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**StarDust Bum** · 12-07-2010, 07:57 PM

Purdue favored by 7 at Valparaiso

PURDUE BOILERMAKERS (7-1)

at VALPARAISO CRUSADERS (6-2)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 9:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Purdue -7, Total: 129

Led by one of the nation's premier outside-inside combinations, Purdue looks to continue its winning ways on Tuesday night when it visits Valparaiso. The Boilermakers began the season with five straight wins, but suffered their first loss on Nov. 27 with a 65-54 defeat against Richmond. Purdue has rebounded from that game with consecutive victories over Virginia Tech, 58-55 in overtime, and Alabama, 66-47.

With Robbie Hummel out for the season, Purdue has relied on the tandem of guard E'Twaun Moore (20.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.8 APG and 1.5 SPG) and center JaJuan Johnson (18.1 PPG, 8.1 RPG and 2.3 BPG). Reserve guard John Hart, who is third on the team in scoring at 8.4 PPG, is out at least one month with a stress fracture in his right foot. Swingman D.J. Byrd (5.3 PPG) is questionable for Tuesday’s game because of a shoulder injury.

Moore is shooting 43% from the three-point line and like Johnson, has scored in double-figures in each of Purdue's eight games. He finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks against the Crimson Tide. Johnson added 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

The Boilermakers are also turning up the heat on defense. Purdue held Virginia Tech to 35 percent shooting and forced Alabama into 18 turnovers. That should bode well against a Valpo team that doesn't have a dynamic offense. The Crusaders have won four in a row, but have surpassed 68 points in only one of those games. The defense was stifling as the four opponents averaged 61.3 PPG and 38% FG. Two of those wins (Texas A&M-CC and Illinois-Chicago) came by a combined eight points. Valparaiso has four players who average double figures in scoring, led by Cory Johnson's 14.6 PPG and Brandon Wood's 13.3 PPG.

Purdue leads the all-time series 14-1, which includes a vacated win in 1995. Purdue won easily in last season’s meeting, 86-62 as Moore and Johnson each scored 19 points. The last time these two schools played at Valparaiso (2001), the game was much closer, as Purdue eeked out a 73-69 victory.

These two FoxSheets trends like Purdue to win and cover the spread again:

Play On - A favorite (PURDUE) - a good offensive team (74-78 PPG) against a good defensive team (63-67 PPG), after allowing 55 points or less. (86-39 over the last 5 seasons.) (68.8%, +43.1 units. Rating = 3*).

Play Against - A home team (VALPARAISO) - in non-conference games, off a road win against a conference rival. (60-25 over the last 5 seasons.) (70.6%, +32.5 units. Rating = 3*).

These highly-rated FoxSheets coaching trends expect the Over to occur on Tuesday night:

Homer Drew is 22-4 OVER (+17.6 Units) after a win by 10 points or more as the coach of VALPARAISO. The average score was VALPARAISO 72.1, OPPONENT 67.1 - (Rating = 5*).

Homer Drew is 11-1 OVER (+9.9 Units) in home games versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of <=42% as the coach of VALPARAISO. The average score was VALPARAISO 71.1, OPPONENT 69.0 - (Rating = 4*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-07-2010, 07:58 PM

Suns are 3-point underdogs at Portland

PHOENIX SUNS (11-9)

at PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (9-11)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 10:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Portland -3, Total: 204

Two teams heading in opposite directions will meet in Portland on Tuesday night. The Suns are winners of three straight, while the Blazers have lost six of seven.

After starting the season 8-5, the Blazers have fallen on hard times. Before beating the Clippers 100-91 on Sunday, Portland averaged just 86.8 PPG during a six-game SU losing skid. The Blazers have not done well ATS this season either at 8-9, but are better at home, owning a 5-3 record ATS. A big reason for the Blazers’ issues of late has been their shooting. They have shot under 40 percent in five of their past seven games.

Phoenix has been their normal excellent selves on offense, leading the NBA in scoring (109.8 PPG) and ranking second in FG percentage (48.2%). However, the Suns are also the worst NBA team in FG percentage defense, allowing their opponents to shoot 49.1% for the season.

