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A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing?!

by AAA Sports

Friday, Nov 29, 2024

In any NBA season, maybe 10 teams go after it hard and shell out enough capital – in salary and draft choices – to make a deep run and maybe catch enough breaks to get to The Finals.10 to 15 more are hanging around, maybe can figure out enough things to get into the second round of playoffs before water seeks its own level and they go home for the late spring and summer.The rest may or may not be in complete tank mode, but they know that unless personnel changes drastically, they are who they are, and hopefully enough fans will be fooled for the team to turn a profit.Amid that mish-mash, there are opportunities for bettors. Perhaps find teams that don’t have the talent to win a title, but on any given night play hard enough to cover generous numbers. Here are a few:BROOKLYN NETS  (9-10 SU, 13-5-1 ATS) – It seems only yesterday that Kyrie Irving was declaring himself the co-coach with Steve Nash after Irving and his BFF Kevin Durant had fired Kenny Atkinson. Irving, KD and James Harden were the new Big Three, and ready to take over the NBA. Not quite. Things quickly imploded, Harden begged out, and the Nets decided to start over. Good move. Although under .500 heading toward December, the re-tooled starting lineup including Dennis Schroeder produced back-to-back-back road wins at Sacramento, Golden State and Phoenix. The win over the Warriors came after Brooklyn – which entered the game as a 13.5-point underdog -- had fallen behind by 18 and won by outscoring Golden State 70-53 in the second half when it would have been easy to cash it in and blamed tired legs.TORONTO RAPTORS (5-14 SU, 13-6 ATS) – When you lose your opener, at home, by 30 points as the Raptors did, you have a pretty good idea of which direction your team is headed. There are no illusions in Toronto, where the Raptors are still existing on the goodwill generated by their only title in 2019, made possible by renting Kawhi Leonard. The current group still plays hard, even if contending is a long way off. Half of their losses have been by six points or fewer, and even playing short-handed they were one decent two-minute overtime stretch away from beating the defending champion Celtics in Boston. The business model of late has been to deal away talent (VanVleet, Lowry, Siakam) before they age out and/or demand too much money. No one seems certain if that will continue if no real progress is made.PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (7-12 SU, 11-7-1) – Yeah, the sample size is not great, but the Blazers appear to be better than last year. They seem to be somewhat of an afterthought since trading away Damian Lillard (and then Jrue Holiday, who came over – briefly – in the Lillard deal). But there are small signs that Portland might be climbing out of a steep hole. They own back-to-back wins over Minnesota (no small feat), and they have shown that they will play hard and compete on the road, something not all sub .500 teams are willing to do. Yes, the team is young, and the learning curve is still substantial. But, Scott Henderson is showing signs that he is figuring things out, and Shaedon Sharpe and Donovan Clingan have been impressive. They also are hoping center Robert Williams can stay healthy for a change. The Blazers are probably too good to have any more than a puncher’s chance at winning the lottery and getting Cooper Flagg, but the arrow is finally pointing upwards again for a change. 

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NBA In the Paint: November 28th

by Sean Murphy

Thursday, Nov 28, 2024

With December right around the corner, now is a good time to take stock of the current state of the Association. Here's a look at five teams as we get set to emerge from the brief Thanksgiving break.Magic Soaring The Orlando Magic are continuing their impressive rise with a 13-7 record, showing growth that isn’t too surprising considering they finished fifth in the Eastern Conference last season. Led by a mix of young talent and solid team play, the Magic have become one of the more exciting teams in the East. Their defense ranks among the league's best, helping them keep games competitive even against some of the top teams. Orlando's ability to play both sides of the ball and control tempo has been key to their success. With Paolo Banchero getting closer to returning from injury, the Magic seem to be headed in the right direction for sustained success. If they continue this momentum, they should remain firmly in the playoff race, possibly even pushing for a top-six seed. Jazz Facing Challenges The Utah Jazz are in a rough patch with a 4-14 record, reflecting a steep fall even from last season’s disappointing performance. Despite building a reputation as a scrappy, competitive team with a strong home court advantage - even in down years - they have struggled mightily on both ends of the floor this season. Offensively, they've had difficulty finding consistent scoring options, while defensively, they've failed to contain opposing teams, ranking 30th in the league in defensive rating. Their defensive struggles are compounded by turnovers, which have led to easy fast-break points for opponents. Utah’s young core has shown flashes of potential, but they’ll need to find more cohesion and execution to climb out of the bottom of the West. With a lack of standout performances and no true superstar to carry the team, the Jazz will need to rework their strategy and focus on improving defensively if they want to avoid a lengthy rebuilding process. Warriors' Recent Woes The Golden State Warriors, sitting at 12-6, have endured a middling stretch of play despite their solid overall record. While their offense remains potent, ranking in the top-10 in points per game, they have struggled defensively at times. Their inability to stop teams in transition and their inconsistent perimeter defense in recent contests have been glaring issues. Injuries and rest have kept their key players in and out of the lineup, but when healthy, the Warriors still have one of the most potent offensive attacks in the league. They are relying heavily on their championship experience to weather this period, but for them to remain in the upper echelon of the West, they will need to get back to their defensive roots, as we saw earlier in the campaign. Nuggets Holding Steady The Denver Nuggets, currently 10-7, have played well overall but haven't quite recaptured the same level of dominance they displayed in recent years. The team is still solid on both sides of the ball, ranking highly in offensive efficiency, but they’ve shown vulnerability in key matchups. Their defense, while still solid, hasn’t been at the elite level it was previously, at times allowing opponents to score at will (they currently rank 18th in the league in defensive rating). On the road, they’ve been more consistent with a 5-3 record, but their home court struggles, reflected by a 5-4 mark, are something to keep an eye on. The Nuggets have looked more vulnerable than expected, especially with the tight competition in the West. To stay near the top of the conference, they need to find more consistency on the defensive end while continuing to rely on their MVP-level player to carry them offensively. Suns in a Slump The Phoenix Suns, once one of the most promising teams in the West, have faced a significant slump in recent games. After a strong start to the season, they have faltered, losing several key games and showing a lack of consistency both offensively and defensively. Their defense, which was once a strength, has been porous in recent contests, allowing too many easy points and not getting key stops in crunch time. While the Suns have a strong roster on paper, they’ve struggled with injuries, and the team’s chemistry has been off. Despite flashes of brilliance, Phoenix has lacked the cohesion necessary to compete against the top-tier teams in the West. The Suns are at a crossroads: they need to find their rhythm quickly, or they risk falling too far behind in an ultra-competitive conference.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NCAAF, and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 11/28/2024

