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**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 11:13 PM

NBA Odds: Orlando Magic at New Orleans

Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith is feeling much better these days as his team goes for a franchise-record 10th straight win at the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night.

Smith made one of the boldest moves in recent memory by pulling off two major December trades. Gilbert Arenas, Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark came aboard with Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus and Marcin Gortat on the first flight out.

Orlando (25-12 straight-up, 17-20 against the spread) lost the first two games after the ‘roster makeover’ to Atlanta and Dallas, but has ripped off nine straight wins since (going 8-1 ATS). Smith was feeling the early heat after those first two defeats.

The most recent game was a 117-107 win at Dallas on Saturday. Orlando was 5 ½-point favorites with the crippled Mavs without forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Caron Butler, the latter out for the season.

The Magic had all five starters score in double-digits against Dallas and two more off the bench. They’re scoring 107.7 PPG in their last nine games, compared to 98.9 PPG for the season.

Richardson and Turkoglu are in the starting lineup along with Dwight Howard, Brandon Bass and Jameer Nelson. Arenas, J.J. Redick and Ryan Anderson are all quality scorers off the bench. The rotation is essentially down to eight guys and each knows their role. Orlando was hurt some in prior years with too many players in the rotation.

Orlando still has its share of critics. The last seven games have been mostly easy opponents and only three of the last nine have been away (the ‘over’ going 3-0). The New Orleans game is arguably the toughest since the Christmas home showdown with Boston (86-78 win).

The Hornets (22-16 SU, 20-17-1 ATS) currently sit in sixth place in the West Conference, although they’re just 11-15 SU in their last 26 games after starting 11-1 SU.

New Orleans has been streaky lately, losing some games in a row, only to then win a few straight. Starting Dec. 10, the results have fared as follows; Lose 3, Win 2, Lose 2, Win 2, Lose 2, Win 3, Lose 2.

That was before last Sunday’s 96-87 win at Denver, so if the recent trends holds up, New Orleans will win again on Wednesday. Denver’s Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups combined for just 21 points in that game (5-of-23 from the field), possibly distracted by recent trade rumors. New Orleans easily ‘covered’ as 5 ½-point ‘dogs and is 5-1 ATS in its last six games.

New Orleans has a solid starting lineup with point guard Chris Paul (16.7 PPG), power forward David West (18.6 PPG) and re-energized center Emeka Okafor (10.8 PPG, 10 RPG). However, limited production off the bench has scoring at just 94 PPG, 27th in the NBA.

Orlando’s second unit should have a big scoring edge in this game. The Magic have no backup center with Gortat gone (still on the GM’s list) but it won’t be a problem unless Howard gets in foul trouble.

New Orleans is a stingy defensive team (92.2 PPG, ranked second) and can cause problems for Orlando. That PPG allowed number is even better at home (90.9).

The ‘under’ is 4-2 in the Hornets’ last six games and 20-7 in the last 27 overall. They’re 6-0 ATS in their last six against the Eastern Conference. That includes a big win (83-81) up in Boston on New Year’s Eve.

New Orleans is 2-0 SU and ATS in its last two home games against Orlando. The ‘under’ is 6-1 in the last seven meetings at the Hornets.

There are no significant injuries to report. Tip-off from New Orleans Arena is 5 p.m. (PT) and will be broadcast locally.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 11:14 PM

Heat visit Clippers on NBA betting schedule

The Miami Heat will attempt to extend their winning streak to 10 in a row and their road winning streak to a franchise-tying 14 straight when they continue a five-game road excursion with Wednesday’s stop in Los Angeles to play the Clippers.

Pete Korner, who provides the betting line for the majority of Nevada sports books as owner of Sports Club, has made Miami a 7 ½-point favorite for the 7:35 p.m. (PT) contest at Staples Center. The total is set at 191 points.

Miami began the five-game trip by registering back-to-back overtime victories against Milwaukee and Portland. Both games soared above the closing total, leaving the ‘over’ 5-1 in Miami’s last six outings. However, the ‘under’ is still 12-8 in the club’s first 20 road dates.

Tuesday’s 107-100 overtime win at Portland lifted Miami’s spread ledger to 20-19, as the Heat barely covered as five-point road favorites. Miami also put an end to Portland’s eight-game home winning streak.

