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Recent Sporting News From Around The World

by William Burns

Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025

(SOCCER) MLS IS BACK .. As the European Football seasons enter the final stretch over these next couple of months, the MLS starts up again. This past weekend was the first match-week and we saw some very interesting results. Expansion team: San Diego FC's first MLS game ever was a win against the defending MLS Cup Champions (LA Galaxy.) Inter Miami & Lionel Messi kicked their season off with a draw against NYFC. Miami is the favorite to win it all this year (+400.) MAN CITY OUT OF UCL IN EARLY KNOCKOUT STAGES .. It was an unlucky draw for both teams. However, that's what the new format is all about. Real Madrid was forced to play Manchester City in the "Playoffs Round" of the Champions League. Man City was the team that fell short in the end and now will watch from home for the rest of the way. Madrid are the current favorites to win the UCL and repeat what it accomplished last season (+400.) Barcelona & Liverpool are close.  LIVERPOOL RUNNING AWAY w/ PREMIER LEAGUE ..  Talking about Liverpool, it's now 13 points clear of Arsenal at the top spot in the Premier League. The Reds keep winning and seem unstoppable this season. Liverpool is now (-5000) to win the Prem. Don't expect any other team to come close to them.  (FIGHTING)MASSIVE TITLE FIGHTS TO COME IN 2025 ..  Not only have we been expecting the Jon Jones/Tom Aspinal Heavyweight Bout. But, we are now expecting an Islam Makhachev/Ilia Topuria war sometime in 2025 after Ilia vacated his belt to move up in weight class. Both of these fights should be absolutely insane! In Boxing, we could see a Gervonta “Tank” Davis & Lamont Roach throw it down this weekend. Get buckled up for an amazing year of fights.  RISING STARS IN THE UFC .. After last week's ridiculous knockout, Jean Silva is a name to remember in the Featherweight Division. Rei Tsuruya (undefeated 10-0) is just 22 years old and he makes his UFC debut against Joshua Van at UFC 313 in what should be a really good fight. Joshua Van too is a rising star in the UFC and the winner of this fight will be in prime position to do great things. Nurullo Aliev is an undefeated fighter as well. Nicknamed the "Tajik Eagle" he will out work you until the final bell. One more I've got to mention is Iasmin Lucindo. At just 22 years old, she's poised for greatness and could be the next Brazilian Women's Strawweight Champ. (HOCKEY) CANADA WINS GOLD AT 4 NATIONS FACE-OFF ..  What an event it was that the NHL put on for the world to see in February. Replacing the All-Star game, a mini tournament was put on by the best of the best from the four countries of Canada, USA, Sweden & Finland. After the USA beat Canada in the round-robin, Canada got the best of them in the finale bringing joy across the country in what was an instant classic game finished by the world's most skilled player in Connor McDavid. WINNIPEG & WASHINGTON IN DOMINATING FORM ..  Heading into Thursday, February 27th, the Winnipeg Jets are on another 10-game winning streak. The Jets are 11 points clear of the second best team in the Western Conference (Dallas) and have just over 20 games remaining. Similar stuff is going on out East where the Washington Capitals keep on winning. They are 10 points clear of the second best team in the Eastern Conference (Toronto) and Ovechkin is just 12 goals away from passing "The Great One" in goals.  (TENNIS) 17 YR OLD PHENOM, MIRRA ANDREEVA MAKES HISTORY ..  After winning the DUBAI WTA 1000 tournament, Mirra Andreeva became the youngest player in tennis history to win a WTA 1000 event. She's now ranked in the top 10 in the WTA rankings for the first time in her young career and this is just the beginning. She's only going to go up from here.  JANNIK SINNER BANNED FOR 3 MONTHS ..  Most people don't agree with the length of this suspension while others don't believe he should be suspended at all. But, either way, Jannik Sinner is currently serving a 3-Month Ban for his "Doping Case" last year. For those who don't know, a banned substance (Trofodermin, containing clostebol,)  entered his system from a spray to heal a wound. The average ban for a case like this is anywhere from 12-24 months. He will not miss any Grand Slam events and even will be able to return for the Italian Open which starts three days after he's able to play again.  TERRIFYING STALKER IN DUBAI .. The average tennis fan may not remember the incident of Monica Seles who got stabbed mid-match by a stalker in 1993. She was one of the best players in the world, if not the best at the time and it was a complete shock to the tennis world. Well, a recent incident found former US Open Champ Emma Raducanu on the scary end of it in Dubai as this was not the first time the British player had someone "stalking" her. She had been the victim of a different stalker, with another man who was given a 5-year restraining order back home in 2022. She returns to play at Indian Wells set for the start of March. (BASEBALL) BASEBALL IS BACK ..  You heard that right. MLB Spring Training is finally here and that means that the Regular Season is just around the corner. LAD (+300 to Win) is locked and loaded again, attempting to go B2B. Don't be shocked if the Dodgers are at the top of the baseball world for many years to come.  (BASKETBALL) TOP CONTENDERS THIS SEASON ..  Cleveland & Oklahoma City seem to be the runaways right now in the regular season. However, things could change drastically come the playoffs in April/May/June. Boston remains the co-favorite (along with OKC) to win the NBA Championship and go B2B (at +210) and there are plenty of teams that have a chance to do damage.   HERE COMES GOLDEN STATE AGAIN ..  Golden State is one of those teams. At +1900 to take home the championship this season, that number keeps getting smaller. The Warriors added Jimmy "Buckets" Butler to their team and they've started dominating. No, I'm not going to say that this dynasty is back. However, it's getting more and more likely that the Dubs will be in contention to win this thing. 

