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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, EPL, NCAAB, and NCAAF Previews and Odds - 11/23/2024

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Nov 23, 2024

The Saturday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL action.Week 13 in NCAAF college football continues with 53 games between FBS opponents. Twenty-one of these NCAAF games kick off in the opening window between noon ET and 3:00 p.m. ET, with three games starting on major national television at noon ET. Mississippi travels to Florida on ABC as a 12-point road favorite with the total set at 55. Miami (FL) hosts Wake Forest on ESPN as a 23.5-point favorite with an over/under of 67.5. Ohio State plays at home against Indiana on Fox as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 53. Seventeen NCAAF games between FBS opponents start in the 3:30 p.m. ET to 6:00 p.m. ET window. Four college football games are on major national television at 3:30 p.m. Colorado plays at Kansas on Fox as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 59.5. Arizona State is home against BYU on ESPN as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 49. Penn State is at Minnesota on CBS as an 11.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 45. Texas hosts Kentucky on ABC as a 20-point favorite with a total of 47. Thirteen NCAAF games between FBS opponents begin at 7:00 p.m. ET or later to complete the Saturday football card. Notre Dame plays at home against Army on NBC as a 14-point favorite with an over/under of 45.5. Three more nationally televised games begin at 7:30 p.m. ET. Auburn is home against Texas A&M on ESPN as a 2-point favorite with a total of 46. Iowa State visits Utah on Fox as a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 42. Alabama plays at Oklahoma on ABC as a 14-point road favorite with a total of 46.5. USC is at UCLA on NBC at 10:30 p.m. ET as a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 52.The National Basketball Association has seven games on its docket. The New York Knicks travel to Utah to play the Jazz at 5:10 p.m. ET as an 8.5-point road favorite with a total of 230. The Orlando Magic host the Detroit Pistons at 7:10 p.m. ET as a 9.5-point favorite with an over/under of 206. Three more NBA games tip off at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Milwaukee Bucks play at home against the Charlotte Hornets as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 220.5. The Houston Rockets are home against the Portland Trail Blazers as a 13.5-point favorite with an over/under of 223.5. The Memphis Grizzlies play in Chicago against the Bulls as a 6-point road favorite with a total of  242.5. The Golden State Warriors are in San Antonio to play the Spurs at 8:40 p.m. ET as a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 224. The Los Angeles Lakers host the Denver Nuggets at 10:40 p.m. ET as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 232. The National Hockey League has 15 games on its slate. The Philadelphia Flyers play at home against the Chicago Blackhawks at 1:07 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. Two more NHL games drop the puck at 4:07 p.m. ET. The Minnesota Wild visits Calgary to play the Flames as a -142 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Los Angeles Kings play at home against the Seattle Kraken as a -162 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Florida Panthers are home against the Colorado Avalanche at 6:07 p.m. ET as a -135 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. Eight NHL games start at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Carolina Hurricanes plays at Columbus against the Blue Jackets as a -250 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The New Jersey Devils are in Washington to play the Capitals as a -135 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Ottawa Senators host the Vancouver Canucks as a -135 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Dallas Stars travel to Tampa Bay to play the Lightning as a -115 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Vegas Golden Knights play in Montreal against the Canadiens as a -162 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Boston Bruins are in Detroit to play the Red Wings as a -135 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Utah Hockey Club visits Pittsburgh to play the Penguins with both teams priced at -110 with an over/under of 6.5. The Nashville Predators play at home against the Winnipeg Jets as a -125 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The New York Islanders are home against the St. Louis Blues at 7:37 p.m. ET as a -170 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Buffalo Sabres play in San Jose against the Sharks at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -162 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Edmonton Oilers host the New York Rangers at 10:07 p.m. ET as a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The college basketball schedule has 51 games between Division I opponents. Two NCAAB games are on major national television. Georgetown plays at home against Saint Francis (PA) on FS2 at noon ET as a 19-point favorite with a total of 144.5. DePaul is home against Northern Illinois on FS2 at 5:00 p.m. ET as an 18-point favorite with an over/under of 145. Matchweek 12 in the English Premier League begins with seven matches. Chelsea is at Leicester City on the USA Network at 7:30 a.m. ET as a -1.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 3.5. Five EPL games start at 10:00 a.m. ET. Arsenal hosts Nottingham Forest as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Aston Villa plays at home against Crystal Palace as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. Bournemouth is home against Brighton and Hove Albion on USA Network as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Everton hosts Brentford as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. Fulham plays at home against Wolverhampton as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Manchester City is home against Tottenham on NBC at 12:30 p.m. ET as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 11/22/2024

