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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB and EPL Previews and Odds - 1/13/2024

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Jan 13, 2024

The Saturday sports card features NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA, and EPL action.The National Football League kicks off its postseason with two games in the wildcard playoff round. The Cleveland Browns visit Houston to play the Texans on NBC and Peacock at 4:30 PM ET as a 2-point road favorite, with the total set at 44.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). The Kansas City Chiefs host the Miami Dolphins on Peacock at 8 PM ET as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 43.5. The National Basketball Association has eight games on its docket. The Boston Celtics play at home against the Houston Rockets at 7:10 PM ET as a 15.5-point favorite with a total of 228. The Atlanta Hawks are at home against the Washington Wizards at 7:40 PM ET as a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 252.Three more NBA games tip off at 8:10 PM ET. The New York Knicks play in Memphis against the Grizzlies as an 8-point road favorite with a total of 223. The Milwaukee Bucks host the Golden State Warriors as an 11-point favorite with an over/under of 246. The Oklahoma City Thunder play at home against the Orlando Magic as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 232. Two NBA games start at 8:40 PM ET. The New Orleans Pelicans are in Dallas to play the Mavericks. The Chicago Bulls travel to San Antonio to play the Spurs as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 225. The Los Angeles Lakers play in Utah against the Jazz at 9:40 PM ET as a 2-point road favorite with a total of 238.The National Hockey League has 16 games on its slate. The New York Rangers are in Washington to play the Capitals on ABC at 1:07 PM ET as a -166 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Two more NHL games drop the puck at 4:07 PM ET. The Vancouver Canucks travel to Buffalo to play the Sabres as a -155 money-line road favorite with a total of 7. The Ottawa Senators host the San Jose Sharks as a -225 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7. The Florida Panthers play at home against the New Jersey Devils at 6:07 PM ET as a -192 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5.Seven NHL games begin at 7:07 PM ET. The Winnipeg Jets are at home against the Philadelphia Flyers as a -185 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Carolina Hurricanes host the Pittsburgh Penguins as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Seattle Kraken play in Columbus against the Blue Jackets as a -162 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The Los Angeles Kings are in Detroit to play the Red Wings as a -166 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers travel to Montreal to play the Canadiens as a -245 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Tampa Bay Lightning play at home against the Anaheim Ducks as a -278 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Toronto Maple Leafs are at home against the Colorado Avalanche as a -112 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Four NHL games start at 8:07 PM ET. The Dallas Stars visit Chicago to play the Blackhawks as a -325 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Minnesota Wild host the Arizona Coyotes as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The New York Islanders play in Nashville against the Predators as a -112 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Boston Bruins are in St. Louis to play the Blues as a -180 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The Vegas Golden Knights play at home against the Calgary Flames at 10:07 PM ET as a -148 money-line favorite with a total of 6.The college basketball schedule has 13 games on major national television. Two NCAAB games on major national television tip-off at noon ET. Tennessee travels to play Georgia on ESPN2 as a 7.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 146.5. North Carolina is at home against Syracuse on ESPN as a 13-point favorite with a total of 155. Creighton hosts St. John’s on Fox at 1 PM ET as a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 153.5. Three NCAAB games on major national television start at 2 PM ET. Texas A&M plays at home against Kentucky on ESPN as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 154.5. New Mexico is at home against San Diego State on the CBS Sports Network as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 151. Wake Forest hosts Virginia on ESPN2 as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 131.5. Two NCAAB games on major national television begin at 4 PM ET.  Texas Tech plays at home against Kansas State on ESPN2 as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 140.5. Florida is at home against Arkansas on ESPN as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 163. Two more NCAAB games are on major national television at 6 PM ET. Houston plays at TCU on ESPN as a 4-point road favorite with an over/under of 136. North Texas hosts Temple on ESPN2 as a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 128.5. Two NCAAB games on major national television start at 8 PM ET. Baylor plays at home against Cincinnati on ESPN as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 151. Drake is at Southern Illinois on ESPN2 as a 2-point road favorite with an over/under of 137. Colorado is at home against USC on ESPN2 at 10 PM ET as a 10-point favorite with a total of 151.5.Matchweek 21 in the English Premier League continues with two matches. Chelsea hosts Fulham on the USA Network at 7:30 AM ET as a -1 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3 (all soccer odds from BetMGM). Manchester City travels to Newcastle United on NBC as a -1 goal-line road favorite with a total of 3. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, NCAAB and EPL Previews and Odds - 1/12/2024