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Gambling News And Notes

by AAA Sports

Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025

Can’t go even a full month without a way-too-early, pre-free agency, pre-trades, pre-draft look at the 2025 season?Here are three teams that might be worth a futures ticket:1.      PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – The Chiefs have proven that winning two in a row is hardly impossible, so why not take an early flyer on the Birds to go back to back? And when you look at the way they’re built, two Super Bowl rings seem very gettable. Philly has the all the weapons it needs on offense, a massive physical offensive line, key people under contract and nary an unhappy player (in public, anyway). They are equally prepared for warm and cold weather games. The Eagles are out of the gate at +700 to win next February’s Super Bowl.2.      BALTIMORE RAVENS – Baltimore also is set – for now, anyway – at +700. They have a legit year after year MVP candidate in Lamar Jackson, and could be ready to make the jump if the Chiefs fade even a bit and the Bills are unable to get over the hump that always seems to be in their headlights. Baltimore has a decent amount of cap space and could add to an already solid core. Ravens fans are keeping a close eye on veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who is a free agent and is key to a lot of what Jackson and Derrick Henry do on offense.3.      DETROIT LIONS – At +850, the Lions are obviously in the mix. Question is, is there enough Lysol to erase the stench from that godawful playoff loss to Washington? Getting to the playoffs in Detroit seemed to take a generation, and this defeat – on top of losing the previous year after leading by 17 at halftime – was a stomach punch followed by a kick in the anatomy a little lower. Is Jared Goff the guy they want going forward, or should the Lions focus on improving a defense that gave up 45 to the Commanders? Warriors get new life with ButlerThe Jimmy coming in the door is light years better than the Jimmy who wants out, so the honeymoon period is in full bloom in Golden State. Butler’s presence on the floor is getting Steph Curry more open looks, and the reverse may also be true. Whatever the case, the Warriors won five of their first six with Butler in uniform and for the first time in months the Dubs are actually talking about making a long playoff run. GS opened at +3000 this season, but the latest look has that number trimmed to +1800. The Warriors have more than a decent shot at sneaking into the 6 seed in the Western Conference, which would have been considered a bridge too far after the first two months of the season.Top 3 Cy Young Contenders For This Season -- Each LeagueTarik Skubal - In the American League filled with left-handed gems at the pitcher position, Skubal is the guy that everyones trying to catch. His playoff performance was great and that was just some of his amazing year in 2024. He's at +400 to win Cy Young this year.  Garrett Crochet - The Red Sox have made some big moves and getting Crochet was one of them. Crochet is going to be a problem and his odds are at +600 to be the best pitcher in the AL this year.  Cole Ragans - A steal for the Royals? Ragans just signed a 3-year 13 million dollar deal which is mind blowing. Even though he's under team control until 2028, Ragans should be getting paid a whole lot more than this and his play might just show that this year. He's at +900. Paul Skenes - Overrated? Not too many people can really say that Skenes wasn't impressive in his first year as a Pirate. But, being the clear favorite at +300 to win the Cy Young in the National League in just his second year might be a bit of a stretch. In a league that's loaded with clear superstars at the pitching position, let's see if Paul Skenes lives up to the hype. Zack Wheeler - Wheeler is maybe the most consistent pitcher in baseball these days and last year might've been his best of the bunch. He's sitting at +750 for Cy Young and this might be a steal. Chris Sale - At +800, age doesn't seem to be bothering the Braves' lefty. Now 35 years young, Sale had a year to remember last season positing a 18-3 record and 2.38 ERA. He's definitely going to be one to watch as he could either be terrific or horrible this year. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, NCAAB and EPL Previews and Odds - 02/26/2025

