7 vs spread.

Drexel is 2-6 after getting crushed at Memphis Monday; they lost 66-60 at Fairfield in previous game vs MAAC foe. CAA road dogs are 14-15 vs spread. Rider is 6-3, but lost last game at Binghamton; they're 1-2 vs spread when favored. MAAC home favorites are 6-9 against the spread.

UT-Martin has terrific guards, but they're 2-5 vs D-I teams, losing pair of conference games by 9-3 points, but they did win last game, 72-65 as 13-point dog at Middle Tennessee of Sun Belt. Florida International lost nine of last ten games vs D-I opponents; they're 1-5 vs spread as dog. OVC favorites are 4-5 against spread this season.

South Florida is 1-6 in December, losing by 15 at home to Niagara back on Dec 14; Bulls covered one of last four games as favorite. Home faves from Big East are 25-30 vs spread. Iona has already played five games decided by four or less points; they're 1-4 in those games, 5-7 overall. MAAC road underdogs are 12-11 against the spread.

Idaho State lost four games in row, nine of last ten, but they beat Utah and lost by hoop at Wisconsin, so they're better than their record would indicate. Big Sky road dogs are 25-17 vs spread. Nevada is rebuilding a little; they're 5-5, 2-1 as a favorite. WAC home favorites are 10-15 vs the spread.

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[Udog]

NBA
Dunkel


Guys,

It looks like the Dunkel Indexes may not update today after all. Here's what's been up, since last night, for NBA. The same will follow for NHL. Should Dunkel update, we'll repost.


SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27

Game 701-702: Chicago at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 115.378; Atlanta 125.290
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 10; 184 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 703-704: Oklahoma City at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 110.184; Washington 113.544
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 3 1/2; 201 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 705-706: New Jersey at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 114.873; Charlotte 120.156
Dunkel Line & Total: Charlotte by 5; 182 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 707-708: Orlando at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 123.948; Minnesota 112.268
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 11 1/2; 211 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 709-710: Detroit at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 115.476; Milwaukee 122.935
Dunkel Line & Total: Milwaukee by 7 1/2; 201 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 711-712: Memphis at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 112.940; San Antonio 124.106
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 11; 196 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 713-714: Utah at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 118.217; Houston 124.185
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 6; 206 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 715-716: Toronto at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 114.587; Portland 123.447
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 9; 204 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel


SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27

Game 1-2: Philadelphia at Columbus
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 11.053; Columbus 11.304
Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 3-4: NY Islanders at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 9.228; Buffalo 11.573
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 5-6: Boston at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 13.088; Carolina 11.113
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 7-8: Montreal at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 10.522; Pittsburgh 11.961
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 9-10: Florida at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.797; Tampa Bay 10.612
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 11-12: New Jersey at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 11.109; NY Rangers 12.261
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 13-14: Anaheim at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Anaheim 12.313; Dallas 11.261
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 15-16: San Jose at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 12.376; St. Louis 10.562
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 17-18: Detroit at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 11.637; Colorado 12.296
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 19-20: Los Angeles at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 10.874; Phoenix 12.323
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 21-22: Ottawa at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 10.328; Calgary 12.735
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 2 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

[pm530]

National Basketball Association – Write up

NBA
Write-up


Saturday, December 27

Hot Teams
-- Hawks won five of last six games, but covered just three of last 10 as home favorite.
-- Thunder covered their last eight tries as a road underdog.
-- Bobcats won four of their last five games.
-- Orlando is 4-1-1 vs spread in last six games as a road favorite.
-- Bucks covered their last six tries as a home favorite. Pistons won five of their last seven games.
-- Spurs are 6-3-1 in last ten tries as a home favorite.
-- Raptors won last two games, but are 1-4-1 vs the spread in last six tries as road underdog.

Cold Teams
-- Bulls covered one of last four as a road underdog.
-- Washington is 1-5 as home favorite this season.
-- Nets failed to cover last four tries as a road underdog.
-- Minnesota is 1-13 in last 14 games, 3-6-1 as home underdog.
-- Grizzlies failed to cover last six tries as a road underdog.
-- Rockets lost last two games. scoring 84.5 ppg, but they covered three of four tries as a home favorite. Utah covered four of last 12 on the road.
-- Portland covered two of last twelve games.

Back-to Back
-- Teams are 4-7 vs spread the day after playing Miami. (Bulls)
-- Thunder are 6-2 vs spread when they played the day before.
-- Nets are 5-3 vs spread if they played the day before.
-- Minnesota is 1-3 vs spread if they played on road the night before.
-- Teams are 1-3-1 vs spread the day after playing Oklahoma City (Det).
-- Memphis is 1-5 vs spread if they played the day before.
-- Jazz are 1-4 vs spread if they played the night before.
-- Toronto is 4-1-1 vs spread if they played the night before.

Totals
-- Five of last six Atlanta home games stayed under the total.; last six Chicago games went over.
-- Four of last five Washington home games went over the total.
-- Eight of last eleven New Jersey road games went over the total.
-- Seven of last ten Orlando road games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven Detroit road games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Memphis games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Houston home games went over the total.
-- Under us 11-5-1 in last seventeen Portland games.