Though the Heat are just one game above .500 against the spread overall, they are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 outings and 13-7 in their first 20 road encounters.

Erik Spoelstra’s troops have amassed triple-digit scoring in six of their last seven games to lift them into 10th place offensively with a 101.7 PPG average. They are shooting a sizzling 47.5 percent from the field, which ranks second.

But it’s a stingy defense that has carried the Heat to the Eastern Conference’s best record at 30-9. The club is yielding just 92.2 points per game, which is second-best in the NBA.

Miami is first in defensive field goal percentage, holding the opposition to a meager 42.3 percent from the floor. The squad is also first in defending the three-point line, allowing opponents to shoot just 31.6 percent from beyond the arc.

LeBron James led the Heat past Portland by scoring a game-high 44 points, while Dwyane Wade added 34 markers. It marked the first time in franchise history the Heat had one player with at least 40 and another with at least 30.

The victory lifted the Heat to 12-1 in overtime in Spoelstra's three seasons as head coach, including 6-1 on the road. The Heat also improved their road ledger to 15-5 SU this season, as they are outscoring their road opponents by an average of nine points per game (100.6 – 91.6).

The Los Angeles Clippers dropped the first two games of this five-game homestand, but then rebounded by capturing the next two.

The latest success occurred Sunday with a 105-91 victory against the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers easily covered as 4 ½-point home favorites, which lifted their home ledger to 9-13 SU and 10-12 ATS.

The combined 196 points dipped below the 210 ½-point closing total. It was the Clippers’ second straight ‘under’ game after four straight ‘over’ contests. Nevertheless, the ‘under’ is 18-7-1 overall and 14-9 in their first 23 home encounters.

Eric Gordon scored 25 points and Blake Griffin had 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead the winners past the Warriors and give the Clippers their seventh win in the last 10 games. Baron Davis had 17 points and 11 assists for a Clippers team that has roared to life after sitting at 5-21 in mid-December.

Though the Clippers have surpassed triple-digits in seven of their last 10 outings, they rank just 19th offensively with a 97.6 PPG average. They are also 19th in field goal percentage by shooting 45.4 percent from the floor.

The Clippers are also 19th defensively, allowing 100.5 points per game. Most of that defensive deficiency has occurred from long distance. The Clippers are next-to-last in defending the three-point line, allowing the opposition to shoot 39.6 percent from beyond the arc.

Clippers starting center Chris Kaman has now missed 15th straight games with a sprained left ankle. The former All-Star hasn't played since Dec. 5, and the Clippers haven’t indicated he's anywhere close to returning.

Miami continues its five-game road swing Thursday with a stop in Denver to play the Nuggets. The Clippers make the short trip to Oakland for a Friday meeting against the Golden State Warriors.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 11:15 PM

Georgetown, Pitt highlight NCAA betting schedule

The bowl season is over, the continuation of the NFL playoffs still several days away. Looks like we're stuck with college basketball, not that I'm complaining, especially since Wednesday's schedule includes a top-notch Big East battle between ranked schools, the No. 5 Pittsburgh Panthers at the No. 22 Georgetown Hoyas.

If there is a complaint, it's that Georgetown enters the 4 p.m. PT tip at Washington DC's Verizon Center in a bit of a funk. The Hoyas were one of five Big East teams in the top 10 of both college polls just two weeks ago, but that was before they dropped three of four games, two on the road at Notre Dame and St. John's and one at home last Saturday to West Virginia.

A 1-3 start to the conference slate puts John Thompson III and his team facing something close to a must-win Wednesday.

Georgetown (12-4 straight up, 9-6 against the spread) finds itself out of sorts for several reasons, including the fact it's simply a tough conference slate to play. The Irish have played better than most expected, and that is also certainly true for the Red Storm.

But even in their win over DePaul, the Hoyas failed to play with much intensity. Chris Wright (12.5 PPG) was held scoreless in the first half of that game before turning it on, the Blue Demons swiped 12 Georgetown balls and the Hoyas were anything but aggressive on the glass. They're not a great rebounding team to start with, and if the Hoyas play as passively on the boards against Pitt, the Panthers will eat their lunch.