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025

The Wednesday sports card features NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL action.The National Basketball Association has nine games on its docket. Four NBA games tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Boston Celtics travel to Detroit to face the Pistons as a 4-point road favorite with the total set at 225.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The New York Knicks host the Philadelphia 76ers on ESPN as a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 231.5. The Indiana Pacers play at home against the Toronto Raptors as a 10-point favorite with a total of 236.5. The Portland Trail Blazers play at Washington against the Wizards as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 230.5. Two NBA games start at 7:40 p.m. ET. The Miami Heat are home against the Atlanta Hawks as a 2-point favorite with a total of 229. The Oklahoma City Thunder are at Brooklyn to play the Nets as a 17-point road favorite with an over/under of 217. The Los Angeles Clippers visit Chicago to challenge the Bulls at 8:10 p.m. ET as an 8-point road favorite with a total of 228. The Sacramento Kings play at Utah against the Jazz at 9:10 p.m. ET as a 9-point road favorite with an over/under of 236. The Houston Rockets host the San Antonio Spurs on ESPN at 9:40 p.m. ET as a 9-point favorite with a total of 226.5. The National Hockey League has three games on its slate. The Winnipeg Jets are at Ottawa to battle the Senators at 7:07 p.m. ET as a -135 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Colorado Avalanche play at home against the New Jersey Devils at 9:37 p.m. ET as a -130 money-line favor with a total of 5.5. The Los  Angeles Kings are home against the Vancouver Canucks on TNT at 10:07 p.m. ET as a -175 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5.The NCAAB college basketball schedule has 54 games between Division I opponents. Thirteen NCAAB games are on major national television. UConn hosts Georgetown on FS1 at 6:30 p.m. ET as a 12.5-point favorite with a total of 140.5. Four more NCAAB games on major national television begin at 7:00 p.m. ET. Saint Joseph’s plays at home against St. Bonaventure on Peacock as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 134.5. Syracuse is home against St. Bonaventure on ESPNU as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 143.5. Auburn hosts Mississippi on ESPN2 as a 12.5-point favorite with an over/under of 153.5. Dayton travels to Rhode Island on the CBS Sports Network as a 4.5-point road favorite with a total of 151.5. Villanova plays at Seton Hall on FS1 at 8:30 p.m. ET as a 7.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 130.5. Four more NCAAB games on major national television at 9:00 p.m. ET. Arkansas plays at home against Texas on ESPN2 as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 147.5. Creighton is home against DePaul on Peacock as a 16.5-point favorite with an over/under of 145.5. St. John’s is at Butler on the CBS Sports Network as a 7.5-point road favorite with a total of 150.5. Wake Forest hosts Virginia on ESPNU as a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 130.5. Boise State plays at home against Utah State on FS1 at 10:30 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 150.5. Two more NCAAB games on major national television conclude the college basketball card at 11:00 p.m. ET. SMU visits California on ESPNU as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 153.5. Oregon State is home against San Francisco on the CBS Sports Network as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 142.5. Matchweek 27 in the English Premier League continues with five matches. Four EPL matches start at 2:30 p.m. ET. Brentford hosts Everton as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Manchester United plays at home against Ipswich Town as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. Arsenal plays at Nottingham Forest as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Manchester City is at Tottenham as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 3.5. Liverpool is home against Newcastle United on the USA Network at 3:15 p.m. ET as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. 

