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**rocko** · 11-30-2010, 06:32 PM

glLLLLLLL 4 THE PLAYS MY BROTHER THANKS 4 ALL U DO HERE
GETER DONE PEACE

**The Boomaster** · 11-30-2010, 07:10 PM

bounc baby, bounce. gl bum

**StarDust Bum** · 11-30-2010, 07:18 PM

Lakers try to end two-game skid Tuesday

LOS ANGELES LAKERS (13-4)

at MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (7-10)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Line: L.A. Lakers -5.5, Total: 204

The Lakers look to end their two-game losing streak as they embark on back-to-back road games starting in Memphis Tuesday night. Kobe Bryant combined for 72 points in the past two games against Utah and Indiana, but it wasn’t enough to close out either game. L.A. dominated the first meeting Nov. 2 against Memphis in a 124-105 blowout, shooting 51.2% from the field and 60.9% from behind the arc. Despite shooting a lowly 38.6 FG Pct. against Indiana, defense will be the key for the Lakers, who allowed the Grizzlies to shoot 50% from three-point range earlier this month. Memphis (46.3 FG Pct.) is shooting nearly identical to the Lakers (46.4 FG Pct.) for the season.

Memphis’ three-game win streak came to an end Saturday in a 92-86 loss in Cleveland as the Grizzlies only scored 35 points in the second half. The defense collapsed against Cleveland’s offense and will face an even tougher challenge against the top-scoring Lakers, who are leading the league with 109.5 PPG. Rudy Gay had a game-high 30 points (12-18 FG) against L.A. on Nov. 2 and is shooting 43.5% from the floor in the past five games. Little brother Marc Gasol will have his hands full in the paint against big brother Pau Gasol, who is fourth in the league with 11.9 RPG and averaging 21.5 PPG.

L.A. has thrived on the road with a 5-2 (SU and ATS) record, while Memphis is only 5-4 SU and 4-4-1 ATS in FedExForum. The Lakers are 7-1 SU against the Grizzlies in the past three seasons and an even 4-4 ATS.

This FoxSheets stat favors Los Angeles to cover the spread:

LA LAKERS are 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) after failing to cover 3 of their last 4 against the spread over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LA LAKERS 101.8, OPPONENT 95.5 - (Rating = 0*).

Despite five of the past seven meetings going Under the total, this FoxSheets stat leans towards the Over:

Play Over - Home teams where the total is greater than or equal to 200 (MEMPHIS) - poor defensive team - allowing 99+ points/game on the season against opponent after a close loss by 3 points or less. (94-51 over the last 5 seasons.) (64.8%, +37.9 units. Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 11-30-2010, 07:19 PM

Spurs take 7-0 road record to Golden State

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (14-2)

at GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (8-9)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
Line: San Antonio -4.5, Total: 215

San Antonio has had a near perfect November, with the exception of Dallas ending its 12-game win streak last Friday. The Spurs recovered from that loss by erasing a 17-point deficit to win 109-95 over the Hornets Sunday night in their first of three Western Conference road games. Manu Ginobili had a team-high 23 points and combined with Richard Jefferson to drop 6-of-12 from three-point land. Ranking third in the league with 107.2 PPG, the Spurs will be incredibly difficult to defend if their shooting resembles anything close to the 48.8% shooting against the Hornets. San Antonio is undefeated on the road (7-0) and is 5-1-1 ATS.

Golden State ended its five-game losing streak with a 104-94 win over Minnesota Saturday, but back-to-back victories will be difficult to achieve. The Warriors’ return home bodes well for them as they are 5-2 SU (4-3 ATS) and averaging 107.1 PPG at Oracle Arena. Head coach Don Nelson will likely play small-ball and keep a fast pace against San Antonio’s half-court offense. Tim Duncan will create matchup problems as center David Lee, who is averaging 13.8 PPG and 10.7 RPG, is still dealing with pain from an elbow infection that kept him off the court for eight games. He returned Saturday, but only shot 5-of-15 with six rebounds in 43 minutes at Minnesota.

