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**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 03:24 PM

Road Teams Out To Avoid Upsets On Wednesday

Over the course of the last few weeks, we have seen a number of ranked teams go on the road and lay absolute eggs. Just since Saturday, we have watched the North Carolina Tar Heels, Michigan State Spartans, UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, Michigan Wolverines, Kansas State Wildcats, Indiana Hoosiers and Baylor Bears get beaten on the road, and some of the losses have been ugly.

Others, like the Duke Blue Devils and Kentucky Wildcats had to survive brutal challenges and failed to cover spreads as guests as well.

Wednesday night finds a slew of Top 25 teams wearing road uniforms once again, and if recent history repeats itself, we're in for more upsets.

We’ll start with some mid-major hoops. The Creighton Bluejays are 16-2 SU and 10-4 ATS this year, and one of two or three teams that will almost certainly make the NCAA Tournament out of the Missouri Valley Conference. They have to hit the road on Wednesday to take on the Missouri State Bears, a team that had covered five out of six before losing in OT to the Evansville Purple Aces on Saturday. This one tips at 8:05 p.m. (ET) and JQH Arena.

The Murray State Racers are one of the two undefeated teams left in the country, and they will have their work cut out for them to keep that intact on Wednesday night. They’ll travel to take on the Morehead State Eagles at 7:00 p.m. (ET) in a game that will be shown on ESPN3.com and ESPN Full Court. Keep in mind that the Eagles, despite their 9-10 record this year, did win the OVC last season, so this could be a tough challenge.

Other Top 25 teams on the road Wednesday include the Indiana Hoosiers at the Nebraska Cornhuskers at 7:00, the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the Ole Miss Rebels at 9:00, and the San Diego State Aztecs at the New Mexico Lobos to finish up the night at 10:00.

There are two nationally televised clashes on the collegiate hardwood on Wednesday as well.

In Storrs, the Connecticut Huskies are going to try to take down the Cincinnati Bearcats. The defending national champs have won back-to-back games in conference over the West Virginia Mountaineers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and this would be another big time scalp to add to the list. UConn is 4-1 ATS on the road this year though, and already has road upsets over the Georgetown Hoyas and the Pitt Panthers.

ESPN2 and ESPN3.com have coverage of this one starting at 7:00 (ET) on Wednesday night.

In the second half of the ESPN2 doubleheader, the Texas Longhorns and Kansas State Wildcats duke it out in a Big XII clash set for Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan. Texas is going to have to avoid looking ahead to the big showdown with the Kansas Jayhawks in Austin on Saturday. K-State has dropped three out of four, including getting beaten by the Oklahoma Sooners in a brutal game over the weekend.

Tip time is set for 9:00 (ET) on Wednesday.

ESPNU also has a doubleheader at 7:00 and 9:00. In the first half of the twinbill, the Seton Hall Pirates will face the struggling Villanova Wildcats, while the Iowa State Cyclones try to break their two-game losing skid against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second game.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 03:26 PM

Troubled Canadiens Home To Meet Washington Capitals

There are only four games on the NHL betting card this Wednesday night, and while none of them would be considered a marquee matchup, each does feature at least one team fighting for points in the NHL playoff race.

It has been a hectic season for the Montreal Canadiens (17-20-8), who fired their coach back on December 17 and traded disgruntled star Michael Cammalleri last Thursday. Interim head coach Randy Cunneyworth initially received criticism from the media in Montreal for not speaking French, but those criticisms have now moved to the ice as the team is just 4-7-1 under his guidance.

Montreal will be home Wednesday night to host the Washington Capitals. Washington (24-17-2) has also been through a coaching change this season after firing Bruce Boudreau back in late November. The Capitals are starting to play like the contender they were thought to be in the preseason as they have won three straight and seven of their last nine.

Washington is a very strong 17-5-1 at home with a seven-game home winning streak but has struggled on the road with a 7-12-1 mark. This game is set to start at 7:30 p.m. (ET).

In another game starting at 7:30 p.m. (ET) Wednesday night, the Buffalo Sabres visit the Chicago Blackhawks. Buffalo (19-21-5) is reeling right now and looks to be in need of some kind of shake up. The Sabres are 4-10-3 in their last 17 games and rank in the bottom third of the league in both goals for (24th with 2.4 per game) and goals against (23rd with 2.9 against per game). Buffalo is has lost nine straight games on the road.