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NHL Trade Deadline: Potential Buyers and Sellers

by Sean Murphy

Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025

As the NHL trade deadline approaches on March 7th, teams are evaluating their positions to determine whether to buy, sell, or stand pat. Here's an overview of potential buyers and sellers: Buyers Toronto Maple Leafs: Aiming to strengthen their center depth, the Leafs are exploring options for a second or third-line center to enhance their playoff prospects. The pressure is once again on in TO as the Stanley Cup window threatens to close on the Leafs current core.  Washington Capitals: Leading the Eastern Conference in a stunning return to past glory, the Capitals have significant cap space due to long-term injuries and may seek depth additions to bolster their lineup for a deep playoff run, all while Alex Ovechkin continues to hunt down Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal-scoring record. Florida Panthers: The defending Stanley Cup champions are monitoring the status of Matthew Tkachuk's injury. If he remains sidelined long-term, the Panthers could utilize the available cap space to acquire impactful players ahead of the March 7th deadline. Carolina Hurricanes: Having already made a significant move by acquiring Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall, the Hurricanes might still look for additional pieces to solidify their roster for a championship push. Like the Maple Leafs, the Hurricanes are perennial contenders but have disappointed in the postseason on a seemingly annual basis. Vegas Golden Knights: Known for their aggressive approach, the Golden Knights have a pool of prospects and draft picks they could leverage to add immediate talent to their lineup in an effort to climb the ranks in a crowded Western Conference. Sellers Chicago Blackhawks: Positioned at the bottom of the standings, the Blackhawks are expected to move veteran players for future assets, focusing on rebuilding their roster around Connor Bedard. St. Louis Blues: While still technically in the thick of the Western Conference Wild Card chase, the Blues are better suited as potential sellers, possibly looking to trade key players to retool for the future.  Buffalo Sabres: Despite a recent surge, the Sabres remain outside the playoff picture and may opt to sell assets to continue their seemingly endless rebuilding process. Anaheim Ducks: Engaged in a rebuilding phase, the Ducks have already started making moves, such as acquiring goaltender Ville Husso from the Detroit Red Wings in recent days, and are likely to continue this trend over the next couple of weeks. New York Rangers: With their playoff hopes uncertain, the Rangers might adopt a dual approach, selling pending free agents while seeking players under contract beyond this season to remain competitive. New York currently sits two points back of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference but has been a general disappointment this season.

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Five Things to Consider Before the MLB Season

by Vegas Writer

Tuesday, Feb 25, 2025

And just like that, football is an instant memory, with Ohio State and the Eagles celebrating championships, and the focus now on March Madness.But I'm thinking about baseball, with the boys of summer reporting for duty. Spring Training is underway, and it got me thinking about some things to consider - five to be exact - heading into the campaign.Figured I'd share.Here are five takeaways heading into the MLB campaign:5. Is it as strange to anyone else as it is to me that two Major League Baseball clubs won't be playing in their stadiums this season?The A's are moving to Sutter Health Park in Sacramento and will be playing on natural grass, rather than synthetic turf, which is a bit interesting, as the franchise prepares to move to Las Vegas, until that stadium is ready.And people I've spoken to seem to forget Tropicana Field was damaged by Hurricane Milton and is out of commission until 2026. Thus, the Rays are moving to Steinbrenner Field, home of the Yankees during Spring Training. Keep that in mind when making total bets and future wagers, as we have two professional baseball teams that won't be in their true home parks this season.These are decent-sized parks, but it's not like they're major-league ballparks. It's an interesting dynamic with scheduling and homefield advantage, or lack thereof, how this will end up presenting itself.4. Can the Yankees be a better team after losing Juan Soto? I know on the surface that sounds crazy, but indulge me, if you may. Soto helped the Yankees reach their first World Series since 2009, yes, but after attempting to re-sign him it didn't work out, he left the Bronx for Queen to play for the Mets.  He promptly smacked a home run in his first exhibition game for the Mets.I get it, you have to look at Soto and recognize the impact he has on your overall offense. And the Yankees' philosophy has always been to mash their way to being a championship contender. Now you lose the best hitter in baseball so it's hard to make a case that you're better with losing a talent like Soto. They made some interesting moves. They added left hander Max Fried. They added Cody Bellinger. They added Paul Goldschmidt from the Cardinals. They brought in closer Devin Williams. I have to wonder if bringing in formidable assets have made the Yankees a more complete and more athletic team by letting Soto go. Could these guys get the Yankees back to the World Series?3. Do the Mets have what it takes to beat the Dodgers and get to the World Series? It didn't work in the NLCS last season, but is this the year? We know Steve Cohen opened the checkbook to land $765 million-dollar man Soto. Fan-favorite Pete Alonso is very important to the organization - the clubhouse in particular - and he is back. I do have questions about the team's depth and its rotation and how it's going to configure this lineup with Soto receiving mail in Queens.Look, for a team that was in the NLCS last year, it seems like they could have enough firepower to advance further this season. They certainly cannot rely on the magic of last season and think it's automatic to return, but Soto will undoubtedly provide a spark. Personally, I can see the Mets needing another starting pitcher, someone front-ending things to lead the rotation. Could we see the return of Jacob deGrom?2. Can the Braves bounce back after falling from their NL East perch? Can they reclaim the division and vie for a shot at the World Series? Plenty will depend on when Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider return to the team.Strider has to make sure he doesn't have any setbacks during his recovery from elbow surgery. It appears he can return to the rotation by the end of April and Acuna's progress is being monitored closely, as he's coming back from a torn right ACL. It looks like he might be sidelined until about May. So, depending on when they come back and how long it takes those two in particular to return, the Braves could certainly be a team to pay attention to.It certainly makes you wonder: do you still lean on the Mets because of Soto, or do you lend credence to a healthy Braves team and what it can do in the division?1. It has to be the defending World Series champion Dodgers. Can any team match their firepower, and are they going to be the first franchise to repeat as champions in 25 years? Everyone's paying attention to them. They're the villains now.First and foremost, I have to wonder about Shohei Otani and if he's going to be as dominant on the mound when he steps to the hill.Personally, I want to see Ohtani pitch as much as possible. But that's whenever he's ready. If he's ready in July, then let his first pitch come in August. Don't push it. You have so much talent on that roster and so much pitching in addition to Ohtani.Let's face it, this is a team much like we talk about the Chiefs and/or Eagles in the NFL, right? Let's get through the regular season and head into the postseason healthy and ready to put everything on the line, and not care about what happens in the summer as much as we should care about winning the World Series. It's about trying to win a championship once you get to the playoffs.The champs went out and acquired more talent this offseason, and it's going to be interesting to see if anyone can keep pace with them, or if the gap is going to continue to widen.