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Jan 12, 2024

The Friday sports card features NBA, NHL, NCAA, and EPL action.The National Basketball Association has ten games on its docket. Three NBA games tip off at 7:40 PM ET. The Atlanta Hawks play at home against the Indiana Pacers as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 252.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). The Houston Rockets visit Detroit to play the Pistons as a 7.5-point road favorite with a total of 227.5. The Philadelphia 76ers host the Sacramento Kings on ESPN. The 76ers are on a three-game losing streak after their 139-130 upset loss at Atlanta as a 1-point favorite on Wednesday. The Kings have won six of their last eight games after their 123-98 victory at Charlotte as an 8.5-point favorite on Wednesday. Philadelphia is a 1-point favorite, with the total set at 242.5. Five NBA games start at 8:10 PM ET. The Miami Heat are at home against the Orlando Magic as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 219. The Chicago Bulls host the Golden State Warriors as a 3-point favorite with a total of 229.5. The Los Angeles Clippers play in Memphis against the Grizzlies as a 7.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 228.5. The Minnesota Timberwolves are at home against the Portland Trail Blazers as a 14-point favorite with a total of 221.5. The San Antonio Spurs play at home against the Charlotte Hornets as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 242.5. The Utah Jazz host the Toronto Raptors at 9:40 PM ET as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 235.5. The Denver Nuggets play at home against the New Orleans Pelicans on ESPN at 10:10 PM ET. The Nuggets lost for the second time in their last three games in a 124-111 upset loss at Utah as a 6.5-point road favorite on Wednesday. The Pelicans won for the sixth time in their last seven games in a 141-105 victory at Golden State as a 2-point road favorite on Wednesday. Denver is a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 229.5. The college basketball schedule has six games on national television. Indiana is at home against Minnesota on ESPNU at 6 PM ET as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 146.5. Two more NCAAB games begin at 7 PM ET. Duquesne hosts Dayton on ESPN2 as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 138.5. Akron plays at home against Buffalo on the CBS Sports Network as a 17.5-point favorite with a total of 142.5. Villanova is at home against DePaul on FS1 at 8:30 PM ET as a 19-point favorite with an over/under of 136.5. Youngstown State hosts Wright State on ESPN2 as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 165. Nevada plays at home against Boise State on FS1 at 10:30 PM ET as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 140.Matchweek 21 in the English Premier League begins with one match. Burnley is at home against Luton Town on the USA Network at 2:45 PM ET as a -0.5 goal-line favorite at BetMGM with a total of 2.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 01/11/2024

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Jan 11, 2024

The Thursday sports card features NBA, NHL, and NCAA action.The National Basketball Association has five games on its docket. The Cleveland Cavaliers battle the Brooklyn Nets at 2:10 PM ET in the NBA Paris Game 2024 at the Accor Arena in Paris, France. The Cavaliers are a 3-point favorite, with the total set at 225 (all odds from DraftKings). The Milwaukee Bucks host the Boston Celtics on TNT at 7:40 PM ET as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 240. The Oklahoma City Thunder play at home against the Portland Trail Blazers at 8:10 PM ET as a 13.5-point favorite with a total of 233. The New York Knicks travel to Dallas to play the Mavericks at 8:40 PM ET as a 4-point road favorite with an over/under of 233.5. The Los Angeles Lakers are at home against the Phoenix Suns on TNT at 10:10 PM ET as a 1-point favorite with a total of 236.5.The National Hockey League has 13 games on its slate. Nine NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 PM ET. The Buffalo Sabres host the Ottawa Senators as a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7. The Carolina Hurricanes play at home against the Anaheim Ducks as a -345 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers are in Detroit to play the Red Wings as a -175 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 7. The Florida Panthers are at home against the Los Angeles Kings as a -135 money-line favor with a total of 6. The Montreal Canadiens host the San Jose Sharks as a -155 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Pittsburgh Penguins play at home against the Vancouver Canucks as a -125 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Tampa Bay Lightning are at home against the New Jersey Devils as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Seattle Kraken travel to Washington to play the Capitals as a -118 money-line road favor with a total of 6. The Toronto Maple Leafs play in New York against the Islanders on ESPN as a -130 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Two NHL games start at 8:07 PM ET. The New York Rangers are in St. Louis to play the Blues as a -166 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Winnipeg Jets host the Chicago Blackhawks as a -140 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Calgary Flames travel to Arizona to play the Coyotes at 9:07 PM ET as a -120 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Boston Bruins play in Las Vegas to face the Golden Knights at 10:07 PM ET as a -130 money-line road favor with an over/under of 6.The college basketball schedule has 12 games on national television. Four NCAAB games tip off at 7 PM ET. Florida Atlantic is at Tulane on ESPN2 as a 7-point road favorite with a total of 162. Hofstra travels to Northeastern on the CBS Sports Network as a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 142. Maryland plays at home against Michigan on FS1 as a 6-point favorite with a total of 140. Vermont is at home against UMBC on ESPN U as a 16.5-point favorite with an over/under of 153.5. Four NCAAB games start at 9 PM ET. Illinois hosts Michigan State on FS1 as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 149.5. Utah plays at home against UCLA on ESPN2 as an 8-point favorite with an over/under of 137. Longwood is at home against Radford on ESPNU as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 135. Louisiana Tech plays at Middle Tennessee on the CBS Sports Network as a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 128.5. Gonzaga is at Santa Clara on ESPN at 9:30 PM ET as a 9-point road favorite with a total of 157.5. Three games conclude the NCAAB card at 11 PM ET. Washington hosts Arizona State on FS1 as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 152. Stanford plays at Oregon State on ESPN2 as a 5-point road favorite with a total of 141.5. Saint Mary’s is at home against Portland on ESPNU as a 20-point favorite with an over/under of 135.