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Nov 28, 2024

The Thursday Thanksgiving sports card features NFL, NCAAF, and NCAAB action.Week 13 in the National Football League kicks off with three games. The Detroit Lions host the Chicago Bears on CBS at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Lions are on a nine-game winning streak after their 24-6 victory at Indianapolis as a 7-point favorite last Sunday. The Bears are on a five-game losing streak after their 30-27 loss in overtime as a 3-point underdog on Sunday. Detroit is a 9.5-point favorite with the total set at 48 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). The Dallas Cowboys play at home against the New York Giants on Fox at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Cowboys ended a five-game losing streak with a 34-26 upset victory at Washington as an 11-point underdog last Sunday. The Giants are on a six-game losing streak after their 30-7 loss against Tampa Bay as a 6-point underdog on Sunday. Dallas is a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 37.5. The Green Bay Packers are home against the Miami Dolphins on NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET. The Packers won for the sixth time in their last seven games in a 38-10 victory at home against San Francisco as a 6-point favorite last Sunday. The Dolphins are on a three-game winning streak after their 34-15 win against New Orleans as a 7.5-point favorite on Sunday. Green Bay is a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 47.5. Week 14 in NCAAF college football continues with one game between FBS opponents. Tulane hosts Memphis on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Green Wave have won eight games in a row after their 35-0 win at Navy on November 16th as a 7-point favorite. The Tigers won for the sixth time in their last seven games in a 53-18 victory against UAB as a 16-point favorite two Saturdays ago. Tulane is a 13.5-point favorite with an over/under of 55.The college basketball schedule has 21 games between Division I opponents. Seven games are on major national television. Two NCAAB games on major national television tip-off at noon ET. Louisville battles West Virginia in the Battle 4 Atlantis at the Imperial Arena at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas, on ESPN, as a 2-point favorite with a total of 151.5. Wichita State faces Minnesota in the ESPN Events Invitational at the State Farm Field in Kissimmee, Florida, on ESPN2 as a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 137. Two NCAAB games start at 2:30 p.m. ET. Florida challenges Wake Forest in the ESPN Events Invitational on ESPN as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 157. Gonzaga goes against Indiana in the Battle 4 Atlantis on ESPN2 as a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 156.5. Illinois plays Arkansas in the Turkey Throwdown at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on CBS at 4:00 p.m. ET as a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 154. Arizona faces Oklahoma in the Battle 4 Atlantis on ESPN at 5:00 p.m. ET as a 5.5-point favorite at BetMGM with a total of 155.5. Utah State plays St. Bonaventure in the ESPN Events Invitational on ESPN2 at 5:30 p.m. ET as a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 149.5. Providence battles Davidson in the Battle 4 Atlantis on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m. ET as a 5.5-point favorite at BetMGM with a total of 137.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB and UEFA Champions League Previews and Odds - 11/27/2024