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College Hoops: Four Teams to Sell High ATS

by Kyle Hunter

Tuesday, Feb 25, 2025

March is almost here! It’s a great time of the year to be a college basketball bettor as well as a college basketball fan. Let’s take a look at four teams that might be good to sell high on when betting against the number going forward. Clemson Tigers (17-10 ATS) The Clemson Tigers have been absolutely on fire. Why would anyone want to sell them right now? First, the market is extremely high on Clemson based on their recent results. It is hard to continually beat the number when this large of an adjustment is being made. Second, Brad Brownell’s teams have not been good against the number in March. The ACC is much weaker than it was in the past, but Clemson is going to be laying some really big numbers in the next couple weeks. Clemson has a 22-5 record and just winning these games and improving their record should be enough for the Tigers. Shot Quality ranks Clemson as the luckiest team in the ACC so far this season. Middle Tenn State (13-10 ATS) MTSU sits third in the Conference USA standings. They rate 18th in the nation in luck factor according to KenPom. MTSU has a tough road double at New Mexico State and at UTEP in their next couple games. They then must come home to host Liberty, who I believe is the best team in CUSA. MTSU is dead last in Conference USA in defensive rebounding percentage. The Blue Raiders also struggle from the free throw line. They have had loads of close wins in the last couple months. I don’t think they’ll keep getting all the bounces the rest of the way.  Robert Morris Colonials (22-6 ATS) If you’ve been betting Robert Morris all the way through the season, you are rich right now. If you haven’t, I think it is too late to join in the party. A 22-6 ATS record is going to get the attention of oddsmakers and the betting marketplace regardless of what conference you are in, and I’ve started to see these lines being adjusted. Robert Morris only has one regular season game left, but I think fading them ATS in the Horizon League Tournament could be profitable as well. This is clearly a good team, but I don’t think there is a large gap from the top of the Horizon League to teams right in the middle.  4. Michigan State Spartans (17-9-1 ATS) Tom Izzo is a great coach, so it is a little scary fading him going into the late season period. Still, Michigan State has been playing at its peak of late in my opinion. Michigan State doesn’t have outside shooters, and they are reliant on getting to the hoop and getting to the free throw line. The Spartans don’t force many turnovers on defense. Michigan State plays a tough schedule the rest of the regular season. This is probably my least favorite of the fades, but their advanced numbers do suggest regression. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, NCAAB and EPL Previews and Odds - 02/25/2025

