Wednesday Trends and Indexes 2/24 (NBA,NCAAB, Misc.)

[Udog]

NCAAB


Wednesday, February 24

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Trend Report
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6:30 PM
DAYTON vs. TEMPLE
Dayton is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dayton's last 6 games
Temple is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Dayton
Temple is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Dayton

6:30 PM
OHIO STATE vs. PENN STATE
Ohio State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ohio State's last 5 games
Penn State is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Ohio State
Penn State is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Ohio State

7:00 PM
BUFFALO vs. AKRON
Buffalo is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Akron
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo's last 6 games when playing on the road against Akron
Akron is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Akron is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games at home

7:00 PM
DEPAUL vs. CINCINNATI
DePaul is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
DePaul is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing DePaul
Cincinnati is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games when playing DePaul

7:00 PM
EASTERN MICHIGAN vs. BALL STATE
Eastern Michigan is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Ball State
Eastern Michigan is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Ball State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Ball State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

7:00 PM
FLORIDA STATE vs. NORTH CAROLINA
Florida State is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida State's last 6 games on the road
North Carolina is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Florida State
North Carolina is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Florida State

7:00 PM
GEORGE MASON vs. DELAWARE
George Mason is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Delaware
George Mason is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Delaware
Delaware is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Delaware is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home

7:00 PM
KENT STATE vs. BOWLING GREEN
Kent State is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Bowling Green
Kent State is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Bowling Green
Bowling Green is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Kent State
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Bowling Green's last 6 games when playing Kent State

7:00 PM
LA SALLE vs. GEORGE WASHINGTON
La Salle is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against George Washington
La Salle is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against George Washington
George Washington is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing La Salle
George Washington is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games when playing La Salle

7:00 PM
MIAMI (OHIO) vs. OHIO
Miami (Ohio) is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Miami (Ohio) is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
Ohio is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Miami (Ohio)
Ohio is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Miami (Ohio)

7:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. NOTRE DAME
Pittsburgh is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Notre Dame
Pittsburgh is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Notre Dame
Notre Dame is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Notre Dame is 21-3 SU in its last 24 games at home

7:00 PM
SOUTHERN METHODIST vs. EAST CAROLINA
Southern Methodist is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Southern Methodist is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
East Carolina is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
East Carolina is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:00 PM
ST. BONAVENTURE vs. FORDHAM
St. Bonaventure is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Fordham
St. Bonaventure is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Fordham
Fordham is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games when playing St. Bonaventure
Fordham is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing St. Bonaventure

7:00 PM
TOWSON STATE vs. WILLIAM & MARY
Towson State is 4-15 SU in its last 19 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Towson State's last 6 games
William & Mary is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Towson State
William & Mary is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Towson State

7:00 PM
UAB vs. CENTRAL FLORIDA
UAB is 20-4 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of UAB's last 6 games
Central Florida is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
Central Florida is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games

7:00 PM
UNC GREENSBORO vs. DAVIDSON
UNC Greensboro is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Davidson
UNC Greensboro is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Davidson
Davidson is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
Davidson is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games

7:00 PM
UNC WILMINGTON vs. DREXEL
UNC Wilmington is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Drexel
UNC Wilmington is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games
Drexel is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing UNC Wilmington
Drexel is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing UNC Wilmington

7:00 PM
VIRGINIA TECH vs. BOSTON COLLEGE
Virginia Tech is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Boston College
Virginia Tech is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston College
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston College's last 5 games at home
Boston College is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

7:00 PM
WESTERN MICHIGAN vs. TOLEDO
Western Michigan is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toledo
Western Michigan is 8-16-1 ATS in its last 25 games when playing Toledo
Toledo is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Toledo's last 11 games

7:30 PM
COLORADO vs. MISSOURI
Colorado is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Colorado is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Missouri is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado
Missouri is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Colorado