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Nov 27, 2024

The Wednesday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and UEFA Champions League action. The National Basketball Association has 14 games on its docket. Six NBA games tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Houston Rockets travel to Philadelphia to play against the 76ers as a 5-point road favorite with the total set at 214.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Indiana Pacers host the Portland Trail Blazers as a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 231. The Orlando Magic play at home against the Chicago Bulls as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 223.5. The Miami Heat play in Charlotte to face the Hornets as a 4-point road favorite with an over/under of 217. The Los Angeles Clippers are in Washington to take on the Wizards as a 10-point road favorite with a total of 225.5. The Cleveland Cavaliers are home against the Atlanta Hawks as a 12-point favorite with an over/under of 239. The New York Knicks visit Dallas to play the Mavericks on ESPN at 7:40 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 234. Three more NBA games start at 8:10 p.m. ET. The New Orleans Pelicans host the Toronto Raptors as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 222.5. The Memphis Grizzlies play at home against the Detroit Pistons as a 9-point favorite with a total of 226.5. The Minnesota Timberwolves are home against the Sacramento Kings as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 222. The Los Angeles Lakers play in San Antonio against the Spurs at 8:40 p.m. ET as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 227.5. Two more NBA games begin at 9:10 p.m. ET. The Phoenix Suns host the Brooklyn Nets as an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 221. The Denver Nuggets are in Utah to play the Jazz as a 9-point road favorite with a total of 233. The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Golden State to play the Warriors on ESPN at 10:10 p.m. ET as a 2-point road favorite with an over/under of 228.5. The National Hockey League has 15 games on its slate. Three NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Minnesota Wild play in Buffalo against the Sabres as a -135 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Carolina Hurricanes play at home against the New York Rangers as a -155 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The New Jersey Devils are home against the St. Louis Blues as a -238 money-line favorite with a total of 6. Six NHL games start at 7:37 p.m. ET. The New York Islanders host the Boston Bruins as a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Columbus Blue Jackets play at home against the Montreal Canadiens as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of  6.5. The Florida Panthers are home against the Toronto Maple Leafs as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Detroit Red Wings host the Calgary Flames as a -112 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The Vancouver Canucks are in Pittsburgh to play the Penguins as a -125 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Tampa Bay Lightning play at home against the Washington Capitals on TNT as a -148 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Nashville Predators are home against the Philadelphia Flyers at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -185 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Dallas Stars visit Chicago to play the Blackhawks at 8:37 p.m. ET as a -250 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.Three NHL games begin at 10:07 p.m. ET. The Colorado Avalanche host the Vegas Golden Knights on TNT at 10:07 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Winnipeg Jets play in Los Angeles against the Kings as a -120 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Seattle Kraken play at home against the Anaheim Ducks as a -205 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Ottawa Senators are in San Jose to play the Sharks at 10:37 p.m. ET as a -218 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The college basketball schedule has 61 games between Division I opponents. Nine games are on major national television. Indiana battles Louisville in the Battle 4 Atlantis at the Imperial Arena at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas, on ESPN at noon ET as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 154. Iowa State challenges Colorado in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii, on ESPN2. Two more nationally televised NCAAB games start at 5:00 p.m. ET. Memphis plays Auburn in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational on ESPN. Oklahoma faces Providence in the Battle 4 Atlantis on ESPN2 as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 135. Arizona plays Davidson in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m. ET as a 15.5-point favorite with an over/under of 154.5. North Carolina battles Michigan State in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational on ESPN2 at 9:30 p.m. ET. Alabama faces Rutgers in the Players Era Festival at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on TBS at 10:00 p.m. ET. UConn challenges Dayton in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational on ESPN2 at 12:00 a.m. ET. Houston goes against Notre Dame in the Players Era Festival on TBS at 12:30 a.m. ET. Matchday 5 in the UEFA Champions League concludes with nine matches. Two matches start at 12:45 p.m. ET. Stuttgart travels to the Red Star Brigade as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Girona plays at Sturm Graz as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Seven matches conclude the UCL card at 3:00 p.m. ET. Liverpool is home against Real Madrid as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5. PSV Eindhoven hosts Shakhtar Donetsk as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. Borussia Dortmund is at Dinamo Zagreb on the CBS Sports Network as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 3.5. Celtic plays at home against Club Brugge as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Monaco is home against Benfica as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. Aston Villa is at home against Juventus as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Bologna hosts Lille as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. All nine Champions League matches are available on Paramount+.

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Week 14 NCAA Football Top 12 Poll

by Wayne Root

Wednesday, Nov 27, 2024

Where things would stand in the BCS top 25 college football rankings as we move into the final weekend of the 2024 regular season.The rivalry aspect and essence of what makes college football so exciting to follow. This week is where a season of dreams come to die. The upsets will be harsh. As expected, there was some notable movement around the top 25 college football rankings after a consequential weekend around the country that saw eight ranked teams lose their games.There were some games that caused serious movement, with three previous top-10 teams losing over the weekend. That will throw a wrench into the exact zone where teams are jockeying for the final spots.1. Oregon. The Ducks stayed undefeated the best way you can, by not playing. But they close against Washington having already clinched a place in Indy. As a 19 point favorite, nothing is expected to change 2. Ohio State. An important statement for the Buckeyes as they roundly beat undefeated Indiana and now just need to end that nasty three-game skid against rival Michigan to get to the Big Ten title game and get a chance at revenge against Oregon, which handed OSU its only loss. Laying -21 in a rival game is an oxymoron.  3. Texas. Win against Texas A&M in this highly-anticipated rivalry game, and the Longhorns will face Georgia in Atlanta in a rematch they badly want after losing their only game of the year to the Bulldogs, at home when they were No. 1 in the country.Texas needs to be very careful playing at College Station. 4. Penn State. Still technically alive in the Big Ten title race, the Nittany Lions need Ohio State to lose, but otherwise playoff selection is a virtual certainty anyway. They have a gimmie playing Maryland and laying 24 points. 5. Notre Dame. Once again, the Irish humiliated an undefeated service academy after trouncing Army at Yankee Stadium, weeks after dishing out the same treatment to Navy. Could the Irish go down as they travel to LA to face USC? 6. Georgia. There’s a game against Georgia Tech and the SEC title bout to play for the Bulldogs; win both, and they have a first-round bye in the playoff. The Bulldogs get their game on Friday and are favored by 19.5.7. Miami. Still the favorite for the ACC Championship by the committee’s view, the Hurricanes play some of the nation’s best offense, but some concerning defense at times. Syracuse can score and they’re playing at home. The Hurricanes better be ready. 8. SMU. A nice jump for the Mustangs this week, who stayed undefeated in ACC play and have clinched a place in Charlotte with playoff selection so close they can taste it. Their Saturday opponent is California; good luck figuring them out. 9. Indiana. An ugly first loss of the season at Ohio State could have the Hoosiers’ playoff hopes in peril, but other prominent losses could help this team stay in the bracket. They get to go thru the motions this week laying 30 against Purdue. 10. Tennessee. Likely still in the College Football Playoff field this week despite having two losses, the Vols close out against an improved Vanderbilt team. Vanderbilt might be a huge headache for Tennessee. 11. Boise State. Ashton Jeanty had another day as the Broncos got past Wyoming and now just play Oregon State, but have already clinched a Mountain West title game spot and are the consensus Group of Five favorite in the committee room. Watch Boise jack up Jeanty’s stats in his Heisman race.  12. Clemson. Still in the ACC title picture, but the Tigers need to not just beat South Carolina but also for Miami to lose against Syracuse in the finale. As stated above, Miami could lose at Syracuse and South Carolina could upset Clemson to really upset the Committee. 