San Antonio is 7-0 SU against Golden State over the past three seasons and 5-1-1 ATS.This FoxSheets stat also favors San Antonio to cover the spread:

Play On - Favorites (SAN ANTONIO) - explosive offensive team - scoring 103+ points/game on the season, after trailing in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half. (47-18 over the last 5 seasons.) (72.3%, +27.2 units. Rating = 3*).

Although four of the past seven games have gone Over the total, this FoxSheets stat picks the Under:

GOLDEN STATE is 27-11 UNDER (+14.9 Units) after covering 2 of their last 3 against the spread over the last 2 seasons. The average score was GOLDEN STATE 104.9, OPPONENT 108.0 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 11-30-2010, 07:20 PM

Ohio State slight favorite at Florida State

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (5-0)

at FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES (5-1)

ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Ohio State -4, Total: 133

Defense has been a key to No. 2 Ohio State’s early-season wins. The Buckeyes are hoping that trend continues in an ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup at Florida State on Tuesday night.

OSU has held its past three opponents (UNC-Wilmington, Morehead State and Miami-Ohio to an average of 43.7 PPG and 32.5% shooting while forcing 19.3 turnovers per game. The Buckeyes figure to get a much stiffer test from the Seminoles, who have also been impressive on the defensive end, ranking third in the nation in opponents' field-goal percentage (33.3%). FSU led the nation in that category last season at 37.7%.

David Lighty tops Ohio State in scoring (15.6 PPG) and steals (2.2 per game). The Buckeyes also rely on two of the nation’s premier freshmen. Reserve Deshaun Thomas is averaging 14.8 PPG and 5.4 RPG, and Jared Sullinger is averaging 15.2 PPG to go along with 8.6 RPG. Sullinger’s best game this season came in the state of Florida against the Gators on Nov. 16. He tallied 26 points and had 10 rebounds in that win. In the three games since, he’s averaged 10.3 PPG and 6.3 RPG.

If the Seminoles are to pull off the upset, Chris Singleton needs to produce like he has all season. Singleton is averaging 15.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2.8 blocks per game, leading FSU in each of those categories. He had eight points, eight rebounds and six turnovers before fouling out in last season’s matchup at OSU.

Ohio State has a 3-5 record in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, but it is 4-0 against Florida State -- including a 77-64 victory in the Challenge last season in Columbus. OSU guard Jon Diebler hit 6-of-12 three-pointers in that game and finished with 22 points. Florida State is 6-5 all-time in this tournament.

Behind Singleton’s all-around effort and another stout defensive showing, expect Florida State to pull off the upset at home.

This FoxSheets trend also likes Florida State to break through against Ohio State for the victory.

Leonard Hamilton is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) as a home underdog or pick as the coach of FLORIDA STATE. The average score was FLORIDA STATE 69.6, OPPONENT 70.2 - (Rating = 2*).

The FoxSheets also expects a low-scoring affair with the Under as the play.

FLORIDA ST is 15-4 UNDER (+10.6 Units) after playing a game where both teams score 65 points or less over the last 3 seasons. The average score was FLORIDA ST 66.3, OPPONENT 63.1 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 11-30-2010, 07:21 PM

Illinois looks to hand UNC its third loss

NORTH CAROLINA (4-2)

at ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI (6-1)

ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Tip-off: Tuesday, 9:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Illinois -6.5, Total: 147.5

The Illinois Fighting Illini are presently taking the elevator up in the national rankings. They are 6-1, winners of three straight and ranked 21st nationally. The North Carolina Tar Heels, ranked eighth just two weeks ago, have tumbled out of the Top 25 with two losses. Tuesday night we’ll see what happens when they meet each other on the fifth floor.

This installment of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge will take place in Champaign, Ill at Assembly Hall, where the Illini are 4-0 this season. They are led by guard Demetri McCamey (15.0 PPG). McCamey leads the nation with 54 total assists, and is tops in the Big Ten with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.86. Bulked-up center Mike Tisdale is having a very balanced season, averaging 10.1 PPG. Tisdale leads the team with 7.6 RPG to go along with 2.0 BPG. Illinois is averaging 80.4 PPG as a team, good for second best in the Big Ten. The Illini are shooting nearly 50% from the field (49.5%), and 37.0% from beyond the arc.