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2024 College Football National Championship Futures Odds with Expert Betting Predictions

by Doc's Sports

Wednesday, Jan 10, 2024

Even though the dust hasn't even begun to settle on Michigan's National Championship win, oddsmakers are looking forward to next season's college football season. This was the final season of the four-team playoff. And while it was an improvement over the original BCS format, this system was still quite flawed, as Florida State can attest to.Unfortunately for the Seminoles and their fans, the expansion is coming one year too late. The 2024 season will be the debut of the 12-team playoff format. The criteria for selecting teams is still being ironed out, but what is expected is to have five conference champions and then seven at-large bids. With the virtual disintegration of the Pac-12, the guaranteed bids for conference champions are being reduced from six to five teams. Which conferences are selected will be determined by ranking the conferences with a system devised by the playoff committee.The other monumental change will be the radical additions to two Power 5 conferences. The Big Ten adds four teams from the former Pac-12: Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington. Those who want a rematch from last night's National Championship Game only have to wait until October 5 when the Wolverines travel to Seattle to play the Huskies. The SEC has been raiding the Big 12 of teams for years, and they finally got the two crown jewels of Oklahoma and Texas to join. As the saying goes, "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer."While it looks as though the possibility of winning a college football National Championship is wider open, what is happening, in reality, is the season and playoffs are between the two mega conferences. For example, of the 12 teams with the lowest odds to win the CFP, only three teams, Clemson, Florida State, and Notre Dame, reside outside the Megas.This doesn't mean that a surprise Miami or Arizona can't sneak in and create havoc, but the teams outside the Megas already have the deck stacked against them. Never mind about the SMUs and James Madisons of the world.I'll admit, after watching the NCAA fumble college sports for decades, I'm slightly prejudiced against them. For the record, I greatly anticipate the expanded playoffs, but I have little faith in the NCAA running it correctly.Doc’s Sports offers college football expert picks for every game on our college football predictions page.Georgia +450: Surprisingly, one of the teams that will benefit from the playoff expansion is the Bulldogs. The two-time defending National Champions were on a 29-game win streak and stumbled against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game by a field goal. The voters deemed that horrible and put two one-loss teams in the playoffs instead of Georgia. The Bulldogs return QB Carson Beck, a veteran offensive line, the #1 recruiting class in the nation, and immediate impact transfers from the portal. They have a demanding schedule and may not be undefeated come playoff time, but I expect them to be playing for all the marbles come next January.Alabama +600: Bama head coach Nick Saban said, "We're not enjoying life after getting beat." Translation: His players are most definitely not enjoying this off-season. After a rocky start, the Crimson Tide righted the ship and were a 4th-and-goal away from playing for their 16th National Championship. They shouldn't have those waves on offense with QB Jalen Milroe entrenched as the starter and two explosive running backs who look to break the 1,000-yard barrier for the first time since Brian Robinson's 1,343 yards in 2021.Ohio State +800: It's unusual to find a coach on the hot seat whose team has the third-best odds to win the CFP, but that's precisely where Buckeye head coach Ryan Day is. With Michigan's victory on Monday night, that seat got even hotter. While the Buckeyes lost their starting QB in the portal, they replaced him with Kansas State's signal caller Will Howard. They also made another huge splash with the recent signing of Ole Miss's running back Quinshon Judkins. This gives them a helluva 1-2 punch in the backfield if TreVeyon Henderson returns for another year.Texas +900: Texas moves to the SEC in 2024, which could be either a blessing or a curse. Their schedule gets much more demanding, but they proved this season they could still overcome a weaker slate to make the playoffs. With QB Quinn Ewers expected back, and a dominating offensive line, the Longhorns shouldn't have to sweat Selection Sunday like they did this season.Michigan +1000: If I were a gambling man (and I am), I would bet Michigan gets stripped of its recent triumph. They have a great foundation, but too many questions need to be answered: Who will be the head coach? Does QB JJ McCarthy return? How many players will enter the draft now that they have a college ring?Ole Miss +1600: Even though the Rebels are losing their star running back, Quinshon Judkins, head coach Lane Kiffin has one of the nation's most experienced QBs in Jaxson Dart and a talented cadre of receivers. Ole Miss is retooling its defense almost exclusively from the portal, nabbing two high-impact players from its fellow SEC brothers. With the playoffs expanding, the Rebels will be a tough out for whomever they play.Here are some other teams who have a realistic chance of making the playoffs:Oregon +1100LSU +1400Florida State +1800Clemson +2000Penn State +2000Notre Dame +2500