The Suns have also covered the spread in three straight games, and should lick their chops against the Blazers who rank 22nd in the NBA in FG percentage defense, allowing their opponents to shoot 47.0% for the season. The Blazers just simply cannot keep up with the Suns offense, so I’m taking underdog Phoenix with the points.

These three FoxSheets trends also side with the Suns:

PHOENIX is 33-15 ATS (+16.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - shooting pct defense of >=46% over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PHOENIX 112.1, OPPONENT 103.2 - (Rating = 2*).

PHOENIX is 40-21 ATS (+16.9 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PHOENIX 111.6, OPPONENT 104.7 - (Rating = 2*).

PHOENIX is 37-18 ATS (+17.2 Units) versus good ball handling teams - committing <=14 turnovers/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PHOENIX 107.6, OPPONENT 103.2 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-07-2010, 07:59 PM

Lakers try to beat Wizards for 8th straight time

WASHINGTON WIZARDS (6-13)

at LOS ANGELES LAKERS (14-6)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
Line: LA Lakers -12.5, Total: 205.5

The Lakers ended their five-game ATS losing streak with a resounding 113-80 win over Sacramento Wednesday night. This win also ended a four-game SU losing skid in which L.A., who ranks second in the league with 108.5 PPG, only averaged 95.8 points in the four losses. The Lakers shot a season-high 56.6 FG Pct. against the Kings.

Pau Gasol added 16 points and five assists in 27 minutes of play against Sacramento, despite dealing with a strained hamstring. He is likely to play against Washington Tuesday night and have an easy game in the paint against the Wizards who rank third-worst in total rebounds (39.4 RPG) and rebounding margin (-4.2 RPG). The Lakers have averaged 112.0 points on 53% shooting to win the past seven meetings against the Wizards, but they only went 4-3 ATS in these contests with an average spread of 8.5 points. Los Angeles is 9-2 SU, but only 5-6 ATS in the Staples Center this season.

The Wizards are one of two remaining teams (Clippers the other) who are winless on the road (0-10). They have also struggled to cover the numbers with a lowly 3-7 ATS road record. Keeping the score close is near impossible when allowing road opponents to score 112.8 PPG (-16.4 PPG margin). Washington lost its first of three Pacific Division road contests, 125-108, to Phoenix Sunday night. Andray Blatche had 24 points and John Wall had 12 points and dished 12 assists as the team shot 50.6% from the floor. Phoenix shot 58% from the field and Steve Nash had a season-high 17 assists.

The Lakers are 19-7 SU (17-9 ATS) versus Washington since 1996, and the FoxSheets give two reasons why Los Angeles will cover the spread:

Play On - Favorites (LA LAKERS) - after a blowout win by 20 points or more against opponent after a combined score of 225 points or more. (40-16 over the last 5 seasons.) (71.4%, +22.4 units. Rating = 2*).

WASHINGTON is 29-47 ATS (38.2%, -22.7 Units) after having lost 3 of their last 4 games over the last 3 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 96.7, OPPONENT 104.6 - (Rating = 1*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-07-2010, 08:00 PM

Kansas favored by double-digits over Memphis

MEMPHIS TIGERS (7-0)

vs. KANSAS JAYHAWKS (7-0)

Jimmy V Classic – Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
Tip-off: Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Kansas -11.5, Total: 151

Rare is the moment when a game presents itself as a measuring stick for two top-15 teams who have displayed an annoying habit for playing down to its competition. Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden Kansas and Memphis will find out just how legit the early-season press clippings have been.

The Memphis Tigers are undefeated in seven games, but have shown some disturbing tendencies in their last two victories. Last Wednesday at FedEx Forum, the Tigers allowed a 1-5 Arkansas State squad to take them into overtime in a game Memphis easily could have lost if not for Arkansas State’s dismal 39% shooting from the field. Three days later, the Tigers defeated Western Kentucky 77-61, but were outrebounded by the Hilltoppers 45-43, while committing 21 turnovers. Particularly concerning about the rebounding stat were the 25 offensive rebounds allowed by Memphis.