7:30 PM
JAMES MADISON vs. VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
James Madison is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of James Madison's last 10 games on the road
Virginia Commonwealth is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against James Madison
Virginia Commonwealth is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against James Madison

7:30 PM
MARQUETTE vs. ST. JOHN'S
Marquette is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing St. John's
Marquette is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing St. John's
St. John's is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
St. John's is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games

7:30 PM
NEBRASKA vs. IOWA STATE
Nebraska is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Iowa State
Nebraska is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Iowa State
Iowa State is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Nebraska
Iowa State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Nebraska

7:30 PM
SAINT JOSEPH'S vs. CHARLOTTE
Saint Joseph's is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Saint Joseph's is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
Charlotte is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Charlotte is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games

8:00 PM
ARKANSAS vs. LSU
Arkansas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Arkansas is 2-14 SU in its last 16 games on the road
LSU is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Arkansas
LSU is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Arkansas

8:00 PM
AUBURN vs. MISSISSIPPI
Auburn is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Mississippi
Auburn is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Mississippi
Mississippi is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Mississippi is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games

8:00 PM
CENTRAL MICHIGAN vs. NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Central Michigan is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Northern Illinois
Central Michigan is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Northern Illinois is 2-7-2 ATS in its last 11 games
Northern Illinois is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

8:00 PM
MARSHALL vs. RICE
Marshall is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Marshall is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games on the road
Rice is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games
Rice is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games at home

8:00 PM
MEMPHIS vs. HOUSTON
Memphis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games
Houston is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Memphis
Houston is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Memphis

8:00 PM
TEXAS EL PASO vs. SOUTHERN MISS
Texas El Paso is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Texas El Paso is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Southern Miss is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas El Paso
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Southern Miss's last 6 games when playing Texas El Paso

8:00 PM
XAVIER vs. SAINT LOUIS
Xavier is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Xavier is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Saint Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Xavier
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Saint Louis's last 7 games when playing Xavier

8:05 PM
DRAKE vs. MISSOURI STATE
Drake is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Missouri State
Drake is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Missouri State
Missouri State is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Drake
Missouri State is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games when playing Drake

8:05 PM
INDIANA STATE vs. ILLINOIS STATE
Indiana State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Illinois State
Indiana State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Illinois State
Illinois State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Indiana State
Illinois State is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Indiana State

8:05 PM
WICHITA STATE vs. BRADLEY
Wichita State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Wichita State is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Bradley is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Bradley's last 6 games at home

8:30 PM
PURDUE vs. MINNESOTA
Purdue is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Purdue is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Purdue
Minnesota is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games at home

8:30 PM
UTAH vs. AIR FORCE
Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Utah is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Air Force is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Utah
Air Force is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home

9:00 PM
ALABAMA vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE
Alabama is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Mississippi State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Alabama's last 6 games when playing on the road against Mississippi State
Mississippi State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Alabama
Mississippi State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Alabama

9:00 PM
CLEMSON vs. MARYLAND
Clemson is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Maryland
Clemson is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Maryland
Maryland is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Clemson
Maryland is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games when playing Clemson

9:00 PM
OKLAHOMA STATE vs. TEXAS
Oklahoma State is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Texas
Oklahoma State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas
Texas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Texas is 16-2 SU in its last 18 games at home

9:00 PM
SAN DIEGO STATE vs. BYU
San Diego State is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against BYU
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego State's last 5 games when playing on the road against BYU
BYU is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
BYU is 20-2 SU in its last 22 games

9:00 PM
SOUTH FLORIDA vs. VILLANOVA
South Florida is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of South Florida's last 10 games
Villanova is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games at home
Villanova is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home

9:00 PM
TEXAS A&M vs. BAYLOR
Texas A&M is 2-7-2 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Baylor
Texas A&M is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Baylor
Baylor is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Baylor is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home

10:00 PM
CS NORTHRIDGE vs. SANTA BARBARA
CS Northridge is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
CS Northridge is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against CS Northridge
Santa Barbara is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against CS Northridge

