Monday Trends and Indexes 1/4 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

NHL
Long Sheet


Monday, January 4

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BOSTON (21-12-0-7, 49 pts.) at NY RANGERS (19-17-0-5, 43 pts.) - 1/4/2010, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 44-34 ATS (+80.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 3 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 126-142 ATS (-99.1 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 18-31 ATS (-14.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-4 (+1.6 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 5-4-0 straight up against NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.2 Units)

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LOS ANGELES (24-15-0-3, 51 pts.) at SAN JOSE (27-8-0-7, 61 pts.) - 1/4/2010, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 93-142 ATS (-55.1 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
SAN JOSE is 15-5 ATS (+6.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
LOS ANGELES is 24-18 ATS (+42.3 Units) in all games this season.
LOS ANGELES is 13-7 ATS (+21.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
LOS ANGELES is 9-3 ATS (+12.2 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
SAN JOSE is 28-24 ATS (-20.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 21-21 ATS (-27.8 Units) in home games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 3-11 ATS (-20.2 Units) in home games revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE is 7-13 ATS (-12.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 7-10 (+1.5 Units) against the spread versus SAN JOSE over the last 3 seasons
SAN JOSE is 10-7-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
9 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.8 Units)

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[Udog]

NBA
Dunkel



New Orleans at Utah
The Jazz look to bounce back from their 105-95 loss to Denver and build on their 7-0 ATS record in their last 7 games following an ATS loss. Utah is the pick (-8) according to Dunkel, which has the Jazz favored by 10 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Utah (-8). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, JANUARY 4

Game 501-502: Atlanta at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 121.929; Miami 119.985
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 2; 201
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 195 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-1 1/2); Over

Game 503-504: Oklahoma City at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 117.966; Chicago 121.332
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 3 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 2; 194
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-2); Under

Game 505-506: New Orleans at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 113.007; Utah 123.331
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 10 1/2; 193
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 8; 196 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah (-8); Under

Game 507-508: Portland at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 118.501; LA Clippers 120.561
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Clippers by 2; 188
Vegas Line & Total: LA Clippers by 3 1/2; 189
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+3 1/2); Under

[Udog]

NCAAB
Dunkel


Mississippi State at Western Kentucky
The Hilltoppers look to build on their 5-2 ATS record in their last 7 games as a home underdog. Western Kentucky is the pick (+6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Mississippi State favored by only 4 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Western Kentucky (+6 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

MONDAY, JANUARY 4

Game 509-510: Northeastern at VCU
Dunkel Ratings: Northeastern 54.852; VCU 68.624
Dunkel Line: VCU by 14
Vegas Line: VCU by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: VCU (-6 1/2)

Game 511-512: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 66.063; Cincinnati 68.958
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 3
Vegas Line: Cincinnati by 4
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+4)

Game 513-514: Drexel at Georgia State
Dunkel Ratings: Drexel 53.219; Georgia State 56.522
Dunkel Line: Georgia State by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Georgia State by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgia State (-2 1/2)

Game 515-516: Old Dominion at Towson
Dunkel Ratings: Old Dominion 64.727; Towson 52.142
Dunkel Line: Old Dominion by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Old Dominion by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Old Dominion (-11 1/2)

Game 517-518: Hofstra at George Mason
Dunkel Ratings: Hofstra 54.409; George Mason 61.038
Dunkel Line: George Mason by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: George Mason by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: George Mason (-5 1/2)

Game 519-520: Delaware at James Madison
Dunkel Ratings: Delaware 49.021; James Madison 52.807
Dunkel Line: James Madison by 4
Vegas Line: James Madison by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Delaware (+9 1/2)

Game 521-522: NC Wilmington at William & Mary
Dunkel Ratings: NC Wilmington 52.629; William & Mary 65.054
Dunkel Line: William & Mary by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: William & Mary by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: William & Mary (-8 1/2)

Game 523-524: Alabama at Toledo
Dunkel Ratings: Alabama 63.759; Toledo 46.022
Dunkel Line: Alabama by 17 1/2
Vegas Line: Alabama by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Alabama (-13 1/2)

Game 525-526: Utah State at Louisiana Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Utah State 62.141; Louisiana Tech 66.627
Dunkel Line: Louisiana Tech by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Louisiana Tech by 2
Dunkel Pick: Louisiana Tech (-2)

Game 527-528: Mississippi State at Western Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi State 70.266; Western Kentucky 65.977
Dunkel Line: Mississippi State by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Mississippi State by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Western Kentucky (+6 1/2)