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Nov 22, 2024

The Friday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action. Week 12 in NCAAF college football continues with three games between FBS opponents. UTSA hosts Temple on ESPN2 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Roadrunners are on a two-game winning streak after their 48-27 victory against North Texas as a 1.5-point favorite last Friday. The Owls ended their two-game losing streak with an 18-15 victory in overtime against Florida Atlantic as a 2-point favorite on Saturday. UTSA is a 16.5-point favorite with a total of 55.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Michigan State plays at home against Purdue on Fox at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Spartans are on a three-game losing streak after their 38-16 loss at Illinois as a 1.5-point underdog last Saturday. The Boilermakers are on a nine-game losing streak after their 49-10 loss to Penn State as a 30-point underdog on Saturday. Michigan State is a 13.5-point favorite with an over/under of 48.5. UNLV travels to San Jose State on FS1 at 10:00 p.m. ET. The Rebels won for the fourth time in their last five games with a 41-20 victory against San Diego State as a 21.5-point favorite last Saturday. The Spartans lost for the second time in their last three games in a 42-21 loss at home against Boise State as a 14-point underdog on Saturday. UNLV is a 7.5-point road favorite with a total of 60.The National Basketball Association has eight games on its Friday NBA Cup docket. Two NBA games tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Philadelphia 76ers are home against the Brooklyn Nets as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 218. The Boston Celtics play in Washington against the Wizards as a 15.5-point road favorite with a total of 238.5. The Golden State Warriors are in New Orleans to play the Pelicans on ESPN at 7:40 p.m. ET as a 10.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 222.5.Three NBA games start at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Milwaukee Bucks host the Indiana Pacers as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 237.5. The Atlanta Hawks visit Chicago to play the Bulls as a 1.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 244.5. The Houston Rockets play at home against the Portland Trail Blazers as an 11.5-point favorite with a total of 222.5. The Denver Nuggets are home against the Dallas Mavericks on ESPN at 10:10 p.m. ET as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 227.5. The Sacramento Kings play in Los Angeles against the Clippers at 10:40 p.m. ET as a 3-point road favorite with a total of 221.5.The National Hockey League has two games on its slate. The Winnipeg Jets are in Pittsburgh to play the Penguins at 7:07 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Buffalo Sabres travel to Anaheim to play the Ducks at 10:07 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.The college basketball schedule has 77 games between Division I opponents. Fifteen NCAAB games are on major national television. Tow NCAAB games tip off at 11:30 a.m. ET. Ohio faces Portland in the Myrtle Beach Invitational at the HTC Center in Conway, South Carolina, on ESPNU as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 151.5. Florida Atlantic battles Drake in the Shriners Hospital Charleston Classic at the TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina, on ESPN2 as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 145.5. Two NCAAB games start at 2:00 p.m. ET. Miami (FL) plays Oklahoma State in the Shriners Hospital Charleston Classic on ESPNU as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 157. South Florida challenges Middle Tennessee on ESPN2 in the Myrtle Beach Invitational as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 147. Pittsburgh faces LSU at the Greenbriar Tip-Off at the Greenbriar Colonial Hall in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, on the CBS Sports Network at 2:30 p.m. ET as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 147.Two NCAAB games on national television begin at 5:00 p.m. ET. Vanderbilt battles Seton Hall on ESPN2 in the Shriners Hospital Charleston Classic as a 5-point favorite at BetOnline with an over/under of 134. Two nationally-televised NCAAB games start at 7:00 p.m. ET. Butler hosts Merrimack on FS2 as a 12-point favorite with a total of 134.5. St. John’s challenges Texas Tech in the Legend’s Classic at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on ESPNU as a 12.5-point favorite with an over/under of 134.5. Creighton plays at home against Nebraska on FS1 at 8:00 p.m. ET as an 11-point favorite with a total of 157.5. Texas goes against St. John’s in the Legend’s Classic on ESPNU at 9:00 p.m. ET as a 9.5-point favorite with an over/under of 150.5. Tennessee battles Baylor in the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship at the Baha Mar Convention Center in Nassau, Bahamas, on the CBS Sports Network at 9:30 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 145.5. Two NCAAB games on national television begin at 10:30 p.m. ET. Wichita State faces Saint Louis in the NABC Hall of Fame Classic at the  T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Peacock as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 155. Arizona is home against Duke on ESPN2 as a 1-point favorite with a total of 160.5. North Carolina plays at Hawaii in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational on ESPN2 at 12:30 a.m. ET as a 16-point road favorite with an over/under of 151.5.

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CFB Late Season Bowl Motivation Handicapping