Trouble could be on the horizon for North Carolina against a potent Illinois offense. The Tar Heels are averaging 16 turnovers per game, and defensively they are surrendering 68.5 PPG. Carolina is 1-2 on the road this season, and has allowed its opponents to shoot 43% from the field and nearly 34% from beyond the arc. While Roy Williams can be happy with the play that he has gotten out of center Tyler Zeller (team-high 15.5 PPG) and sophomore John Henson (team-high 11.0 RPG), freshman Harrison Barnes, the first-ever freshman AP Preseason All-American pick, is slumping. Barnes is shooting a meager 35.2% from the field. That includes an eight-point performance during Sunday’s five-point win versus the College of Charleston in which Barnes shot 3-for-12 from the field. If guard Larry Drew II does not do a better job of ball security against an experienced Illinois backcourt (17 assists and 12 turnovers in six games) it could be a very long night for Roy Williams’ squad in Champaign.

The FoxSheets like Illinois to win and cover this spread.

ILLINOIS is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in home games after scoring 45 points or more in the first half last game since 1997. The average score was ILLINOIS 82.7, OPPONENT 59.0 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 11-30-2010, 07:22 PM

Georgetown-Missouri meet in Top-15 showdown

GEORGETOWN HOYAS (6-0)

at MISSOURI TIGERS (5-0)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 9:00 p.m. EDT – Sprint Center – Kansas City, MO
Line: EVEN, Total: 144.5

With the mid-major appetizers out of the way, it’s time for Georgetown and Missouri to get to the entree portion of their respective schedules. That will start Tuesday night when the undefeated eighth-ranked Tigers will host the undefeated 14th-ranked Hoyas in a Big East/Big 12 showdown played in Kansas City, MO. If basketball were played with a speed limit, the Hoyas would prefer doing 55 in the slow lane, while the Tigers are only interested in passing some cars, making good time, and setting off a radar gun or two.

Georgetown enters the contest 6-0, coming off of an 87-72 victory over UNC-Asheville last Saturday. Senior Austin Freeman led all scorers with 32 points, and is averaging 20.2 PPG this season on a blistering 59.7 FG% (57.6% three-point FG). Stopping Georgetown though is not about containing one guard, but three. Junior Jason Clark is averaging 14.3 PPG and 4.7 RPG, meanwhile point guard Chris Wright is averaging 12.3 PPG to go along with seven assists and two steals per game. It would behoove the Hoyas to make Mizzou work harder on defense than UNC-Asheville. The Bulldogs forced 23 Hoya turnovers in defeat. That could be a terrible omen for Georgetown, as Missouri coach Mike Anderson is known for his frenetic pressure defense (learned from his mentor Nolan Richardson, let’s call Anderson’s defense Son of 40 Minutes of Hell). Last season the Tigers led the nation in forced turnovers with 659. So far this season the Tigers (albeit against less than stellar competition) have forced an average of 22.8 turnovers per game.

Missouri has gotten an impressive early-season boost out of 6-foot-8 forward Ricardo Ratliffe, a junior transfer from Central Florida Community College. Ratliffe has put up three double-doubles in five games this season, and is averaging 11.5 RPG in his last four contests. Leading scorer Marcus Denmon (13.8 PPG) leads a quartet of Missouri players averaging double figures in scoring. The Tigers have won their last 12 contests versus non-conference opponents. If they can keep the speed of this game in the fast lane, they stand a good chance of making it 13 straight.

The FoxSheets like the Missouri Tigers to win and cover the spread in an exciting early season test.