Game 529-530: Middle Tennessee State at Vanderbilt
Dunkel Ratings: Middle Tennessee State 51.542; Vanderbilt 67.069
Dunkel Line: Vanderbilt by 15 1/2
Vegas Line: Vanderbilt by 18
Dunkel Pick: Middle Tennessee State (+18)

Game 531-532: CS-Northridge at UC-Davis
Dunkel Ratings: CS-Northridge 49.303; UC-Davis 50.141
Dunkel Line: UC-Davis by 1
Vegas Line: CS-Northridge by 1
Dunkel Pick: UC-Davis (+1)

Game 533-534: Idaho at San Jose State
Dunkel Ratings: Idaho 54.293; San Jose State 56.822
Dunkel Line: San Jose State by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: San Jose State by 2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose State (-2)

Game 535-536: UC-Santa Barbara at UC-Riverside
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Santa Barbara 50.764; UC-Riverside 52.714
Dunkel Line: UC-Riverside by 2
Vegas Line: UC-Riverside by 4
Dunkel Pick: UC-Santa Barbara (+4)

Game 537-538: Cal Poly at UC-Irvine
Dunkel Ratings: Cal Poly 45.326; UC-Irvine 53.787
Dunkel Line: UC-Irvine by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: UC-Irvine by 8
Dunkel Pick: UC-Irvine (-8)

Game 539-540: Harvard at Santa Clara
Dunkel Ratings: Harvard 61.656; Santa Clara 52.848
Dunkel Line: Harvard by 9
Vegas Line: Harvard by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Harvard (-5 1/2)

Game 541-542: Nevada at New Mexico State
Dunkel Ratings: Nevada 58.977; New Mexico State 58.123
Dunkel Line: Nevada by 1
Vegas Line: Nevada by 4
Dunkel Pick: New Mexico State (+4)

Game 543-544: Boise State at Hawaii
Dunkel Ratings: Boise State 55.157; Hawaii 57.518
Dunkel Line: Hawaii by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Hawaii by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Hawaii (-1 1/2)

Game 545-546: Fairfield at Niagara
Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 55.673; Niagara 60.645
Dunkel Line: Niagara by 5
Vegas Line: Niagara by 7
Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (+7)

Game 547-548: Siena at Loyola-MD
Dunkel Ratings: Siena 61.681; Loyola-MD 57.556
Dunkel Line: Siena by 4
Vegas Line: Siena by 6
Dunkel Pick: Loyola-MD (+6)

Game 549-550: Iona at Canisius
Dunkel Ratings: Iona 57.830; Canisius 53.267
Dunkel Line: Iona by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Iona by 2
Dunkel Pick: Iona (-2)

Game 551-552: Marist at St. Peter's
Dunkel Ratings: Marist 42.147; St. Peter's 48.511
Dunkel Line: St. Peter's by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Peter's by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Marist (+9 1/2)

Game 553-554: Rider at Manhattan
Dunkel Ratings: Rider 51.412; Manhattan 51.089
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Manhattan by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Rider (+1 1/2)

Game 555-556: North Carolina at College of Charleston
Dunkel Ratings: North Carolina 74.954; College of Charleston 54.440
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 20 1/2
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 14
Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-14)

Game 557-558: Samford at Davidson
Dunkel Ratings: Samford 47.400; Davidson 54.571
Dunkel Line: Davidson by 7
Vegas Line: Davidson by 11
Dunkel Pick: Samford (+11)

Game 559-560: Austin Peay at Eastern Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Austin Peay 52.511; Eastern Kentucky 59.480
Dunkel Line: Eastern Kentucky by 7
Vegas Line: Eastern Kentucky by 4
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Kentucky (-4)

Game 561-562: Tennessee State at Morehead State
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee State 43.385; Morehead State 57.389
Dunkel Line: Morehead State by 14
Vegas Line: Morehead State by 13
Dunkel Pick: Morehead State (-13)

Game 563-564: Tennessee Tech at Eastern Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee Tech 44.168; Eastern Illinois 52.528
Dunkel Line: Eastern Illinois by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Eastern Illinois by 4
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Illinois (-4)

Game 565-566: Tennessee-Martin at Murray State
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee-Martin 40.056; Murray State 62.348
Dunkel Line: Murray State by 22 1/2
Vegas Line: Murray State by 20 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Murray State (-20 1/2)

Game 567-568: Jacksonville State at SE Missouri State
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville State 46.112; SE Missouri State 45.681
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Jacksonville State by 3
Dunkel Pick: SE Missouri State (+3)