by Kyle Hunter

Thursday, Nov 21, 2024

CFB Late Season Bowl Motivation HandicappingIt is late in the regular season and you are going to hear a lot of people talking about teams needing to win to become bowl eligible. It is important to remember that not all of this situations are the same. Some in the media talk about bowl eligibility for teams like that is the top priority for everyone. What if your aspirations were much higher and you simply would want the season to be over? There are always a few teams in that kind of spot each year. On the whole, I do think accounting for bowl motivation is a good idea, but it should be done on a case by case basis. Let’s take a look at a few teams who are on the edge of being bowl eligible: UCLA Bruins (4-6 Straight Up Record) UCLA hosts rival USC this weekend in the biggest game for them (and USC). USC is also 5-5 and the Trojans play Notre Dame the following week. UCLA plays Fresno State in the final week, so if they can win this game they’ll have a great shot at going bowling. UCLA knows this is their best shot too though. This game will be intense! Arizona Wildcats (4-6 Record) Arizona goes to TCU where they are a double digit dog this week. The Wildcats benefited from Houston being dreadful last week, but they have played very poorly in the last few weeks overall. They expected better from this season. It is tough to gauge whether they care a lot or not. New Mexico Lobos (5-6 Record) Bronco Mendenhall has done a great job with this Lobos team. Their expectations were extremely low after the program hadn’t even been competitive in recent seasons. The fact that they even have a shot at a bowl is amazing. New Mexico goes to Hawaii next weekend. That’s a tricky spot with the long travel, but I trust New Mexico to be fully prepared for that contest.  UL Monroe Warhawks (5-5 Record) Coach Vincent is another guy who has done a great job this year. ULM was 2-10 and 0-8 in the Sun Belt last year. This team would absolutely love to go to any bowl and get the extra practices to keep things going in a positive direction for next year. A highly motivated team. Virginia Tech (5-5 Record) Virginia Tech is an interesting case. The Hokies had much higher goals for this season. They have been upset multiple times, and injuries are at least part of the reason for their failures this season. They play at Duke and host Virginia in their remaining games. They should want that Virginia game because it is a rivalry, but overall I find it hard to know the motivation of this team for a bowl game in general. UTSA Roadrunners (5-5 Record) UTSA was much better last year, but they lost a bunch of very talented players. Coach Traylor does a good job with this program, and UTSA has improved as the season has gone along. A nice upset win over North Texas last week has this team going in the right direction. They also upset Memphis the week before. They host Temple this week, and I think this group will be focused on getting the job done and reaching another bowl.

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CFB: Laying The Points Late in Season

by Kyle Hunter

Thursday, Nov 21, 2024

There’s only a couple weeks left in the college football season. There is a big difference in handicapping late regular season games compared to early or middle of the season contests. Does the team with a poor record have a reason to care late in the year? In some cases there are reasons for that team to be trying hard for a new coach. There are also times where specific coaches are great at motivating a team even when they seemingly have little to play for in the larger scheme of things. Still, most of the time these very weak teams struggle late in the regular season.I don’t like to lay a lot of points as a general rule. It doesn’t feel comfortable to me. The numbers show that laying the points late in the regular season is overall a winning strategy though.When does laying the points pay off the best for bettors? From game number 10 until game number 12 of the regular season. Here’s a late season favorites system with the filters:  -Game 10-12 of the regular season-Opponent winning percentage (straight up) is less than 50%-The team you are betting on is -16.5 or larger-The team you are betting on has covered at a rate of 55% ATS or lower so far this seasonThe ATS record for this system since 2006 is 201-140 (59% ATS). The thought process for adding the ATS cover rate for the season thus far is getting rid of teams that have covered at a very high rate because the point spread would likely be inflated on those teams by this point in the season.Road teams only in the system listed above are 57-25. A smaller sample size to be sure, but impressive results for the long term.  This week, there are five applicable games, including one team (South Alabama) on the road:South Florida -17 vs. TulsaGeorgia -42 vs. MassachusettsTennessee -42 vs. UTEPSouth Alabama -22.5 at Southern MississippiTexas St. -20.5 vs. Georgia St. Don’t be afraid to lay the points late in the regular season. It’s a completely different setup handicapping college football in these situations late in the year.

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The Cavaliers Go Down!

by AAA Sports

Thursday, Nov 21, 2024

Ok, so the NBA’s first REALLY BIG GAME of the 2024-25 regular season is in the books, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are no longer strutting around with a perfect record. The defending champion Celtics saw to that, winning by one 3-point shot (120-117) on the ugly NBA Cup-demanded TD Garden court. What does this mean, going forward? 1.      THE CAVS ARE LEGIT On a night when the Celtics rained 3 after 3 on their heads, the Cavaliers somehow kept it together enough to actually have a chance to win late. Constant penetration and aggressive defense in the second half righted the ship after a disastrous two-plus quarters when it looked like they were going to be chased halfway back to Cleveland.  Donovan Mitchell, injured and unavailable when Boston ended Cleveland’s season in the Eastern Conference playoff semifinals last spring, was dominant on Tuesday night. His 35 points couldn’t quite compensate for an historic stinkeroo night from Darius Garland, was a horrific 3 for 21 (0 for 6 from deep). Had Garland been merely bad, Cleveland might have won easily. 2.      SPEAKING OF ALL THOSE 3s . . . They don’t always fall for the Celtics. When they don’t, teams like the Hawks can come in and steal one. The awful Raptors can take Boston to overtime. But when they drop, like they did against Cleveland (22 of 41, 54 percent), what can be done? Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown attack the rim as well as anyone this side of an in-his-prime LeBron, getting teams in rotation and creating open looks from deep. Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford all are more than competent from distance. And this is being done without Kritaps Porzingis, who is expected back before Christmas (could be even earlier) and draws defenses out even further. Brings to mind the responses from former Celtics Antoine Walker when asked why he took so many 3. Said Toine: “Because they don’t have 4s.” 3.      WHAT DO GAMES IN NOVEMBER MEAN? Cleveland ripped off 15 in a row to start the season, replacing (at least for now) the Knicks as the team that might be able to challenge Boston in a weakened Eastern Conference where expected challengers Philadelphia and Milwaukee are a combined 13 games under .500. Lost in parade confetti is the fact that Cleveland has done this without yet having two days in a row off since the start of the season. The schedule will even out, affording coach Kenny Atkinson some valuable practice time. Meanwhile, prior to outlasting the Cavaliers, the Celtics appeared disinterested. Golden State had come in to the Garden and spanked the Celts, they somehow managed to lose at home to Atlanta (without Trae Young), and got it together just in time to fend off lottery-bound Toronto. How do they find motivation when they don’t face teams like Cleveland? Not easy. 4.      WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? While the Celtics search for reasons not to fall asleep, a healthy Cavaliers squad should have no problem continuing as one of the league’s elite. Mitchell is in attack mode 24/7/365, Garland will be doing everything he can to show that his terrible game in Boston was a one-off, and the league still hasn’t figured out a way to handle Cleveland’s double-big front-court of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. The Cavs will be fine. 5.      WHAT DO THE ODDS SAY? Bsoton’s recent slip-ups have done nothing to dislodge the Celtics as the heavy favorite to raise the trophy next June. The Celtics opened at +300 and sit right now at +275. Steep number for a team trying to repeat in a league which has had a different champion in each of the last six years. Cleveland’s strong start, however, has moved its own number considerably. The Cavs opened at +3500, and that has been cut almost in half, to +1300. That's still some pretty good value!

