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**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:04 AM

Daily Sports Roundup: April 4

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: March Madness finally comes to an end in Houston, while the Yankees start a series against the Twins, and the Kings take on the Sharks.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

The NCAA Tournament comes to a close on Monday night with Butler taking on Connecticut in the event's championship game at Houston's Reliant Stadium. Butler won their Final Four matchup on Saturday night, knocking off Virginia Commonwealth 70-62. Shelvin Mack poured in 24 points for Butler in that victory, while Matt Howard was good for 17 points and eight rebounds. Connecticut slipped past Kentucky 56-55 in the other Final Four matchup on Saturday, as Kemba Walker turned in an 18-point performance. Oddsmakers are going with the Huskies for Monday night's game, setting them as 3.5-point favorites on the opening line. The total for the title contest is pegged at 129 points.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

There are just six games on the MLB schedule for Monday, with Atlanta at Milwaukee, Arizona at the Cubs, and Pittsburgh at St. Louis in the National League, and Detroit at Baltimore, Seattle at Texas, and Minnesota at the Yankees in the American League. New York will send Ivan Nova to the mound in that last contest, while the Twins will counter with Scott Baker. Righthander Nova made 10 appearances (seven starts) for the Yankees last season, going 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA. Righthander Baker was 12-9 last season for Minnesota, putting up an ERA of 4.49 over his 170.1 innings of work in 2010.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The NHL then kicks off the final week of its regular-season schedule on Monday with a pair of games: Boston at the Rangers, and Los Angeles at San Jose. The 46-23-9 Sharks will be looking to lock down first place in the Pacific Division standings with a win over the 45-27-6 Kings on Monday night. Los Angeles, though, leads the season series between the two teams 3-2, most recently grabbing a 4-3 home shootout victory as a -120 favorite when the teams met on March 24. Dustin Brown had a pair of goals for Los Angeles in that victory, while Jonathan Quick stopped 25 of 28 San Jose shots. Patrick Marleau had a couple of makers that night for San Jose, and Antti Niemi made 35 saves.

**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:06 AM

Monday's betting tips: Bettors backing Butler

Lines to watch

Butler vs. Connecticut (-3.5, 128) – Some oddsmakers opened with UConn set as a 4-point favorite but bettors have moved that line to -3.5 across the board while the total holds at 128, about a point lower than its opening number.

Right now about 56 percent of *********** Consensus bettors are wagering on Butler.

Weather to watch

Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees: 30 percent chance of showers. Winds blowing out to center field at 12 mph.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago Cubs: 30 percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left-center field at 18 mph.

Who’s hot

NCAAB: UConn has covered in nine of its last 10 games.

MLB: Baltimore is coming off a three-game sweep of the Rays to start the year.

MLB: Texas is 3-0 heading into Monday’s game at home to Seattle.

NBA: The under has cashed in on four of Boston’s last five games.

Who’s not

MLB: Milwaukee is still searching for its first win of the season after opening the year 0-3.

NHL: Los Angeles has won just eight of its last 26 games in San Jose.

Key stat

22 – Number of runs the Texas Rangers hammered out while sweeping a three-game set with the Boston Red Sox to open the season. The Rangers are set as a -155 favorite at home to the Seattle Mariners on Monday.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays suffered a big blow when Longoria was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left oblique muscle. The club's starting third baseman hit 22 homers with 104 RBIs last season and is expected to be out about three weeks. Tampa Bay hosts the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday.

Game of the day

Butler vs. Connecticut (-3.5, 128)

Notable quotable

"I think Butler will win the game, and it won't be at the buzzer. It'll be by seven or eight points." Rick Pitino, coach of the Louisville Cardinals, told ESPN on Sunday.

Notes and tips

Kemba Walker is averaging eight free throws per game in the NCAA Tournament, hitting 38 of 42 and will need to carry the scoring load for UConn again on Monday. Walker struggled with his shot in Saturday’s upset victory over Kentucky but still finished with 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds. On the year, Walker is accounting for 45 percent of UConn’s scoring but you have to wonder if he’s getting worn out – he’s played 384 of a possible 405 minutes over the last 10 games.

Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz became the first teammates to homer in each of Texas’ first three games of the season as the Rangers swept the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. The Rangers hit 11 home runs in the series and outscored the BoSox 26-11. Texas is set as a -155 favorite on Monday against the Mariners with lefty Erik Bedard taking the hill against Alexi Ogando.

**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:09 AM

Monday's six-pack

-- Knicks clinched their first playoff berth in seven years Sunday, good news for the NBA, but are they really that good? It is the East, after all.

-- Houston Rockets are 41-36, three games out of the playoffs in the West; if they were an eastern team, they'd be the #6 seed, not #9.

-- Meanwhile, Denver Nuggets are 47-29 and the #5 seed out west; it is now fair to say they're a better team since trading Carmelo Anthony.

-- Former NBA player Larry Krystkowiak is Utah's new hoop coach; he also coached two years at Montana, his alma mater, making NCAAs both of those seasons. He was an assistant with the Nets this year.

-- Don't forget, Utah is a Pac-12 team now, so this is a high profile job, and yet the Utes were turned down by Randy Bennett of St Mary's.

-- Orel Hershiser/Bobby Valentine are a solid team on the Sunday Night ESPN broadcasts; Valentine isn't afraid to ruffle feathers.

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Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up a sports weekend.......

13) Baltimore starting pitchers threw 20 innings this weekend, allowing one lone run, an impressive start. Orioles are now 37-23 since changing managers last summer. Could it be a big season for the O's?

12) There's been an epidemic of sloppy play in the first weekend of the baseball season; 68 errors in the first 78 games. Its not weather-related; even games in warm weather had a lot of misplays/bad decisions.

11) 8,726 fans saw the Indians' first win of the season; two days in a row the Tribe set an all-time attendance low at Progressive Field.

10) First three guys in the Angels' lineup went 11-18; Abreu was 5-5 but the Halos still lost, 12-8 in 13 innings at Kansas City, dropping three of four to a Royals team that wear jerseys that look like North Carolina's Tar Heels. Good to see the Royals and their fans have some fun.

9) Scott Kazmir was brutal, giving up five runs in 1.2 IP; they have to be concerned with his regression. If I'm the Angels, I go after Carlos Beltran as a DH. Mets would be thrilled to get rid of his contract.

8) Other than ancient Wrigley Field/Fenway Park, the oldest stadium in the major leagues is Dodger Stadium. Hard to believe. I'm older than all the major league ballparks, except two. Not funny.

7) The worst word in the English language is "can't".

6) Bud Selig likes to preach how baseball has never been healthier, but on Sunday night, Dodgers-Giants was on ESPN2 and a womens' basketball doubleheader was on ESPN. National pasttime? Used to be. Not now.

5) Phil Mickelson shot 63-65 on the weekend, winning the Houston Open and vaulting to 3rd place in world rankings, the first time he's been ahead of Eldrick Woods in the world rankings since before Woods won the 1997 Masters. This should be an interesting week in Augusta.

4) Mickelson is the last golfer to win the Masters after winning the week before; he did it in Atlanta/Augusta in 2006, the 4th guy to do it, and will try to be the fifth to do it this week.

3) In 42+ years of existence, no San Diego Padre has hit for the cycle.

2) Scott Verplank has won five PGA tournaments, which is good but not great, but he's won over $26.7M!!!!!! Jack Nicklaus won 83 tourneys on both PGA and Senior Tours and his career earnings are $9,108,642.

1) Since the start of 2010, Pittsburgh has won five of 28 series on road; three of the five series wins have been at Wrigley Field.

