Wednesday Trends and Indexes 12/23 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

NBA
Dunkel



Portland at San Antonio
The Blazers look to build on their 9-2 ATS record in their last 11 games when playing with 0 days of rest. Portland is the pick (+10) according to Dunkel, which has the Spurs favored by only 6. Dunkel Pick: Portland (+10). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23

Game 701-702: Houston at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 117.743; Orlando 126.241
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 8 1/2; 206
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 8; 200 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-8); Over

Game 703-704: Minnesota at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 112.556; New Jersey 108.865
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 3 1/2; 202
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey by 3; 200
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+3); Over

Game 705-706: Toronto at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 113.534; Detroit 116.307
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 3; 190
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 707-708: Utah at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 119.683; Miami 123.180
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 3 1/2; 204
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 2; 200 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-2); Over

Game 709-710: Golden State at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 109.538; New Orleans 120.839
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 11 1/2; 209
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 9; 212
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-9); Under

Game 711-712: Washington at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 113.860; Milwaukee 120.870
Dunkel Line & Total: Milwaukee by 7; 195
Vegas Line & Total: Milwaukee by 7 1/2; 198 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+7 1/2); Under

Game 713-714: Portland at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 119.344; San Antonio 125.109
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 6; 188
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 10; 187 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+10); Over

Game 715-716: Atlanta at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 123.310; Denver 125.382
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 2; 225
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 717-718: Oklahoma City at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 117.375; Phoenix 122.636
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 5 1/2; 206
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 9; 208 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (+9); Under

Game 719-720: Cleveland at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 123.145; Sacramento 116.167
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 7; 212
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 5 1/2; 202 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-5 1/2); Over

[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel



St. Louis at Calgary
The Blues look to build on their 5-1 record in their last 6 road games. St. Louis is the pick (+160) according to Dunkel, which has the Blues favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+160). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23

Game 51-52: Edmonton at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 11.277; Minnesota 11.152
Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (+135); Over

Game 53-54: Florida at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.022; NY Rangers 11.210
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-155); Over

Game 55-56: Atlanta at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 10.793; Boston 10.588
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-155); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+135); Under

Game 57-58: Buffalo at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 11.922; Washington 12.164
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-160); Over

Game 59-60: Montreal at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 11.155; Carolina 10.754
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+100); Under

Game 61-62: Toronto at NY Islanders
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 9.888; NY Islanders 10.191
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: NY Islanders (-115); 6
Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (-115); Over

Game 63-64: Ottawa at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 12.385; Pittsburgh 12.233
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-210); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (+180); Over

Game 65-66: Philadelphia at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 10.605; Tampa Bay 10.144
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+100); Over

Game 67-68: Chicago at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.051; Detroit 11.951
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-120); Under

Game 69-70: Columbus at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.213; Dallas 11.115
Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+130); Over

Game 71-72: Anaheim at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Anaheim 12.044; Phoenix 11.878
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (+130); Under

Game 73-74: St. Louis at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 11.757; Calgary 11.504
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-180); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+160); Over

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet


Wednesday, 12/23/2009

EDMONTON at MINNESOTA, 7:00 PM ET
EDMONTON: 5-0 SU AWAY in December
MINNESOTA: 0-4 SU revenging a loss where opponent scored 5+

FLORIDA at NY RANGERS, 7:00 PM ET
FLORIDA: 19-8 SU off a road win
NY RANGERS: 49-76 SU when playing 6+ games in 10 days

ATLANTA at BOSTON, 7:00 PM ET
ATLANTA: 6-1 SU AWAY after playing a home game
BOSTON: 1-7 SU after allowing 1 goal or less

BUFFALO at WASHINGTON, 7:00 PM ET
BUFFALO: 6-0 SU AWAY after having won 2 of their last 3
WASHINGTON: 0-1 SU revenging a shut out

MONTREAL at CAROLINA, 7:00 PM ET
MONTREAL: 8-0 SU after having lost 5 or 6 of their last 7
CAROLINA: 0-7 SU after scoring 1 goal or less

TORONTO at NY ISLANDERS, 7:00 PM ET
TORONTO: 102-85 SU after a 1 goal loss
NY ISLANDERS: 5-19 SU in December

OTTAWA at PITTSBURGH, 7:00 PM ET
OTTAWA: 2-15 SU AWAY after 2+ consecutive unders
PITTSBURGH: 8-0 SU off a division loss by 2+ goals