[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel


Los Angeles at San Jose
The Sharks are coming off a 4-1 win over Edmonton and look to build on their 8-0 record in their last 8 games after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. San Jose is the pick (-210) according to Dunkel, which has the Sharks favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-210). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, JANUARY 4

Game 51-52: Boston at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.286; NY Rangers 10.732
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+100); Over

Game 53-54: Los Angeles at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 12.125; San Jose 13.045
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-210); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-210); Over

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet


Monday, 1/4/2010

ATLANTA at MIAMI, 7:35 PM ET NBA TV
ATLANTA: 10-1 Over as a road favorite of 3 points or less
MIAMI: 8-0 Over off BB SU losses

OKLAHOMA CITY at CHICAGO, 8:05 PM ET
OKLAHOMA CITY: 11-1 ATS off ATS loss
CHICAGO: 9-24 ATS off SU dog win

NEW ORLEANS at UTAH, 9:05 PM ET
NEW ORLEANS: 4-19 ATS Away off ATS win
UTAH: 9-0 ATS off SU division loss as favorite

PORTLAND at LA CLIPPERS, 10:35 PM ET
PORTLAND: 4-0 ATS at Clippers
LA CLIPPERS: 14-3 Under in home games

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet


Monday, 1/4/2010

BOSTON at NY RANGERS, 7:05 PM ET VERSUS
BOSTON: 30-9 SU after having won 3 of their last 4 games
NY RANGERS: 3-10 SU off overtime loss

LOS ANGELES at SAN JOSE, 10:35 PM ET
LOS ANGELES: 9-3 SU vs. division
SAN JOSE: 3-11 SU at home playing with revenge

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NCAAB
Short Sheet


Monday, 1/4/2010

NORTHEASTERN at VA COMMONWEALTH, 7:00 PM ET
NORTHEASTERN: 13-4 ATS after BB covers as a favorite
VA COMMONWEALTH: 5-15 ATS at home when the total is 130 to 134.5

PITTSBURGH at CINCINNATI, 7:00 PM ET
PITTSBURGH: 10-1 ATS after 4 straight DD wins
CINCINNATI: 0-10 ATS after BB games as favorite

DREXEL at GEORGIA ST, 7:00 PM ET
DREXEL: 9-2 UNDER in January
GEORGIA ST: 11-2 UNDER when playing only their 2nd game in 8 days

OLD DOMINION at TOWSON ST, 7:00 PM ET
OLD DOMINION: 4-13 ATS AWAY after playing as a road favorite
TOWSON ST: 26-13 ATS when playing with one or less days rest

HOFSTRA at GEORGE MASON, 7:00 PM ET
HOFSTRA: 10-1 UNDER after having lost 2 of their last 3
GEORGE MASON: 9-1 ATS in January

DELAWARE at JAMES MADISON, 7:00 PM ET
DELAWARE: 1-8 ATS off a confernce home win
JAMES MADISON: 16-6 ATS after playing as an underdog

UNC-WILMINGTON at WM & MARY, 7:00 PM ET
UNC-WILMINGTON: 6-1 UNDER when the total is 130 to 139.5
WM & MARY: 6-0 ATS after playing as an underdog

ALABAMA at TOLEDO, 7:00 PM ET
ALABAMA: 11-3 ATS AWAY after playing as a favorite
TOLEDO: 4-12 ATS after 3+ consecutive losses

UTAH ST at LOUISIANA TECH, 8:00 PM ET
UTAH ST: 7-19 ATS AWAY off a road loss
LOUISIANA TECH: 9-2 ATS when the total is 130 to 139.5

MISSISSIPPI ST at W KENTUCKY, 9:00 PM ET
MISSISSIPPI ST: 7-1 ATS after 3 consecutive non-conference games
W KENTUCKY: 16-6 OVER off 2+ consecutive home wins

MIDDLE TENN ST at VANDERBILT, 9:00 PM ET
MIDDLE TENN ST: 14-5 ATS as a road underdog or pick
VANDERBILT: 2-12 ATS after having won 4 of their last 5

CS-NORTHRIDGE at CAL DAVIS, 10:00 PM ET
CS-NORTHRIDGE: 6-1 ATS after 3+ consecutive unders
CAL DAVIS: 1-5 ATS as a home underdog of 3 points or less or pick

IDAHO at SAN JOSE ST, 10:00 PM ET
IDAHO: 26-13 ATS when playing their 2nd road game in 3 days
SAN JOSE ST: 6-15 ATS when playing only their 2nd game in 8 days