The Jayhawks will look to exploit the Tigers on the glass. Kansas is outrebounding opposing teams by six rebounds per game, led by junior forward Markieff Morris whose 9.1 RPG paces the team. Like Memphis, the Jayhawks are coming off of a sluggish performance vs. UCLA. Kansas needed a controversial free throw by Mario Little with 0.7 seconds left on the clock to defeat the gritty Bruins and barely keep its home-court winning streak alive at 64 games. Ironically, Kansas coach Bill Self said afterwards that if the game was played on a neutral court his team would have lost. It was a-not-so-typical close game in Allen Fieldhouse for the home team. What was typical was the Jayhawks’ shooting performance. Kansas shot 51% from the field, that’s on par for a team that is leading the nation with a 56.9 FG Pct. Kansas is also tops in the country with an average of 21 assists per game.

Tuesday night when Kansas and Memphis play each other, it will be the first meeting against a ranked opponent for either team. The last two meetings between these schools have been memorable for different reasons. Last year Kansas barely defeated Memphis 57-55 in Josh Pastner’s second game as head coach. The meeting before that, Kansas defeated Memphis 75-68 in overtime to win the 2008 National Championship. If tonight’s game turns out to be a warm-up for an April rematch on a neutral court in Houston, that would make both coaches very happy. A win on Tuesday would be all the better.

These two anti-Memphis FoxSheets trends like Kansas to cover the double-digit spread:

Play Against - Underdogs of 10 or more points (MEMPHIS) - in non-conference games, after a cover as a double-digit favorite. (37-11 over the last 5 seasons.) (77.1%, +24.9 units. Rating = 3*).

MEMPHIS is 3-14 ATS (-12.4 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MEMPHIS 71.9, OPPONENT 65.4 - (Rating = 3*).

These two FoxSheets trends advise bettors to take the Under.

Play Under - All teams where the total is between 150 and 159.5 points (KANSAS) - after allowing 75 points or more 2 straight games, with just two starters returning from last year in the first 10 games of the season. (36-12 since 1997.) (75%, +22.8 units. Rating = 3*).

Bill Self is 30-11 UNDER (+17.9 Units) off a home no-cover where the team won straight up as a favorite as the coach of KANSAS. The average score was KANSAS 74.2, OPPONENT 63.9 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-07-2010, 08:01 PM

Top 10 teams meet at Madison Square Garden

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (6-2)

vs. SYRACUSE ORANGE (8-0)

Jimmy V Classic – Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
Tip-off: Tuesday, 9:25 p.m. EDT
Line: Michigan State -1, Total: 137.5

You have to give Tom Izzo credit for this much, after eight games of the season he has played one of the most diverse schedules in the nation. The Spartans have squared off against teams representing the ACC, Big East, SEC, Pac-10, MAC and Ohio Valley. For good measure, Izzo even had a game against Division II Chaminade in Hawaii. Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden Izzo and his Spartans will be back in action to take on another Big East foe, the Syracuse Orange.

Michigan State has lost only two games this year, both of them to teams presently ranked among the top six in the nation (No. 1 Duke and No. 6 Connecticut). In its loss last Wednesday at Duke, the Spartans showed their typical grittiness playing in one of the most intimidating arenas in all of sports. They shot 49% from the field, and 53% from beyond the arc. They even outrebounded Duke in Cameron (35-30), something rarely seen. But 20 turnovers in the game came back to plague the Spartans in the five-point defeat. Top scorer Kalin Lucas (14.9 PPG) and Durrell Summers (14.5 PPG) struggled to bury shots, as they were just 10-for-24 from the floor, but guard Korie Lucious provided a big lift off the bench, scoring 20 points. Lucas (Achilles) and Lucious (bruised ribs) are both less than 100 percent, but both guards are expected to play Tuesday night.