PHILADELPHIA at TAMPA BAY, 7:30 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA: 2-9 SU in December
TAMPA BAY: 5-2 SU after playing 3 consecutive road games

CHICAGO at DETROIT, 7:30 PM ET NHL
CHICAGO: 2-8 SU after playing 4 consecutive home games
DETROIT: 14-7 SU off a road loss by 2+ goals

COLUMBUS at DALLAS, 8:30 PM ET
COLUMBUS: 1-10 SU in December
DALLAS: 28-18 SU revenging a home loss

ANAHEIM at PHOENIX, 9:00 PM ET
ANAHEIM: 5-13 SU as an underdog
PHOENIX: 13-5 SU in home games

ST LOUIS at CALGARY, 9:30 PM ET
ST LOUIS: 0-5 SU after scoring 5+ goals
CALGARY: 19-6 SU after having lost 4 or 5 of their last 6

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NCAAB
Short Sheet


Wednesday, 12/23/2009

HARVARD at GEORGETOWN, 12:00 PM ET
HARVARD: 8-0 Under in 2nd of BB road games
GEORGETOWN: 0-9 ATS at home vs. good team (win % between .600 and .800)

LONG BEACH ST at KENTUCKY, 1:00 PM ET
LONG BEACH ST: 0-6 ATS in December road games
KENTUCKY: 12-4 ATS off home win

FORDHAM at JAMES MADISON, 7:00 PM ET
FORDHAM: 0-13 ATS after a game with 9 or less assists
JAMES MADISON: 16-5 ATS if underdog last game

MASSACHUSETTS at BOSTON COLLEGE, 7:00 PM ET
MASSACHUSETTS: 7-0 ATS Away after having won 3 of their last 4
BOSTON COLLEGE: 10-22 ATS in December home games

FLA ATLANTIC at GEORGIA, 7:00 PM ET
FLA ATLANTIC: 6-0 Over playing only their 2nd game in 8 days
GEORGIA: 2-10 ATS off ATS win

DELAWARE at VILLANOVA, 7:00 PM ET
DELAWARE: 7-0 Over after scoring 60 points or less
VILLANOVA: 8-1 ATS at home off ATS win

CHARLOTTE at OLD DOMINION, 7:00 PM ET
CHARLOTTE: 6-0 Over Away after 2 straight games w/ 12 or less assists
OLD DOMINION: 18-41 ATS off road win

MIAMI OHIO at XAVIER, 7:00 PM ET
MIAMI OHIO: 12-1 Under off 3+ non-conf games
XAVIER: 14-3 ATS as double-digit favorite

LA-LAFAYETTE at LOUISVILLE, 7:00 PM ET
LA-LAFAYETTE: 11-3 ATS after a loss by 6 points or less
LOUISVILLE: 45-19 Under off BB home games

OLE MISS at W VIRGINIA, 7:30 PM ET
OLE MISS: 33-16 Under if favored last game
W VIRGINIA: 14-1 ATS as a home favorite of 9.5 to 12 points

WYOMING at N IOWA, 8:00 PM ET
WYOMING: 6-0 ATS after having won 3 of their last 4 games
N IOWA: 9-23 ATS as double-digit favorite

TCU at HOUSTON, 8:00 PM ET
TCU: 19-9 Under in road games
HOUSTON: 9-0 Under at home if the total is 150 to 159.5

FRESNO ST at OREGON ST, 8:30 PM ET
FRESNO ST: 8-1 ATS after scoring 60 points or less
OREGON ST: 27-44 ATS at home off ATS loss

WI-MILWAUKEE at WISCONSIN, 9:00 PM ET
WI-MILWAUKEE: 0-7 ATS as a road underdog of 12.5+
WISCONSIN: 1-8 ATS off win by 15+ points

MISSOURI vs. ILLINOIS, 9:30 PM ET (Played at Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO)
MISSOURI: 17-5 Over as underdog
ILLINOIS: 7-0 Over this season

SAN JOSE ST at SANTA CLARA, 10:00 PM ET
SAN JOSE ST: 8-0 Over off DD road loss
SANTA CLARA: 8-1 ATS as home dog or pick

UTAH at PEPPERDINE, 10:00 PM ET
UTAH: 7-0 Under after having lost 2 of their last 3 games
PEPPERDINE: 0-6 ATS in December home games