Chicago (27-13-6) started 2012 off on the wrong foot with four straight losses, but has since won three of its last four with the one loss coming in overtime on the road against Detroit. The Blackhawks are fifth in the NHL in scoring with 3.2 goals per game and have scored four or more goals in each of their last three home games. Chicago is 17-5-4 at home.

The Florida Panthers (21-14-9) have been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Washington’s mediocre first half as the Panthers currently hold the top spot in the Southeast Division. They will have to start winning more often to hold on to that spot though with the Capitals heating up; Florida is just 5-6-5 (5-11 in moneyline betting) in its last 16 games.

The Panthers visit the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday night. Colorado (24-21-2) has proven to be a streaky team this year, and appears to be in one of the down-swings at the moment. After going 9-1 during a recent 10-games stretch, the Avalanche have now lost four of their last five. This game starts at 9:30 p.m. (ET).

The final game on the schedule features the Phoenix Coyotes (21-18-7) trying to stay in the playoff hunt on the road against the Anaheim Ducks (15-22-7). Phoenix is just 3-5-4 (3-9 in moneyline betting) in its last 12 games while the Ducks have caught fire, winning five of their last six games while averaging 4.17 goals per game over that stretch. The puck drops on the West Coast at 10:00 p.m. (ET).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 03:29 PM

Wednesday Tips

January 17, 2012

The Wednesday NBA card is filled with 11 games as the season continues to give bettors plenty of opportunities. Several clubs have turned into tremendous wagers this season, while other squads have become pointspread poison less than one month in. The Celtics and Raptors each look to snap a five-game skid, while the Suns and Knicks are trying to get on track at Madison Square Garden. We'll start in Philadelphia with two of the hottest ATS teams hooking up for an interconference showdown.

Nuggets at Sixers (-6, 201) - 7:05 PM EST

Philadelphia couldn't get out of the first round against Miami in last season's playoffs, but the Sixers had something to build on coming into this season. Doug Collins' club is an impressive 11-2 ATS through the first 13 games, including a 6-0 SU/ATS mark at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers will see their first real home test on Wednesday night when the Nuggets invade the City of Brotherly Love.

Denver heads to Philadelphia with no rest following Tuesday's victory at Milwaukee, as the Nuggets continue a five-game road swing. George Karl's squad isn't too far behind the Sixers in the ATS department by cashing in 10 of their first 14 games, including a 5-1 ATS away ledger. The Nuggets have lost on the road to the Blazers, Lakers, and Spurs, while the only impressive win on the highway came in the season opener at Dallas.

The Sixers have taken care of their business at home by beating five of six teams that currently sit below .500 (Pistons, Raptors, Kings, Wizards, and Bucks). All six victories at the Wells Fargo Center are by double-digits, including a 12-point triumph over Milwaukee as 8 ½-point 'chalk' on Monday. Philadelphia swept the season series from Denver last season, including a 110-99 win as a 1 ½-point favorite last January.

Thunder (-11, 197) at Wizards - 7:05 PM EST

Two teams going in completely different directions meet in the Nation's Capital as Oklahoma City goes for its eighth consecutive victory. The Thunder is also helping backers by covering five straight games in the favorite role as the Wizards look for just their second win of the season. Washington owns the worst record in the league at 1-12 after a 114-106 home defeat to Houston on Monday, the fourth straight contest in which the Wizards have lost.

Flip Saunders has likely run out of answers at this juncture, as Washington finally broke the 100-point plateau after 12 games. The lone victory for the Wizards came on January 10 against the Raptors in a 93-78 home triumph, but Washington has scored 90 points or less in nine games. Following five 'unders' in the first five games at the Verizon Center, the Wizards have now cashed the 'over' in back-to-back home contests against the Sixers and Rockets.

The Thunder overcame a four-game ATS skid in late December/early January to cash in six of their next seven games, including Monday's win at Boston. There's no reason to think that Oklahoma City can't extend their winning streak to 12 towards the end of January with games against the Nets, Pistons, Hornets, and Warriors following Wednesday's contest as a double-digit favorite over the Wizards.