The 65-59 loss to the Mountaineers came with Georgetown favored by 7½, leaving the Hoyas 0-4 at the window in Big East play. They turned it over 18 times and ran into foul trouble, West Va sporting a 17-10 scoring edge from the line. Wright committed five turnovers, leading scorer Austin Freeman (17.9 PPG) was held to 11 points with four fouls, and Hollis Thompson, one of Georgetown's bigger bodies, managed to stay on the floor just 20 minutes before fouling out.

Pittsburgh (15-1 SU, 4-7 ATS) comes in with a clean 3-0 conference mark, though just 1-2 ATS in Big East action. The Panthers dominated UConn in their conference opener, then rallied on the road to avoid being upset at Providence. Pitt's most recent outing was an 89-81 win over Marquette, just missing the cover as 8½-point chalk.

Coach Jamie Dixon is pleased with the offensive output so far, the 81.2 scoring average ranking 16th nationally and the 49.3 percent shooting mark 11th. Pitt has shot at least 52 percent from the field in all three Big East games, topping out with a season-best 60 percent mark versus Marquette.

Dixon has not been pleased with the team's trademark defense the past two games, however. The Panthers built a big first-half lead against the Golden Eagles, then slacked off. West Virginia's pressure defense was a big reason the Mountaineers polished off G'town, and that's the first thing to look for out of Pitt when they hit the Hoyas' floor on Wednesday. The backcourt duo of Brad Wanamaker and Ashton Gibbs for Pittsburgh should match up well against Freeman and Wright of Georgetown.

The Hoyas pulled off the upset last season when the two teams got together in Pittsburgh, ending a 31-game home-court win streak for the Panthers. Wright went off for 27 to lead Georgetown while Gibbs and Wanamaker couldn't buy a bucket for Pitt, combining for 7-of-28 from the field, 2-of-11 from beyond the arc.

The 140-point final last January topped the 127-point NCAA odds total. All three of Pitt's conference games this season have gone 'over.'

Georgetown heads out on the highway for their next two games, Saturday at Rutgers and next Tuesday at Seton Hall. Pitt will return to Iron City for a pair, hosting Seton Hall this Saturday before a big battle next Monday versus Syracuse.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 11:17 PM

NHL Betting Preview: Blues at Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks are 4-1 in the first five games of their present homestand, with two straight shutout wins. Randy Carlyle’s crew finishes its stretch at Honda Center with Wednesday’s duel against the St. Louis Blues, who begin a three-game road trip after dropping four straight.

Anaheim has been off for two days since Sunday’s 1-0 blitz as a plus 100 home dog against the San Jose Sharks. Ducks netminder Jonas Hiller logged 37 saves, extending his shutout run to 120 straight minutes without allowing a goal.

Hiller improved to 21-14-3 (45 points) in his 38 season outings, while lowering his GAA to 2.39. The Switzerland native's save percentage rose to .929, ranking him first in the Western Conference.

Anaheim’s Bobby Ryan notched his squad’s sole goal at 14:29 of the second period. The right winger poked a 22-foot wristshot past Sharks goalie Antti Niemi.

Ryan was assisted by defensemen Lubomir Visnovsky and Toni Lydman. Visnovsky picked up his third point in two games, while Lydman spent a team-high of 5:06 killing three shorthanded stints.

The tight affair’s one goal dipped well below the NHL odds, making the ‘under’ 4-2-1 in the Ducks’ last seven games. Anaheim went 0-for-2 on power plays, while outdrawing San Jose in faceoffs, 32-27.

The Ducks moved to 15-7-1 (31 points) in their first 23 home dates, with the ‘under’ improving to 12-9-2. Ryan and Co. have scored goals on a sizable 23.2 percent of their power plays in that stretch.

St. Louis suffered its latest defeat in Monday’s 4-3 loss as a 136 home favorite against the Phoenix Coyotes. Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak could not protect a 3-2 lead in the third period, allowing two goals at even strength in the game’s final 10:02.

Halak notched 29 saves, facing his highest number of shots in four games. The 25-year-old dropped to 15-13-4 (34 points) in his 32 season outings, with his GAA rising to 2.54.

St. Louis’ Matt D’Agostini finished with a team-high two points, logging one goal and one assist. The fourth-year right wing connected with a 10-foot wristshot in the third period, tying the game, 2-2.

D’Agostini’s mates Brad Winchester and David Backes notched the team’s other two goals. Winchester extended his streak of games with at least one goal to three, while Backes logged his ninth point in eight games.