NC STATE at ARIZONA, 10:30 PM ET
NC STATE: 9-1 ATS as road underdog or pick
ARIZONA: 7-0 Over after scoring 80+ points

South Mississippi Christmas Classic - Final Round - Gulfport, MS
CANISIUS vs. NEW ORLEANS, 5:30 PM ET
CANISIUS: 5-1 Under this season
NEW ORLEANS: 9-26 ATS on neutral court

N FLORIDA at SOUTHERN MISS, 8:00 PM ET
N FLORIDA: 7-1 Under in tournament games
SOUTHERN MISS: 6-0 Under off SU loss as favorite

Basketball Travelers International - Final Round - Logan, UT
CS-FULLERTON vs. MOREHEAD ST, 7:30 PM ET
CS-FULLERTON: 9-2 Over off DD loss
MOREHEAD ST: 6-1 ATS on neutral court

WEBER ST at UTAH ST, 10:00 PM ET
WEBER ST: 21-9 ATS in road games
UTAH ST: 17-7 Over off DD home win

Added Games

RIDER at SIENA, 7:00 PM ET
RIDER: 0-7 ATS in December games
SIENA: 24-11 ATS in home non-conf games

MONTANA ST at BOISE ST, 9:00 PM ET
MONTANA ST: 10-1 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points
BOISE ST: 6-0 Over off BB ATS losses

Extra Games

S DAKOTA ST at MINNESOTA, 7:00 PM ET Big 10
S DAKOTA ST: 1-6 ATS in non-conference games
MINNESOTA: 8-0 ATS at home off cover as DD favorite

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet


Wednesday, 12/23/2009

HOUSTON at ORLANDO, 7:05 PM ET NBA
HOUSTON: 10-1 ATS against Southeast division
ORLANDO: 7-0 OVER at home after 1+ consecutive wins

MINNESOTA at NEW JERSEY, 7:35 PM ET
MINNESOTA: 19-8 ATS AWAY when the total is greater than or equal to 200
NEW JERSEY: 1-9 ATS in non-conference games

TORONTO at DETROIT, 7:35 PM ET
TORONTO: 5-1 ATS against Central division
DETROIT: 2-5 ATS when playing on back-to-back days

UTAH at MIAMI, 7:35 PM ET
UTAH: 7-0 ATS off a road loss
MIAMI: 15-32 ATS after having won 2 of their last 3

GOLDEN STATE at NEW ORLEANS, 8:05 PM ET
GOLDEN STATE: 4-13 ATS AWAY in December
NEW ORLEANS: 12-1 UNDER at home when the total is greater than or equal to 200

WASHINGTON at MILWAUKEE, 8:05 PM ET
WASHINGTON: 8-19 ATS after 1+ consecutive wins
MILWAUKEE: 9-1 ATS after 1+ consecutive unders

PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO, 8:35 PM ET
PORTLAND: 16-2 ATS when playing their 4rd road game in 5 days
SAN ANTONIO: 4-15 ATS revenging a road loss

ATLANTA at DENVER, 9:05 PM ET
ATLANTA: 10-2 ATS in non-conference games
DENVER: 1-7 ATS after playing BB road games

OKLAHOMA CITY at PHOENIX, 9:05 PM ET
OKLAHOMA CITY: 11-2 ATS after 1+ consecutive losses
PHOENIX: 7-17 ATS when the total is 200 to 209.5

CLEVELAND at SACRAMENTO, 10:05 PM ET
CLEVELAND: 33-14 ATS after having won 2 of their last 3 games
SACRAMENTO: 14-25 ATS in non-conference games

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NBA
Write-Up


Wednesday, December 23

Hot Teams
-- Rockets won last three games by 8-5-9 points. Magic won four of its last five games.
-- Jazz covered five of its last seven games.
-- Hornets won eight of last nine home games.
-- Bucks covered six of their last seven games.
-- Portland won four of its last five games. Spurs won six of seven.
-- Hawks won seven of their last eight games.
-- Thunder lost five of their last six games.
-- Cavaliers won six of their last seven games. Kings won three of their last four games-- won last game after trailing by 35 in 3rd quarter.

Cold Teams
-- Minnesota lost seven of its last nine games. Nets lost their last six games (1-5 vs spread).
-- Pistons lost last five games (0-5 vs spread). Raptors lost last three road games by 22-20-19 points.
-- Miami is 4-7 in its last eleven games.
-- Warriors lost last six games (0-6 vs spread).
-- Wizards lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Nuggets lost last two games, covered one of last seven.
-- Suns are 4-7 in their last eleven games.