Suns at Knicks (-7 ½, 195) - 7:35 PM EST

New York had plenty of expectations to be a team that would battle Chicago and Miami in the Eastern Conference this season. However, a 6-7 start out of the gate, combined with Carmelo Anthony's various injuries (ankle, wrist) has turned the Knicks back into a middle of the road team. New York tries to snap a three-game skid on Wednesday as the Knicks welcome in the Suns, who play the third of a five-game road swing.

The Knicks' offense has been held to 93 points or less in each of the previous five games, including in Monday's nine-point setback to the Magic as two-point home underdogs. New York has covered just three times this season, while compiling a dreadful 1-5 ATS mark at MSG. It makes things even more difficult to back the Knicks as Mike D'Antoni's club is 0-6 ATS as a favorite of at least five points this season.

D'Antoni's former club isn't looking too hot as the Suns are in the midst of an 0-5 SU/ATS skid. Phoenix put together a 5-1 ATS run from December 30 through January 8, but the offense has gone backwards by scoring 91 points or less three times during this losing streak. The Suns are 2-7 SU and 3-6 ATS when facing rested opponents, as all seven SU losses are by seven points or more.

Raptors at Celtics (-9 ½, 177) - 7:35 PM EST

Is the window closing on Boston in year five of the Celtics' Big Three? Doc Rivers' squad attempts to snap a five-game skid, the longest since Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce have played together in Beantown. The equally struggling Raptors invade TD Garden as Toronto will likely be without leading scorer Andrea Bargnani, who has missed the last three games with a calf injury.

The Celtics lost for the second straight time as a home underdog in Monday's defeat to the Thunder, the fifth consecutive non-cover for Boston. During this cold stretch, the Celtics have turned into a solid 'under' team by cashing in eight of the last nine games, while scoring 89 points or less in six straight contests.

The Raptors started the season with covers in four of their first six games, while splitting their last eight games against the number. Toronto is riding a three-game ATS hot streak, but each cover came by less than a point in losses to Indiana, Chicago, and Atlanta. The Raps are in the midst of eight of nine games away from home, while going 5-3 ATS as a road underdog.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 03:31 PM

Hoop Trends - Wednesday

January 18, 2012

SU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Kings are 10-0 ATS (7.2 ppg) since November 12, 1999 after a double digit loss against the Timberwolves.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

The 76ers are 0-12 OU (-9.1 ppg) since April 23, 2003 as a home favorite when they won and covered as a favorite in each of their last two games.

PLAYER BASED TREND OF THE DAY:

The 76ers are 8-0 ATS (8.8 ppg) since March 26, 2010 at home with at least a day of rest after a win in which Elton Brand took fewer than 10 shots.

CHOICE TREND:

The Celtics are 0-9 OU (-11.2 ppg) since April 17, 2010 at home after a loss in which Ray Allen scored fewer than 10 points.

TODAY’S TRENDS:

The Timberwolves are 0-12-1 ATS (-6.5 ppg) since March 19, 2008 with at most one day of rest after a win in which the percentage of their baskets that were assisted was at least ten percentage points higher than their season-to-date average.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 03:33 PM

Paul likely to miss 3rd straight game vs. Dallas

DALLAS MAVERICKS (8-6)

at LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (7-4)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 10:35 p.m. ET
Line: Dallas -2.5, Total: 183.5

The Clippers return home for their third game in three days Wednesday, and will not likely have the services of PG Chris Paul when they host red-hot Dallas.

Paul (left hamstring) has missed the past two games, which includes Tuesday’s 108-79 blowout loss at Utah. The Mavericks are riding a six-game ATS win streak (5-1 SU) thanks to some terrific defense over this span (76.8 PPG, 38% FG, 27% 3-pt FG). That doesn’t bode well for a Clippers team coming off a season low 36.5% FG in Utah. Dallas has dominated this series lately, going 16-1 SU (11-5-1 ATS) with 10 straight SU wins over Los Angeles. Without Paul’s penetration and passing skills, the Mavs will likely keep this streak going. The pick here is DALLAS to win and cover.

This pair of three-star FoxSheets trends also support picking the Mavericks:

DALLAS is 23-6 ATS (79.3%, +16.4 Units) after successfully covering the spread in 3 or more consecutive games over the last 2 seasons. The average score was DALLAS 99.2, OPPONENT 90.9 - (Rating = 3*).