**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:10 AM

NCAAB
Dunkel

Butler vs. Connecticut
The Bulldogs look to take advantage of a Connecticut team that is 6-15 ATS in its last 21 games as a favorite from 1 to 6 1/2 points. Butler is the pick (+3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Huskies favored by only 1. Dunkel Pick: Butler (+3 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

MONDAY, APRIL 4

Game 601-602: Butler vs. Connecticut (9:20 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Butler 74.310; Connecticut 75.206
Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 1
Vegas Line: Connecticut by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Butler (+3 1/2)

**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:11 AM

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Monday, April 4

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BUTLER (28 - 9) vs. CONNECTICUT (31 - 9) - 4/4/2011, 9:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) in all games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 12-1 ATS (+10.9 Units) in all neutral court games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games when playing with one or less days rest over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
CONNECTICUT is 12-1 ATS (+10.9 Units) when playing on a neutral court this season.
CONNECTICUT is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in non-conference games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 12-1 ATS (+10.9 Units) in all tournament games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BUTLER is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) when the total is 120 to 129.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BUTLER is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) as an underdog this season.
BUTLER is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) in all neutral court games this season.
BUTLER is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
BUTLER is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) when playing on a neutral court this season.
BUTLER is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in non-conference games this season.
BUTLER is 10-0 ATS (+10.0 Units) in all tournament games this season.
BUTLER is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in a NCAA tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
BUTLER is 18-5 ATS (+12.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BUTLER is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:12 AM

NCAAB
Short Sheet

Monday, April 4

NCAA Tournament - Championship Game - Reliant Stadium - Houston, TX
BUTLER vs. CONNECTICUT, 9:20 PM ET CBS BUTLER: 10-0 ATS on neutral court
CONNECTICUT: 12-1 ATS on neutral court

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:13 AM

NCAAB
Write-Up

Monday, April 4

Butler lost the national championship game by a hoop LY; they've got five juniors/seniors in their rotation. UConn won its last 10 games since ending regular season on a 1-4 skid; they're very young, with only one senior in rotation. Bulldogs lost by 15 to Louisville, beat Pitt by a point in its two games vs Big East teams. Five of last six UConn games stayed under the total; under is 7-3-1 in last 11 Butler tilts. Huskies have five freshmen in their rotation; Butler is the most veteran team- seven of their last ten NCAA tourney games were decided by 4 or less points. I think the Bulldogs win this game-- I'm not really sure it should be an upset.

**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:14 AM

NCAAB

Monday, April 4

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Trend Report
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9:21 PM
BUTLER vs. CONNECTICUT
No trends available
Connecticut is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Connecticut's last 6 games

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**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:16 AM

NCAAB

Monday, April 4

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Butler vs. UConn: What bettors need to know
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Butler vs. UConn (-3.5, 129)

THE STORY: Nobody thought they’d be back. But the Butler Bulldogs, who came up just shy of a national title last season, have returned to the NCAA championship game to face another blueblood. The tiny school from Indianapolis battled Duke last year; Monday it’s UConn. Eighth-seeded Butler is the lowest-seeded team to play for the title since Villanova won it as a No. 8 seed in 1985. The third-seeded Huskies are seeking their third national championship, having won it in 1999 and 2004. Both teams play stifling defense and take their cues from a star junior guard.

TV: 9:20 p.m. ET, CBS. POINTSPREAD: UConn -3.5, 129

ABOUT BUTLER (28-9): The Bulldogs have won 14 straight and appear to be mentally tougher than everyone they play. Shelvin Mack scored 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting to lead the Bulldogs past VCU 70-62 in the semifinals, and he’s been clutch throughout the tournament. The 6-3 junior made five of six from beyond the arc and also grabbed six rebounds. Leading scorer Matt Howard (16.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg) drew 10 fouls, making 11 of 12 free throws. And reserve senior guard Zach Hahn scored all eight of his points in a decisive 90-second span in the second half. Junior Ronald Nored is the defensive tone-setter. A shutdown on-ball defender, Nored will face his toughest challenge yet in trying to contain Huskies superstar Kemba Walker.