Despite showing some inconsistency in its offensive attack, the Orange are still 8-0, and are coming off victories over Michigan and Georgia Tech at the Legends Classic in Atlantic City, and a hard-fought home win Saturday versus North Carolina State. Syracuse is led in scoring by junior forward Kris Joseph (13.8 PPG) and senior center Rick Jackson (13.1 PPG). Jackson is also averaging a double-double this season, as he is pulling down a monstrous 12.4 RPG. Scoop Jardine is the third double-figure scorer on the team (12.5 PPG) and is leading the Orange in assists at 6.9 APG. If there is one puzzling area for Syracuse it has been the play of Brandon Triche. While playing almost seven more minutes per game than he did last year, Triche’s scoring average is slightly down (8.1 to 7.9) and his FG% is way down (50% to 40%). As a team, the Orange are averaging 70 PPG, but only have a 29.7 FG Pct. from beyond the arc. That marksmanship is sure to be challenged by the always-physical defense of the Spartans.

These two FoxSheets trends like Syracuse to win in the familiar surroundings of Madison Square Garden:

Jim Boeheim is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) as a neutral court underdog of 6 points or less or pick as the coach of SYRACUSE. The average score was SYRACUSE 74.7, OPPONENT 73.4 - (Rating = 2*).

MICHIGAN ST is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) after a game with 51 or more rebounds since 1997.The average score was MICHIGAN ST 78.4, OPPONENT 69.6 - (Rating = 1*).

These two FoxSheets trends side with the Under.

Play Under - Neutral court teams against the total (SYRACUSE) - off a home win, undefeated on the season. (135-79 since 1997.) (63.1%, +48.1 units. Rating = 2*).

Izzo is 29-13 UNDER (+14.7 Units) off a home blowout win by 20 points or more as the coach of MICHIGAN ST. The average score was MICHIGAN ST 73.5, OPPONENT 61.4 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-07-2010, 08:01 PM

Dallas goes for 10th straight win on Tuesday

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (8-12)

at DALLAS MAVERICKS (16-4)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Dallas -9, Total: 204.5

The Warriors have tough back-to-back road games against two of the best teams in the league, as they head to Texas to take on the Mavs and the Spurs. Golden State is 3-8 SU (6-5 ATS) in away games, after a 114-109 loss in Oklahoma City Sunday night. Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry had a combined 68 points on shooting 25-of-41 (61.0%) from the floor, but it wasn’t enough to come back from a 20-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter.

Defense continues to be a struggle for the Warriors, who allow opponents to score 106.9 points (third-highest in NBA). Golden State is averaging a decent 101.8 PPG, and Ellis has scored 35.0 points in his last three trips to the American Airlines Center. However, the Warriors will need a huge effort on both ends of the court against the sizzling Mavericks. Dallas is holding opponents to 92.2 points a contest and has won its past nine games (7-2 ATS).

Dirk Nowitzki helped erase a 12-point deficit against Sacramento with 25 points and five assists to win 105-103 Saturday night. Despite ending the 6-game ATS win streak, the Mavericks shot 50.0% from the floor and capitalized on fouls, making 24-of-29 free throws to win their second straight road game out West. The Mavs return to the AAC, where they have won seven of the past eight meetings against the Warriors. Dallas has struggled to cover the numbers at home this year, going 4-5-2 ATS.

The Mavericks are 11-18 ATS at home against Golden State since 1996. The Warriors have scored over 100 points in 11 of the past 16 meetings against Dallas, and these two FoxSheets trends like Golden State to cover the spread:

DALLAS is 3-17 ATS (-15.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was DALLAS 101.0, OPPONENT 97.9 - (Rating = 3*).

GOLDEN STATE is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) after a game where they made 85% of their free throws or better over the last 2 seasons. The average score was GOLDEN STATE 111.4, OPPONENT 108.3 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-07-2010, 08:08 PM

Spartans, Orange accent NCAA betting slate

Powerhouse programs Michigan State and Syracuse collide under the bright lights at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night for the 2010 Jimmy V Classic.

The sixth-ranked Spartans (6-2 straight up, 4-4 against the college basketball spread) continue to play a tough non-conference schedule in preparation for Big Ten play. Michigan State has already traveled to top-ranked Duke, while playing UConn and Washington at a neutral site.