DALLAS is 42-16 ATS (72.4%, +24.4 Units) after having won 4 or 5 of their last 6 games over the last 2 seasons. The average score was DALLAS 99.1, OPPONENT 92.8 - (Rating = 3*).

Although the Under is 10-1 in the past 11 Mavericks games, this three-star FoxSheets trend expects the OVER to occur on Monday.

Play Over - Home teams where the total is between 180 and 189.5 points (L.A. CLIPPERS) - off a road loss by 10 points or more, in January games. (87-43 since 1996.) (66.9%, +39.7 units. Rating = 3*).

The Mavericks have been tremendous defensively, but their offense was completely stymied in Monday’s 73-70 loss to the Lakers. They shot a season-worst 35.0% FG including an atrocious 4-of-26 (15%) from three-point range. Dirk Nowitzki (17.9 PPG, 47% FG) actually had a decent shooting night (8-of-17 FG), but the rest of his teammates combined to shoot 20-of-63 (32%). In the past three seasons, Nowitzki has lit up the Clippers for 24.3 PPG on 51% FG. Jason Kidd will need to play infinitely better than he did against the Lakers when he shot 1-of-9 from the floor and finished with more turnovers (three) than assists (two) in his 34 minutes of action. Without the worry of trying to guard Paul, Kidd should have a nice bounce-back performance. Forward Lamar Odom is slowly starting to get comfortable with the Dallas offense. After averaging 5.3 PPG on 19.5% FG in his first six games, he has increased those numbers to 8.3 PPG on 39.1% FG in the past eight contests.

The Clippers are happy to return home where they are scoring 100.1 PPG on 47.2% FG this year (92.8 PPG on 41.5% FG on road). Blake Griffin (21.9 PPG, 11.4 RPG) is coming off a horrible game on Tuesday night in Utah, where he scored just 10 points in 27 minutes of action. The starting backcourt of Randy Foye and Chauney Billups combined to shoot 7-of-26 (27%), as Foye ended the night with a minus-26 rating. SF Caron Butler (16.0 PPG) had a team-high 14 points and has scored 20+ points in four of his past six games (17.8 PPG). He’ll want to put on a show against his former teammates on Wednesday.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 03:34 PM

Hawks seek 6th straight series win vs. Blazers

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (8-5)

at ATLANTA HAWKS (10-4)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Atlanta -2, Total: 184.5

The Hawks try to finish a perfect four-game homestand Wednesday night when they take on a Blazers team that is only halfway done with its six-game road trip.

Atlanta is also trying to extend its win streak in this series, as it has beaten Portland five straight times. Although the Hawks are weakened without C Al Horford, who is out 3-to-4 months with a torn pectoral muscle, they have played great in his absence winning three straight games by an average of 13.7 PPG. The Blazers will likely be without their center too, as Marcus Camby (team-high 8.2 RPG and 1.3 BPG) expects to miss his third straight game with an ankle injury. Portland is scoring just 90.0 PPG on the road (104.7 PPG at home) and is just 10-16 ATS (39%) as a road underdog since the start of last season. Without Camby’s interior presence on the defensive end, the Hawks should be able to get to the rim and win this game comfortably. Play on ATLANTA to win and cover.

This highly-rated FoxSheets trend also backs the Hawks on Friday:

Play On - Home favorites (ATLANTA) - after failing to cover 4 or 5 of their last 6 against the spread, in a game involving two good teams (60% to 75%). (69-33 over the last 5 seasons.) (67.6%, +32.7 units. Rating = 2*).

And although both teams have struggled a bit offensively, this three-star FoxSheets coaching trend thinks Wednesday’s game featuring two of the top-8 scoring offenses in the NBA will go OVER the total.

Nate McMillan is 32-9 OVER (78.0%, +22.1 Units) after allowing 80 points or less as the coach of PORTLAND. The average score was PORTLAND 100.6, OPPONENT 100.5 - (Rating = 3*).