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Early Look at Big Ten Basketball

by Nelly's Sports

Tuesday, Nov 26, 2024

A taste of the conference season in college basketball comes in early December in the Big Ten, with most teams playing two early season conference games before a break for finals and the holidays ahead of the resumption of conference play in early January. Here is a look at a few of the Big Ten teams and what to expect in the first Big Ten conference action of the season.  The Favorite – Purdue: The Boilermakers had their March breakthrough last season and while the championship game ended in defeat it was a historic season for the program and Matt Painter with 34 wins. Zach Edey is in the NBA now and is irreplaceable, but four starters were with the team last season as there is strong continuity for this group. Purdue split two big early season games beating Alabama and losing to Marquette and this may still be the team to beat in the expanded Big Ten. In December Purdue plays at Penn State and hosts Maryland and when conference play resumes in January the Boilermakers have a favorable early draw as this team should produce a great early Big Ten record to sit on top of the standings before the schedule stiffens in late January to possibly open the door for a few other threats in the conference.   Prove It Game – Ohio State at Maryland: Ohio State is in a transition season under Jake Diebler, but the early returns have been promising, beating Texas in the season opener and the only loss coming in a tough road game at Texas A&M. The Buckeyes have had great 3-point shooting numbers on both sides of the ball and the Big Ten opener will be a key test to see where Ohio State stands, playing at Maryland. The Terrapins had a losing season last year for Kevin Willard to erase his solid first season with the program. Maryland is also off to a nice non-conference start including picking up a win over Villanova while the only loss was a close game with Marquette. Most of the wins were against light competition, however, as it isn’t clear what the trajectory of this year’s team will be. This should be a compelling game that will tell us more about whether Ohio State and/or Maryland will be a Big Ten threat this season.   Breakthrough Team - UCLA: The Big Ten had only six NCAA Tournament teams last season and with the expansion to 18 teams there will be expectations of more quality teams from the conference, but there also may be a muddled middle-of-the-pack. After a down 2023-24 season, Big Ten newcomer UCLA looks the part of a team that will be back on the national map. The early season schedule hasn’t proven much as UCLA lost its toughest game to New Mexico, but Mick Cronin added notable major conference transfers at several positions as this is an experienced group with strong depth and size. The schedule looks advantageous as well doubling up on the three other former Pac-12 teams in the Big Ten schedule. UCLA has posted great defensive numbers this season with four of six foes held to 50 or fewer points and the Bruins look likely to be back into the NCAA Tournament conversation in March. UCLA plays familiar teams in Washington and Oregon in the early season Big Ten tests in December.   Transition Team – Washington: The Huskies hired Danny Sprinkle who was at Utah State for just one season, going 28-7 last year. This will be another big move for the program concurrent with the huge shift in the schedule and travel path now as a Big Ten team.  Washington has a solid record through non-conference play, but the schedule has been favorable, and the team’s only loss came vs. a Mountain West team. The offensive numbers have been very poor for the Huskies, who were 17-15 last season for Mike Hopkins. Washington’s first Big Ten tests will be against UCLA and USC for familiar foes but the map in January is difficult as the Huskies should expect to be an underdog in possibly nine straight games when conference play resumes. None of the starters on this year’s team were with the program last year and while Sprinkle has strong credentials, this is a team that could struggle going through major changes this season.   The Sleeper – Wisconsin: The Badgers are never favored to win the Big Ten, but they have won the conference twice under Greg Gard and posted a third place and a second place finish as well in his nine seasons. Last year’s team finished fifth but had an ugly Round of 64 result in the NCAA Tournament after making it to the Big Ten tournament championship game. Expectations were grounded for this year’s team with AJ Storr and Chucky Hepburn transferring but John Tonje has so far looked like the portal pickup of the season, starring for the Badgers after limited playing time at Colorado State and then briefly Missouri. Wisconsin is 7-0 through a solid schedule with only one win outside the top 200, while picking up notable wins over Arizona, UCF, and Pittsburgh. The early December schedule will tell if the Badgers can compete for a Big Ten title facing Michigan at home and Illinois on the road in early December with the rivalry non-conference game with Marquette in-between those games. Even if Wisconsin can’t stay unbeaten through that tough run, the overall conference path is reasonable, facing most of the top contenders just once each though doubling up with Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. 