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Vegas Writer's NHL Morning Skate

by Vegas Writer

Thursday, Nov 21, 2024

Welcome to Thursday's edition of the "Morning Skate," which follows a five-game card from Wednesday.Three of the five games were shutouts, including Toronto blanking Vegas, ending the Golden Knights' run of scoring at least one goal in a game. Their streak of 59 games of not being shutout was the third-longest in the league.Let's take a look at the main highlights from Wednesday: The injury-ravaged Maple Leafs were without five key players, including captain Auston Matthews, yet still improved to 6-1-0 this season without last year's Rocket Richard Trophy winner.Sebastian Aho scored his 58th career game-winning goal to surpass Ron Francis (57) for the most in franchise history and help the Hurricanes (14-4-0, 28 points) move into first place in the Metropolitan Division with a 4-1 win in Philadelphia.Daniel Sprong opened the scoring while Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson had multiple points as the Kraken blanked the Predators, 3-0.Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 24 shots, Jason Zucker scored the game’s only goal, and the Buffalo Sabres silenced the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 on the road. Through the first 44 nights of the season: Favorites are 186-104, including a 161-85 run. Overs are 133-134-23, but the Under is currently on a 65-45-9 roll. We have 10 games on the card tonight, with hefty prices from five of the games.Tonight's FEATURED GAME (lines courtesy DraftKings):Florida (-238, 6) at ChicagoOUTLOOK: The defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers finish up a mini-two-game trip that started with a 6-3 loss in Winnipeg. This is a good opportunity to flex their muscles against the lowly Blackhawks, who have lost three straight, including Tuesday's 3-2 home loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Since a 3-1 win streak carried into early November, the 'Hawks have lost five of six. Florida has won six of the last eight meetings and should make it seven of nine without a hitch. The puck line (+110) is the smart play here, as the Panthers win by at least two goals.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 11/21/2024