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Feb 25, 2025

The Tuesday sports card features NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL action.The National Basketball Association has seven games on its docket. The Boston Celtics travel to Toronto to play the Raptors as an 11-point road favorite with the total set at 226.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Cleveland Cavaliers play at Orlando to challenge the Magic at 7:40 p.m. ET as a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 224. Three NBA games tip off at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Memphis Grizzlies host the Phoenix Suns as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 245. The Houston Rockets play at home against the Milwaukee Bucks as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 226. The New Orleans Pelicans are hoåme against the San Antonio Spurs as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 238. Two NBA games start at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Los Angeles Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks as an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 231. The Golden State Warriors play at home against the Charlotte Hornets as a 17-point favorite with a total of 222.5. The National Hockey League has 12 games on its slate. Six NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Philadelphia Flyers are home against the Pittsburgh Penguins as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Dallas Stars are at Columbus to face the Blue Jackets as a -180 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Boston Celtics as a -148 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Washington Capitals are home against the Calgary Flames as a -198 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Buffalo Sabres host the Anaheim Ducks as a -198 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Carolina Hurricanes play in Montreal against the Canadiens as a -205 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. Two NHL games start at 7:37 p.m. ET. The Edmonton Oilers are in Tampa Bay to challenge the Lightning as a -112 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The New York Rangers visit the New York Islanders as a -112 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Three NHL games begin at 8:07 p.m. ET. The Florida Panthers play at Nashville against the Predators as a -148 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The St. Louis Blues play at home against the Seattle Kraken as a -142 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Minnesota Wild are home against the Detroit Red Wings as a -135 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Utah Hockey Club hosts the Chicago Blackhawks at 9:07 p.m. ET as a -258 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The NCAAB college basketball schedule has 35 games between Division I opponents. Six NCAAB games are on major national television. Three NCAAB games on major national television tip-off at 7:00 p.m. ET. Marquette plays at home against Providence on FS1 as a 12.5-point favorite with an over/under of 147.5. Cincinnati is home against Baylor on ESPN2 as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 139.5. Duke plays at Miami (FL) on ESPN as a 22.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 157.5. Two NCAAB games on major national television at 9:00 p.m. ET. Illinois hosts Iowa as a 9.5-point favorite on FS1 with a total of 171.5. Alabama plays at home against Mississippi State as a 7.5-point favorite on ESPN2 with an over/under of 170.5. San Diego State is home against New Mexico on FS1 at 11:00 p.m. ET as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 142.5. Matchweek 27 in the English Premier League starts with four matches. Three EPL matches begin at 2:30 p.m. ET. Brighton and Hove Albion host Bournemouth as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Crystal Palace plays at home against Aston Villa on the USA Network as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. Wolverhampton is home against Fulham as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Chelsea hosts Southampton as a -2.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5. 

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College Basketball: 4 Teams to Buy Low ATS

by Kyle Hunter

Tuesday, Feb 25, 2025

March is right around the corner! It’s a great time of the year to be a college basketball bettor as well as a college basketball fan. Let’s take a look at four teams that might be good to buy low on when betting against the number going forward. Seattle Redhawks (9-14-1 ATS) Seattle is the single most unlucky team according to KenPom’s luck factor. Seattle also ranks as very unfortunate in the Shot Quality luck ratings. Seattle has a high upside, but they haven’t played consistently enough. Seattle led Grand Canyon on the road for much of the game before losing by nine. They also beat the Washington Huskies on the road. They dod a good job forcing turnovers, and they are good on the defensive glass. They get home games against Cal Baptist and Grand Canyon in the next week. St. Louis Billikens (9-16 ATS) St. Louis has two elite mid-major players in Robbie Avila and Isaiah Swope. Avila has lower shooting percentages this year than he did a year ago, but I think he can still take over a game with his play making ability. St. Louis is rated as a bit unlucky from the advanced numbers. The Billikens do struggle with turnovers on offense, so I would look to back them primarily against teams who aren’t very good at forcing turnovers. The market is low on this team, and I want to be above the market here. Oregon Ducks (12-15 ATS) Oregon won at Wisconsin this past weekend. The Ducks have been inconsistent this year, but I really like Dana Altman and his ability to have teams playing their best basketball in March. If you filter coaches ATS records to only the last six games of the regular season and then the postseason, Altman ranks among the five most profitable coaches. Altman’s teams have looked far worse than this Oregon team and still been strong ATS late in the season. Oregon has play makers and the Ducks have proven capable of winning. I’m looking for spots to bet on Oregon. Sam Houston State Bearkats (8-17 ATS) Sam Houston is 10th in the nation in 3 point field goal percentage offense. Sam Houston has taken some really unfortunate bounces this year though. They are easily the unluckiest team in the conference. Sam Houston has lost three overtime games in Conference USA action (zero OT wins). The Bearkats showed a lot recently in wins against Jacksonville State (first in the league) and on the road at Western Kentucky. Sam Houston is 4-11 in CUSA action, but all 11 losses have come by single digits. They have been very close, and I like their chances of some positive regression down the stretch. 