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Early Look at ACC Basketball

by Nelly's Sports

Tuesday, Nov 26, 2024

A snapshot preview of conference season in college basketball comes in early December in the ACC, with most teams playing one early season ACC game before a break for finals and the holidays ahead of the resumption of conference play in early January. Here is a quick look at a few of the ACC teams in action and what to expect in the first conference games of the season in the ACC.  The Favorite – Duke: As usual Duke is getting a lot of attention, but the Blue Devils did fall short against Kentucky in the season’s first big game in Atlanta. Duke won at Arizona last week and has upcoming high-profile games with Kansas and Auburn. The first ACC game will be against Louisville on the road on December 8, with Duke sweeping a pair of games with the Cardinals last season. Jon Scheyer’s first season leading Duke went well with 27 wins, but it was a runner-up finish in the ACC standings to North Carolina, and Duke lost its first ACC tournament game. Duke made the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament but that solid run that included beating top seed Houston soured as the Elite 8 loss came to nearby rival NC State who was a #11 seed. Cooper Flagg has lived up to the billing as one of several talented freshmen on the roster while Tyrese Proctor and Syracuse transfer Maliq Brown bring some experience to the starting lineup as Duke remains the team to beat in the ACC.   Prove It Game – Florida State at NC State: Florida State made at least the Sweet 16 in three straight NCAA Tournaments from 2018 to 2021, and the Seminoles would have likely been a #2 seed if the 2020 tournament took place. The Seminoles have slipped the past three seasons, failing to produce a winning record in ACC play in three straight seasons. Last year’s 17-16 campaign was an improvement over the tough 2022-23 season and this year’s team is 6-1 with the only loss to Florida. This ACC opener will be a big opportunity for Florida State to reestablish itself as an upper-tier program in the conference. NC State is coming off a surprise Final Four run, winning four games as an #11 seed last March before running into Purdue in the national semifinals. The roster has turned over considerably and the 5-0 start so far this season has come through a light path. NC State will be tested with non-conference games with Purdue and Texas ahead of the ACC opener hosting Florida State, which will be a closely priced game and an opportunity to serve notice to the rest of the ACC that last year’s run wasn’t a fluke.   Breakthrough Team – Stanford: The Cardinal don’t sound right as an ACC team but Stanford under new coach Kyle Smith will have an opportunity to prove itself as a competitive group in a difficult conference this season. The ACC opener will be a familiar foe facing rival California in Berkeley and the travel schedule will be worth monitoring for the Cardinal, though eight of 10 conference road games will be in two game tandems. Stanford is off to a 6-0 start in non-conference play and has size that few ACC teams can match. Smith led a 25-win team at Washington State last season and has a strong career track record as the Cardinal look like a threat to produce the program’s first winning season since 2020-21 and could flirt with being a NCAA Tournament team.   Transition Team – Virginia: Like his father did at Wisconsin in the 2020-21 season, Tony Bennett departed on his own terms at an awkward time to the detriment of the program. Assistant Ron Sanchez takes over the Cavaliers with an impossible task of matching Bennett’s regular season track record, though the Cavaliers have not won a NCAA Tournament game since cutting down the nets with a championship in 2018-19. Virginia barely made the NCAA Tournament last season, losing by 25 to Colorado State in the First Four and this year’s team has just one returning starter from last season with Isaac McKneely. Turnovers have been a glaring problem so far in the early results for the Cavaliers who canceled out a nice win over Villanova with lopsided losses against Tennessee and St. John’s. The ACC opener will be against ACC newcomer SMU in Dallas for a tough start and the Cavaliers are likely to be an underdog in each of the team’s first seven ACC contests.   The Sleeper – Clemson: Virginia and/or North Carolina have won 11 of the past 14 ACC titles despite Duke usually being favored. Miami also has an outright title from 2013 and a shared title in 2023 and Florida State won the 2020 title. Clemson’s last ACC title was in 1990, but the Tigers did have a good 2023-24 season, finishing 24-12 and making the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament. Clemson was only 11-9 in ACC play but did good work in the non-conference season and earned a #6 seed even after an early exit in the ACC Tournament. Three starters are back for Clemson this season, and this is one of the most experienced teams in the nation with Cincinnati transfer Viktor Lakhin added at center and Boston College transfer Jaeden Zackery added at point guard. Clemson has started 6-1 with a loss at Boise Sate but a few decent wins at an event in Daytona Beach. Key non-conference home games with Kentucky and Memphis surround the ACC opener at Miami in early December and Clemson is a serious threat in the ACC race as they play Duke and North Carolina once each, and both games are at home. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL, UEFA Champions League, and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 11/26/2024

