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[StarDust Bum]

Cleveland State Hosts Milwaukee In Horizon League Contest

A jam-packed schedule on Saturday is followed by lighter slates both Sunday and Monday as college basketball closes out its 11th week and begins Week 12. Only five teams ranked by the coaches this past week will be in action the next two days, and only seven games involve teams from the Big 6 conferences.

The shorter programs the next two days are no doubt due to university athletic departments wanting to give their student-athletes a little extra time to hit the books.

But seriously folks, whatever the reason for the brief lull on the schedule, it gives us a chance to check out some of the conference races outside the Big 6 and mention key contests coming up in those leagues on Sunday and Monday. Note that straight up and against the spread records listed below reflect play before Saturday's games.

Colonial Athletic Association
Half of the 12 CAA teams entered play on Saturday separated by just a game at the top of the conference standings. George Mason and Old Dominion owned 6-1 records with Virginia Commonwealth, Georgia State, Drexel and Northeastern all sporting 5-2 marks.

George Mason (14-5 SU, 8-9 ATS) stands the best chance to hold serve at the top of the ranks as the Patriots face teams from the second half of the ranks over their next five games, including their opponent on Saturday, Towson, and Monday's foe, UNC-Wilmington.

Old Dominion (11-8 SU, 7-7-1 ATS) was an 8-point underdog at the VCU Rams (14-5 SU, 10-8 ATS) on Saturday in a key clash. The Monarchs head home following that match to take on Northeastern (9-8 SU, 6-9 ATS) on Monday. Old Dominion was a 1½-point 'dog at Northeastern on Dec. 3, and came away with the outright win over the Huskies, 69-59.

Georgia State (13-5 SU, 9-5 ATS) is coming off a loss at Northeastern on Wednesday and remains on the road Saturday at Delaware as 5-point chalk. The Panthers will be home on Monday to battle James Madison. Drexel (13-5 SU, 9-7 ATS) went into Saturday's matchup at home vs. Northeastern on a 5-game win streak and laying 9-9½ against the Huskies. The Dragons will be on the road Monday when they should be favored again vs. William & Mary.

Horizon League
Another conference that is tight at the top, the Horizon League went into Saturday's slate with five teams just a game apart. Three teams are at the top of the list with 6-2 league records, and two of them will meet on Sunday when Cleveland State (16-4 SU, 7-9-1 ATS) hosts UW-Milwaukee (13-7 SU, 6-8-2 ATS). Tip-off inside Wolstein Center will come a few minutes past 2:00 p.m. (ET).

Valparaiso (13-7 SU, 9-7 ATS) is also at 6-2 in HL play, and the Crusaders were in the midst of a 3-game win streak heading into their Saturday game at Illinois-Chicago as 5½-point favorites.

Two squads are just behind that trio with 5-3 league marks. Youngstown State (10-8 SU, 7-7 ATS) pulled off a mild upset Friday night as 2½-point home 'dogs against Milwaukee, and the Penguins will be right back on their own court Sunday when they host Wisconsin-Green Bay. Butler (11-9 SU, 4-11-2 ATS) will try and hang with the leaders during a 4-game road trip that started Thursday and was continuing on Saturday as 8-point favorites at Loyola (IL).

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The MAAC will have everyone hitting the hardwood either Sunday or Monday, and is a three-team race presently with Iona leading the way at 7-1 followed by a pair of 6-2 squads, Loyola (MD) and Manhattan.

Iona (15-4 SU, 8-8-1 ATS) just finished a 3-game homestand on Friday with a resounding 91-71 win over Rider. Believe it or not, that final just barely stayed below a 164-point hurdle on the total. The Gaels now begin a 3-game road trip on Monday with a trip to Siena. Those two teams met at Madison Square Garden about three weeks ago, with Iona easily covering a 15-point spread with a 95-59 victory that just skipped 'over' a 150½-point figure.

The Loyola Greyhounds (13-5 SU, 5-7 ATS) will host St. Peter's on Sunday at noon (ET), and the Manhattan Jaspers (13-7 SU, 14-4 ATS) are home to meet Niagara at 4:00 p.m. (ET). The Jaspers have covered their last five and rank as the most profitable cover team in the nation with 9.6 units in the black for their backers.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA Injuries In Focus For Sunday And Monday

NBA injuries have been a bigger problem than normal due to the lockout, with the shortened training camps and condensed 66-game regular season schedule.