The close battle’s combined seven goals jumped above the ‘total’ of five, bringing the ‘over’ to 4-1 in the Blues’ last five games. Both squads went 0-for-2 on power plays.

St. Louis is 6-8-4 (16 points) in its first 18 road games, with the ‘total’ splitting at 9-9. Davis Payne’s crew has killed 79.1 percent of its penalties in that span.

Anaheim is 4-1 in its last five home meetings against the Blues, with the ‘over’ also going 4-1.

St. Louis won this season’s sole battle between the foes, 5-1, as a 170 home favorite in an Oct. 11 clash. The Blues outshot Anaheim, 53-14, with the matchup marred by penalties in the second and third stanzas, including six misconduct infractions.

Anaheim center Ryan Getzlaf will remain sidelined at least three more weeks accordind to the Don Best Sports injury report. Getzlaf, second on the team with 27 points, suffered sinus fractures when he was struck by a puck on Dec. 28. St. Louis' Andy McDoonald is out indefinitely as he recovers from a December concussion.

Wednesday’s rematch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (PT), with Fox Sports Midwest and West both providing television coverage.

St. Louis is playing the front end of a back-to-back, visiting the Los Angeles Kings as part of Thursday’s league slate. Anaheim will have two days off before Saturday’s road game at Phoenix.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-12-2011, 12:41 PM

Villanova looks for 10th straight win hosting Louisville

LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (13-2)

at VILLANOVA WILDCATS (14-1)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Villanova -4, Total: 148

Not that anyone in the Northeast needs to hear this word anymore, but the “blizzard” portion of Villanova’s schedule is about to kick in.

After opening its conference schedule with victories over less-than-imposing teams Rutgers, USF, and a Cincinnati squad that has played one of the weakest schedules in the western hemisphere, Villanova now prepares to move up in class and quality over the next couple weeks. With a home contest versus non-conference foe Maryland, and road games against Connecticut and Syracuse, the Wildcats will be challenged to extend its present nine-game winning streak (4-4 ATS). First things first, before those teams step to the plate, Jay Wright’s squad must first deal with the Louisville Cardinals Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center, a team that has been one of the big surprises in the nation and in the Big East.

The Cardinals have not exactly been pushed in league competition either, with victories over struggling Seton Hall and USF, but since 2006-07, Louisville’s 55 wins in league play is tops in the Big East. A victory Wednesday night in Philadelphia (where it’s always sunny!) would give Rick Pitino’s squad a 3-0 start in league play for the third straight season. While Louisville may only have two players scoring in double figures (Preston Knowles 14.9 PPG, Peyton Siva 11.1 PPG), it is receiving contributions from many. Three other players are averaging at least 9.1 PPG, with two other players averaging 8.2 and 7.3 PPG respectively. That team balance was evident in Sunday’s 86-77 defeat of USF, a game in which Knowles, plagued with foul trouble, sat on the bench for the final 13:47 of the first half. In Knowles‘ absence, sophomore forward Stephan Van Treese stepped up, tallying career highs in points (12) and rebounds (14) to help the Cardinals win on the road. Louisville’s team concept has also translated into sharing the ball more freely, as the Cards are averaging 18.4 APG (fifth-best in Division I).

Whether they play on campus or at the Wells Fargo Center, home cooking has been very good to Villanova in conference play. The Wildcats have won 16 of their past 19 Big East home games. Suddenly Villanova has found its touch from beyond the arc. After hitting on just 31.4% from three-point land in their first 12 games, the ‘Cats are burying nearly 55% of their long-range shots in Big East play. Leading scorer Corey Stokes (16.6 PPG) is 10-of-16 from beyond the arc during that stretch. Despite those numbers, he will be looking to bounce back from a lackluster seven-point effort in Sunday’s 72-61 win over the Bearcats. Fellow senior Corey Fisher (15.1 PPG) had a strong effort Sunday, shooting 8-for-10 from the floor and scoring 21 points in just 25 minutes of play. Sophomore Maalik Wayns (13.1 PPG, 5.6 APG) leads the team in assists. It hasn’t been entirely about the offense, Villanova has also defended the three-pointer well, limiting conference opponents to 19.2% on three-pointers. That could be a huge key against a Louisville squad that’s hitting over 37% of its three-point shots.

Although Louisville is 3-0 ATS in its past three trips to Philadelphia, the FoxSheets give two highly-rated reasons to expect Villanova to win and cover on its home court.