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 01/10/2024

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Jan 10, 2024

The Wednesday sports card features NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.The National Basketball Association has 10 games on its docket. Four NBA games tip off at 7:10 PM ET. The Boston Celtics host the Minnesota Timberwolves as a 6.5-point favorite, with the total set at 223.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). The Sacramento Kings travel to Charlotte to play the Hornets as a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 223.5. The San Antonio Spurs play in Detroit against the Pistons as a 4-point road favorite with a total of 240.5. The Indiana Pacers are at home against the Washington Wizards as a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 251.Two NBA games start at 7:40 PM ET. The Atlanta Hawks play at home against the Philadelphia 76ers as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 245.5. The Oklahoma City Thunder are in Miami to play the Heat as a 4-point road favorite with an over/under of 234.5. The Chicago Bulls host the Houston Rockets at 8:10 PM ET as a 4-point favorite with a total of 216.5. The Golden State Warriors play at home against the New Orleans Pelicans on ABC at 8:40 PM ET as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 233.5. The Denver Nuggets travel to Utah to play the Jazz on ESPN at 10:10 PM ET as a 6.5-point road favorite with a total of 238. The Los Angeles Clippers are at home against the Toronto Raptors at 10:40 PM ET as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 236.The National Hockey League has three games on its slate. The Philadelphia Flyers host the Montreal Canadiens at 7:07 PM ET as a -180 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The Dallas Stars play at home against the Minnesota Wild on TNT at 7:37 PM ET as a -198 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Colorado Avalanche are at home against the Vegas Golden Knights on TNT at 10:07 PM ET as a -142 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The college basketball schedule has 10 games on national television. St. John’s hosts Providence on FS1 at 6:30 PM ET as a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 145. Two more NCAAB games begin at 7 PM ET. Clemson plays at Virginia Tech on ESPN2 as a 1.5-point road favorite with a total of 144.5. Saint Joseph’s is at Saint Louis on the CBS Sports Network as a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 151.5. North Carolina visits North Carolina State on ESPN at 8 PM ET as a 4-point road favorite with a total of 155. Connecticut plays at Xavier on FS1 at 8:30 PM ET as a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 146. Three NCAAB games tip off at 9 PM ET. TCU is at home against Oklahoma on ESPN2 as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 148.5.  Marquette plays at home against Butler on the CBS Sports Network as a 12-point favorite with an over/under of 153. Georgia hosts Arkansas on ESPNU as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 153.5. USC plays at home against Washington State on FS1 as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 146. Colorado is at California on ESPNU at 11 PM ET as a 3-point road favorite with a total of 150.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 01/09/2024