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Nov 21, 2024

The Thursday sports card features NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.Week 12 in the National Football League kicks off with one game. The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Cleveland to play the Browns on Amazon Prime at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Steelers are on a five-game winning streak after their 18-16 upset win at home against Baltimore as a 3-point underdog last Sunday. The Browns lost for the seventh time in their last eight games after a 35-14 upset loss at New Orleans as a 1-point favorite on Sunday. Pittsburgh is a 3.5-point road favorite with the total set at 37 (all odds from DraftKings). Week 13 in NCAAF college football continues with one game between FBS opponents. Georgia Tech hosts North Carolina State on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Yellow Jackets return to action after ending a two-game losing streak with their 28-23 upset victory at home against Miami (FL) as a 9.5-point underdog on November 9th. The Wolfpack had won two games in a row before a 29-19 upset loss at home against Duke as a 3-point underdog two Saturdays ago. Georgia Tech is a 9-point favorite with an over/under of 52.The National Basketball Association has four games on its docket. The Detroit Pistons play in Charlotte to play the Hornets at 7:10 p.m. ET as a 1-point road favorite with a total of 220.5. The Minnesota Timberwolves are in Toronto to play the Raptors at 7:40 p.m. ET as a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 227. The San Antonio Spurs play at home against the Utah Jazz as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 223.5. The Los Angeles Lakers are home against the Orlando Magic at 10:40 p.m. ET as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 218.5. The National Hockey League has 10 games on its slate. Six NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Colorado Avalanche visit Washington to play the Capitals as a -142 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Boston Bruins host the Utah Hockey Club as a -166 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The New Jersey Devils play at home against the Carolina Hurricanes as a -115 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The Tampa Bay Lightning play in Columbus against the Blue Jackets as a -180 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The New York Islanders are in Detroit to play the Red Wings as a -125 money-line road favorite with a total of 6. The Ottawa Senators are home against the Vegas Golden Knights as a -115 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The St. Louis Blues host the San Jose Sharks at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -245 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The Florida Panthers travel to Chicago to play the Blackhawks at 8:37 p.m. ET as a -245 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Two more games conclude the NHL card at 9:07 p.m. ET. The Edmonton Oilers play at home against the Minnesota Wild as a -162 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The New York Rangers play in Calgary against the Flames as a -166 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.The college basketball schedule has 38 games between Division I opponents. Thirteen games are on national television. Two NCAAB games tip off at noon ET. Ohio faces Middle Tennessee in the Myrtle Beach Invitational at the HTC Center in Conway, South Carolina, on ESPNU as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 147. Miami (FL) battles Drake in the Shriners Hospital Charleston Classic at the TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina, on ESPN2 as a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 140.5. Two NCAAB games start at 2:30 p.m. ET. Oklahoma State challenges Florida Atlantic in the Shriners Hospital Charleston Classic on ESPNU as a 1-point favorite with a total of 162.5. South Florida goes against Portland in the Myrtle Beach Invitational on ESPN2 as a 9-point favorite with an over/under of 146.5. VCU plays against Seton Hall in the Shriners Hospital Charleston Classic on ESPN2 at 5:00 p.m. ET as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 124.5. Bradley faces Texas State in the Myrtle Beach Invitational on ESPNU at 5:30 p.m. ET as a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 137. Indiana is home against UNC-Greensboro on FS1 at 6:30 p.m. ET as a 17.5-point favorite with an over/under of 145.5. Two NCAAB games on national television begin at 7:00 p.m. ET. Texas battles Syracuse in the Legend’s Classic at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on ESPN2 as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 154.5. Baylor goes against St. John’s in the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship at the Baha Mar Convention Center in Nassau, Bahamas, on the CBS Sports Network as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 152.5. Nevada challenges Vanderbilt in the Shriners Hospital Charleston Classic on ESPNU at 7:30 p.m. ET as a 4-point favorite with a total of 149. Texas Tech plays against Saint Joseph’s in the Legend’s Classic on ESPN2 at 9:00 p.m. ET as a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 148. Tennessee battles Virginia in the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship on the CBS Sports Network at 9:30 p.m. ET as a 12-point favorite with a total of 125.5. San Francisco faces Memphis in the USF Legacy Showcase at the Chase Center in San Francisco. California, as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 154.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 11/20/2024

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024

The Wednesday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.Week 13 in NCAAF college football continues with two games between FBS opponents at 7:00 p.m. ET. Toledo hosts Ohio on ESPN2. The Rockets won for the third time in their last four games with their 37-10 victory against Central Michigan as a 14.5-point favorite last Tuesday. The Bobcats won for the fifth time in their last six games in their 35-10 win against Eastern Michigan as a 10.5-point favorite last Wednesday. Toledo is a 2-point favorite with the total set at 44.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Eastern Michigan plays at home against Buffalo on ESPNU. The Eagles are on a three-game winning streak after their 35-10 victory at Ohio as a 10.5-point underdog. The Bulls are on a two-game winning streak after their 51-48 win in overtime against Ball State as a 3.5-point favorite. Eastern Michigan is a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 51. The National Basketball Association has eight games on its docket. Two NBA games tip off at 7:40 p.m. ET. The Milwaukee Bucks are home against the Chicago Bulls on ESPN as an 8-point favorite with a total of 236.5. The Cleveland Cavaliers host the New Orleans Pelicans as a 13.5-point favorite with an over/under of 221.5. Three more NBA games start at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Philadelphia 76ers travel to Memphis to play the Grizzlies as a 2-point road favorite with a total of 219.5. The Oklahoma City Thunder play at home against the Portland Trail Blazers as a 13.5-point favorite with an over/under of 222. The Houston Rockets are home against the Indiana Pacers as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 231.5. Two NBA games begin at 10:10 p.m. ET. The New York Knicks play in Phoenix against the Suns on ESPN as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 222. The Golden State Warriors host the Atlanta Hawks as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 239.5. The Orlando Magic are in Los Angeles to play the Clippers at 10:40 p.m. ET as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 207.The National Hockey League has five games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:37 p.m. ET. The Carolina Hurricanes visit Philadelphia to play the Flyers on TNT as a -230 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Toronto Maple Leafs play at home against the Vegas Golden Knights as a -135 money-line favor with an over/under of 6. The Dallas Stars are home against the San Jose Sharks at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -455 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The Nashville Predators play in Seattle against the Kraken on TNT as a -130 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The Los Angeles Kings host the Buffalo Sabres at 10:37 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 6.The college basketball schedule has 37 games between Division I opponents. Four games are on major national television. Xavier plays at home against Siena on FS1 at 6:30 p.m. ET. as a 26-point favorite with an over/under of 145. Rutgers is home against Merrimack on Peacock at 8:00 p.m. ET as a 19.5-point favorite with a total of 134.5. Georgetown is a 13-point favorite with an over/under of 144.5. USC hosts San Jose State on Peacock at 10:00 p.m. ET as a 19.5-point favorite with a total of 142. 