LOUISVILLE is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) after one or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LOUISVILLE 75.2, OPPONENT 64.5 - (Rating = 4*).

Play On - Any team (VILLANOVA) - off 2 consecutive wins by 10 points or more against conference rivals against opponent off an road win scoring 85 or more points. (25-5 over the last 5 seasons.) (83.3%, +19.5 units. Rating = 3*).

The FoxSheets also side with the Over based on this trend.

VILLANOVA is 19-5 OVER (+13.5 Units) versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of <=42% over the last 2 seasons. The average score was VILLANOVA 81.7, OPPONENT 72.9 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-12-2011, 12:44 PM

Duke looDuke ventures to FSU in first ACC road game

DUKE BLUE DEVILS (15-0)

at FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES (11-5)

ks for its 26th straight win when it visits Florida State in its first ACC road game of the season on Wednesday night.

The Blue Devils remained undefeated after a 71-64 victory over Maryland on Sunday. The seven-point win was Duke's closest margin of victory since an 84-79 triumph over Michigan State on Dec. 1. Duke had won the previous seven games by double-digits, but got a scare from the Terrapins at home. Kyle Singler (17.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 39.8% three-pointers) scored 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting and had a season-high 10 rebounds. The ACC's leading scorer Nolan Smith (19.5 PPG, 5.7 APG, 38.6% three-pointers) added 18 points, eight assists and seven boards, but was just 5-of-18 from the floor, breaking his string of five-straight games of making at least 50% of his shots and scoring at least 20 points. The Blue Devils rank fourth in the nation in scoring with 87.8 PPG and ninth in FG Pct. with 49.4%, but Maryland forced 17 turnovers, held Duke to 40% shooting and its lowest scoring output of the season with 71 points.

Florida State has lost three of its past four games after winning five in a row. The Seminoles’ latest defeat was a 71-59 loss at Virginia Tech on Saturday. FSU turned the ball over 19 times and shot just 35.5% from the field, including 7-of-24 on three-pointers. Chris Singleton (15.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 41.1% 3-pt FG, 2.1 BPG, 2.4 SPG) led the Seminoles with 22 points and eight rebounds. Michael Snaer (7.8 PPG) was the only other FSU player who reached double-figures against the Hokies. He finished with 11 points, but shot only 4-of-13 from the floor. Derwin Kitchen, who is second on the team in scoring with 9.5 PPG, was held scoreless, going 0-for-5 from the field.

The Blue Devils have won 14 straight away from Cameron Indoor Stadium and 27 consecutive games against unranked opponents. They've also defeated FSU five straight times and 10 of the last 12. Duke leads the all-time series with Florida State 30-6, which includes a 12-5 mark at the Donald L. Tucker Center. But 10 of the past 15 games in the series have been decided by 10 points or less. The Blue Devils were victorious in last season's game at Cameron Indoor, 70-56, and they've also won the last two games in Tallahassee. Duke has too much firepower for Florida State to handle and should stay unbeaten after Wednesday's game. Duke is 8-3 SU (6-5 ATS) in the past 11 meetings in Tallahassee and these two four-star FoxSheets trends think Duke will win and cover the spread, which is single-digits for just the second time this year (-5.5 vs. Kansas State on Nov. 23).

Play Against - Home underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (FLORIDA ST) - average 3-PT shooting team (32-36.5%) against a good 3-PT defense (<=32%), after 2 straight games making 37% of their shots or worse. (29-5 since 1997.) (85.3%, +23.5 units. Rating = 4*).

FLORIDA ST is 3-18 ATS (-16.8 Units) versus very good teams - outscoring their opponents by 8+ points/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was FLORIDA ST 62.1, OPPONENT 63.5 - (Rating = 4*).

Eight of the past nine series meetings at FSU have finished under the total and this FoxSheets trend also leans towards the Under.

FLORIDA ST is 18-5 UNDER (+12.5 Units) in home games versus very good shooting teams - making >=48% of their shots since 1997. The average score was FLORIDA ST 67.4, OPPONENT 69.2 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-12-2011, 12:45 PM

Ohio State looks to keep rolling at Michigan

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (16-0)

at MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (11-5)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Ohio State -10, Total: 127.5

Michigan looks to end its losing streak versus Top 25 teams when it hosts undefeated Ohio State on Wednesday night.