Seventh-ranked Syracuse (8-0 SU, 2-6 ATS) hasn’t scheduled the quality of teams the Spartans have so far this season. The Orange have had a pair of neutral-site games against Michigan and Georgia Tech, but most of their schedule has been against mid-major programs.

Don Best's Real-Time Odds lists this matchup as a ‘pick,’ with no total posted. ESPN will provide coverage of this contest beginning at 6 p.m. PT from New York’s Madison Square Garden. Memphis and Kansas meet in the first game that tips at 4 p.m.

Michigan State rebounded from its loss to Duke to throttle an overmatched Bowling Green team Saturday as a 26 ½-point home ‘chalk,’ 74-39. The combined 113 points never seriously threatened the 133 ½-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 4-1 the previous five outings. The Spartans are now 3-1 ATS their last four games.

Michigan State took control of the contest by outscoring the Falcons in the second half, 49-20. The Spartans finished the contest by shooting 46 percent (26-of-57) from the field, and 43 percent (12-of-28) from 3-point land. Coach Tom Izzo’s squad also enjoyed sizeable advantages in rebounding, 48-24, and assists, 48-24.

Guard Durrell Summers led all scorers with 14 points, while forward Delvon Roe contributed 10 and seven rebounds. Forward Draymond Green provided 10 and 12 in 23 minutes, with guard Korie Lucious adding eight points and six assists.

Syracuse continued its winning ways by holding off North Carolina State Saturday as a 12-point home favorite, 65-59. The combined 124 points failed to eclipse the 141-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 5-1 the last six outings.

The Orange actually trailed by six points midway through the second half before holding the Wolfpack without a field goal the final 7:20. Syracuse prevailed despite shooting a dismal 38 percent (23-of-60) from the field, and 13 percent (2-of-16) from behind the arc.

Guard Scoop Jardine paced the offense with 23 points, six rebounds and six assists, while forward Rick Jackson added 16 and eight. The team recorded the victory by producing 28 points off of NC State’s 19 turnovers.

Michigan State and Syracuse have not met on the basketball court since 2004 when the Orange prevailed as four-point home ‘chalk,’ 96-83. The ‘over’ is 3-1 the previous four meetings between these schools.

Michigan State follows this matchup with non-conference home games against Oakland and Prairie View. The Spartans are 16-33-2 ATS their last 51 Tuesday games, while the ‘under’ is 19-7 the previous 26 Tuesday matchups.

Syracuse returns to its easy early-season slate after this contest with home games against Colgate, Iona, Morgan State and Drexel. The Orange are 10-1 ATS their past 11 Tuesday games. Syracuse has seen the ‘over’ go 14-5 the last 19 neutral-site games.

**StarDust Bum** · 12-07-2010, 08:09 PM

NHL Odds: Buffalo Sabres host Boston Bruins

The Buffalo Sabres will be looking to avenge last month’s 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on their home ice when they travel to the TD Garden for a Tuesday night matchup with their Northeast Division rivals. The puck drops in this one at 4:30 p.m. (PT).

Buffalo is coming off back-to-back shutouts in its last two games to post three wins in its last four games. Last Friday night against Columbus, the Sabres opened the new month with a 5-0 rout of the Blue Jackets as a 139 home favorite. The total stayed ‘under’ the NHL odds thanks to Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller stopping all 19 shots he faced, but it was the offensive explosion of goals by five different players that led the way.

Miller was also perfect his last time out by stopping all 32 shots he faced in the Sabres 1-0 shootout win over Ottawa as a 112 road underdog this past Saturday. Regulation play ended in a scoreless tie, but Thomas Vanek found the back of the net in the tiebreaker to notch the win.

Buffalo is currently 11-13-3 on the year with a total of 25 points. It is in fourth place in the division, 11 points behind Montreal and 11th in the Eastern Conference. Vanek leads the team with 10 goals and Derek Roy leads in assists with 17. Roy is also leads the team in points with 26.

Miller has started 18 of the Sabres 27 games, having missed some time with a minor groin injury. He currently has a goals-against-average of 2.26 and a save percentage of .922.