Play On - All teams where the line is +3 to -3 (MISSOURI) - off a home win scoring 85 or more points, playing their 2nd game in 3 days. (63-25 over the last 5 seasons.) (71.6%, +35.5 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 11-30-2010, 07:29 PM

ACC-Big Ten Double Play
November 29, 2010

There is no shortage of college hoops action this Tuesday with 22 games on the board. The majority of eyes, however, will be focused on the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. And this year’s edition of the made-for-TV exhibition adds a little something extra as some of the nation’s best teams reside in these two leagues in OSU and Duke.

The history of this challenge has been rather lopsided with the ACC winning the first 10 years. But the Big Ten finally broke through with a 6-5 advantage in last year’s edition. And there is optimism for them this season with the Buckeyes, Spartans and Golden Gophers in the AP Top 15.

Tuesday’s slate in this showdown has five games, but we’re focusing on the marquee matchups in that group.

Ohio State at Florida State – 7:30 p.m. EST, ESPN

The Buckeyes have been opened up as 3 ½-point road favorites with a total of 133.

Ohio State (5-0 straight up, 2-2 against the spread) is coming off of a successful 3-0 homestand against some filler squads as they jolted up to No. 2 on the AP Poll. While those wins against UNC-Wilmington, Morehead State and Miami-Ohio are nice, bettors that backed the Buckeyes went just 1-2 ATS. Of course not many people are looking at those wins so much as the Bucks’ 93-75 beatdown of Florida as three-point road favorites on November 16.

So how have the Buckeyes been able to improve this season without Evan Turner on the court? A quality mix of old and new, that’s how. David Lighty came to Columbus with Greg Oden and Michael Conley for the 2006-07 season. Now, he’s become the elder statesman for OSU. That experience has come through with 21 points against the Redhawks. Nobody should be surprised by that as Lighty leads the Buckeyes with 15.6 points per game this season.

Lighty isn’t carrying all of the weight as Jarred Sullinger and DeShaun Thomas are showing why they were so highly recruited by Thad Matta. Sullinger is averaging 15.2 PPG and Thomas is scoring 14.8 PPG in their freshmen campaigns.

Florida State (5-1 SU, 2-1 ATS) looked like they just might pull off a comeback last Sunday against the Gators. But Erik Murphy had a putback with 16 seconds left for Florida as the Seminoles lost 55-51 as four-point home favorites. Michael Snaer was the top performer for FSU in the loss with 15 points and two rebounds and two assists. Despite all of his efforts, they could only close to within a point of UF at 49-48 with 2:26 left in the second half.

That loss could be sending up some red flags for the ‘Noles as it was their first real test of the season. FSU beat its first five opponents by an average margin of victory of 23.2 points. Now they get to take on the only team to hand the Gators a loss so far this year.

The head-to-head battle is in favor of the Buckeyes with their 2-0 SU and ATS mark against the ‘Noles in Columbus, which includes last year’s 77-64 affair. In Tallahassee, Florida State has gone 4-1 SU and ATS in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

Ohio State has gone 5-2 SU and ATS in its last seven games on the road or at a neutral site since 2007.

North Carolina at Illinois – 9:30 p.m. EST, ESPN

There was a time this season that North Carolina (4-2 SU, 1-2 ATS) was ranked eighth in the nation to start the year. Then they made a trip to Puerto Rico, where they got upended by the Golden Gophers and Commodores. While those aren’t bad teams to lose for, they’re losses that Tar Heels fans aren’t expecting so early in the year. Even though they beat UNC-Ashville and the College of Charleston, the Heels find themselves unranked in both major polls.

Tyler Zeller has been the go-to man for Roy Williams on the attack this season, averaging 15.5 PPG and grabbing just under eight boards per game. What has surprised me this season is how Larry Drew II has performed so far. The only returning starter from last year’s club is getting 25 minutes per game this season, but scoring just 3.8 PPG and 2.8 assists per game. It’s no wonder that Kendall Marshall (4.3 APG, 4.5 PPG) could be running the offense full-time.

Illinois (6-1 SU, 4-3 ATS) is playing strong basketball to start its season. The Fighting Illini took Texas to overtime before losing 90-84 on November 18. But they bounced right back with a 80-76 triumph over the Terrapins the following day in New York City for the 2K Sports Classic.