UC-SANTA BARBARA at UC-RIVERSIDE, 10:00 PM ET
UC-SANTA BARBARA: 4-13 ATS when playing with one or less days rest
UC-RIVERSIDE: 11-3 ATS in home games

CAL POLY-SLO at UC-IRVINE, 10:00 PM ET
CAL POLY-SLO: 4-12 ATS against conference opponents
UC-IRVINE: 23-12 ATS after a conference game

HARVARD at SANTA CLARA, 10:00 PM ET
HARVARD: 48-70 ATS after playing a road game
SANTA CLARA: 9-0 OVER after failing to cover 3 of their last 4

NEVADA at NEW MEXICO ST, 11:00 PM ET
NEVADA: 11-2 ATS AWAY after 1+ consecutive losses
NEW MEXICO ST: 8-19 ATS after a close win by 3 or less

BOISE ST at HAWAII, 11:59 PM ET
BOISE ST: 26-13 ATS AWAY when when the line is +3 to -3
HAWAII: 1-7 ATS after playing a home game

Added Games

FAIRFIELD at NIAGARA, 7:00 PM ET
FAIRFIELD: 9-2 OVER as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12
NIAGARA: 9-1 OVER as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9

SIENA at LOYOLA-MD, 7:00 PM ET
SIENA: 6-0 OVER AWAY after 4+ consecutive wins
LOYOLA-MD: 2-9 ATS in all home games

IONA at CANISIUS, 7:00 PM ET
IONA: 10-1 OVER after allowing 60 points or less
CANISIUS: 13-26 ATS at home in January

MARIST at ST PETERS, 7:00 PM ET
MARIST: 25-12 ATS AWAY off a home win
ST PETERS: 5-15 ATS at home off a DD loss

RIDER at MANHATTAN, 7:00 PM ET
RIDER: 12-3 ATS AWAY after having lost 3 of their last 4
MANHATTAN: 4-15 ATS in January

N CAROLINA at COLL OF CHARLESTON, 7:00 PM ET ESPNU
N CAROLINA: 12-4 ATS in non conference games
COLL OF CHARLESTON: 1-8 ATS in January

SAMFORD at DAVIDSON, 7:00 PM ET
SAMFORD: 9-2 ATS in January
DAVIDSON: 1-8 ATS after allowing 65 or less in BB games

AUSTIN PEAY at E KENTUCKY, 7:30 PM ET
AUSTIN PEAY: 15-5 ATS in road games
E KENTUCKY: 4-13 ATS at home after BB games as favorite

TENNESSEE ST at MOREHEAD ST, 7:30 PM ET
TENNESSEE ST: 15-4 ATS as a DD underdog
MOREHEAD ST: 12-4 UNDER after 1+ consecutive unders

TENNESSEE TECH at E ILLINOIS, 8:30 PM ET
TENNESSEE TECH: 11-3 ATS AWAY when playing their 2nd game in 3 days
E ILLINOIS: 1-8 ATS after 2+ consecutive unders

TENN-MARTIN at MURRAY ST, 8:30 PM ET
TENN-MARTIN: 8-0 ATS AWAY when the total is 150 to 159.5
MURRAY ST: 2-10 ATS after having won 8 or more of their last 10

JACKSONVILLE ST at SE MISSOURI ST, 8:45 PM ET
JACKSONVILLE ST: 6-0 ATS AWAY after a loss by 6 or less
SE MISSOURI ST: 0-6 ATS at home when playing only their 2nd game in a week

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NBA


Monday, January 4

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Tips and Trends
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Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat [NBA-TV | 7:30 PM ET]

Hawks (-1.5, O/U 196.5): After starting the season in convincing fashion, the Hawks are now struggling. They've lost 5 of their past 7 games SU, 2 of which came in overtime. Atlanta is still 21-11 SU on the season, the 6th best record in the NBA. The Hawks are 9-7 SU and 11-5 ATS on the road this season. Of those 16 road games, the Hawks are 5-4 ATS as the listed road favorite. The Hawks haven't had consecutive ATS losses since November 26th. The Hawks are currently struggling due to their defense, as they have allowed opponents to average 107 PPG over their past 5 games. Offensively, the Hawks are 4th in the NBA at nearly 105 PPG. Atlanta has 5 players averaging double digits, led by G Joe Johnson. Johnson is averaging nearly 22 PPG this season. G Jamal Crawford averages 16.5 PPG off the bench for the Hawks, as he has reinvigorated both this Hawks offense and their bench play.