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[pm530]

National Hockey League – Write up

NHL
Write-up


Saturday, December 27

Hot teams
-- Flyers are 6-1 in game following their last seven losses.
-- Bruins won their last six games, scoring 31 goals.
-- Lightning won its last two games, allowing total of three goals.
-- Dallas won three of its last four games.
-- Sharks won five of their last seven games.
-- Red Wings won eight of last eleven games. Colorado won five of its last six home games.
-- Coyotes won five of their last six home games.
-- Flames won three of their last four games.

Cold teams
-- Columbus lost last three games, getting shut out in last two.
-- Carolina is 1-5 in game following its last six wins.
-- Canadiens lost six of their last nine road games. Penguins are 0-8 in the game following their last eight wins.
-- Panthers are 2-3 in their last five games.
-- Islanders lost ten of their last eleven games. Sabres lost four of their last five games.
-- Devils got shut out in losing their last two games. Rangers are 3-4 in their last seven home games.
-- Ducks lost three of their last four games.
-- Blues lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Kings lost five of their last six games.
-- Senators lost six of their last eight games.

Totals
-- Seven of last nine Flyer games went over the total.
-- Seven of last ten Buffalo games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Boston games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Pittsburgh games went over the total.
-- Seven of last ten Florida ganes stayed under the total.
-- Last three New Jersey games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last nine Anaheim games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Ranger games stayed under the total.
-- Last five Colorado home games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Los Angeles games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Ottawa road games went over the total.

Series Records
-- Sabres won eight of last elven games against the Islanders.
-- Bruins lost nine of last thirteen games against Carolina.
-- Penguins won four of last six visits to Montreal.
-- Panthers won four of their last six games vs Tampa Bay.
-- Anaheim is 3-8 in last eleven games at Dallas.
-- Devils won 17 of last 20 games against the Rangers.
-- Sharks won seven in row, 11 of last 12 against the Blues.
-- Avalanche lost seven of last eight visits to Detroit.
-- Coyotes won ten of last thirteen games against Los Angeles.

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[pm530]

Six-pack for Saturday

Six college football teams that led the country in attendance in '08

1) Michigan, 108,571-- Better start winning soon, or else......

2) Penn State, 108,254-- Joe Paterno was once a QB at Brown.

3) Ohio State, 104,976-- Its either go to Horseshoe on Saturday, or go to Browns/Bengals games on Sunday. What would you do?

4) Tennessee, 101,448-- Not sure if Lane Kiffin knows what he is in for-- tough league, high expectations and he has to wear orange.

5) Texas, 98,046-- Mack Brown is an underrated coach.

6) Georgia, 92,746-- Florida State hasn't been same since Richt left.

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[pm530]

Saturday's List of 13: Random post-Christmas knowledge

13) Must have been a Merry Christmas at Al Groh's house; Virginia's coach fired his son as offensive coordinator two weeks ago. Wonder how he likes sleeping on the couch........

12) New York Times has had a 20% drop in ad revenue over the last year, as financial crisis hits newspapers hard.

11) Times owns a 17% stake in New England Sports Ventures, the company that owns the Red Sox, Boston Globe and NESN. Rumors have the Times selling their stake in NESV.

10) Some collector from Arkansas paid $1.62M for a Honus Wagner baseball card in August, and turned down $1.7M for the card a month later. Wonder what its going for these days........

9) In case you care about such things, Pepsi owns Gatorade, Vitamin Water is owned by Coca-Cola. Gatorade has new packaging now and has had vitamins added to it for the first time, not that they help.

8) According to a CNN poll, 23% of Americans say they will miss George W. Bush as President; most of them have to be the comedians who will have to work a lot harder for their material now.

7) MLB Network, starting in 50 million homes (but not in mine) on New Year's Day, will have Harold Reynolds, Al. Leiter, Joe Magrane and Dan Plesac as studio analysts. They'll have a live game on every Thursday night-- no word if they'll have spring training games.

6) Army hired Rich Ellerson away from Cal Poly to be football coach which means the Cadets will run the same triple option offense that Navy runs so well. Cal Poly lost in OT at Wisconsin this season.

5) '76 Tampa Bay Bucs have gotten lot of publicity this week with the Lions being winless; Bucs were a first-year expansion team that then started '77 0-12, but two years after that, they played in NFC title game, losing 9-0 to the Rams, so there is hope for the Lions.

4) Jeff Withey, a 7-footer from San Diego who transferred away from Arizona after Lute Olson retired, will play at Kansas next year, and will be eligible as a freshman after the first semester ends.

3) Miami, OH lost senior point guard Kenny Hayes for the season with a hand injury, which helps explain their dreadful performance at West Virginia in their last game.

2) You wonder why the Suns won't win the NBA title? On the last possession Thursday, they leave Roger Mason open for a 3-pointer; Mason may not be a household name, but he is third in NBA, hitting 48% of his 3-pointers. Not the best guy to leave open.

1) SEC football is a cash cow; 15,061,000 viewers watched the SEC title game between Florida, Alabama on CBS, the most-watched game all season in college football.

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