The Illini are coming into a tough little spurt with the Heels this Tuesday and then they head to Seattle on Saturday for a date with Gonzaga.

When you talk about Illinois’ offense, you’re talking about Demetri McCamey. The senior guard has a wide array of options to hurt you on the court. That arsenal has helped him lead the Illini with 15.0 PPG and 7.7 APG. And he’s looking to bounce back from his 8-point, 10-assist performance in their 78-63 win over Western Michigan.

These teams have split their last four head-to-head meetings SU and ATS, with North Carolina winning national championship against the Illini back in 2005.

Illinois is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS this season in Champaign, but 2-2 SU and ATS at home in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The ‘over’ is 3-1 in those challenges as well.

North Carolina has gone 10-3 SU and 7-5 ATS when playing in road or neutral affairs over the last three seasons. The ‘under’ holds a slight 7-5 in those battles.

Illinois has been posted as a 5 ½-point home “chalk” with a total of 147 ½.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-30-2010, 07:31 PM

National Notes
November 30, 2010

--Minnesota saw its unbeaten record go up in flames Monday night when Virginia captured an 87-79 win on the road as a 13-point underdog. Mustapha Farrakhan exploded for a career-high 23 points to lead the Cavaliers back from a 39-29 deficit at halftime. Bettors backing UVA on the money line at the Las Vegas Hilton were paid 8/1 odds (paid $800 on $100 wagers). In his return from a six-game suspension, Devoe Joseph scored 16 points in 23 minutes of playing time off the bench for the Gophers. Tubby Smith’s team, which fell to 6-1 straight up and 5-2 against the spread, will return to the court Saturday at home against Cornell.

--Tennessee is off to a 5-0 start after beating VCU and Villanova at Madison Square Garden to win the NIT Season Tip-Off. The Vols knocked off Villanova 78-68 as six-point underdogs thanks to 15 points and nine rebounds from freshman Tobias Harris. Scotty Hopson scored a game-high 18 points against the Wildcats, who had beaten UCLA 82-70 in the tourney’s semifinal round.

--Notre Dame (7-0 straight up, 3-0 against the spread) won the Old Spice Classic in Orlando by beating Wisconsin 58-51 as a three-point underdog in the finals. The Irish knocked off Georgia (89-83 in overtime) and California (57-44) prior to besting the Badgers.

--UAB (5-1 SU, 6-0 ATS) remained perfect for our purposes by blasting Troy 78-57 Monday as an 8 ½-point road favorite. The Blazers have already bagged a road win at Arkansas and can take down another SEC squad Friday when they play at Georgia. Mike Davis’ team also has looming non-conference games vs. VCU (12/21), vs. George Washington (12/27) and at Duke (1/5).

--Siena (2-4 SU, 3-2 ATS) isn’t the same team without former head coach Fran McCaffery, national assists leader Ronald Murphy and MAAC Player of the Year Alex Franklin. But the Saints still have senior power forward Ryan Rossiter, who is averaging 20.2 points and 14.5 rebounds per game.

--Mississippi St. needed overtime to beat Troy at The Hump on Nov. 26. The Bulldogs stayed unbeaten with the OT win over the Trojans, but they are 0-4 ATS so far. Ravern Johnson is fourth in the nation in scoring, averaging 27.2 PPG. Rick Stansbury’s team will get junior point guard Dee Bost and sophomore center Renardo Sydney eligible for a Dec. 18 game at Va. Tech.

--Northwestern (4-0 SU, 2-0 ATS) will host Ga. Tech tonight in its toughest test to date. The Wildcats are off a 65-52 home win over Creighton as 8 ½-point home favorites. John Shurna scored a game-high 23 points.

--Butler guard Ronald Nored did not play in an overtime loss to Evansville in overtime. Nored sustained a concussion in the team’s win over Siena and won’t play Wednesday in the Bulldogs’ Horizon League opener vs. Loyola-Chicago. He is questionable for Saturday’s national-title game rematch against Duke in New Jersey.