We’re focusing on the key injuries for Sunday and Monday. One player not featured is Miami’s Dwyane Wade (ankle). He was expected to miss his third straight game Saturday night versus Philly and the Heat also host Milwaukee on Sunday. The team is a perfect 5-0 straight up and against the spread without Wade, 5-4 SU and 2-7 ATS with him.

Rajon Rondo, Boston at Washington – 1:00 p.m. (ET) Sunday

Boston (5-9 SU, 6-8 ATS) learned what life is like without Rondo (wrist) on Friday, losing 79-71 to Phoenix as 6½-point home favorites. Avery Bradley started with backup Keyon Dooling (knee) also sidelined. Both Rondo and Dooling are questionable Sunday. The Celtics are also dealing with trade rumors at 1-6 SU and ATS in their last seven. The ‘under’ is 7-0-1 in the last eight.

The Wizards (2-13 SU, 5-10 ATS) have the NBA’s worst record. However, the last two games have been home covers, beating Oklahoma City (105-102) and just losing barely to Denver (108-104). Those are two of the better teams in the Western Conference. The Wizards’ recent offensive outburst has helped the ‘over’ go 5-0.

Two of Boston’s five wins have come against Washington. Those split 1-1 ATS with the Celtics winning 94-86 as 7-point favorites in the nation’s capital on New Year’s Day.

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers hosting Toronto – 3:30 p.m. (ET) Sunday

The Clippers (8-5 SU, 7-6 ATS) have been without Paul (hamstring) the last four games and he’s questionable Sunday. They’re 2-2 SU and ATS without the exciting point guard, most recently losing 101-98 at home to Minnesota on Friday night. Starting forward Caron Butler (knee) also missed that game and he’s questionable as well.

Toronto (4-12 SU, 8-8 ATS) has its own injury problems with center Andrea Bargnani (calf) missing the last five games and the team losing seven straight overall (3-4 ATS). Bargnani’s (22.3 PPG) is really needed as the Raptors rank just 29th in scoring (85.1 PPG), with the ‘under’ 11-4-1 on the year.

Toronto has covered the last six games against the Clippers (5-1 SU). The ‘under’ is 5-1.

Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando at Boston – 7:30 p.m. (ET) Monday

This is the first half of an NBA-TV doubleheader. Orlando’s Turkoglu (back) is questionable after missing the last two games. Scoring has been down without him with an 85-83 (OT) loss to San Antonio on Wednesday and 92-80 win over the Lakers on Friday. The ‘under’ was 3-0 in the Magic’s just completed, mini-homestand.

Orlando (11-4 SU, 9-6 ATS) is 4-0 SU and ATS in its last four road games, plus gets the aging and injured Celtics in the second half of a back-to-back.

Derrick Rose, Chicago hosting New Jersey – 8:00 p.m. (ET) Monday

Chicago is 14-3 SU and 11-6 ATS pending Saturday night’s result against Charlotte. Rose was listed as doubtful with his toe injury after missing the prior three games (Chicago 2-1 SU and ATS). The offense has exploded for 116 PPG the last two with C.J. Watson (38 total points) starting at point guard.

The Nets (4-11 SU, 7-8 ATS) will be playing the third game of a back-to-back-to-back on Monday. They had home games on Saturday night versus Oklahoma City and Sunday against Charlotte. This is already a team in turmoil with center Brook Lopez (foot) missing the whole season so far and star guard Deron Williams looking for an exit strategy.

Stephen Curry, Golden State hosting Memphis – 10:30 p.m. (ET) Monday

This is the second half of the NBA-TV doubleheader. Golden State (5-10 SU, 7-8 ATS) last played Friday at home, losing 94-91 to Indiana as 1-point ‘dogs. Curry (ankle) returned after missing eight games (Golden State 3-5 SU, 4-4 ATS), but was held to just 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting. He will play Monday and should work his way back into shape.

Memphis (8-6 SU, 7-7 ATS) has a Saturday home game with Sacramento before flying out to the West Coast to begin a 4-game trip. The Grizzlies have won 5-straight (4-1 ATS) pending Saturday’s final. Rudy Gay is averaging 21.8 PPG over that span, compensating for the loss of power forward Zach Randolph (knee), who’s out indefinitely after getting injured 10 games ago.