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College Football Week 13 Top 12 Poll

by Wayne Root

Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024

The latest AP Poll Top 25 rankings are in after Week 12 of college football and there were some shake ups following another wild weekend! Oregon and Texas had close calls, Georgia got back on the winning end of things and BYU is no longer undefeated. A lot happened again!In our Week 13 Top 12 poll, the Buckeyes will remain at No. 2 behind the Ducks, but could engage in a rematch next month for the conference title if Ohio State wins out. The Big 10 absolutely dominates the poll with four of the top five coming from their conference. 1. Oregon (11-0)Oregon had a close call against Wisconsin on the road. Still, the Ducks came away with a 16-13 win over the Badgers to remain undefeated. Thanks to a pair of scores in the fourth quarter, the top-ranked Ducks avoided a colossal upset and stayed unbeaten this season with a victory at Camp Randall over Wisconsin. Dillon Gabriel didn’t play well, so he’ll have to fix that come the postseason. He finished with 218 yards passing and one interception.2. Ohio State (9-1)Ohio State rolled to a 31-7 victory over Northwestern on the road after trailing 7-0. Thanks to a pair of touchdown passes from Will Howard to Carnell Tate and two scores on the ground from Quinshon Judkins, the Buckeyes set up next week's huge Big Ten showdown against unbeaten Indiana with a throttling of the Wildcats. Will Howard threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns and Quinshon Judkins ran for two on the ground. Carnell Tate caught both scores but Jeremiah Smith hit 100 yards receiving. Well balanced on Saturday.3. Texas (9-1)Texas edged out Arkansas 20-10 on the road in a game too close for comfort. Quinn Ewers actually played a solid game, but the offense failed to generate much rhythm. After the Razorbacks cut the deficit to three points at 13-10 a few minutes into the fourth quarter, Texas went on an eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped by Matthew Golden's 1-yard reception from Quinn Ewers to put it away. Ewers only threw for 176 yards but tossed two touchdowns. Now at 9-1, Texas controls its path to the SEC and College Football Playoff.4. Penn State (9-1)Penn State dominated Purdue to continue its wins over teams not named Ohio State. This 49-10 win was basically over by the time the fourth quarter began. Drew Allar threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Once Beau Pribula came in, he threw and ran for a score. The Nittany Lions play at Minnesota next week before concluding the regular season against Maryland in Happy Valley. If they're able to finish 11-1 with the only loss coming to Ohio State, James Franklin's team is essentially locked into an at-large playoff berth.5. Indiana (10-0) Indiana had the week off, Curt Cignetti got a massive contract extension and the Hoosiers have a date with Ohio State coming up. What a time to be an IU fan. Week 13 showdown against Ohio State with the winner likely headed to Indianapolis to play Oregon for a conference crown and automatic playoff berth. Indiana doesn't have a win over a ranked team yet this season, so the Buckeyes will be a true test. With the way they’re playing, this is one of the best teams in the country. But, they’ll get their biggest test. But if they win, can we talk about a national title?6. Notre Dame (9-1) Notre Dame rolled to another victory over Virginia and have now won eight games in a row. Since that loss to NIU, the Fighting Irish have dominated. Riley Leonard threw for 214 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Jeremiyah Love had 137 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The Fighting Irish thwarted the pesky Cavaliers by forcing five takeaways and controlling the line of scrimmage. Notre Dame takes on unbeaten Army in Week 13. The Black Knights could surge ahead of Boise State as the Group of Five favorite with an upset.7. Alabama (8-2) Alabama rolled to a non-conference victory over Mercer to improve to 8-2 on the season. Jalen Milroe had a field day too. He finished with 186 yards and two touchdowns through the air while running for 43 yards and another score. The first-teamers played into the third quarter as Alabama rolled up 508 total yards, including 319 through the air from four different quarterbacks. Alabama pushed a step closer to a playoff berth after handling Mercer at home and heads to Oklahoma next week.8. Georgia (8-2)It was a great night for the Bulldogs, getting back on track and keeping their College Football Playoff hopes alive. You gotta love playing top 10 opponents at home. Thanks to a couple touchdowns in the second half and suffocating play defensively down the stretch, Georgia bounced back from a loss to Ole Miss in a big way. Carson Beck had one of his best games of the season, throwing for 347 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score to go along with 32 yards rushing.9. Ole Miss (8-2)Ole Miss had the week off fresh off the win over Georgia. So the Rebels are certainly feeling themselves, but can they keep it up? Back in the saddle after blowing out Georgia in Week 11, the Rebels appear to be in control of their own playoff destiny by simply beating Florida and Mississippi State this month to finish the regular season with 10 wins. The offense can beat anyone in the country, but it’s the defense that’s really stepped up. Put it all together and Ole Miss might be one of the best teams in the country that can win it all on their best day.10. Tennessee (8-2)Tennessee survived a drop despite the loss to Georgia. But now with another loss, there are more questions about the Vols’ offense.Tennessee has one of college football's best wins this season after toppling Alabama a few weeks back at Neyland Stadium, but had a chance to virtually lock in a playoff appearance if the Vols were able to beat Georgia on the road, but it wasn't to be. Tennessee scored the first 10 points of the game before the Bulldogs dominated from that point onward. Just a bad night? Or was Georgia just that good Saturday evening? Either way, this two-loss team’s playoff chances took a hit.10. Miami (9-1)Miami slid in last week's AP poll and CFP Top 25 after the upset loss at Georgia Tech, but used its second open date to fine-tune any issues prior to the final two games of the campaign against Wake Forest and Syracuse. Win both of those and Miami clinches a spot in the ACC Championship Game, likely against SMU. 11. BYU (9-1)The cardiac Cougars were at it again last week, beating Utah in the final seconds with a game-winning field goal to stay unblemished. A win over the Jayhawks in Week 12 would've clinched a spot in the league championship game next month, but Kansas prevailed in the fourth quarter. A team of destiny of sorts similar to TCU's run a few years ago, BYU had previously found ways to win games in crunch time on multiple weekends before the magic finally ran out.12. SMU (9-1)SMU came up with a major fourth-down stop with 1:11 remaining and scored a few plays later to put it away. Now, one more win is all that separates the Mustangs from a berth in the ACC Championship Game. Brashard Smith rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown while Kevin Jennings tossed three touchdowns passes as SMU won its seventh-straight game. SMU travels to Virginia in Week 13 before closing with Cal.