Boston is 2-2-1 SU in its last five games and started the month of December with a 3-0 shutout over Philadelphia as a 119 road underdog and an 8-1 romp over Tampa Bay as a 139 home favorite. The Bruins fell to Toronto in a 3-2 shootout this past Saturday as a 163 road underdog after allowing Kris Versteeg to tie the game at two with just 40 seconds left in regulation. Boston goalie Tim Thomas stopped 38 shots but gave up the winning goal to former Bruin Phil Kessel in the shootout.

Boston has played 25 games so far and is in second place in the Northeast with 31 points and a record of 14-8-3. It is currently in seventh place in the conference. Left winger Milan Lucic leads the Bruins with 12 goals and 22 points overall, while Nathan Horton is second on the team with nine goals and 11 assists.

Thomas has started 18 games between the pipes this season and has goals-against-average of 1.46 and a save percentage of .956.

The Sabres are 6-5-2 SU on the road this season and 6-7 as an underdog overall. The total has stayed ‘under’ in 15 of their 27 games. They are averaging 2.41 goals a game and giving up an average of 2.7.

The Bruins are 5-5-0 SU in 10 home games this season and 7-9 as a favorite. The total has stayed ‘under’ in 15 of their 25 games overall. They are averaging 2.88 goals a game and giving up an average of just 1.88.

Head-to-head, Boston has won seven of the last 10 games including winning four of six in last year’s playoffs. The total is 3-3-4 in these 10 games. This game should come down to a battle of the goalies with Ryan Miller once again coming up big to give the Sabres an unexpected win on the road.

**StarDust Bum** · 12-07-2010, 08:10 PM

Kansas, Memphis tip Tuesday's Jimmy V Classic

Two Aprils ago, the Kansas Jayhawks and Memphis Tigers squared off in an epic NCAA Tournament Final which the Jayhawks won by eight in OT. Last year, they met at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, where Rock Chalk tamed the Tigers by a deuce.

Now, the two squads will meet on another big stage under the bright lights at Madison Square Garden in a Tuesday night college basketball betting fight. The game opens the Jimmy V Classic and tips the ESPN doubleheader at 4 p.m. PT with Michigan State and Syracuse the second contest.

The Tigers haven't been the greatest team this season for beating the odds, as they are just 2-4 ATS in spite of the fact that they have a perfect 7-0 SU record. They are coming off of a real beat down of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers though, in the best defensive effort against a legitimate team this season, winning 77-61 at FedEx Forum.

Offense certainly hasn't been the problem with all seven Memphis foes seeing at least 70 points dropped on them. A scoring average of 85.3 PPG is good enough to rank No. 9 in the country.

There's no doubt that there are going to be plenty of bodies coming off of the bench on a regular basis for Memphis in this one. No one is averaging more than 27 minutes per game, and 10 are averaging at least 13 minutes per game. Nine of the 10 are averaging at least 5.6 PPG.

Wesley Witherspoon leads the team with 13.7 PPG, and is shooting a blistering 60.5 percent from the field to lead in that category as well. Joe Jackson (12.1 PPG) and Will Barton (11.9 PPG) are the only other two men that are averaging double digits in scoring per game.

If Memphis has a flaw that can be exploited, it is on the glass. This is a team that doesn't have a single man averaging more than 5.0 RPG, and the team is averaging 38.3 RPG. Though that is still almost six boards per night more than the opposition is averaging, the Tigers haven't played against competition like this in the past.

Kansas is still a few games away from getting freshman sensation Josh Selby in the lineup, but head coach Bill Self really might not need him in the rotation.

It's hard to argue with a team that is averaging 89.9 PPG and is shooting 56.9 percent from the floor as a team. Those marks are No. 3 and No. 1 in the NCAA respectively. Think that defense is a problem? Think again. Teams are scoring just 59.4 PPG and are connecting on just 23.4 percent of their three point attempts.

KU has shown some deficiencies of late that it would like to correct. Giving up 79 points on a neutral court to the Arizona Wildcats and needing a foul in the dying seconds to keep its home court winning streak alive against the UCLA Bruins definitely doesn't give the Jayhawks the look of a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, the talent level is clearly unmatched by most teams in the country.