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NBA System of the Week

by Al McMordie

Monday, Feb 24, 2025

The NBA returned from its All-Star Break last week.  And I like using the break as a means to generate some plays.  Indeed, I have several systems that involve situations going into, and coming out of the break.One of my systems plays on teams that get off to a slow start following the long layoff.  What I like to do is play on any NBA team in its 3rd game after the All-Star Break which was off three SU/ATS losses.  These teams have rolled to a 34-19 ATS record since 1990, including 30-12 ATS if they were not favored by more than four points.This season, one team fits the bill, and it's the Philadelphia 76ers, who are favored by four points tonight, at home, vs. the Chicago Bulls.  Philly is currently riding a seven-game SU/ATS losing streak, which commenced five games before the All-Star Break.Consider playing on the 76ers tonight.Good luck, as always...Al McMordie

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What to Consider as the NCAA Basketball Season Winds Down

by Wayne Root

Monday, Feb 24, 2025

Wrapping up the Season It’s that time of the year. The end of the college regular season is upon us and teams have their conference tournament coming up. It is the middle of February. Teams have played close to 25 college basketball games at this point in the season. They need to rest and come in fresh. Other teams need must games to win. There’s a feeling of desperation in the air. Two Big Tournaments Await The NCAA Tournament is still a full month away. Teams are at that stage where they have logged a lot of miles but are not quite at the point where March Madness has arrived. The starters are playing consistently and there is the fear of injuries. They’ve been training and playing since last October. It's a tricky, in-between time for coaches and players in terms of managing their bodies, their workloads, and their emotions. Six Weeks Remain There are huge questions in the coaches offices on how the best road to travel is with six more weeks of competition. Should rotations be expanded so that starters get more rest, or should rotations be shortened so that the best players are on the floor for longer minutes? Each coach, each team, has to figure out the solution which works best for its own situation, and that situation will differ from one team to the next. Add in to the point spread outcomes is that teams might look for blowouts to get the Tournament Committee excited. Teams most definitely will pile up the final scores looking for style points and that must be taken into account.  Your Daily Bets As you plan on your own daily list of potential wagers, it’s important to consider the coaches game plan for each game. There’s an abundance of information awaiting your investigation or you can choose to do that homework for you. It’s at this time, having a professional handicapper at your disposal pinch hitting for you is paramount.  Good Luck on the final six weeks, Wayne