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Nov 26, 2024

The Tuesday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and UEFA Champions League action.Week 14 in NCAAF college football starts with two games between FBS opponents at 7:00 p.m. ET. Buffalo hosts Kent State. The Bulls have won three games in a row after their 37-20 upset victory at Eastern Michigan as a 1-point underdog last Wednesday. The Golden Flashes are winless this season in 11 games after a 38-17 loss to Akron as a 10.5-point underdog last Tuesday. Buffalo is a 22-point favorite, with the total set at 49.Toledo travels to Akron on ESPN2. The Rockets had won two games in a row before their 24-7 upset loss at home against Ohio as a 1-point favorite on Wednesday. The Zips ended a two-game losing streak with their win against Kent State last week. Toledo is an 8-point road favorite with an over/under of 49. The National Basketball Association has five games on its docket in the NBA Cup. The Chicago Bulls play in Washington against the Wizards at 7:10 p.m. ET as a 4.5-point road favorite with a total of 245.5. The Miami Heat play at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on TNT at 7:40 p.m. ET as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 225. The Minnesota Timberwolves are home against the Houston Rockets at 8:10 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 223. The San Antonio Spurs are in Utah to play the Jazz at 9:10 p.m. ET as a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 226. The Phoenix Suns host the Los Angeles Lakers on TNT at 10:10 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 235.5.The National Hockey League has two games on its slate at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Boston Bruins play at home against the Vancouver Canucks as a -125 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Utah Hockey Club visits Montreal to play the Canadiens as a -135 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The college basketball schedule has 54 games between Division I opponents. Seven games are on major national television. Creighton battles San Diego State in the Players Era Festival at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on TBS at 2:00 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 138. UConn plays Colorado in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii, on ESPN2 as a 14.5-point favorite with a total of 144. Texas A&M challenges Oregon in the Players Era Festival on TBS at 4:00 p.m. ET as a 3-point favorite with a total of 145.5. Memphis goes against Michigan State in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational on ESPN at 6:00 p.m. ET as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 150. Houston battles Alabama in the Players Era Festival on TBS at 8:00 p.m. ET as a 4-point favorite with a total of 150. Duke faces Kansas in the Terry’s Chocolate Vegas Showdown at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on ESPN at 9:00 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 148.5. Rutgers challenges Notre Dame in the Players Era Festival on TBS as a 2-point favorite with a total of 146. Matchday 5 in the UEFA Champions League begins with nine matches. Two matches start at 12:45 p.m. ET. AC Milan plays at Slovan Bratislava as a -2.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 3.5. Atletico Madrid is at Sparta Praha as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Seven matches conclude the UCL card at 3:00 p.m. ET. Manchester City is home against Feyenoord as a -2.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. Bayern Munich hosts Paris Saint-Germain as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5. Inter Milan plays at home against RB Leipzig as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. Barcelona is home against Stade Brest as a -2.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5. Bayer Leverkusen hosts Salzburg as a -2.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. Arsenal travels to Sporting CP as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Atalanta plays at the Young Boys as a -1.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 3.5. All nine Champions League matches are available on Paramount+.

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NFL Player Props - Thanksgiving Day

by ASA, Inc.

Monday, Nov 25, 2024

BEARS - Caleb Williams Over 219.5 Passing Yards (-115)The first overall draft pick from 2024 has been one of the most inconsistent players in the NFL this year, showing flashes of greatness while simultaneously making plenty of head scratching plays. He is fresh off one of his best games throwing for 340 yards, two touchdowns and zero picks in a tough divisional loss against the Vikings. DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze still make up one of the best receiving corps in football and will be called upon again against the Lions number one ranked scoring offense. Williams threw the ball 47 times last week, and a negative game script is in store again on Turkey Day against Detroit who has won nine straight, six of them by at least 10 points. Detroit ranks 25th in passing yards allowed so all signs point to a nice statistical day for Williams.  COWBOYS - Rico Dowdle Anytime TD (Even)Dowdle has taken over the Dallas backfield in recent weeks seeing almost 17 touches per game over the past four games. He only has one touchdown during that span but is due against the sorry looking Giants who gave up four rushing touchdowns against Tampa Bay, allowing each of their three running backs and Baker Mayfield to all punch one in. Dallas pulled off an improbable win against Washington last week, moving the ball very effectively with Rico as a featured piece. New York is giving up nearly 150 rushing yards per game and a running back seeing so much volume in a solid offense should have a great chance to find the end zone against them. DOLPHINS - Tyreek Hill Over 63.5 Rec Yards (-115)Miami is finally looking like the Dolphins of last year scoring 34 points each of the past two games. It was a Jaylen Waddle game last week and oddly enough Jonnu Smith has out produced Tyreek Hill in recent weeks as well. Still, the offense is starting to flow again and Hill remains a nightmare for opposing coordinators. With Tua back in the groove, it does not take much for Tyreek to get loose. Despite his wrist injury, Tua still loves to target Hill (14 targets the last 2 weeks) so we expect him to get his chances.  Miami badly needs a win to stay in playoff contention and Hill has been patient with the rocky season his team and Quarterback have had. Expect Tyreek to hit some big plays at Lambeau to cap off the Holiday.  

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB and EPL Previews and Odds - 11/25/2024