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Jan 09, 2024

The Tuesday sports card features NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.The National Basketball Association has five games on its docket. Two NBA games tip off at 7:10 PM ET. The Sacramento Kings travel to Detroit to play the Pistons as an 11-point road favorite, with the total set at 240.5. The Minnesota Timberwolves play in Orlando against the Magic as a 5-point road favorite with an over/under of 218. The New York Knicks are in Portland to play the Trail Blazers as an 11-point favorite with a total of 226.5. The Dallas Mavericks host the Memphis Grizzlies at 8:40 PM ET as an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 234. The Los Angeles Lakers play at home against the Toronto Raptors as a 5-point favorite with a total of 232.5. The National Hockey League has ten games on its slate. Three NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 PM ET. The Buffalo Sabres are at home against the Seattle Kraken as a -112 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Los Angeles Kings visit Tampa Bay to play the Lightning as a -115 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Toronto Maple Leafs host the San Jose Sharks as a -455 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The New York Islanders play at home against the Vancouver Canucks at 7:37 PM ET as a -130 money-line favorite with a total of 6. Three NHL games start at 8:07 PM ET. The Nashville Predators are at home against the Anaheim Ducks as a -238 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Florida Panthers play in St. Louis against the Blues as a -180 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Winnipeg Jets play at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets as a -250 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers travel to Chicago to play the Blackhawks at 8:07 PM ET as a -425 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. Two more NHL games begin at 9:07 PM ET. The Boston Bruins are in Arizona to play the Coyotes as a -155 money-line road favorites with an over/under 6. The Calgary Flames are at home against the Ottawa Senators as a -135 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The college basketball schedule has 11 games on national television. Seton Hall visits Georgetown on FS1 at 6:30 PM ET as a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 141.5. Four more NCAAB games tip off at 7 PM ET. Houston plays at Iowa State on ESPN2 as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 131.5. Kentucky hosts Missouri on ESPN as a 12.5-point favorite with an over/under of 161.5. Rutgers plays at home against Indiana on Peacock as a 3-point favorite with a total of 140.5. Yale is at Brown on ESPNU as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 136. Four NCAAB games begin at 9 PM ET. Purdue plays at Nebraska on Peacock as a 7.5-point road favorite with a total of 150.5. Duke travels to Pittsburgh on ESPN as a 7.5-point road favorite with an over/under 147. Auburn is at home against Texas A&M on ESPN2 as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 149.5. Creighton visits DePaul on the CBS Sports Network as a 15-point road favorite with an over/under of 142. New Mexico plays at UNLV on FS1 at 10:30 PM ET as a 2-point road favorite with a total of 151. San Diego State is at San Jose State on the CBS Sports Network at 11 PM ET as a 10.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 139.5.

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Where Does Bill Belichick Land?

by AAA Sports

Monday, Jan 08, 2024

Focused on him, because he's the big kahuna.Bill Belichick has (had?) always refused to tolerate what others would accept.When he needed a safety and Rodney Harrison was the best one available, Belichick picked up Harrison at Boston’s Logan Airport, and rather than wining and dining the future Hall of Famer, they went to the closest Denny’s and the HC of the NEP drew defensive schemes on a piece of paper. Harrison soon signed on.When NFL coaches met for their annual retreat, the group picture the NFL sent out to the press had 31 faces. Guess who refused to show up?And, win or lose, Belichick had little patience for press conferences of any kind. They were a waste of time. In two decades, perhaps the two quotes he is most remembered for are “It is what it is” and “We’re on to Cincinnati.”It’s always been a take-it-or-leave-it persona with Belichick, and the spec now is that Patriots owner Bob Kraft might leave it and some other NFL will take it. Where he resumes his chase of Don Shula’s career wins record next year is anyone’s guess. He’s the favorite (3/1) to take over the talented but underperforming Chargers. BetOnLine has Belichick as the +200 favorite to land in Washington if he leaves Foxboro. Atlanta? How far away from big-time winning is Jacksonville? Could he return to his Giants roots?In New England, there is mounting fan sentiment to run it back with Belichick – IF he’ll agree to a few changes, the most prominent of which is giving up 100 percent control of personnel decisions. The only good consequence of the Patriots’ AFC-worst 4-13 record this year is the third pick in the draft, and Patriotfiles worry that if Belichick keeps buying the groceries, he won’t use it on a future franchise QB and instead trade down for a bushel of 3rd- and 4th-rounders.Belichick’s post-Brady game plan – build a solid defense, get a game manager quarterback, and then win with better special teams play and superior coaching. In the last draft, Belichick spent medium draft picks on a punter and place-kicker, and they didn’t even kick the tires on then-free agent Lamar Jackson. Mac Jones tried to get it done, but the receivers couldn’t get open, the offensive line was a shambles and the offense was the worst in the league and the worst in New England since 1991.The Patriots have gone to nine Super Bowls in Belichick’s tenure – an obscene number. They won six of them. Only two ridiculous catches (one by Mario Manningham and the other by David Tyree) and Belichick’s stubbornness in punishing CB Malcolm Butler for who-knows-what prevented a possible 9-SB sweep. There was also the undefeated 2007 regular season, incredible fourth-quarter comebacks (Will the Falcons ever get over 28-3?), DeflateGate, SpyGate, and a thousand and one other things that made the Belichick Era what it was.But like many people who have been blessed with long lives, the final years under Belichick have not been the healthiest.  The highest-paid coach in the NFL would never pay a player a dime more than he figured they were worth, and because of that some dominant players – Logan Mankins, Lawyer Milloy, Richard Seymour – chose to walk. But Belichick always recovered, at least he did until Tom Brady decided that he wanted more money and a little say in how the game plan would go down. That was a bridge too far. Belichick chose principle over pragmatism, Brady left in a snit and four years without The GOAT have laid waste to coach Bill’s philosophy and produced losing records, empty seats at Gillette, and serious meetings this week in Robert Kraft’s office.Wither Bill?A quarter-century ago the Patriots refused to let HC Bill Parcells buy the groceries, and he walked away. Would Belichick endure the embarrassment of Kraft hiring someone else to run the draft and free agency, someone who would basically be Bill’s boss? And how would that play out on the field? Could Belichick embrace the new, offensive, big-play-needed NFL, or would he resist and demand to win his way -- ball control and field position?Palace intrigue will take over the management suites at Gillette this week, and other coach-needy franchises will be paying close attention.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 01/08/2024