The Blazers snapped a three-game losing skid (SU and ATS) by knocking off New Orleans on Monday, 84-77. They held the Hornets to a mere 41% shooting, including 0-for-9 from three-point range. The Blazers only played eight guys in that win. LaMarcus Aldridge (22.7 PPG, 7.9 RPG) had a game-high 22 points (16 in the second half) and also grabbed nine boards. Aldridge has scored 22+ points in four straight games, averaging 24.0 PPG over this stretch. PG Raymond Felton (10.4 PPG, 7.2 APG) had an interesting stat line against New Orleans. He had 12 assists, three steals and four rebounds, but scored just two points on 1-of-8 shooting and turned the ball over eight times. SF Nicolas Batum (12.4 PPG) had a huge night off the bench, dropping 19 points and six boards. This followed a 29-point, eight-rebound performance at Houston on Saturday. Super sixth man Jamal Crawford (12.0 PPG) has been slumping with 7.0 PPG on 23% FG in past three games, but he will be extra motivated on Wednesday going up against his former team.

Atlanta continues to win games with great outside shooting, ranking sixth in the league at 38.6% three-point FG accuracy. The Hawks have also flexed their muscles on the glass, ranking sixth in the league in rebounding margin (+2.1 RPG). With Horford being out, both Joe Johnson (18.5 PPG) and Josh Smith (17.1 PPG, 9.2 RPG) have stepped up in a big way. Johnson has 75 points in three games without Horford and Smith has averaged 22.0 PPG and 12.0 RPG in the three-game stretch. Johnson has also loved facing Portland in his career, scoring 21.1 PPG, the second-highest total versus any opponent. PG Jeff Teague (12.4 PPG, 5.9 APG) has also picked up his game recently with 16.3 PPG and 7.6 APG in the past three contests.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 03:36 PM

Magic aim for 6th straight win hosting Spurs

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (9-5)

at ORLANDO MAGIC (10-3)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Orlando -5.5, Total: 196.5

The Magic and Spurs should both be exhausted when they tip-off in Orlando Wednesday night.

The Magic will be playing their third game in three days, while the Spurs are traveling north for a road back-to-back after getting blitzed in Miami Tuesday night. But the homestanding Magic (5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS in the past five games) should have the edge. The Spurs actually led by 14 in Miami before getting outscored a jaw-dropping 71-35 in the second half. They’re an aging team that won’t bounce back effectively, especially without top player Manu Ginobili. They’re also 0-5 SU and ATS away from San Antonio this season, and dating back to last year, they’ve dropped 10 in a row SU and nine in a row ATS on the road. ORLANDO is the pick to win and cover.

The FoxSheets have a few trends working against the Spurs, including this three-star trend:

Play Against - Road underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (SAN ANTONIO) - horrible foul drawing team - attempting <=21 free throws/game, good shooting team - shooting >=46% on the season. (33-9 over the last 5 seasons.) (78.6%, +23.1 units. Rating = 3*).

The Magic were shooting out of their minds over the past week (53.6% FG, 51.8% from three in road wins at Portland, Golden State and New York), but used more of a defensive-minded effort to beat the Bobcats, 96-89, at home on Tuesday night. PF Ryan Anderson (17.8 PPG, 42.9% from three, 6.9 RPG) shot just 4-for-13 from the field and 2-for-9 from behind the arc, and the team was just 7-of-22 (31.8%) from three. The Magic could also be without SF Jason Richardson (11.1 PPG) for a third straight game as he deals with a knee injury.

But they held the Bobcats to 89 points largely because they committed just 14 fouls over the course of the game. It was the third time in four games that the Magic committed 16 or fewer fouls. When they don’t foul on the perimeter, they are elite defensively with C Dwight Howard (19.8 PPG, 14.9 RPG, 2.4 BPG) manning the back line. Howard had a big night against Charlotte with 25 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and a +21 rating.

Orlando has beaten San Antonio at home, SU and ATS, in each of their past three annual meetings, all of them by 12-plus points.

The Spurs were simply humiliated in the second half against Miami Tuesday night. The Heat outscored them 39-12 in the third quarter alone, ringing off a 17-0 run at one point. PF Tim Duncan (12.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG) looked exhausted at times en route to a pedestrian eight points and seven rebounds. SF Richard Jefferson (11.4 PPG, 48.6% shooting from three), whose production is key with Ginobili out, was shut out over 23 minutes. If not for 20 points (6-of-7 threes) off the bench, including long buzzer-beaters at the end of the first and second quarters, from reserve SG Danny Green (8.2 PPG, 54.1% from three), the game would have been even uglier.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 03:37 PM

No. 13 UConn hosts Cincinnati Wednesday

CINCINNATI BEARCATS (14-4, 4-1 Big East)

at CONNECTICUT HUSKIES (14-3, 4-2 Big East)

Tip-Off: Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Connecticut -7, Total: 129.5

No. 13 UConn looks to extend its winning streak to three and remain unbeaten at home when they host Cincinnati on Wednesday night in Storrs.