Hawks are 6-0 ATS last 6 games following an ATS loss.
Under is 9-3 last 12 vs. a team with a winning SU record.

Key Injuries - None.

PROJECTED SCORE: 101 (Side of the Day)

Heat: Miami has lost 3 straight games to stand at 16-15 SU on the season. The Heat have lost 6 of their past 10 home games SU. For the season, the Hawks are 8-11 ATS at home. Miami is 2-2 both SU and ATS as a home underdog this season. The Heat have yet to win or lose 3 straight games this entire season, making them extremely average. Miami has been outscored by 16 PPG over their previous 3 games. G Dwyane Wade leads this Heat team with 26.4 PPG, 5th most in the NBA. Wade and the Heat are revenging an earlier season loss to the Hawks that featured Wade's lowest point total of the season. 3 other Heat players average double digits, notably F Michael Beasley at 15.7 PPG. Defensively, the Heat are 10th in the NBA allowing 96.7 PPG. However, they've allowed their past 3 opponents to average more than 103 PPG.

Heat are 8-21 ATS last 29 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 10-3 last 13 vs. a team with a winning SU record.

Key Injuries - None.

PROJECTED SCORE: 93


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[Udog]

Len's Top 5


Happy New Year everyone, here's my Top 5 for Monday, January 04, 2010 from Len Berman.


1. Quick Hits

The Jets rolled into the playoffs with their 37-0 thrashing last night of the Bengals. The two teams meet again next Saturday in Cincinnati.
Baltimore clinched the remaining playoff spot. Denver missed the playoffs despite starting the season 6-0.
The Washington Redskins wasted no time and fired coach Jim Zorn.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has apparently played the last several games with 3 broken ribs. New England suffered a big loss when wide receiver Wes Welker went down with torn knee ligaments.
After seeing the movie Invictus, which focuses on South Africa's stunning victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup, I may have to amend my kids book "The Greatest Moments in Sports."

2. The Holiday Spirit

Here's some of what went on while the Top 5 was on holiday break:

- Texas Tech fired football coach Mike Leach because he reportedly made a player who wasn't practicing due to a concussion go stand in a dark room.
Collegiate sports at its finest.

- Two Washington Wizards allegedly drew guns on each other in the locker room in an argument over a card game.
Pro sports at its finest.

- Not to be outdone, 4 University of Tennessee basketball players were suspended on gun charges.
And trickling down to High School, 3 Cleveland area high school football players were charged with armed robbery.
'Tis the season.

- The Mets actually signed a big money free agent, slugger Jason Bay. The money probably would have been better spent on pitching, but Mets fans have to be happy that their team didn't sit on the sidelines all winter and watch the free agent parade pass them by.
Pacifying your fan base at its finest.

3. Bowling

It's a battle of undefeateds tonight in the Fiesta Bowl. Boise State (13-0) vs. TCU (12-0). But this isn't the National Championship game. That comes up Thursday in Pasadena when Alabama (13-0) takes on Texas (13-0). Last week a national poll said that most sports fans would like to see a basketball-style playoff, rather than the current system. The BCS, who runs the current system, of course doesn't agree. They want to preserve the integrity of the bowls. Yeah, I just can't envision the American sports landscape without the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl.

4. A Battle for the Aged

Wow, talk about getting 2010 started with a bang! 47-year old Evander Holyfield will battle 41-year old Francois Botha in Uganda on January 16th. Nothing says competitive sports like 88-years worth of boxers. The "no hitting below the belt" rule may be difficult to enforce.

5. New Year's Resolutions

So I guess it's incumbent upon me to come up with some high-minded resolutions for the Top 5 in 2010. I could start with no more gossip about A-Rod or Tiger. Then continue on with a pledge to only emphasize the positive about athletes. Then I could wind it up with not being so quick to carp about the absurdities of the sports world. I could do all that, but then this would morph into the Top 2. So ix-nay on this resolution stuff. Carry on.

Happy Birthday: The last coach of an undefeated NFL team (1972 Miami Dolphins), Don Shula. 80.
Bonus Birthday: Heads up! Sir Isaac Newton was born on this date in 1643. Contrary to public belief he did not invent the Fig Newton.

Today in Sports: President Jimmy Carter announces a U.S. boycott of the Summer Olympics in Moscow. That really showed 'em. 1980.
Bonus Event: Former wrestler Jesse "The Body" Ventura is sworn in as governor of Minnesota. 1999.