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Jan 08, 2024

The Monday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.The college football bowl season concludes with the national championship game on ESPN at 7:30 PM ET. The Michigan Wolverines battle the Washington Huskies in a showdown of two teams with 14-0 records at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Wolverines reached this championship game with their 27-20 victory in overtime against Alabama as a 2-point favorite last Monday. The Huskies advanced in the college football playoff semifinals with a 37-31 upset win against Texas as a 3.5-point favorite on Monday. Michigan is a 4.5-point favorite, with the total set at 56.5 (all odds from DraftKings).The National Basketball Association has six games on its docket. Three NBA games tip off at 7:10 PM ET. The Chicago Bulls travel to Charlotte to play the Hornets as a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 217. The Boston Celtics play in Indiana against the Pacers as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 245. The Oklahoma City Thunder are in Washington to play the Wizards as an 11.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 246.5. The Miami Heat host the Houston Rockets at 7:40 PM ET as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 218. The Milwaukee Bucks play at home against the Utah Jazz at 8:10 PM ET as a 9.5-point favorite with an over/under of 245. The Los Angeles Clippers are at home against the Phoenix Suns at 10:40 PM ET. The Clippers were on a five-game winning streak before their 106-103 upset loss as the technical visiting team against the Los Angeles Lakers as a 5-point favorite last night. The Suns lost for the second time in their last three games with their 121-115 upset loss at home against Memphis as an 8-point favorite on Sunday. Los Angeles is a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 227. The National Hockey League has four games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 PM ET. The New York Rangers host the Vancouver Canucks as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Philadelphia to play the Flyers as a -125 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Dallas Stars play in Minnesota against the Wild at 8:07 PM ET as a -142 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Colorado Avalanche are at home against the Boston Bruins at 9:07 PM ET as a -130 money-line favorite with a total of 6.The college basketball schedule has one game on national television. Monmouth plays at home against Northeastern on the CBS Sports Network at 7 PM ET. The Hawks won for the third time in their last four games with a 51-43 upset victory against Towson State as a 2.5-point underdog on Thursday. The Huskies lost for the fourth time in their last five games with a 62-53 upset loss to Stony Brook as a 5.5-point underdog on Thursday. Monmouth is a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 140.5.

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NFL System of the Week

by Al McMordie

Sunday, Jan 07, 2024

It's the final week of the 2024 NFL regular season, and there are a lot of things still to be decided with regard to the Playoffs, so the games will certainly be entertaining.  As a sports handicapper, I try to approach the final week much as I do any other week, though there are exceptions, of course.  One of the things I look for when handicapping the NFL is to find good situations to take teams off losses, or go against teams off wins.  Obviously, it's not quite that simple, as I look for well-defined situations.  But many of my best systems involve -- at their core -- playing on teams after a bad game, or going against a team after a good game.  For our NFL System of the Week, we're going to look at one such situation.Last week, the Arizona Cardinals played their best game of the season.  They were an 11-point underdog at Philadelphia, and upset the Eagles, 35-31.  Most impressive was the fact that Arizona outyarded Philly, 449-275.  That was the most yards that Arizona's offense gained all season, as well as its biggest yardage differential (+174).In the NFL, teams that pull huge upsets like this tend to underperform the following week.  And that leads us to our NFL System of the Week.  What we want to do is:  Play against any team that won outright as a 10.5-point (or greater) underdog the previous week.  Indeed, dating back to 1991, NFL teams in this adverse situation have gone 36-69-4, 34.2% ATS!And, although there's nothing wrong with 69-36-4, we can improve our numbers by focusing on home underdogs (or PK) off upset road wins.  These powerless pups have gone just 6-24 ATS, including a woeful 0-8 ATS in division games.This Sunday afternoon, the Arizona Cardinals have been installed as a home underdog vs. division rival, Seattle, so all of the criteria for our main system, and these subsets, are met.Good luck, as always,Al McMordie