[StarDust Bum]

Boston Bruins Battle Rangers, Flyers NHL Weekend

Considered by many to be the best team in hockey, the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins take on two elite Eastern Conference foes this weekend as each team battles for the conference’s top spot.

The Bruins (30-13-1) have the best offense in the NHL with 3.5 goals per game and rank second in the NHL in defense with just two goals against per game. After going 23-3-1 in their previous 27 games, the Bruins have hit a “rough patch,” going just 4-3-0 over their last seven.

Saturday, the Bruins host the New York Rangers at 1:00 p.m. (ET) in a game that will be televised nationally on NHL Network. Like the Bruins, the Rangers (29-12-4) are currently in the elite team version of a “slump,” going 2-3-0 over their last five games after going 10-1-0 the previous 11.

Whichever team prevails on Saturday will enter Sunday’s action as the first place team in the Eastern Conference.

After facing the defensive-minded Rangers – who rank third in the NHL in goals against per game at 2.1 – Saturday, the Bruins will have to shift gears to take on the offensive-minded Philadelphia Flyers on the road Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. (ET).

Philadelphia (27-14-4) ranks behind only Boston in total offense with 3.3 goals per game. Since starting the year off 20-7-3, Philadelphia is 7-7-1 over its last 15 games, struggling to find consistency between goaltenders Ilya Bryzgalov and Sergei Bobrovsky. Boston won 6-0 in its last trip to Philadelphia back on December 17.

Moving back to Saturday, the NHL Network will also be broadcasting a matchup between two of the Western Conference’s best teams at 4:00 p.m. (ET) as the San Jose Sharks visit the Vancouver Canucks. San Jose (26-15-5) is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games and hopes to extend its lead in the Pacific Division while the Canucks (28-15-4) look to avoid losing their third straight at home.

San Jose and Vancouver played on December 28 in San Jose and January 2 in Vancouver, and split the series as both games went to overtime and the road team came out on top 3-2 in each one.

While it won’t be the “Crosby versus Ovechkin” game it was hoped to be with Sidney Crosby still out with a concussion, Washington at Pittsburgh at 12:30 p.m. (ET) broadcast nationally Sunday on NBC should still be a great game between two big rivals. Since battling in a seven-game series back in the 2008-09 playoffs, these two teams have grown to hate each other.

Washington (25-18-2) has been picking up steam with an 8-3-0 record over their last 11 games and Pittsburgh (25-17-4) has won four straight games after losing its previous six. Washington is 8-12-1 on the road this season while Pittsburgh is 12-7-2 at home.

If you like heavy chalk or big underdogs, don’t miss the Columbus at Detroit game Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. (ET). Detroit (31-15-1) has won five straight and has the best record in the Western Conference while Columbus (13-28-5) is dead last in the league by a considerable margin. Columbus is just 1-8 SU in its last nine trips to Detroit, but did beat Detroit 4-1 in Columbus earlier this season as a +155 underdog at home.

[StarDust Bum]

Hoop Trends - Sunday

January 22, 2012

SU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Pacers are 10-0 ATS (10.3 ppg) since December 03, 1999 as a dog with at most one day of rest after a road win in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

The Bobcats are 0-10 OU (-11.8 ppg) since March 05, 2010 with at most one day of rest after a road loss in which they scored less than 10% of their points from the three-point line.

PLAYER BASED TREND OF THE DAY:

The Bucks are 0-11 OU (-14.8 ppg) since December 06, 2010 after a win in which Andrew Bogut had more turnovers than assists.

CHOICE TREND:

The Nets are 0-10 ATS (-9.3 ppg) since November 18, 2009 after a game at home in which they had more turnovers than assists.

TODAY’S TRENDS:

The Celtics are 0-10 ATS (-11.3 ppg) since November 04, 2009 with at most one day of rest when they held their opponent to fewer than 80 points in their last game.

[StarDust Bum]

Betting Notebook

January 19, 2012

As we approach one month in the books in this shortened NBA regular season, let’s take a look at how teams are performing around the league.
Eastern Conference

Are you Surprised?