10:30 PM
CS FULLERTON vs. CAL POLY
CS Fullerton is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cal Poly
CS Fullerton is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Cal Poly
Cal Poly is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games at home
Cal Poly is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

11:00 PM
IDAHO vs. NEW MEXICO STATE
Idaho is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New Mexico State
Idaho is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games when playing New Mexico State
New Mexico State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Idaho
New Mexico State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Idaho

11:00 PM
TCU vs. UNLV
TCU is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
TCU is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
UNLV is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against TCU
UNLV is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing TCU


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[Udog]

NCAAB


Wednesday, February 24

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Tips and Trends
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Oklahoma St. Cowboys at Texas Longhorns [ESPN2 | 9:00 PM ET]

Cowboys: Oklahoma St. has struggled when matched up with Texas, losing 7 of the past 8 matchups SU with them. More specifically, Oklahoma St. has lost the past 5 games SU played at Texas. The Cowboys have won 3 straight games SU entering tonight, as they are making a push to make the NCAA Tournament this year. The Cowboys are 19-7 SU and 12-7-1 ATS on the season. Oklahoma St. is 3-5 both SU and ATS this season, as each game has ended in the same exact result SU and ATS. The Cowboys lost by 12 PTS earlier this year when hosting Texas as +2.5 underdogs at home. The Cowboys only made 4 of their 18 3 pointers in that game, as Texas leads the Big 12 in 3 point % allowed. G James Anderson leads a group of 3 Cowboys that average double figures in PTS this season. Anderson leads the entire conference in PTS, averaging 22.8 PPG. Anderson had 28 PTS in the first matchup this year with Texas, and is coming off a game in which he had 5 three pointers. G Obi Muonelo averages 13.3 PPG and 5.5 RPG this season for the Cowboys.

Cowboys are 16-6 ATS last 22 vs. Big 12.
Under is 7-1 last 8 vs. a team with a winning SU record.

Key Injuries - G Ray Penn (leg) is out.
F Teeng Akol (wrist) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 76

Longhorns (-9, O/U 150.5): Texas continues to battle inconsistency, as they haven't won consecutive games ATS for nearly a month. Texas has lost 6 of their past 9 games SU after starting the season a perfect 17-0 SU. Texas is now 21-6 SU and ranked 21st in the country. The Longhorns continue to be dominant at home, where they are 13-2 SU and 5-6 ATS this season. This is only the 3rd game this season the Longhorns will be at home facing a single digit favorite. Texas is 1-1 ATS this season in exactly this scenario. Texas has scored over 70 PTS in 8 of their past 9 games. That is likely to change however, as PG Dogus Balbay is out for the season. Balbay had led the team with 3.9 APG to lead the Longhorns. Texas has 4 players averaging double digits in PTS, led by Damion James. James leads the Longhorns in both PPG and RPG, averaging 17.6 and 10.8 respectively. F Gary Johnson had a huge last game, scoring 22 PTS and grabbing 8 rebounds following the Longhorns new gameplan. Texas has recommitted themselves to their inside game moving forward this season.

Longhorns are 2-11 ATS last 13 games vs. a team with a winning SU record.
Over is 6-0 last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % less than .400.

Key Injuries - G Dogus Balbay (knee) is out.
G Shawn Williams (ankle) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 83 (OVER - Total of the Day)


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[Udog]

NBA


Wednesday, February 24

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Tips and Trends
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Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks [ESPN | 9:00 PM ET]

Lakers: One look at the final score against Memphis, and you can tell that G Kobe Bryant is back in the lineup. The Lakers beat the Grizzlies on a winning 3 pointer by the most clutch player in the NBA today. Los Angeles is 43-14 SU this season, holding down the best record in the Western Conference. The Lakers are tied in the loss column with the Cavaliers for the best record in the entire NBA. The Lakers are 17-9 SU and 11-14-1 ATS on the road this season. The Lakers are 2-4 both SU and ATS when listed as the underdog this season. Los Angeles has lost 6 of their past 9 games ATS heading into tonights contest with Dallas. Los Angeles has been held under 100 PTS in 8 of their past 11 games. Bryant missed games during that span, but he announced his arrival in Memphis with 32 PTS to go along with his game winning shot. Bryant is 4th in the NBA in scoring with 28 PPG this season. All 4 other starters average double digits in PTS for the Lakers. The Lakers have held 11 of their past 12 opponents under 100 PTS. The Lakers are only allowing 96.2 PPG this season, the 8th lowest in the NBA.