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NHL Off the Post: November 19th

by Sean Murphy

Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024

As teams across the NHL continue to adjust to their respective challenges, there’s no shortage of drama and excitement. From injuries to goaltending struggles, the season is unfolding with plenty of storylines that will evolve over time. Here's a look at news and notes from around the league as we head into the last third of November.Oil change in Edmonton The Edmonton Oilers are grappling with inconsistency this season, and now they face even more challenges with the indefinite absence of key defenseman Darnell Nurse. Nurse was on the receiving end of a vicious hit from Toronto's bruising forward, Ryan Reaves, on Saturday, forcing him out of the lineup for an unspecified amount of time. The Oilers’ defensive struggles have already been well-documented, as they rank 18th in goals allowed per game, and Nurse’s injury only exacerbates these issues. With the coaching staff now tasked with navigating the team through this adversity, Edmonton will need to find a way to improve defensively while maintaining their offensive firepower. With Nurse sidelined, Edmonton’s defense is under further scrutiny, and the Oilers must adapt quickly if they hope to stay competitive in the Pacific Division.Senators in Session: Defense Under Review In Ottawa, goaltender Linus Ullmark has been the focus of concern after a highly anticipated trade acquisition has yet to pay dividends. Despite joining the Senators in a bid to stabilize their goaltending situation, Ullmark has posted a lackluster 2.77 goals against average and an .890 save percentage through nine games. While Ottawa's offense has shown promise, these defensive shortcomings, coupled with Ullmark's struggles, have hampered their ability to climb the standings. The Senators are desperate for more consistency in the crease and will need Ullmark to find his form if they hope to make a real push for a playoff spot. The pressure is mounting on the Senators' coaching staff to get this area of the game sorted quickly before they fall too far behind in the race.Jets Flying High in Winnipeg The Winnipeg Jets continue to surprise this season with a solid 15-3 record, though they’ve been brought back down to earth with consecutive losses in Florida. Despite these recent setbacks, Winnipeg is still performing at a high level overall, with strong contributions from both their offense and goaltending. The challenge now, however, will be handling the road-heavy schedule that lies ahead. Eight of their next 10 games will be played away from home, which could test the team's ability to maintain their elite status in the Central Division. Winnipeg will need to keep their foot on the gas and find ways to keep performing on the road if they want to stay near the top of the standings as the season progresses. Red Wings Revving Up? The Detroit Red Wings have been struggling both offensively and defensively this season. They rank 22nd in goals allowed per game and 29th in shots on goal allowed per contest, indicating weaknesses in their defensive play. Offensively, it’s been even worse, with Detroit ranking 26th in goals per game and dead last in shots on goal per game. This lack of offensive production is making it hard for the Red Wings to fully capitalize on their defensive efforts. Head coach Derek Lalonde will need to find a balance between shoring up defensive gaps while also breathing life into an offense that’s struggling to generate consistent pressure. Without improvement in both areas, Detroit's playoff aspirations may quickly fade.Kraken the Code on Consistency The Seattle Kraken continue to struggle with consistency between home and road performances. While they have a solid 6-4-1 record at home, their road woes have been evident, with a 3-5 mark so far this season. With seven of their next 10 games on the road, Seattle faces a critical stretch that could define their season. The Kraken's struggles on the road have come in part due to a lack of scoring and defensive inconsistencies. They’ll need to find a way to step up their game away from home if they hope to stay competitive in the competitive Western Conference. As the schedule ramps up, their ability to perform in tough environments will be key to their playoff hopes.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NHL, NBA, NCAAF, and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 11/19/2024