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Nov 25, 2024

The Monday sports card features NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL action. Week 12 in the NFL concludes with one game. The Baltimore Ravens travel to Los Angeles to play the Chargers on ESPN at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Ravens had won two games in a row before their 18-16 upset loss at Pittsburgh as a 3-point favorite last Sunday. The Chargers have won four games in a row after their 34-27 victory against Cincinnati as a 1-point favorite on Sunday. Baltimore is a 2.5-point road favorite with the total set at 50.5 (all odds from DraftKings).The National Basketball Association has nine games on its docket. Three NBA games tip-off at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Orlando Magic play in Charlotte against the Hornets as a 5-point road favorite with an over/under of 212. The Detroit Pistons host the Toronto Raptors as a 5-point favorite with a total of 223.5. The Indiana Pacers play at home against the New Orleans Pelicans as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 228.5. Two NBA games start at 7:40 p.m. ET. The Atlanta Hawks are home against the Dallas Mavericks as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 238.5. The Boston Celtics host the Los Angeles Clippers as a 9.5-point favorite with an over/under of 216.5. The Memphis Grizzlies play at home against the Portland Trail Blazers at 8:10 p.m. ET as a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 228.5. The Denver Nuggets are at home against the New York Knicks at 9:10 p.m. ET as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 234.5. Two more games conclude the NBA card at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Golden State Warriors host the Brooklyn Nets as a 12-point favorite with a total of 223. The Oklahoma City Thunder are in Sacramento to play the Kings as a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 223.5.The National Hockey League has 11 games on its slate. Six NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Carolina Hurricanes play at home against the Dallas Stars as a -125 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Florida Panthers are home against the Washington Capitals as a -192 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Columbus Blue Jackets visit Tampa Bay to play the Lightning as a -112 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The New Jersey Devils host the Nashville Predators as a -155 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Vegas Golden Knights play in Philadelphia against the Flyers as a -142 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The New York Rangers play at home against the St. Louis Blues as a -245 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. Two NHL games start at 7:37 p.m. ET. The Ottawa Senators are home against the Calgary Flames as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The New York Islanders host the Detroit Red Wings as a -166 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Winnipeg Jets  are in Minnesota to play the Wild at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -120 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Seattle Kraken visit Anaheim to face the Ducks at 10:07 p.m. ET as a -148 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Los Angeles Kings play in St. Louis against the Blues at 10:37 p.m. ET as a -238 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.The college basketball schedule has 48 games between Division I opponents. Eight NCAAB game is on major national television. UConn battles Memphis in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii, on ESPN2 at 2:30 p.m. ET as a 9-point favorite with a total of 150.5. Penn State faces Fordham in the Sunshine Slam at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, on the CBS Sports Network at 4:00 p.m. ET as a 15.5-point favorite with an over/under of 153. Michigan State challenges Colorado in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational on ESPN2 at 5:00 p.m. ET as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 145.5. Michigan plays Virginia Tech in the Fort Myers Tip-Off at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Florida, on FS1 at 6:00 p.m. ET as a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 145. Clemson faces San Francisco in the Sunshine Slam on the CBS Sports Network at 6:30 p.m. ET as a 2-point favorite with a total of 144.5. Xavier goes against South Carolina in the Fort Myers Tip-Off on FS1-TV at 8:30 p.m. ET as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 147.5. Auburn battles Iowa State in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational on ESPNU at 9:00 p.m. ET as a 4-point favorite with a total of 146.5. North Carolina plays Dayton in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational on ESPN2 at 11:30 p.m. ET as a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 156.Matchweek 12 in the English Premier League concludes with one match on the USA Network at 3:00 p.m. ET. Newcastle United plays at home against West Ham United as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5.

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Thanksgiving Day NFL Preview

by Will Rogers

Monday, Nov 25, 2024

They've been playing football on Thanksgiving for longer than anyone can remember, before the National Football League even existed. The first official Thanksgiving Day football game was played in 1876, between Yale and Princeton. It was a big social event, as it marked the unofficial start of the winter social season in New York City. Over the next two decades, college and high school football games played on Thanksgiving became common throughout the country. The NFL, which was founded in 1920, saw that popularity and quickly jumped on the Thanksgiving football bandwagon. In 1934, the Detroit Lions were playing in their first year in the league. They were winning but not getting big crowds. In an effort to try and help increase attendance, Lions owner George A. Richards, hosted the NFL's first Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit in 1934. At that the time, nobody knew that he was starting a tradition. Richards happened to also own a Detroit radio station. Using his industry contacts, he was able to get a deal in place for the Lions/Bears game to be broadcast on 94 radio stations, coast to coast. The 1934 game was witnessed in person by 26,000 fans, the Lions' first ever sellout. It was a classic which Chicago won 19-16. Leo Macdonell of the Detroit Times described it as follows: "It was a heartbreak for the Lions and their followers, and with a heavy heart they feast over the crumbs of a game that put the Detroit team out of the running for the championship honors." Though the game didn't go Detroit's way, the event was such a success that the Lions have hosted a game every Thanksgiving since, with the exception of the World War II years.  Decades later, America's Team got in the act. The Cowboys saw how popular the Detroit games were and in 1966 they decided to try playing on Thanksgiving. It was also a smashing success and they've been doing it every year since, except 1975 and 1977. (The St. Louis Cardinals were given those games to try and boost their national exposure.) Nowadays, when many think about traditions associated with Thanksgiving, Detroit and Dallas football games are right up there with the turkey and the pumpkin pie. 2024 Detroit and Chicago kick off this year's Thanksgiving Day 3-game pro slate, the Lions favored by double-digits. That's followed by a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. The evening game features the Green Bay Packers hosting the Miami Dolphins. There's also one college football game that day, Memphis taking on Tulane. Let's take a closer look at the NFL games. Chicago at Detroit Line: Lions -10.5, 48.5The Lions are one of the very best teams in the league this year. Their 10-1 record ranks number one in the NFC and tied with KC for first place overall. They've scored way more points than any team in football and have a dominating 360-183 scoring advantage in their 11 games. The wide margins of victory have led to a 9-2 record versus the spread. The Lions have now won nine straight games. That happens to be their longest winning streak since the 1934 Lions team (mentioned above) won 10 straight. Off 5 straight losses, the Bears (4-7 SU and 5-4-2 ATS) are going the other way. Three of those 5 losses, including each of the past 2, were by a field goal or less. These teams faced each other last Thanksgiving Day and the Lions won 31-26, as 7.5 point favorites. The Bears were up 26-14 in the fourth quarter before Detroit scored the game's final 17 points. New York at DallasLine: Cowboys -3.5, 38Most would have assumed that at least one of these teams would be in contention in the NFC East. That's not the case. The Eagles (9-2) are 2 games ahead of Washington for the division lead while the Cowboys (4-7 SU and 3-7-1 ATS) and Giants (2-9 SU and 2-8-1 ATS) are a distant 3rd and 4th. Teams in this division all hate each other and these two are no exception. Even with their poor records, Dallas/NY games are always important to both teams. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 20-15 in September. That was their 7th straight win in the series. That September game featured Prescott and Jones at quarterback but neither will be playing Thursday. Prescott is out for the season with injury and Jones was recently released. Dallas comes in off an upset win at Washington, backup QB Cooper Rush leading the way. The Giants began the post Daniel Jones era by getting blown out by Tampa. Miami at Green Bay Line: Packers -3, 47.5Here's a game which really means something. The Dolphins are still only 5-6 (SU and ATS) but they have won 3 straight games. They still won't catch the Bills to win the division but they now have a have a 31.9% chance to make the playoffs. The Packers (8-3 SU and 5-6 ATS) are also on a roll. They smashed San Francisco last week and have won 6 of their last 7. They likely won't overtake both Minnesota and Detroit to win the division but they do now have a 92.7% chance of making the playoffs. Based on those playoff odds, one could say that this is a big game for Green Bay but an even bigger one for Miami. The Packers have won the past three meetings, most recently a 26-20 win at Miami in 2022. Before that was a 31-12 Packer home win in November 2018. Can the warm weather Dolphins win a late November game at Lambeau? Tune in Thursday night to find out! Enjoy the holiday everyone. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families ... Will Rogers