Totals
-- Four of last five Houston games went over the total; under is 4-1-1 in last six Orlando games.
-- Last three Minnesota road games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven Miami games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-0-1 in last eight New Orleans games.
-- Last three Milwaukee games stayed under the total.
-- Spurs' last three games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last eight Atlanta road games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 9-2-1 in last twelve Phoenix games.
-- Last three Sacramento home games went over the total.

[Udog]

NHL
Write-Up


Wednesday, December 23

Hot Teams
-- Rangers won last three games, allowing four goals.
-- Panthers won four of their last five games.
-- Sabres won six of their last eight games. Washington won nine of its last twelve games.
-- Canadiens won last two games, allowing three goals.
-- Penguins won five of their last six games.
-- Lightning won last two games, scoring ten goals.
-- Blackhawks won four of their last five games.
-- Ducks won four of their last five games. Coyotes are 9-3 in their last twelve games.
-- Blues won six of their last eight games.

Cold Teams
-- Oilers lost last four games, allowing 20 goals. Minnesota lost last two games, allowing eight goals.
-- Thrashers lost six of their last nine games. Bruins lost four of five.
-- Hurricanes lost five of their last seven games.
-- Islanders lost four of their last five games. Maple Leafs lost three of their last four games.
-- Senators lost nine of their last eleven home games.
-- Flyers lost six of their last seven games.
-- Detroit lost last two games, scoring three goals, but they did win their last three home games.
-- Columbus lost its last seven games, allowing 26 goals. Dallas lost eight of its last ten games.
-- Flames lost four of their last five games.

Totals
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Edmonton games.
-- Six of last nine Florida games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Atlanta games went over the total; four of last Boston's last five games stayed under.
-- Eight of last ten Buffalo games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Carolina games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Islander home games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Ottawa games stayed under the total.
-- Six of Flyers' last seven games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last nine Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Dallas games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last six Anaheim games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Calgary games stayed under the total.

Playing second of back-to-back nights
-- Chicago is 5-2 if it played the night before.
-- Anaheim is 1-5 if it played the night before.

Series Records
-- Oilers lost their last ten visits to Minnesota.
-- Rangers lost four of last five games against Florida.
-- Bruins won their last seven games against Atlanta.
-- Sabres won nine of last 12 games against Washington.
-- Hurricanes won three of last four games against Montreal.
-- Maple Leafs won five of last seven games against the Islanders.
-- Senators won four of last five games against Pittsburgh.
-- Flyers are 3-5 in last eight visits to Tampa Bay.
-- Red Wings won five of last seven games against Chicago.
-- Blue Jackets lost three of last four games against Dallas.
-- Ducks won eight of last 12 games against Phoenix.
-- Flames won 15 of last 18 games against St Louis.

[Udog]

NBA


Wednesday, December 23

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Tips and Trends
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Houston Rockets at Orlando Magic [NBA-TV | 7:00 PM ET]

Rockets: Houston enters today at 17-11 SU and a winning road record of 9-7 SU on the season. The Rockets continue to overachieve, and proof of that is in their ATS record. Houston is 18-10 ATS this season, inluding 7-2 ATS over their past 9 contests. Houston is 10-3 ATS this season when listed as the underdog, with all 3 ATS losses coming on the road. Houston has scored more than 100 PTS in 4 of their past 5 games. For the season, the Rockets average 101 PPG, led by PG Aaron Brooks. Brooks averages 17 PPG while dishing out 5.4 APG which also leads the Rockets. 3 other Rockets average double figures in PTS for the season. Houston is improving defensively, as they've held 9 of their last 13 opponents under 100 PTS. Houston is 4-3 ATS this season on the back end of back to back games. Tonight will be the 6th game in the past 9 days for Houston.

Rockets are 5-1 ATS last 6 games as a road underdog.
Under is 11-5 last 16 games after playing the previous night.