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024

The Tuesday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.Week 13 in NCAAF college football starts with three games between FBS opponents. Akron travels to Kent State on the CBS Sports Network at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Zips lost for the sixth time in their last seven games in a 29-16 loss at Northern Illinois as a 14-point underdog last Wednesday. The Golden Flashes are winless in their ten games this season after their 34-7 loss at Miami (OH) on Wednesday. Akron is a 9.5-point road favorite with the total set at 50 (all odds from DraftKings).Western Michigan plays at Central Michigan on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Broncos are on a two-game losing streak after their 31-13 loss at Bowling Green as a 9.5-point underdog last Tuesday. The Chippewas are on a five-game losing streak after a 37-10 loss at Toledo as a 14.5-point underdog on Tuesday. Western Michigan is a 7.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 55.5. Miami (OH) hosts Northern Illinois on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. ET. The RedHawks won their fifth straight game their victory against Kent State last week. The Huskies are on a two-game winning streak after their victory against Northern Illinois last week. Miami (OH) is a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 44. The National Basketball Association has six games on its docket in the NBA Cup. The Boston Celtics play at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers on TNT at 7:10 p.m. ET as a 5-point favorite with an over/under of 233. The Brooklyn Nets are home against the Charlotte Hornets at 7:40 p.m. ET as a 3-point favorite with a total of 222. The Memphis Grizzlies host the Denver Nuggets at 8:10 p.m. ET as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 226. The Dallas Mavericks play at home against the New Orleans Pelicans at 8:40 p.m. ET as an 11.5-point favorite with a total of 219.5. The Oklahoma City Thunder are at San Antonio to play the Spurs on TNT as an 8.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 222.5. The Los Angeles Lakers are home against the Jazz at 10:40 p.m. ET as an 11-point favorite with a total of 233. The National Hockey League has seven games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Tampa Bay Lightning visit Pittsburgh to play the Penguins as a -155 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers play in Ottawa against the Senators as a -135 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. Two more NHL games start at 8:07 p.m. ET. The Florida Panthers are in Winnipeg to play the Jets with both teams priced at -110 with an over/under of 6. The Minnesota Wild travel to St. Louis to face the Blues as a -175 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Chicago Blackhawks host the Anaheim Ducks at 8:37 p.m. ET as a -166 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.The New York Islanders play in Calgary against the Flames at 9:07 p.m. ET with both teams priced as a -110 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The New York Rangers are in Vancouver to play the Canucks at 10:07 p.m. ET as a -112 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The college basketball schedule has 46 games between Division I opponents. Six games are on major national television. Three NCAAB games on major national television at 7:00 p.m. ET. Villanova plays at home against the University of Pennsylvania on Peacock as a 14.5-point favorite with a total of 141.5. Providence is home against Delaware State on FS2 as a 21.5-point favorite with an over/under of 135.5. UConn hosts Texas A&M Commerce on FS1 as a 37.5-point favorite with a total of 146.5. Michigan State hosts Samford on Peacock at 8:00 p.m. ET as a 17.5-point favorite with an over/under of 160. Two more NCAAB games are on major national television at 9:00 p.m. ET. Marquette plays at home against Purdue on FS1 as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 153.5. DePaul is home against Eastern Illinois on FS2 as an 18-point favorite with an over/under of 143.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 11/18/2024

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Nov 18, 2024

The Monday sports card features NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action. Week 11 in the NFL concludes with one game. The Houston Texans travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys on ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN2 Manningcast at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Texans lost for the third time in their last four games in a 26-23 loss at home to Detroit as a 4-point favorite last Sunday night. The Cowboys have lost four games in a row after their 34-6 loss at home to Philadelphia as a 7-point underdog on Sunday. Houston is a 7-point road favorite with the total set at 41 (all odds from DraftKings). The National Basketball Association has eight games on its docket. The Detroit Pistons play at home against the Chicago Bulls at 7:10 p.m. ET as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 234.5. Three more NBA games tip off at 7:40 p.m. ET. The Indiana Pacers travel to Toronto to play the Raptors as a 4-point road favorite with a total of 236. The Miami Heat are home against the Philadelphia 76ers as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 213. The New York Knicks host the Washington Wizards as a 13.5-point favorite with a total of 230. The Milwaukee Bucks play at home against the Houston Rockets at 8:10 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 220. The Orlando Magic play at Phoenix against the Suns at 9:10 p.m. ET as a 1.5-point road favorite with a total of 209.5. The Sacramento Kings are home against the Atlanta Hawks at 10:10 p.m. ET as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 234.5. The Golden State is in Los Angeles to play the Clippers at 10:40 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 223.5. The National Hockey League has six games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Colorado Avalanche visit Philadelphia to play the Flyers as a -175 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Boston Bruins host the Columbus Blue Jackets as a -230 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The Edmonton Oilers play in Montreal against the Canadiens at 7:37 p.m. ET as a -270 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Dallas Stars play at home against the Anaheim Ducks at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -375 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The Washington Capitals are in Utah to play the Hockey Club at 9:07 p.m. ET as a -118 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The Detroit Red Wings visit San Jose to play the Sharks at 10:37 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The college basketball schedule has 22 games between Division I opponents. One NCAAB game is on major national television. Gonzaga plays at San Diego State on the CBS Sports Network at 10:00 p.m. ET as a 12-point road favorite with an over/under of 150.5.

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