The Wolverines have dropped 10 straight to ranked opponents, including four straight in Ann Arbor. On Sunday, they suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Kansas at home in overtime, 67-60. Michigan scored a season-low 18 points in the first half, and after trailing by as much as 13 in the second half, rallied to force OT. But the Wolverines were outscored 16-9 in the extra period in losing for the third time in the past four games. Freshman guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (11.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG) finished with a team-best 19 points for his ninth double-digit scoring game of the season, but was only 5-of-19 from the floor and is shooting just 35.4% on the season. Leading scorer Darius Morris (15.2 PPG, 7.3 APG) added 16 points and seven assists.

Ohio State looks to match the third-best start in school history with a victory on Wednesday night. The Buckeyes were 17-0 in 1990-91, 22-0 in 1961-62 and 27-0 in 1960-61. They're led by freshman sensation Jared Sullinger, who averages 17.9 PPG and 10.3 RPG while shooting a stellar 58.6% from the field. He's had eight double-doubles this season, including in two straight games and three of the past four. David Lighty (13.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 45.9% three-pointers) scored a team-high 19 points in Sunday's 67-64 win over Minnesota, marking his sixth straight contest in double-figures. Will Buford (13.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG), second on the team in scoring, had only nine points on 3-of-11 shooting against the Gophers. After hitting double-figures in eight straight games, Buford has only 16 points combined in his past two contests. But he finished with 24 points against Michigan in last season's meeting in Columbus, and averaged 18.3 PPG in three meetings with the Wolverines in 2009-10.

Ohio State won two of those three games from Michigan last season. The Wolverines upset the Buckeyes in Ann Arbor on Jan. 3, 2010, 73-64. Ohio State claimed a 66-55 victory in Columbus on Feb. 27, 2010 and survived a close call, 69-68, in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals. The Buckeyes have won 11 of 13 meetings versus Michigan and lead the all-time series 87-71, but they're only 35-44 in Ann Arbor. Look for another OSU victory on Wednesday, but it should be a closer-than-expected final score. Michigan is 3-0 ATS in the past three meetings and 6-5 SU (5-6 ATS) when hosting the Buckeyes since 1996. These two FoxSheets trends also like Michigan to keep the score to a single-digit margin and cover the spread.

MICHIGAN is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) after playing 2 consecutive games as an underdog over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MICHIGAN 70.3, OPPONENT 61.1 - (Rating = 3*).

Play On - Underdogs of 10 to 19.5 points (MICHIGAN) - in a game involving two excellent defensive teams (<=63 PPG) after 15+ games, after scoring 25 points or less in the first half last game. (45-18 since 1997.) (71.4%, +25.2 units. Rating = 2*).

These two FoxSheets trends prefer the Under on Wednesday.

MICHIGAN is 8-0 UNDER (+8.0 Units) as an underdog of 10 or more points over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MICHIGAN 56.8, OPPONENT 68.8 - (Rating = 3*).

MICHIGAN is 8-0 UNDER (+8.0 Units) after covering 2 of its last 3 against the spread over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MICHIGAN 60.6, OPPONENT 60.6 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-12-2011, 12:47 PM

Pittsburgh goes for 4-0 conference start in D.C.

PITTSBURGH PANTHERS (15-1)

at GEORGETOWN HOYAS (12-4)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Georgetown -2.5, Total: 141

Some would say that it’s ridiculous to use the phrase “must win” on January 12, especially when we’re talking about a nationally ranked team. Those folks don’t attend games shouting ‘Hoya Saxa’ at the top of their lungs.

After ripping through its non-conference schedule going 11-1, with impressive victories over Old Dominion, N.C. State, Memphis and Missouri, the Georgetown Hoyas began league play on December 29 with a decided pep in their step. That step has now turned into a midseason stumble that would make Fred Astaire cringe. The Hoyas have lost three of its first four games in Big East play, and are in danger of falling out of the Top 25 if they cannot claw out a win over the visiting Pittsburgh Panthers at the Verizon Center.