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 01/07/2024

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Jan 07, 2024

The Sunday sports card features NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.Week 18 of the NFL regular season concludes with 14 games. Six NFL games kick off at 1 PM ET. The Jacksonville Jaguars travel to Tennessee to play the Titans as a 4.5-point road favorite, with the total set at 42 (all odds from DraftKings). The Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 46. The Cincinnati Bengals play at home against the Cleveland Browns as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 37. The New Orleans Saints are at home against the Atlanta Falcons as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 42.5. The New England Patriots host the New York Jets as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 29.5. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play in Carolina against the Panthers as a 4-point road favorite with an over/under of 37.Seven NFL games start at 4:25 PM ET. The San Francisco 49ers are at home against the Los Angeles Rams as a 4-point favorite with a total of 41. The Green Bay Packers play at home against the Chicago Bears as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 45.5. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 35. The Las Vegas Raiders play at home against the Denver Broncos as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 37. The Seattle Seahawks are at Arizona against the Cardinals as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 47.5. The Philadelphia Eagles travel to New York to play the Giants as a 5-point favorite with an over/under of 42. The Dallas Cowboys play in Washington to play the Commanders as a 13-point road favorite with a total of 46.5. The Buffalo Bills are in Miami to play the Dolphins on NBC at 8:15 PM ET for Sunday Night Football. The Bills are a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 48.5. The National Basketball Association has nine games on its docket. The Cleveland Cavaliers are at home against the San Antonio Spurs at 1:10 PM ET as a 10-point favorite with a total of 234.5. The Brooklyn Nets host the Portland Trail Blazers at 3:10 PM ET as an 8-point favorite with an over/under of 225. Two more NBA games tip off at 6:10 PM ET. The Atlanta Hawks travel to Orlando to play the Magic as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 240. The Sacramento Kings play at home against the New Orleans Pelicans as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 234.5. The Minnesota Timberwolves are in Dallas to play the Mavericks at 7:45 PM ET as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 229.5. Two NBA games start at 8:10 PM ET. The Denver Nuggets are at home against the Detroit Pistons as a 16.5-point favorite with an over/under of 236. The Phoenix Suns host the Memphis Grizzlies at 8:40 PM ET as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 237.5. The Golden State Warriors are at home against the Toronto Raptors at 8:40 PM ET as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under 237.5. The Los Angeles Clippers battle the Los Angeles Lakers at 9:40 PM ET as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 231.The National Hockey League has four games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 3:07 PM ET. The Calgary Flames visit Chicago to play the Blackhawks as a -250 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The Los Angeles Kings play in Washington against the Capitals as a -165 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Winnipeg Jets are in Arizona to play the Coyotes at 7:07 PM ET as a -142 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The Detroit Red Wings visit Anaheim to play the Ducks at 8:07 PM ET as a -162 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The college basketball schedule has five games on major national television. Two NCAAB games tip off at 1 PM ET. Wichita State plays at Temple as a 1.5-point road favorite on ESPNU as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 149.5. Dayton hosts Massachusetts on ESPN2 as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 148.5.Two NCAAB games tip off at 3 PM ET. Eastern Carolina plays at home against Tulsa on ESPNU as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 144. Drake is at Belmont on ESPN2 as a 5.5-point road favorite with a total of 155.5. Memphis plays at home against SMU at 5 PM ET as a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 149.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 1/6/2024