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NBA, NHL, EPL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 11/24/2024

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Nov 24, 2024

The Sunday sports card features NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL action. Week 12 in the NFL continues with 11 games. Seven NFL games kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Washington Commanders host the Dallas Cowboys as a 10.5-point favorite with the total set at 45.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to New York to play the Giants as a 6-point road favorite with an over/under of 40.5. The Kansas City Chiefs play in Carolina against the Panthers as a 10.5-point road favorite with a total of 43. The Minnesota Vikings are in Chicago against the Bears as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 39.5. The Miami Dolphins play at home against the New England Patriots as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 46.5. The Houston Texans are home against the Tennessee Titans as an 8-point favorite with an over/under of 40.5. The Detroit Lions visit Indianapolis to play the Colts as a 7.5-point road favorite with a total of 50.5. Three NFL games start during the second window of afternoon games. The Denver Broncos play in Las Vegas against the Raiders at 4:05 p.m. ET as a 5-point road favorite with an over/under of 41.5. Two more NFL games start at 4:25 p.m. ET. The Green Bay Packers host the San Francisco 49ers as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 44.5. The Seattle Seahawks play at home against the Arizona Cardinals as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 47.5. The Philadelphia Eagles are in Los Angeles against the Rams on NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET for Sunday Night Football. The Eagles are a 3-point road favorite with a total of 49.The National Basketball Association has six games on its docket. The Boston Celtics are home against the Minnesota Timberwolves at 3:40 p.m. ET as an 8-point favorite with an over/under of 222. The Indiana Pacers host the Washington Wizards at 5:10 p.m. ET as an 11.5-point favorite with a total of 243. Two more NBA games tip off at 6:10 p.m. ET. The Los Angeles Clippers travel to Philadelphia to play the 76ers as a 1-point road favorite with an over/under of 209. The Miami Heat play at home against the Dallas Mavericks as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 221.5. The Cleveland Cavaliers are home against the Toronto Raptors at 7:40 p.m. ET as a 13-point favorite with an over/under of 237.5. The Sacramento Kings host the Brooklyn Nets at 9:10 p.m. ET as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 223.The National Hockey League has one game on its slate. The Toronto Maple Leafs play at home against the Utah Hockey Club at 7:07 p.m. ET as a -192 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The college basketball schedule has 52 games between Division I opponents. Five NCAAB games are on major national television. Two of these games begin at 1:00 p.m. ET. South Florida challenges Wright State on ESPN2 in the Myrtle Beach Invitational at the HTC Center in Conway, South Carolina, as a 2-point favorite with a total of 154. Maryland battles Villanova on ESPN at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, as a 5-point favorite with an over/under of 138. Florida State faces UMass on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. ET at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, as a 6-point favorite with a total of 149. Bradley goes against Middle Tennessee on ESPN at 5:30 p.m. ET in the Myrtle Beach Invitational as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 147. Ohio plays Texas State on ESPN2 at 8:00 p.m. ET in the Myrtle Beach Invitational as a 3-point favorite with a total of 146.5. Matchweek 12 in the English Premier League continues with two matches on the USA Network. Liverpool plays at Southampton at 9:00 a.m. ET as a -1.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 3.5. Manchester United is at Ipswich Town at 11:30 a.m. ET with a total of 2.5.

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