Unlike the Hoyas, Jamie Dixon’s Pittsburgh team kicked things into another gear following its only loss of the season back in December to Tennessee (a game that proved to be a turning point for both teams, good for Pitt, horrific for Vols). The Panthers have won five straight, including its first three conference games. In those conference wins, Pitt appears to have regained their shooting eye, averaging 83.3 PPG, while shooting 55% from the floor, and over 52% from beyond the arc. Those numbers are even better than their seasonal averages of 81.2 PPG (16th-best in Division I) and 49.3 FG% (11th best in nation). While the offensive figures jump off the stat sheet, you can’t overlook the fact that this is the third-best rebounding team in the nation (42.8 RPG), and they share the ball so well (20.4 APG, 1st in Division I) that they can be almost impossible to defend when the shots are falling. Junior Ashton Gibbs (16.4 PPG, 3.8 APG) and senior Brad Wanamaker (12.9 PPG, 5.3 APG, 4.9 RPG, 1.7 SPG) lead the dynamic Pittsburgh attack in the backcourt.

Georgetown has suffered in many areas of late, but the most glaring weakness in its four conference games has been beyond the arc, where it is shooting a very un-Hoya like 25.7% from three-point territory. Unusual for a team that’s shooting nearly 39% for the season. The confusion in the team’s recent performance starts at the top. "We're in a place where we don't want to be right now," Thompson III said. "Everyone in that locker room from myself on down has to figure out how to get us out of this place. We're the same group of guys who were in there two or three weeks ago, and now we just have to find out how to get back there."

The main player who needs to get things back is Austin Freeman (17.9 PPG, 55% FG, 46% 3-pt FG), who only took two shots in the first half of Saturday’s 65-59 home loss to West Virginia. All of Freeman’s 11 points came in the second half, but that was still nearly seven points below his season average. Freeman shot nearly 57% from beyond the arc in November, but in nine games since then, that figure has plummeted to just 31.4%. The last time Pitt came to DC to play Georgetown was in 2009. Freeman and Chris Wright missed 12-of-15 shots as the visitors cruised to a 70-54 victory. Georgetown will need a major reversal of that performance from its starting backcourt, otherwise a must-win game will become a 1-4 Big East hole that’s getting deeper by the week.

Although Pittsburgh is 7-3 ATS (6-4 SU) in its past 10 trips to the nation’s capital, the FoxSheets give two reasons to choose Georgetown to win and cover at home.

Play On - Any team (GEORGETOWN) - a good offensive team (74-78 PPG) against a good defensive team (63-67 PPG), after a combined score of 125 points or less 2 straight games. (78-37 since 1997.) (67.8%, +37.3 units. Rating = 3*).

Play Against - A road team (PITTSBURGH) - after scoring 80 points or more in a win over a conference rival against opponent off an upset loss as a favorite. (66-32 since 1997.) (67.3%, +30.8 units. Rating = 2*).

The FoxSheets also side with the Over based on this four-star trend.

GEORGETOWN is 12-1 OVER (+10.9 Units) vs. top caliber teams - outscoring their opponents by 12+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons.The average score was GEORGETOWN 76.7, OPPONENT 79.0 - (Rating = 4*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-12-2011, 01:54 PM

Wednesday, January 12Game Score Status Pick Amount

Atlanta - 7:00 PM ET Toronto +4 500
Toronto - Under 205.5 500

Chicago - 7:00 PM ET Charlotte +3.5 500
Charlotte - Under 185.5 500

Dallas - 7:00 PM ET Dallas +1.5 500
Indiana - Under 191.5 500

Sacramento - 7:30 PM ET Sacramento +13 500
Boston - Over 196 500

Memphis - 7:30 PM ET Memphis -1.5 500
Detroit - Under 192.5 500

San Antonio - 8:00 PM ET Milwaukee +3 500
Milwaukee - Over 188.5 500

Orlando - 8:00 PM ET Orlando -3.5 500
New Orleans - Over 191 500

Oklahoma City - 8:30 PM ET Houston +3.5 500
Houston - Over 210 500

New Jersey - 9:00 PM ET Phoenix -6 500
Phoenix - Under 201.5 500

New York - 9:00 PM ET New York +6.5 500
Utah - Under 209.5 500

Miami - 10:30 PM ET L.A. Clippers +7.5 500
L.A. Clippers - Under 194 500

L.A. Lakers - 10:30 PM ET Golden State +5.5 500
Golden State - Over 208 500

----------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, January 12Game Score Status Pick Amount