Lakers are 4-1 ATS last 5 games playing on 0 days rest.
Under is 7-1 last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Key Injuries - C Andrew Bynum (hip) is probable.
G Sasha Vujacic (shoulder) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 94

Mavericks (-1, O/U 194.5): Dallas has won 4 consecutive games SU in route to a season record of 36-21 SU. Dallas is currently leading the Southwest Division and have the 4th best record in the Western Conference. Dallas is certainly a bit tired, as they've played 5 games in 7 days since the All Star break. The trade that brought both F Caron Butler and C Brendan Haywood appears to be working out smoothly for the Mavericks. Dallas is 17-9 SU at home this season. Unfortunately, Dallas has been awful this season ATS at home, going 6-21. That 6-21 ATS home record includes a current stretch where they've lost 12 out of their past 13 games ATS at home. Dallas is 14-23 ATS this season as a single digit favorite. The Mavericks are focusing on defense after the All Star game, as they've held 5 consecutive opponents under 100 PTS. Offensively the Mavericks have been held under 98 PTS in 4 of their past 5 games. F Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 24.7 PPG this season in leading 6 different Mavericks averaging double digits in PTS.

Mavs are 5-0 ATS last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % greater than .600.
Over is 8-3 last 11 home games.

Key Injuries - C Erick Dampier (finger) is out.
F Tim Thomas (personal) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 102 (SIDE of the Day)


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[Udog]

Wednesday six-pack

Everything you wanted to know about curling, but were afraid to ask

-- The stone in curling weighs 42 pounds, is made of granite. .

-- Granite used in Olympic-level curling stones comes from Scotland.

-- A sheet of curling ice is 120 feet long.

-- Curling brooms cost $149-- they're made of carbon.

-- Leslie Neilsen appeared in a 2002 movie "Men With Brooms" that dealt with curling and was filmed mainly in Brampton, Ontario.

-- The best American curler is a bartender from Minnesota; its custom for the winning team to buy the losing team a drink after the game.


************************************************** **************


Wednesday's List of 13: Random thoughts on a snowy day.......

13) A speed skater from The Netherlands was disqualified when he didn't switch lanes as required late in a race he apparently was going to win with ease. Expensive mistake, since speed skating is big business in Holland- it is estimated the skater had gold medal-related bonuses of 300,000 euros. From what I read, its the coach's fault for not telling him the right thing to do, but also the skater's fault for not knowing to do it anyway. Yikes.

12) Johnny Damon hit 24 HRs LY playing in home run-friendly Bronx-- all 24 of his homers went to right field. He's playing his home games at Comerica Field this year, a pitcher's park. So much for 24 HRs. Damon is a 36-year old OF-- according to ESPN.com, Tigers have had only one OF of 36+ years since '71 who got 400 AB in a season-- Fred Lynn in 1989.

11) In 1974, the New Orleans Saints' representative in the Punt, Pass and Kick competition at the Superdome was 8-year old John Daly. Yes, him.

10) Daly led the Tour in driving distance with an average of 288.9 yards per drive in 1991; last year, 288.9 yards was good for 83rd on Tour.

9) Pittsburgh and Giants Stadium are leading candidates to host the NHL outdoor hockey game next New Year's Day. Giants Stadium would hold a lot more people obviously, but Ovechkin-Crosby could be a good draw on TV for a league whose own network is screwing it at the Olympics.