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 02/24/2025

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Feb 24, 2025

The Monday sports card features NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.The National Basketball Association has eight games on its docket. Four NBA games tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Brooklyn Nets travel to Washington to face the Wizards as a 2.5-point road favorite, with the total set at 214 (all odds from DraftKings). The Philadelphia 76ers host the Chicago Bulls as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 231.5. The Detroit Pistons play at home against the Los Angeles Clippers as a 1-point favorite with a total of 223.5. The Denver Nuggets play in Indiana against the Pacers as a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 246.5. The Miami Heat are in Atlanta to play the Hawks at 7:40 p.m. ET as a 1.5-point road favorite with a total of 226.5. The Oklahoma City Thunder are home against the Minnesota Timberwolves as a 12-point favorite with an over/under of 226. The Portland Trail Blazers visit Utah to play the Jazz at 9:10 p.m. ET as a 3-point road favorite with a total of 236.5. The Sacramento Kings host the Charlotte Hornets at 10:10 p.m. ET as a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 231.The National Hockey League has two games on its slate. The Winnipeg Jets play at home against the San Jose Sharks at 7:37 p.m. ET as a -440 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Los Angeles Kings home against the Vegas Golden Knights at 10:37 p.m. ET as a -112 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5.The NCAAB college basketball schedule has 27 games between Division I opponents. Six NCAAB games are on major national television. Three NCAAB games on major national television tip-off at 7:00 p.m. ET. Northeastern plays at Monmouth on the CBS Sports Network as a 1.5-point road favorite with a total of 144.5. Lipscomb is at Austin Peay on ESPNU as an 8.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 142.5. North Carolina travels to Florida State on ESPN. The Tar Heels are on a three-game winning streak after their 81-66 victory as a 10-point favorite on Saturday. The Seminoles lost for the second time in their last three games after an 89-81 loss at Louisville as a 14-point underdog on Saturday. North Carolina is a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 155.5.Nebraska hosts Michigan on FS1 at 8:00 p.m. ET as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 150.5. Houston plays at Texas Tech on ESPN at 9:00 p.m. ET. The Cougars are on a six-game winning streak after their 68-59 victory against Iowa State as an 11.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Red Raiders won for the third time in their last four games in a 73-51 victory against West Virginia as a 9.5-point favorite on Saturday. Houston is a 1.5-point road favorite with a total of 132.5. Kansas is at Colorado on ESPN at 11:00 p.m. ET. The Jayhawks ended a two-game losing streak with a 96-64 victory at home against Oklahoma State as a 14.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Buffaloes won for the second time in their last three games with a 76-74 upset victory against Baylor as a 6-point underdog on Saturday. Kansas is a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 140.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, NCAAB and EPL Previews and Odds - 02/23/2025

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Feb 23, 2025

The Sunday sports card features NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL action.The National Basketball Association has 10 games on its docket. The Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks on ABC at 1:10 p.m. ET as an 8.5-point favorite with the total set at 231. The Golden State Warriors play at home against the Dallas Mavericks on ABC as an 8-point favorite with an over/under of 228.5. The Indiana Pacers are home against the Los Angeles Clippers at 5:10 p.m. ET as a 4-point favorite with a total of 230.5. Three NBA games tip off at 6:10 p.m. ET. The Milwaukee Bucks host the Miami Heat as a 5-point favorite with an over/under of 221.5. The Orlando Magic play at home against the Washington Wizards as a 12-point favorite with a total of  216.5. The Detroit Pistons travels to Atlanta to face the Hawks as a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 237.5. The Toronto Raptors are home against the Phoenix Suns as a 1-point favorite with a total of 227.5. Two NBA games start at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Cleveland Cavaliers host the Memphis Grizzlies on ESPN as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 249.5. The New Orleans Pelicans plays at home against San Antonio Spurs as a 1-point favorite with a total of 239.5.  The  Oklahoma City Thunder play in Minnesota against the Timberwolves on ESPN at 9:40 p.m. ET as a 9.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 229. The National Hockey League returns with 10 games on its slate. The Edmonton Oilers are in Washington to play the Capitals on TNT at 1:07 p.m. ET as a -125 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The New York Ranges visits the Pittsburgh Penguins on TNT at 3:37 p.m. ET as a -135 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Four NHL games drop the puck at 6:07 p.m. ET. The Tampa Bay Lightning are home against the Seattle Kraken as a -258 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Detroit Red Wings host the Anaheim Ducks as a -198 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The New Jersey Devils plays at Nashville against the Predators as a -120 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Colorado Avalanche  are at St. Louis to face the Blues as a -155 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Toronto Maple Leafs travel to Chicago to challenge the Blackhawks as a -250 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Dallas Stars play in New York against the Islanders as a -130 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Two more games conclude the NHL card at 8:07 p.m. ET. The Utah Hockey Club plays at home against the Vancouver Canucks as a -115 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Calgary Flames are home against the San Jose Sharks  as a -230 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The NCAAB college basketball schedule has 28 games between Division I opponents. Five NCAAB games are on major national television. St. John’s hosts UConn on Fox at noon ET as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 138.5. Purdue is at Indiana on CBS at 1:30 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 150.5. Memphis plays at home against Florida Atlantic on ESPN2 as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 159.5. UCLA is home against Ohio State on CBS at 3:45 p.m. ET as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 139.5. Drake travels to Northern Iowa on ESPN2 at 4:00 p.m. ET as a 1.5-point road favorite with a total of 126.5. Matchweek 26 in the English Premier League concludes with two matches. Newcastle United hosts Nottingham Forest on the USA Network at 9:00 a.m. ET as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Liverpool plays at Manchester City at 11:30 a.m. ET as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 3.5.

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