Pittsburgh - 7:30 PM ET Pittsburgh +120 500
Montreal - Under 5 500

Washington - 7:30 PM ET Tampa Bay -119 500
Tampa Bay - Under 6 500

Colorado - 8:30 PM ET Chicago -166 500
Chicago - Over 5.5 500

St. Louis - 10:00 PM ET Anaheim -122 500
Anaheim - Under 5 500

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Wednesday, January 12Game Score Status Pick Amount

Ohio St. - 6:30 PM ET Ohio St. -10 500
Michigan -

Saint Louis - 7:00 PM ET Duquesne -10 500
Duquesne -

Toledo - 7:00 PM ET Central Michigan -12 500
Central Michigan -

Massachusetts - 7:00 PM ET Massachusetts +11 500
Xavier -

Ohio - 7:00 PM ET Akron -5.5 500
Akron -

Nebraska - 7:00 PM ET Nebraska +11 500
Missouri -

Wofford - 7:00 PM ET Georgia Southern +14.5 500
Georgia Southern -

Syracuse - 7:00 PM ET Syracuse -2.5 500
St. John's -

St. Joseph's - 7:00 PM ET Dayton -12 500
Dayton -

Louisville - 7:00 PM ET Louisville +4 500
Villanova -

Pittsburgh - 7:00 PM ET Pittsburgh +2.5 500
Georgetown -

Pennsylvania - 7:00 PM ET La Salle -6.5 500
La Salle -

VCU - 7:00 PM ET VCU -9 500
William & Mary -

South Florida - 7:00 PM ET Cincinnati -13 500
Cincinnati -

Hofstra - 7:00 PM ET Hofstra -4 500
Towson -

Furman - 7:00 PM ET Furman +3.5 500
Davidson -

Delaware - 7:00 PM ET Delaware +1 500
NC-Wilmington -

Fordham - 7:00 PM ET Fordham +8.5 500
George Washington -

George Mason - 7:00 PM ET Northeastern +6 500
Northeastern -

Georgia Tech - 7:00 PM ET Georgia Tech +7.5 500
Clemson -

Western Michigan - 7:30 PM ET Western Michigan +6 500
Ball St. -

Wyoming - 7:30 PM ET Wyoming +6 500
Texas Christian -

St. Bonaventure - 7:30 PM ET Temple -14 500
Temple -

Southern Mississippi - 8:00 PM ET Southern Mississippi -3 500
Rice -

Arkansas - 8:00 PM ET Arkansas -2 500
Louisiana State -

Oklahoma St. - 8:00 PM ET Oklahoma St. +7 500
Texas A&M -

Texas-El Paso - 8:00 PM ET Tulane +2.5 500
Tulane -

Memphis - 8:00 PM ET Memphis -5.5 500
Southern Methodist -

Georgia - 8:00 PM ET Vanderbilt -9 500
Vanderbilt -

Maryland - 8:00 PM ET Maryland -12 500
Wake Forest -

Drake - 8:05 PM ET Drake +5 500
Evansville -

Wichita St. - 8:05 PM ET Creighton +2.5 500
Creighton -

Southern Illinois - 8:05 PM ET Missouri St. -14 500
Missouri St. -

Indiana St. - 8:05 PM ET Indiana St. -1 500
Bradley -

Northern Iowa - 8:05 PM ET Northern Iowa -3 500
Illinois St. -

Tulsa - 8:30 PM ET Tulsa +3 500
Arizona St. -

Northwestern - 8:35 PM ET Northwestern +1 500
Iowa

Kansas - 9:00 PM ET Iowa St. +8 500
Iowa St. -

South Carolina - 9:00 PM ET Alabama -8 500
Alabama -

Duke - 9:00 PM ET Florida St. +8 500
Florida St. -

Colorado - 9:00 PM ET Colorado +10 500
Kansas St. -

Seton Hall - 9:00 PM ET Seton Hall -2 500
DePaul -

UNLV - 10:00 PM ET UNLV +4.5 500
San Diego St. -

Colorado St. - 10:00 PM ET Colorado St. +10 500
New Mexico -

UC Davis - 11:00 PM ET UC Davis +12 500
Long Beach St. -

Nevada - 11:00 PM ET Idaho -5 500
Idaho -

Announcement

The Bum's Wednesday's Best Bets + News & Notes !

The Bum's Wednesday's Best Bets + News & Notes !

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