--Since losing its opener at George Mason, Harvard has won four in a row. The Crimson thumped Colorado 82-66 as a 1 ½-point home underdog Sunday. Keith Wright was the catalyst for the winners with 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots.

--UNLV (6-0 SU, 3-2 ATS) is off to a flying start with quality wins over Wisconsin, Murray St. and Va. Tech. The Rebels have non-conference road games coming up against Nevada and Louisville and will play host to Boise St. on Dec. 8. The Broncos are 6-0 SU and 5-0 ATS.

--Jimmer Fredette made clutch plays at crunch time to lead BYU to nail-biting wins over South Florida and previously-unbeaten Saint Mary’s this past weekend. The All-American guard is averaging 24.8 PPG for the Cougars, who are 6-0 SU but have failed to cover the number in three straight outings.

--In addition to BYU and UNLV, San Diego St. is the Mountain West’s third undefeated team. The Aztecs, who are 4-1 ATS and have also seen the ‘over’ go 4-1, host Saint Mary’s on Wednesday and play at Cal on Dec. 8.

**StarDust Bum** · 11-30-2010, 07:32 PM

College Hoops Notes
November 29, 2010

Teams on the Rise
Notre Dame (7-0): Of all the Big East Heavyweights, Notre Dame may get lost in the shuffle. Their unranked as of now, but that could change soon after a couple of impressive wins against a ranked Georgia squad, stomping Cal and then beating Wisconsin Sunday.

UNLV (6-0): The Rebels won the 76 classic in Anaheim by beating a Virginia Tech team who was ranked two weeks ago and was projected by many to compete for the ACC title. Lon Kruger has this team playing great team defense, hustling and playing smart basketball with quality shot selections.

Texas A&M (5-1): Their week started out with a 67-65 Thanksgiving loss to Boston College, but ended with wins over Manhattan and then beating No. 20 Temple 54-51. They should pad their record with three easy wins until a big match against Washington in two weeks.

Teams Falling:
Washington (3-2) & Pac-10: The Huskies were previously ranked No. 11 in the nation, but were exposed in losses to Kentucky and Michigan State. The entire conference is under the microscope as they look to prove that their collective troubles last year was just an anomaly. Last years champions, Cal, can’t score and thus far the conference is 1-5 against ranked teams.

Temple (3-2): They were ranked No. 20 last week, but losses to Cal and Texas A&M really showed their weakness, which is overall shooting…from anywhere. They haven’t found anyone to take over the void left by last years leading scorer Ryan Brooks. It won’t get any easier as the Owls play at Maryland and then have a home game against Georgetown over the next two weeks.

North Carolina (4-2): Somehow the Tar Heels remained ranked after losing to Vanderbilt and Minnesota two weeks ago, but their struggle at home Sunday against Charleston just shouldn’t happen. They rallied to win 74-69 and avoided being beaten by the Cougars for the second straight year. We’ll quickly find out what this team is truly made of this week as they’ll face the ranked teams of Illinois and Kentucky. It would be shocking if there were able to get a split.

Game of the Week
Michigan State (5-1) at Duke (6-0)
Wednesday, December 1 - 6:30 pm (PDT)
The No. 1 team in the nation gets tested early with one of the nation's best in the Spartans and then have to face Butler on Saturday. So far, Duke is hitting on all cylinders as they are shooting 50% from the field and 44 % from the three-point line. They are deep on the bench and have five players currently averaging double-digits in points led by Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler at 16 ppg each.

Michigan State’s only loss came due to the hot shooting of Connecticut’s Kemba Walker, but their own trio of stars could give Duke a major scare at Cameron Indoor Arena. Senior guard Kalin Lucas has elevated his game to new heights this season and will have to come up big in this one like he did against Washington when he put 29 points that including 4-of-5 from beyond the arch. Durrell Summers and Draymond Green have already picked up the slack left by the departed Raymar Morgan.

The Spartans have the talent and senior leadership to pull off an upset win at a tough place like this, but as hard as it may be to believe, this Duke team may be even better than last years title winning team. I’ll take Duke to win in a high scoring game, 92-83.

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