Key Injuries - F Chase Budinger (back) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 100 (Side of the Day)

Magic (-8, O/U 201): Orlando has the 3rd best record in the entire NBA at 21-7 SU. The Magic are also an impressive 11-2 SU at home this season. The Magic have won 5 consecutive home games, and are 7-6 ATS at home this season. The Magic are 2-3 ATS this season as a single digit home favorite. Orlando has scored 100 PTS or more in 9 of their past 12 games. 4 Magic players average double digits, led by F Vince Carter and his 18.6 PPG. Carter has been quiet of late, only scoring more than 20 PTS once in his past 6 games. C Dwight Howard averages 18 PPG while grabbing nearly 13 RPG for the season. Howard leads the entire NBA with 12.9 RPG this season, and is coming off his first single digit rebounding game in his last 8 games. As a team, Orlando averages 102 PPG which is 9th best in the NBA. The Magic are also 9th in the NBA in scoring defense, allowing 96.5 PPG.

Magic is 5-11 ATS last 16 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 10-3 last 13 games as a home favorite.

Key Injuries - F Matt Barnes (hand) is probable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 103


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[pm530]

NCAAB
Write-up


Wednesday, December 23

Information on the best of Wednesday's college basketball games.

Boston College won 85-81 in OT at UMass LY; Eagles are 2-5 against spread as a favorite. UMass is off 73-72 upset of Memphis, their best win of year- Minutemen won four of last five games, are 1-4 vs spread as an underdog. Big East home favorites are 26-35 vs spread. A-14 road dogs are 14-26 vs spread in non-league games.

Charlotte is 8-1, losing by 42 at Duke; they won other road game by 22 at Louisville- Niners lost 69-68 at home to Old Dominion LY, game they trailed 36-28 at half. ODU is just 3-4 in last seven games, but they won at Georgetown last game- they're 0-2-1 vs spread as favorite. A-14 dogs on road are 14-26 vs spread. CAA home favorites are 6-12.

Miami O (+8.5) lost 60-53 at Xavier LY, after leading by 3 at the half; Red Hawks lost four of last five games- they're 0-5 on road, (2-2 as dog on road) losing away games by 11-2-25-4-7 points. MAC road dogs are 19-23 vs spread. Xavier lost last game by point at Butler; they're 3-4 in last seven games., are 4-3 against the spread when favored.

Ole Miss lost 80-78 at home to West Virginia LY after trailing by 7 at half; Rebels are 10-1 this year, winning by 17 at Arkansas Stare in only road game so far. Mountaineers are 8-0 but beat Cleveland State by two last game, scoring layup at buzzer- they're 3-4 vs spread as the favorite. SEC road underdogs are 9-12 against the spread.

TCU is 1-3 on road, winning by 7 at SMU, losing by 3 at Arizona State, 13 at Nebraska, 12 at Wichita; they're 2-2-1 as an underdog. Houston is playing third game in five nights; they're 3-1 this month, 1-2 vs spread as favorite. Mountain West road underdogs are 14-13 vs spread. C-USA home favorites are 20-12.

Oregon State (+7.5) won 62-54 at Fresno LY (game was tied at the half); Beavers are just 4-5, losing last two games by total of 8 points. Fresno is 2-3 on road, losing by 1 at Seattle, 7 at Santa Clara, 3 at Montana (won at Pepperdine, No Arizona). Pac-10 home favorites are 15-23 vs spread (5-2 in last seven); WAC road underdogs are 14-14.

Bruce Weber is 3-0 in rivalry games vs Mike Anderson's Missouri team, which pressures for 40 minutes; LY Illini led by 18 at half, won 75-59. Illinois is 8-3 after getting upset by Georgia Saturday. Missouri is 7-3, getting held under 60 points in two of the three losses. Big 11 road teams are 16-19 vs spread. Illinois guards aren't as experienced as LY's.

Santa Clara (even) won 59-56 at San Jose LY: Broncos are 2-2 at home vs D-I opponents, with last two decided by total of four points. WCC home teams are 15-13 vs spread. San Jose got crushed at No Colorado by 24 Monday; they're 2-4 on road, with losses by 10-4-5-23 points. WAC road teams are 16-16 vs spread.

Utah is just 5-6 after losing last two games to Oklahoma, Illinois State, both at home; Utes lost only road game 83-76 at Weber State, went 1-1 in neutral court games. Pepperdine lost last seven games, including loss to California Baptist (who?). MWC road favorites are 5-8 vs spread. WCC underdogs are 21-22, 7-4 at home.