The Bearcats have bounced back nicely since the well-documented brawl with Xavier on December 10, and are 4-1 ATS on the road this year, including a 68-64 win at Georgetown last Monday. Cincinnati is comfortable playing in close games, with four of its five Big East games decided by four points or less. The Huskies have covered their past two games and look to build off an impressive 67-53 road win over Notre Dame on Saturday. Connecticut’s backcourt will be very thin though, as freshman guard Ryan Boatright sits out for the second game in a row due to an ongoing NCAA investigation regarding potential rules violations. Both teams rely heavily on guard play, but UConn holds a significant advantage in the frontcourt with a +6 rebound margin compared to Cincy’s minus-0.1 RPG. The Bearcats will hit shots and keep this game close early on, but look for the Huskies to limit second-chance opportunities on the glass and pull away late. CONNECTICUT is the pick to win and cover.

This pair of FoxSheets trends also favors the Huskies:

CONNECTICUT is 19-7 ATS (73.1%, +11.3 Units) after a game where they covered the spread over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CONNECTICUT 72.7, OPPONENT 62.5 - (Rating = 2*).

Play Against - Road underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (CINCINNATI) - after a game committing 5 or less turnovers. (87-45 since 1997.) (65.9%, +37.5 units. Rating = 2*).

The Bearcats are a veteran team with their top four leading scorers from last season all back in the lineup this year. Physical sophomore guard Sean Kilpatrick (16.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG) leads the way for Cincinnati, along with senior guard Dion Dixon (14.1 PPG). Cincy ranks fifth in the Big East from behind the arc, shooting 36.8% from three-point range. The Bearcats will need to hit these jumpers against UConn’s poor perimeter defense that’s allowing opponents to convert at a 41.1 percent clip. The Bearcats must get a big game from embattled forward Yancy Gates (12.3 PPG, 8.9 RPG), who will have the unenviable task of guarding UConn’s dangerous inside tandem of Alex Oriakhi and Andre Drummond.

UConn looks to be gaining some steam coming off its most impressive win of the season at Notre Dame. The loss of Boatright definitely hurts the Huskies’ backcourt depth, leaving Jeremy Lamb (17.9 PPG) and Shabazz Napier (13.9 PPG, 6.2 APG) as the only formidable guards in the rotation. Napier must stay out of foul trouble, otherwise the Huskies will be without any true point guard. Now more than ever, Jim Calhoun will need his big men to play up to their potential. Freshman phenom Andre Drummond (10.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG) looks more and more comfortable every game and has posted double-doubles in back-to-back games. The enigma that is junior forward Alex Oriakhi (7.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG) continues to be a mystery, but he had a strong performance against Notre Dame with 12 points and seven boards. The sooner Oriakhi and Drummond learn to co-exist down low, the more likely it becomes for the Huskies to make their third Final Four trip in four years.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 03:39 PM

Slumping Sabres visit Chicago Wednesday

BUFFALO SABRES (19-21-5, 43 points)

at CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (27-13-6, 60 points)

Puck drops: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Chicago -240, Buffalo +200, Total: 5.5

When the Sabres travel to Chicago to take on the Blackhawks on Wednesday night, both teams will be fighting for important positions—but in totally different ways. The Hawks look to jump into first place in the ultra-competitive Central Division, while the Sabres look to grab a win for their head coach Lindy Ruff amid a host of rumors about his job security.