There are probably at least four legitimate NBA prospects on this team, not including when Selby enters the fold. Marcus and Markieff Morris are surefire draft choices when they come out. They are combining to average 30.5 points and 15.4 boards per game. Tyshawn Taylor is phenomenal as well at 10.4 PPG and 6.8 APG. Don't forget about Tyrel Reed either, as he is a sparkplug that is averaging 10.1 PPG.

The Jayhawks are a whopping 38-17-1 ATS in their last 56 games against teams with a winning percentage of at least .600, and they are 6-2 ATS in their last eight against Conference USA foes. Memphis meanwhile, is 5-2 ATS in its last seven against the Big XII, but is just 3-13 ATS in its last 16 games played outside of Conference USA.

**StarDust Bum** · 12-07-2010, 08:11 PM

Rockets host Pistons in NBA betting battle

Two teams sitting in the basement of their respective divisions meet Tuesday when the Detroit Pistons begin a three-game road trip with a stop in Houston to play a Rockets squad that is hoping to have center Yao Ming back in the lineup.

Yao hasn’t played since November 10 when he strained a tendon in his left leg during a contest against Washington. However, the big center has targeted this game against the Pistons for a possible return to the lineup.

The Rockets lost that game against the Wizards and saw their record dip to 1-6 to begin the season with Yao in uniform. However, Rick Adelman’s troops have actually played better without their center by going 6-7 in the next 13 games.

Houston is coming off Saturday’s heartbreaking 119-116 overtime loss at Chicago when Bulls guard Derrick Rose sent the game into an extra session by hitting a shot at the buzzer.

Since the Rockets closed as seven-point road underdogs, they have now covered the spread in three straight games to improve their spread mark to 10-10.

Brad Miller scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to help the Rockets overcome a 14-point deficit. However, Miller missed a free throw with 10.7 seconds remaining to set up Rose's tying shot.

Kyle Lowry scored 16 points for the Rockets and hit several key baskets in the final minutes.

The Rockets have now scored 100 points or more in three straight outings to improve to sixth in the league offensively with a 105.7 PPG average. Unfortunately, the Rockets are yielding 106.8 points per game, which ranks 27th.

The Rockets return home six games under .500. But, after three wins last week in a five-game stretch of home games against the Thunder and Lakers and road games in Dallas, Memphis and Chicago, their next four opponents are below .500.

Three of those games are in Toyota Center, where the Rockets have a three-game winning streak. They are 4-4 both straight up and against the NBA spread at home, with the ‘under’ going 6-2. In fact, the ‘under’ is 12-4 in Houston’s last 16 home efforts dating to last season.

The Pistons snapped a four-game losing skid Sunday by dumping the slumping Cleveland Cavaliers, 102-92. Detroit covered as a five-point home favorite to improve its spread mark to 13-8 this season.

Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 27 points, his best outing in two weeks. Rodney Stuckey had 25 points, a season-high 11 assists and six rebounds in perhaps his best all-around showing of the season. Tayshaun Prince continued his hot scoring by adding 20 points.

Detroit out-rebounded the Cavs, 44-38, marking the first time the Pistons had more boards than the opposition in the last six games. Nevertheless, John Kuester’s squad is last in the NBA in rebounding, hauling down a meager 38.7 boards per game.

The Pistons are 26th on offense (94.6 PPG) and 16th on defense (100.1 PPG), for a minus-6 point differential.

Though the Pistons are a dismal 2-9 SU in their first 11 road dates, they are a respectable 7-4 against the spread. In fact, the Pistons are a nifty 12-4 ATS in their last 16 road contests dating to last season. Nine of Detroit’s first 11 road encounters this season have dipped ‘under’ the closing total.

Though the Pistons have dropped three of their last four meetings against Houston, they are a fine 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 series meetings with the Rockets. The ‘under’ is 6-2 in the last eight series matchups in Houston.