ABOUT UCONN (31-9): The Huskies have won 10 straight dating to the start of the Big East tournament, making their ninth-place Big East finish a distant memory. Walker didn’t shoot well in UConn’s 56-55 semifinal win over Kentucky, but he did everything else, getting seven assists, six rebounds and two steals to go with 18 points. Walker continues to penetrate at will and is averaging more than eight free throws in the tournament (38 of 42). The Huskies outrebounded the bigger Wildcats and held them to 34 percent shooting. Freshman Jeremy Lamb continues to be a nice complement to Walker; he’s shooting 59 percent in the tournament (32 of 54) and has made 11 of 17 3-pointers. Forward Alex Oriakhi (9.6 rpg in the tourney) must stay out of foul trouble to defend Howard.

PREDICTION: UConn 67, Butler 65 – No team is more fundamentally sound than Butler, but the Bulldogs will be bothered by UConn's superior quickness. Most important, the Huskies have the best player in Walker. In what's sure to be a tight game, Walker makes the difference.

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**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:19 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Los Angeles at San Jose
The Kings are coming off a 3-1 win over Dallas and look to build on their 13-3 record after allowing 2 goals or less in the previous game. Los Angeles is the pick (+150) according to Dunkel, which has the Kings favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+150). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, APRIL 4

Game 51-52: Boston at NY Rangers (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 10.988; NY Rangers 12.332
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-120); 5
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-120); Under

Game 53-54: Los Angeles at San Jose (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 12.750; San Jose 12.344
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-170); 5
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+150); Over

**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:19 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, April 4

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BOSTON (44-23-0-11, 99 pts.) at NY RANGERS (41-32-0-5, 87 pts.) - 4/4/2011, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NY RANGERS are 76-86 ATS (-22.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 7-13 ATS (-11.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY RANGERS is 7-4 (+3.9 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 7-4-0 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+5.2 Units)

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LOS ANGELES (45-27-0-6, 96 pts.) at SAN JOSE (46-23-0-9, 101 pts.) - 4/4/2011, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE is 15-6 ATS (+7.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
LOS ANGELES is 16-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders this season.
LOS ANGELES is 13-7 ATS (+20.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN JOSE is 106-101 ATS (-62.7 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN JOSE is 10-7-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
8 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-1.0 Units, Under=-0.5 Units)

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**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:23 AM

NHL
Write-Up

Monday, April 4

Hot Teams
-- Bruins won five of their last seven games. Rangers won four of their last five home games.
-- Kings won five of their last six games. Sharks won seven of eight.

Cold Teams
-- None.

Totals
-- Four of last five Boston games, five of last six Ranger tilts stayed under the total.
-- Over is 7-1-1 in San Jose's last nine games. Seven of last eight Los Angeles games stayed under the total.

Back-to-Back
-- Rangers are 6-3 if they won the day/night before.

Series records
-- Rangers won five of their last seven games against Boston.
-- Kings won three of last four games against San Jose

**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:26 AM

NHL

Monday, April 4

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Trend Report
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7:30 PM
BOSTON vs. NY RANGERS
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Boston's last 13 games when playing NY Rangers
NY Rangers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Boston
NY Rangers are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games

10:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. SAN JOSE
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Los Angeles's last 23 games on the road
Los Angeles is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games at home
San Jose is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

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**Udog** · 04-04-2011, 08:29 AM

NHL

Monday, April 4

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NHL betting trends: Pens primed for playoff push
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Every week, we update you on who's hot, who's not and situational betting spots in the National Hockey League.

HOT TEAM: Pittsburgh Penguins

Deep down inside, despite what coach Dan Bylsma and general manager Ray Shero say, the Penguins probably have a firm idea as to when Sidney Crosby is coming back. He’s not going to retire, as reported previously. And he’s probably not going to miss the postseason, as rumors suggested.

Most likely -- considering he’s participating in morning skates now -- he’ll be back for Round 1. And perhaps, with his teammates knowing that, they’ve been fueled to head into the postseason on a surge.

Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Panthers kept the Penguins in the hunt for the East’s No. 1 seed, and was their seventh win in the last 10 games. More importantly -- and this will rear its head this week -- it showed the Penguins can bury the non-playoff teams late in the year, which is not always easy.

Bylsma is playing it smart, too, giving players rest when possible. On Saturday, for instance, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury took a seat, while backup Brent Johnson stopped 28 shots.

Three more cupcakes are on tap this week, so consider the Penguins a solid buy: Tuesday vs. the Devils, Friday at the Islanders and Sunday at the Thrashers.

COLD TEAM: Minnesota Wild

After a hot-and-cold season in which there were flashes of brilliance and optimism, reality has indeed set in for Minnesota. The Wild will watch the Western Conference playoffs from home, and when they look back on what could’ve happened, they’ll remember a miserable March.

Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Lightning was Minnesota’s eighth in the last 10 games, and officially eliminated the Wild from postseason consideration. The Wild entered Sunday’s contest with the Red Wings 10 points behind the West’s playoff pack with a week left. In March alone, the Wild went 4-10, and dropped crucial games to non-playoff teams -- St. Louis and Toronto among them -- that really would have boosted their position.

To make matters worse, the Wild may have a bit of an injury concern on their hands. On Saturday, vs. Tampa Bay, goalie Niklas Backstrom was knocked into the net, and needed help from the training staff. He remained in the game, but keep that in mind this week.

OVER PLAY: San Jose Sharks

There were some tenuous times in San Jose this season, but the talent eventually rose to the top, and a potentially long postseason run is now in view.

The Sharks last week officially clinched a playoff spot. And with 101 points, they are now in the driver’s seat for the Pacific Division title. With that will come a No. 2 or 3 seed, and a potential date with the Ducks.

So, Saturday’s 4-2 win over Anaheim felt that much better to the team, for sure. Dany Heatley scored his 25th goal, workhorse goalie Antti Niemi made 20 saves in his 33rd consecutive start, and all was right in San Jose.

But Niemi may wear down in the postseason, because of the workload, so bear that in mind. While he’s been good, that hasn’t kept the Sharks from being a quality over buy down the stretch.

In fact, overs have hit in five of the last six San Jose games, and if you go back 13 games, the ledger stands at 9-2-2.

UNDER PLAY: Atlanta Thrashers

The Thrashers did some important things this year, reconnecting with the Atlanta fan base, and incorporating defenseman Dustin Byfuglien as the face of the franchise among them.

But they will not make the postseason, despite some terrific runs here and there. And the biggest reason -- as obvious as it sounds -- is the Thrashers just could not put the puck in the net with any regularity.

Byfuglien has 20 goals this season, and leads all NHL defensemen. But he hasn’t kept the Thrashers from being a quality under buy down the stretch. In fact, Atlanta has posted three straight unders and four of the last five.

The last two have been textbook Atlanta: A 1-0 gutcheck win over the Flyers in Philadelphia, and a 3-2 heartbreaking loss to the Bruins in Boston.

SURVEYING THE SCHEDULE

** The Sabres enter the final week with issues. There are injury concerns in net with Ryan Miller, and a busy slate of games vs. teams that would love nothing more than to damage Buffalo’s playoff chances. Sunday’s game at Carolina was the back end of back-to-back games, and the first of four contests in the final week that will make or break Buffalo’s season. They’ll finish vs. Tampa Bay (Tuesday), Philadelphia (Friday) and Columbus (Saturday). Tough sledding.

** The Blackhawks put themselves in a great position to snag the No. 8 playoff spot in the West with a terrific March. And they may not need them, but just in case, starting with Sunday’s game vs. Tampa Bay, they have five games left to make sure of things, and even give some different line combinations a look. After the Lightning, the Blackhawks will take on Montreal (Tuesday), St. Louis (Wednesday), and then close with a home-and-home vs. Detroit Friday and the following Sunday.

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Announcement

Monday's Trends and Indexes - 4/4 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

Monday's Trends and Indexes - 4/4 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

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