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Jan 06, 2024

The Saturday sports card features NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.Week 18 of the NFL regular season kicks off with two games on ABC and ESPN. The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Baltimore to play the Ravens at 4:30 PM ET as a 3-point road favorite, with the total set at 4:30 PM ET (all odds from DraftKings). The Houston Texans play in Indianapolis against the Colts at 8:15 PM ET as a 1.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 47.5.  The National Basketball Association has four games on its docket. Two NBA games tip off at 7:10 PM ET. The Boston Celtics are in Indiana to play the Pacers as a 5-point road favorite with a total of 246. The New York Knicks visit Washington to play the Wizards as an 8-point road favorite with an over/under of 239. The Philadelphia 76ers host the Utah Jazz at 7:40 PM ET as a 12.5-point favorite with a total of 233.5. The Milwaukee Bucks play in Houston to play the Rockets as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 238.5. The National Hockey League has 12 games on its slate. The Calgary Flames are in Philadelphia to play the Flyers at 1:07 PM ET as a -112 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Colorado Avalanche play at home against the Florida Panthers at 4:07 PM ET as a -135 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Six NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 PM ET. The Toronto Maple Leafs travel to San Jose to play the Sharks as a -298 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Boston Bruins are at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning as a -166 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Minnesota Wild play in Columbus Blue Jackets as a -130 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The New York Rangers are in Montreal to play the Canadiens as a -225 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The New Jersey Devils host the Vancouver Canucks as a -122 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Buffalo Sabres as a -170 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5.Two NHL games drop the puck at 8:07 PM ET. The Dallas Stars play at home against the Nashville Predators as a -180 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Carolina Hurricanes are at home against the St. Louis Blues as a -192 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Two more games conclude the NHL card at 10:07 PM ET. The Vegas Golden Knights host the New York Islanders as a -148 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The Edmonton Oilers play at home against the Ottawa Senators as a -205 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7.The college basketball schedule has 12 games on major national television. Two NCAAB games on major national television tip-off at noon ET. Clemson is at home against North Carolina on ESPN2 as a 3-point favorite with a total of 158.5. Mississippi State travels to South Carolina on CBS as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 135.5. Florida hosts Kentucky on ESPN at 12:30 PM ET as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 168.5. Villanova plays at home against St. John’s on Fox as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 143. Two NCAAB games on major national television start at 2 PM ET. Kansas is at home against TCU on CBS as a 9-point favorite with a total of 152.5. Auburn plays at Arkansas on ESPN2 as a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 157.5. Two more NCAAB games on major national television begin at 4 PM ET. Georgia Tech hosts Boston College on ESPN2 as a 2-point favorite with a total of 146. San Diego State plays at home against UNLV as a 9-point favorite with an over/under of 140. Kansas State is at home against Central Florida on ESPN2 at 6 PM ET as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 139.5. Two more NCAAB games start at 8 PM ET. Texas hosts Texas Tech on ESPN2 as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 140.5. Ohio State visits Indiana on Fox as a 1.5-point road favorite with a total of 148. BYU plays at home against Cincinnati on ESPN2 at 10 PM ET as a 9-point favorite with an over/under of 151.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 1/5/2024

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Jan 05, 2024

The Friday sports card features NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.The National Basketball Association has 14 games on its docket. Two NBA games tip off at 7:10 PM ET. The Boston Celtics host the Utah Jazz as a 14-point favorite, with the total set at 239 (all odds from DraftKings). The Indiana Pacers play at home against the Atlanta Hawks as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 263. Three more NBA games start at 7:40 PM ET. The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Brooklyn to play the Nets as a 5.5-point road favorite with a total of 234.5. The Cleveland Cavaliers are at home against the Washington Wizards as a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 240. The Philadelphia 76ers host the New York Knicks on ESPN as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 227.5. Three NBA games begin at 8:10 PM ET. The Chicago Bulls play at home against the Charlotte Hornets as an 8-point favorite with a total of 224. The Minnesota Timberwolves are in Houston to play the Rockets as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 218.5. The Los Angeles Clippers play in New Orleans against the Pelicans as a 1-point road favorite with a total of 229.5. The Dallas Mavericks are at home against the Portland Trail Blazers at 8:40 PM ET as a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 237. Two NBA games start at 9:10 PM ET. The Denver Nuggets host the Orlando Magic as a 10.5-point favorite, with a total of 224. The Phoenix Suns play at home against the Miami Heat as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 229.5. Three more games complete the NBA card at 10:10 PM ET. The Golden State Warriors are at home against the Detroit Pistons as a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 241. The Los Angeles Lakers host the Memphis Grizzlies on ESPN as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 228. The Sacramento Kings play at home against the Toronto Raptors as a 5-point favorite with a total of 239. The National Hockey League has three games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 PM ET. The New Jersey Devils are at home against the Chicago Blackhawks as a -410 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Carolina Hurricanes travel to Washington to play the Capitals as a -170 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Winnipeg Jets play in Anaheim to face the Ducks at 10:07 PM ET as a -192 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.The college basketball schedule has four games on national television. Connecticut is at Butler on FS1 at 6:30 PM ET as a 6.5-point road favorite with a total of 143.5. Toledo hosts Miami (OH) on the CBS Sports Network at 7 PM ET as a 12-point favorite with an over/under of 157.5. Purdue plays at home against Illinois on FS1 at 8:30 PM ET as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 154. Boise State is at San Jose State on FS1 at 10:30 PM ET as a 5-point road favorite with an over/under of 141.5. 

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