Detroit continues its three-game road excursion Wednesday with a stop in New Orleans to play the Hornets. The Rockets travel to Milwaukee for a Friday night matchup against the Bucks

**StarDust Bum** · 12-07-2010, 08:12 PM

Week 5 NCAA basketball betting preview

Last week's AP top 10 should remain fairly unchanged with only two schools, No. 6 Michigan State and No. 10 Kentucky, suffering losses this past week.

The Spartans fell for the second time this season when they dropped an 84-79 decision at top-ranked Duke who was 10-point home chalk. Considering both losses have been to top-10 teams away from home – the other a 70-67 defeat to No. 7 UConn in Hawaii – State should still cling to a top-10 slot.

Kentucky will fall out of the upper crust, however, after its 75-73 loss at North Carolina on Saturday. The Wildcats were one-point road favorites and will likely slip to around 15th in the next poll.

Who climbs up to take Kentucky's spot at No. 10 is anyone's guess right now. Baylor was sitting 11th in the writers' rankings but has yet to face much in the way of competition in compiling a 6-0 straight-up record. The Bears have only played two lined games and have yet to play outside Waco. They failed to cash as 15-point faves in a 74-64 home win on Nov. 16 before grabbing their first cover last Thursday as 9½-point chalk in a 68-54 win against Arizona State.

Villanova, No. 12 last week and ranked sixth in the preseason coaches poll, could leapfrog Baylor into 10th. The Wildcats are 6-1 straight up and 3-2 against the college basketball betting number. No. 13 Tennessee (6-0 SU, 4-2 ATS) is another possibility in advance of their matchup next Saturday versus No. 3 Pitt.

Here's a quick glance at where the most recent AP top-10 schools will be in action this week.

1) Duke (8-0 SU, 4-3 ATS)
The Blue Devils stay in Durham for a pair of games this coming week starting with the Bradley Braves on Wednesday (Dec. 8). Duke then hosts St. Louis on Saturday (Dec. 11) before taking a nine-day break.

2) Ohio State (6-0, 3-2)
Thad Matta's squad returns to the court for the first time since Nov. 30 when the Buckeyes host IUPUI on Thursday (Dec. 9). Ohio State closes the week next Sunday (Dec. 12) against West Carolina.

3) Pittsburgh (9-0, 3-4)
The Panthers look to become the first club to reach 10 wins when they host Delaware State on Wednesday at Petersen Events Center. Pitt moves off campus just a bit to Consol Energy Center on Saturday to take on Tennessee in the SEC/Big East Invitational, a contest that Adam Markowitz will preview here at DonBest.com.

4) Kansas (7-0, 3-2)
Bill Self & Co. head to New York for Tuesday's matchup with Memphis in the 16th Annual Jimmy V Classic, another contest Adam Markowitz will provide analysis for at Don Best. The Jayhawks close the week at Kansas City's Sprint Center against Colorado State.

5) Kansas State (7-1, 3-2)
The Wildcats open the week with a Monday (Dec. 6) home game versus Alcorn State. K-State will then travel to Chicago for a Saturday meeting with the Loyola-Illinois Ramblers.

6) Michigan State (6-2, 4-4)
Tuesday finds the Spartans at Madison Square Garden in a marquee matchup with Syracuse, part of the jimmy V Classic. Don Best's Brad Young will preview that contest. State returns home after that game to host the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Saturday.

7) Connecticut (7-0, 3-0)
The Huskies have just one game on this week's slate, a Wednesday affair at home versus Fairleigh Dickinson. UConn then takes nearly two weeks off before hosting Coppin State on Dec. 20.

8) Syracuse (8-0, 2-6)
Following their Tuesday battle with Michigan State, the Orange will head back to Syracuse for a Saturday contests against Colgate.

9) Missouri (6-1, 1-4)
Mizzou is home Wednesday for a battle with Vanderbilt. The Tigers end the week on their home court this Saturday versus Presbyterian.

10) Kentucky (5-2, 3-4)
John Calipari's crew will make the short trek to Louisville for Wednesday's tangle with Notre Dame in the SEC/Big East Invitational. The Wildcats then return home to face Indiana on Saturday.

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