The Sabres had lofty expectations entering the season. With key offseason acquisitions and a new energy spurred by new ownership, Buffalo was expected to compete with the Bruins for the Northeast Division crown. Instead, the Sabres sit in fourth place in the division with 43 points and have lost eight of their past 10 games, including an ugly 5-0 beatdown in Detroit on Monday night. As a result, rumors have started to swirl about potentially firing Ruff—the longest tenured coach in the league—after 13½ seasons in Buffalo. The Sabres have lost nine consecutive road games, failing to score more than two goals in eight of them. That’s not a good sign going up against the high-octane offense of the Blackhawks, winners of three out of their past four. G Corey Crawford will get the start for Chicago, who won his only career start against Buffalo last season, turning aside 32 shots in a 4-3 victory. As desperate as the Sabres will be in this game, it won’t be enough to overcome the Blackhawks’ 17-5-4 home record. Despite the steep odds, CHICAGO is the pick to win.

This three-star FoxSheets trend also sides with the Blackhawks:

BUFFALO is 6-19 ATS (24.0%, -15.0 Units) after having lost 2 of their last 3 games this season. The average score was BUFFALO 1.9, OPPONENT 3.2 - (Rating = 3*).

The Sabres’ troubles extend throughout the lineup—with the offense, defense and goaltenders all struggling. The offense features two 40+ point getters in wingers Thomas Vanek (19 G, 22 A) and Jason Pominville (15 G, 29 A), but averages just 2.4 goals per game (24th in NHL) with little depth beyond the top line.

Goaltender Ryan Miller, the U.S. Olympic hero less than two years ago, has had an absolutely dreadful season in net (11-13-2, 3.12 GAA, .898 SV Pct.). The defense—which was supposed to be vastly improved with the offseason acquisitions of Christian Ehrhoff (3 G, 14 A) and Robyn Regehr (110 hits)—hasn’t held up its end of the bargain either.

The Blackhawks feature one of the league’s deepest forward units, and that’s reflected nicely in their 3.2 goals per game average (3rd in NHL). RW Marian Hossa (17 G, 31 A) leads all scorers, along with captain Jonathan Toews (24 G, 22 A) and RW Patrick Kane (10 G, 29 A). The fourth member of this lethal lineup—C Patrick Sharp (20 G, 20 A) is out indefinitely with a wrist injury.

The Hawks are still a bit thin on defense, allowing 2.8 goals per game (17th in NHL), but still have one of the best shutdown pairings in the game with Duncan Keith (2 G, 22 A) and Brent Seabrook (3 G, 12 A).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 03:50 PM

NCAAB

Wednesday, January 18

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Ball St. - 7:00 PM ET Central Michigan +0 500
Central Michigan - Under 124.5 500

Seton Hall - 7:00 PM ET Villanova +0 500
Villanova - Over 138 500

Richmond - 7:00 PM ET Richmond -3.5 500
George Washington - Under 127.5 500

Cincinnati - 7:00 PM ET Connecticut -6.5 500
Connecticut - Over 129 500

La Salle - 7:00 PM ET La Salle +4.5 500
Temple - Over 143.5 500

Kent St. - 7:00 PM ET Kent St. +5 500
Ohio - Over 136.5 500

Delaware - 7:00 PM ET Delaware +12 500
George Mason - Over 136 500

Massachusetts - 7:00 PM ET Duquesne -5 500
Duquesne - Under 156 500

St. Joseph's - 7:00 PM ET Xavier -5.5 500
Xavier - Under 136 500

James Madison - 7:00 PM ET NC-Wilmington -4.5 500
NC-Wilmington - Over 139 500

Western Michigan - 7:00 PM ET Eastern Michigan +4 500
Eastern Michigan - Over 120 500