Arizona got gift from refs Monday, as 3-pointer at buzzer was allowed, giving Cats 83-82 OT win over Lipscomb (replay showed it was a little after 0:00 on clock). Wildcats are 3-5 in their last eight games. NC State suspened starter Smith for bithcing about refs; Wolfpack is 1-1 on road, winning at Marquette, losing by 8 at Wake Forest.

St Mary's beat Northeastern by 11 Tuesday; Gaels are 10-1, winning last eight games with lot of new players- they're 7-1 vs spread as faves. USC is different team in two games since PG Gerrity became eligible, beating Tennessee, Western Michigan. WCC favorites are 3-6 on road or neutral sites. Pac-10 underdogs are 8-16 away from home.

Weber State (+10) lost 75-49 at Utah State LY, getting outscored 47-14 in second half; both teams are playing for third straight day, winning the last two days. Weber won four of last five games; they're 0-4 on road, losing by 9 at UCSB, 4 at Seattle, 17 at BYU, 9 at UNLV. Utah State is 40-1 in its last 41 home games; they're 5-2 as a favorite this year.

Home team won both Rider-Siena games LY, Broncs lost by 11 here in LY's visit. Siena split last eight games; they're playing for first time in 11 days. Saints are 2-1 as a home favorite. Rider is 3-3 on road, with win at Mississippi State, their only cover in four games as road dog. Rider has losses this season by 33 (Virginia)-29 (Kentucky)-9-10 points.

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[pm530]

Len’s Top Five

Wednesday, December 23

Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for December 23, 2009 from Len Berman.

1. Quick Hits

The Yankees send outfielder Melky Cabrera to Atlanta in a deal that brings back pitcher Javier Vazquez to the Bronx. Vazquez is best known for yielding Johnny Damon's grand slam homer in game 7 of the Yankees epic collapse to the Red Sox in 2004.
This just in. The Mets announce.......nothing.
Typical boxing. There's finally a fight people are excited about, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao in March, but the two sides are bickering over drug testing. That's the problem with boxing, no central control.
Can't anybody stay together? First Tiger and Elin, then A-Rod and Kate go splitsville. But the final straw for me, Jerry Ferrara (Turtle on Entourage) and Jamie-Lynn Sigler. I'm crushed.

2. Flip Flop

Jets coach Rex Ryan certainly pulled a doozy. After the Jets lost Sunday he declared the team dead. No playoffs. Overnight a miracle occurred and by Monday they were alive.....barely. It's been a helluva year for the Jets. From Ryan saying the Jets aren't here "to kiss Bill Belichick's ring," to quarterback Mark Sanchez reading a statement to the media after a game. The Jets are certainly entertaining. Except on the field.

3. Award Season

On the heels of Tiger Woods winning Athlete of the Decade honors, Serena Williams, despite her U.S. Open outburst, has been named AP female athlete of the year. She beat out a horse, Kenyatta. I guess character isn't an issue in these awards...because I hear the horse is a little loose.

4. Hockey, Eh?

A subscriber asked me recently when will I ever mention hockey? I joked "The Stanley Cup Finals." Actually, I talked about the great Martin Brodeur yesterday. So here's some more for you hockey pucks out there. Forbes listed the best and worst hockey fans based on home attendance, TV ratings and merchandise sales. And Pennsylvania beat out Canada. Pittsburgh is # 1, Philly # 3. Toronto is # 2, Montreal 4. The worst fans are all in the southern tier, what a shock. Atlanta is 29th, and Florida is last.
Wasn't that fun? We'll talk more hockey in June.

5. All the Sports that's Fit to Print

Here's a warning to wayward athletes and other denizens of the sports world. Word is that the launch of TMZsports.com is right around the corner. That's not good news if you misbehave. From Babe Ruth, to Mickey Mantle athletes were protected by the old school media. But now the jig is up. Perhaps the threat of TMZsports.com will force sports people to be on their best behavior? Yeah right.

Happy Birthday: My favorite marathon runner, Bill Rodgers. 62.
Bonus Birthday: Pearl Jam's lead singer, Eddie Vedder. 45.

Today in Sports: The Pittsburgh Steelers miracle touchdown scored by Franco Harris, known as The Immaculate Reception. (Featured in my best selling kids book, The Greatest Moments in Sports, which comes with a free audio CD of some of the great moments.) 1972.
Bonus Event: Relatively speaking, Woody Allen marries Soon-Yi, the adopted daughter of his "domestic partner" Mia Farrow. He's 62, she's 27. You do the math. 1997.

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