8) Tickets for this year's outdoor game at Fenway Park cost $50-$350.

7) Siena is only D-I college hoop team with four guys averaging 13+ ppg.

6) There are going to be some great conference tournaments starting next week; there are seven Sun Belt teams with records of 11-5 or 10-6, so any of those teams would be logical choices to win the tournament, right?

5) Reliever Peter Moylan of the Braves threw 73 IP LY without giving up a home run, 23 innings more than next-highest figure (Chan Ho Park, 50).

4) The last time North Carolina and UCLA had losing basketball records in the same year: 1939. It could happen this season.

3) This should settle some arguments; the Edmonton Eskimos earned a profit of $416,482 for 2009. If a CFL team in Edmonton turns a profit, how much are these NFL teams making?

2) The NFL Combine is this week; the last time a kid got drafted in first round who wasn't invited to go to the Combine? 1993, when Chargers drafted a CB named Darrien Gordon.

1) Bad news for Met fans: owner Fred Wilpon says he would like Mets to stay in his family "for generations". Fred Wilpon seems like a pretty good guy, but his son seems like a nitwit, and he's the next owner. Yuk.

[Udog]

Len's Top 5

Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for February 24, 2010 from Len Berman.

1. Quick Hits

Former Nets player Jayson Williams was sentenced to 5 years in prison for the fatal shooting of his limo driver in 2002. He won't be eligible for parole until he serves 18 months.
The U.S. men's hockey team will face Switzerland this afternoon in the quarterfinals.
Next time, don't signal for a lane change. A Dutch speed skating coach mistakenly told Sven Kramer to change lanes in the 10,000-meters when he had already done so. Oops. Goodbye gold medal.
Look out for flying dogs. A Kansas Royals fan is seeking $25-thousand for injuries he claims he suffered when the Royals mascot hit him in the eye with a hot dog. The Royals are looking for a new mascot.

2. Third Place Trumps Second

Bronze Olympic medal winners seem happier than silver medal winners. So say some academics according to a story in USA Today. They cite the sulking Evgeni Plushenko, when he finished second to Evan Lysacek in figure skating. Bronze medal winners are just happy to win something...anything. This should come as no surprise to Seinfeld fans. One of his best stand up routines deals with the Olympics. Jerry claims the silver medal is the absolute worst medal you can possibly win. "Of all the losers, you are the number one loser." Who needs academia?

3. Brand Name

Given Olympic sponsorship restrictions, a figure skating radio commentator jokingly wondered if they would have to refer to Japanese figure skater Akiko Suzuki as Akiko Chevy? Don't laugh. Back in the 60's, I remember a college football game on ABC where the great Chris Schenkel kept referring to SMU as the ponies. They are not the ponies, they are the SMU Mustangs. But the game was being sponsored by Chevy, and the Ford Mustang had just been introduced. So a little poetic (or was it pathetic) license?

4. Gotcha

It's a first. A British rugby player has been busted for using human growth hormone, HGH. Terry Newton goes into the Sports/Drug Hall of Shame. But here's the best part. An HGH test actually works. Now, let's get this thing going in baseball. Call me cynical, but I have to think that HGH is freely used in baseball without fear of getting caught. Perhaps that's why the New York Times is reporting that Major League Baseball will begin testing minor leaguers for HGH later this year.

5. Olympic Sports

Scores, a gentleman's club, has suggested they include pole dancing in the Olympics. In past years, bridge and ballroom dancing have been floated. By comparison, at least pole dancing includes a modicum of athletic ability. Now about those outfits.....

Happy Birthday: Boxer Floyd Mayweather. 33.
Bonus Birthday: Tessio in The Godfather. Actor Abe Vigoda. 89.

Today in Sports: Kareem Abdul Jabbar hits his first career 3-point field goal. The NBA's all time scoring leader had scored 36,000 career points without hitting a 3. 1987.
Bonus Event: Lady Di and Prince Charles announce their engagement. 1981.