Indiana - 7:00 PM ET Indiana -4.5 500
Nebraska - Under 131 500

Clemson - 7:00 PM ET Clemson +6 500
Miami - Florida - Over 126 500

Drexel - 7:00 PM ET Hofstra +4.5 500
Hofstra - Over 122 500

Northern Illinois - 7:00 PM ET Toledo -8 500
Toledo - Under 129 500

Bowling Green - 7:00 PM ET Bowling Green +2.5 500
Miami (OH) - Over 124 500

Rhode Island - 7:00 PM ET Fordham -5 500
Fordham - Over 136.5 500

Akron - 7:00 PM ET Buffalo -2 500
Buffalo - Under 135 500

Old Dominion - 7:00 PM ET Old Dominion -16 500
Towson - Under 108.5 500

St. John's - 7:00 PM ET South Florida -7 500
South Florida - Under 119.5 500

Georgia St - 7:00 PM ET Georgia St -4 500
Northeastern - Over 118.5 500

Murray St. - 7:00 PM ET Morehead St. +9.5 500
Morehead St. - Over 128 500

West Virginia - 7:30 PM ET Marshall +4 500
Marshall - Over 134.5 500

Wichita St. - 8:00 PM ET Northern Iowa +2 500
Northern Iowa - Under 130 500

UAB - 8:00 PM ET Rice -4.5 500
Rice - Under 122.5 500

Tennessee - 8:00 PM ET Tennessee +2 500
Georgia - Over 128.5 500

Wyoming - 8:00 PM ET Wyoming -1 500
Air Force - Over 111.5 500

Houston - 8:00 PM ET Southern Methodist -4.5 500
Southern Methodist - Under 125 500

Indiana St. - 8:00 PM ET Indiana St. +5 500
Illinois St. - Over 128.5 500

Memphis - 8:00 PM ET Central Florida +1 500
Central Florida - Under 134.5 500

Tulane - 8:00 PM ET Tulsa -6.5 500
Tulsa - Over 114.5 500

Creighton - 8:05 PM ET Creighton -1 500
Missouri St. - Over 146 500

Bradley - 8:05 PM ET Evansville -9 500
Evansville - Under 147.5 500

Drake - 8:05 PM ET Drake +1.5 500
Southern Illinois - Over 139.5 500

Northwestern - 9:00 PM ET Northwestern +10.5 500
Wisconsin - Under 116.5 500

East Carolina - 9:00 PM ET Texas-El Paso -4.5 500
Texas-El Paso - Under 128.5 500

Mississippi St. - 9:00 PM ET Mississippi St. -2 500
Mississippi - Over 131 500

Oklahoma St. - 9:00 PM ET Iowa St. -8 500
Iowa St. - Over 137 500

Texas - 9:00 PM ET Kansas St. -5.5 500
Kansas St. - Under 137 500

San Diego St. - 10:00 PM ET New Mexico -8.5 500
New Mexico - Over 135 500

UC Riverside - 10:05 PM ET Cal St. Fullerton -8 500
Cal St. Fullerton - Over 131 500

Texas Christian - 10:30 PM ET UNLV -21.5 500
UNLV - Under 156.5 500

**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 03:54 PM

NBA

Wednesday, January 18

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Denver - 7:00 PM ET Philadelphia -5.5 500
Philadelphia - Under 200 500

Oklahoma City - 7:00 PM ET Oklahoma City -10.5 500
Washington - Under 197.5 500

San Antonio - 7:00 PM ET San Antonio +5.5 500
Orlando - Over 196.5 500

Toronto - 7:30 PM ET Toronto +9.5 500
Boston - Over 176.5 500

Golden State - 7:30 PM ET Golden State +3 500
New Jersey - Over 195.5 500

Phoenix - 7:30 PM ET New York -7.5 500
New York - Over 196.5 500

Portland - 8:00 PM ET Atlanta -1.5 500
Atlanta - Over 184.5 500

Memphis - 8:00 PM ET Memphis -4 500
New Orleans - Under 177.5 500

Detroit - 8:00 PM ET Minnesota -8 500
Minnesota - Over 187 500

Indiana - 10:00 PM ET Sacramento +5.5 500
Sacramento - Under 187 500

Dallas - 10:30 PM ET Dallas -2.5 500
L.A. Clippers - Under 183 500

**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 03:59 PM

NHL

Wednesday, January 18

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Washington - 7:30 PM ET Montreal +100 500
Montreal - Under 5.5 500

Buffalo - 7:30 PM ET Buffalo +197 500
Chicago - Over 5.5 500

Florida - 9:30 PM ET Florida +109 500
Colorado - Over 5 500

Phoenix - 10:00 PM ET Anaheim -129 500
Anaheim - Under 5.5 500

**Kaptain** · 01-18-2012, 06:25 PM

gl today Bum....thanks

**StarDust Bum** · 01-18-2012, 10:18 PM

Howzit going Kapt..........Good Luck This Evening.

Announcement

The Bum's Wednesday's Best Bets NCAAB-NBA-NHL !

The Bum's Wednesday's Best Bets NCAAB-NBA-NHL !

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