In the Eastern Conference, you are really good or really bad. In fact, only six teams boast a winning record and three of those teams are from the same division. Six other teams are at least five or more games under .500 and show no sign of improving.

Philadelphia is clearly the surprise of the East and the league for that matter. They lead the Atlantic Division by four games and are the only team with a winning record in their group. And where it matters most, to people like us, they are an outstanding 11-3 record against the spread – that’s a 78% point spread cover ratio, easily tops in the NBA.

Chicago is dominating the Central Division with a 13-3 record and have yet to lose a game at home (6-0). They make for a good bet as well, with backers seeing them cover 62.5% of the time. Atlanta, Orlando and Miami are battling for the top spot in the Southeast Division, but the Heat is well behind in the ATS category, with a losing record of 6-7 versus the number.

The bottom feeder teams (which is almost everyone not mentioned above) are also the ATS disasters of the East. Detroit and Washington are a combined 5-24 straight up, with just one win on the road. More importantly, the pair owns an 8-21 (28%) ATS record.

New Jersey, Toronto, Milwaukee and Charlotte – all teams with no more than four wins are also losers against the spread thus far in the early going; but no one is anywhere near New York and its woeful 3-11 ATS (21%) ledger.

For the most part, the winning teams are also covering, but proceed with caution and don’t make a play solely for that reason. You still need to do your research, find value and then and only then put yourself in action.

Western Conference

There’s No Place Like Home!

With the exception of Oklahoma City (7-3) and Denver (4-3), no other team in the West has accumulated more than two wins on the road.

San Antonio, Dallas and the L.A. Lakers have combined for an embarrassing four wins playing away from their house. Even worse, both the Pacific and Southwest divisions (10 teams) have only tallied 16 wins as visitors.

As a conference however, they fair much better in the ATS category. The entire Northwest Division has been positive for gamblers this season, with the Nuggets leading the way versus the number (11-4 ATS).

Overall, the West has a much different pattern than the East. As I pointed out, in the East the losers also tend not to cover the spread, but in the West, teams like Houston and Mavericks, who are both hovering around the .500 mark are covering the spread just about 65% of the time.

Even the last place Minnesota Timberwolves get the job done in Vegas, owning a 9-5 ATS record.

Then you taka a team like Oklahoma City who seems to have their sites set on a title, but can't get the job done against the spread (8-7).

The Los Angeles Clippers have created a buzz with the Lob City frenzy, and the bettors have been impressed with the results as they own a pedestrian 7-5 ATS record.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Sunday, January 22

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Toronto - 3:30 PM ET L.A. Clippers -8.5 500
L.A. Clippers - Over 184 500

Charlotte - 6:00 PM ET New Jersey -5 500
New Jersey - Over 192.5 500

Milwaukee - 6:00 PM ET Milwaukee +9 500
Miami - Over 195 500

Indiana - 9:30 PM ET L.A. Lakers -5.5 500
L.A. Lakers - Over 180 500



NHL

Sunday, January 22

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Boston - 3:00 PM ET Boston -135 500
Philadelphia - Over 5.5 500

Colorado - 8:00 PM ET Colorado +142 500
Anaheim - Under 5.5 500



NCAAB

Sunday, January 22

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Wis.-Milwaukee 0 1st 20:00 Wis.-Milwaukee +6 500
Cleveland St. 0 Over 125 500

South Florida 6 1st 16:25 South Florida -2 500
DePaul 8 Under 138 500

Wisconsin 0 1st 20:00 Wisconsin -1 500
Illinois 0 Under 112.5 500

Samford 8 1st 17:02 Samford +5.5 500
NC-Greensboro 8 Over 143.5 500

Green Bay 2 1st 18:47 Youngstown St. -2.5 500
Youngstown St. 2 Under 133.5 500

Canisius - 3:00 PM ET Rider -8.5 500
Rider - Over 145 500

Northwestern - 4:00 PM ET Minnesota -5.5 500
Minnesota - Under 136 500

Niagara - 4:00 PM ET Manhattan -8.5 500
Manhattan - Under 137.5 500

Virginia Tech - 6:00 PM ET Virginia -7 500
Virginia - Under 117 500

Drake - 8:00 PM ET Drake +10 500
Northern Iowa - Over 129.5 500

[Kaptain]

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