Monday’s 6-pack:
Six best teams in eFG% defense:
44.0%— Auburn (24-7)
44.5%— Houston (28-3)
44.7%— Saint Mary’s (24-7)
45.1%— UConn (28-3)
45.1%— Tennessee (24-7)
45.1%— Appalachian State (27-6)
Quote of the Day
“You suck at your job!!!”
Detroit Pistons fan, talking to Pistons GM Troy Weaver last week. Detroit is 70-229 in Weaver’s tenure as GM.
Monday’s quiz
When was last time the same team won the ACC Tournament two years in a row?
Sunday’s quiz
Dodgers (2017-18) are the last team to lose the World Series in consecutive years.
Saturday’s quiz
Mark Jackson was coach of the Golden State Warriors before Steve Kerr.
*************************************
ACC
Hot:
North Carolina won its last six games.
Pitt 9-2 in last 11 games.
Duke 8-2 in last ten games.
Syracuse 4-1 in last five games.
Not:
Miami lost last nine games.
Louisville lost last seven games.
NC State lost last four games.
American
Hot:
South Florida 15-1 in last sixteen games.
FAU 13-3 in last sixteen games.
Memphis 4-1 in last five games.
Not:
East Carolina lost its last five games.
Rice lost its last four games.
Tulane lost seven of last eight games.
SMU lost three of last four games.
Atlantic 10
Hot:
Loyola won 10 of last 11 games.
Richmond won six of last seven games.
Duquesne won six of last seven games.
UMass won four of last five games.
Not:
Davidson lost its last five games.
VCU lost its last three games.
George Washington lost 13 of last 14 games.
Rhode Island lost seven of last eight games.
Fordham lost seven of last nine games.
Big East
Hot:
UConn won 18 of last 19 games.
Creighton won seven of last eight games.
St John’s won its last five games.
Not:
DePaul lost its last 19 games.
Georgetown lost 15 of last 16 games.
Xavier lost six of last eight games.
Providence lost three of last four games.
Big 14
Hot:
Purdue 14-1 last 15 games.
Indiana won its last four games.
Ohio State won its last four games.
Nebraska 6-1 last seven games.
Illinois 4-1 last five games.
Not:
Michigan lost its last eight games.
Maryland 2-8 last 10 games.
Wisconsin 3-7 last 10 games.
Rutgers 1-6 last seven games.
Michigan State 1-4 last five games.
Minnesota 1-4 last five games.
Big X
Hot:
Houston won its last nine games.
Iowa State 8-2 in last ten games.
Not:
Oklahoma State lost its last five games.
West Virginia lost nine of last ten games.
Kansas lost three of last four games.
Oklahoma lost five of last seven games.
TCU lost four of last six games.
Big West
Hot:
Cal-Irvine 6-1 in last seven games.
Cal-Davis 4-1 in last five games.
Hawai’i 7-2 in last nine games.
Cal-Riverside 7-2 in last nine games.
Not:
Long Beach State lost its last five games.
Cal-Santa Barbara 3-6 in last nine games.
Cal-Northridge 1-5 in last six games.
Conference USA
Hot:
Sam Houston won its last seven games.
Louisiana Tech 6-1 in last seven games.
Texas-El Paso won its last three games.
Not:
Western Kentucky lost its last four games.
Jacksonville State lost five of last seven games.
MAAC
Hot:
Rider won its last seven games.
Quinnipiac won its last four games.
Fairfield 8-2 in last ten games.
Not:
Niagara 1-4 in last five games.
Iona lost five of last seven games.
Mt St Mary’s lost five of last seven games.
Siena lost 14 of last 15 games.
MAC
Hot:
Ohio U won its last six games.
Toledo won its last three games.
Central Michigan 7-4 last 11 games (4 of 7 wins in OT)
Not:
Akron 3-5 in last eight games.
Ball State 3-6 in last nine games.
Mountain West
Hot:
Nevada won its last seven games.
Utah State won its last five games.
UNLV 10-2 in last 12 games.
Boise State 6-1 last seven games.
Not:
Fresno State lost last seven games.
San Jose State lost 13 of last 14 games.
Air Force lost 19 of last 21 games.
New Mexico 4-6 last 10 games.
Pac-12
Hot:
Colorado won its last six games.
Arizona 10-2 last 12 games.
Washington State 9-2 last 11 games.
USC 4-1 last five games.
Not:
UCLA 1-5 in last six games.
Utah 4-8 in last 12 games.
Stanford 1-6 in last seven games.
Arizona State 3-10 in last 13 games.
Oregon State 2-9 last 11 games.
SEC
Hot:
Tennessee 7-1 last eight games.
Kentucky 7-1 last eight games.
Auburn 4-1 last five games.
South Carolina 4-1 last five games.
Not:
Missouri went 0-18 in the SEC this year.
Mississippi State lost last four games.
Georgia 2-10 last 12 games.
Ole Miss 2-8 last 10 games.
WAC
Hot:
Texas-Arlington won its last six games.
Tarleton State 11-1 last 12 games.
Grand Canyon 10-2 last 12 games.
Utah Valley 7-1 last eight games.
Abilene Christian 7-1 last eight games.
Not:
Seattle lost its last three games.
Cal Baptist 1-8 last nine games.
Six best teams in eFG% defense:
44.0%— Auburn (24-7)
44.5%— Houston (28-3)
44.7%— Saint Mary’s (24-7)
45.1%— UConn (28-3)
45.1%— Tennessee (24-7)
45.1%— Appalachian State (27-6)
Quote of the Day
“You suck at your job!!!”
Detroit Pistons fan, talking to Pistons GM Troy Weaver last week. Detroit is 70-229 in Weaver’s tenure as GM.
Monday’s quiz
When was last time the same team won the ACC Tournament two years in a row?
Sunday’s quiz
Dodgers (2017-18) are the last team to lose the World Series in consecutive years.
Saturday’s quiz
Mark Jackson was coach of the Golden State Warriors before Steve Kerr.
*************************************
Monday’s Den: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not with Champ Week here…..
This is just straight up wins/losses the last few weeks……ACC
Hot:
North Carolina won its last six games.
Pitt 9-2 in last 11 games.
Duke 8-2 in last ten games.
Syracuse 4-1 in last five games.
Not:
Miami lost last nine games.
Louisville lost last seven games.
NC State lost last four games.
American
Hot:
South Florida 15-1 in last sixteen games.
FAU 13-3 in last sixteen games.
Memphis 4-1 in last five games.
Not:
East Carolina lost its last five games.
Rice lost its last four games.
Tulane lost seven of last eight games.
SMU lost three of last four games.
Atlantic 10
Hot:
Loyola won 10 of last 11 games.
Richmond won six of last seven games.
Duquesne won six of last seven games.
UMass won four of last five games.
Not:
Davidson lost its last five games.
VCU lost its last three games.
George Washington lost 13 of last 14 games.
Rhode Island lost seven of last eight games.
Fordham lost seven of last nine games.
Big East
Hot:
UConn won 18 of last 19 games.
Creighton won seven of last eight games.
St John’s won its last five games.
Not:
DePaul lost its last 19 games.
Georgetown lost 15 of last 16 games.
Xavier lost six of last eight games.
Providence lost three of last four games.
Big 14
Hot:
Purdue 14-1 last 15 games.
Indiana won its last four games.
Ohio State won its last four games.
Nebraska 6-1 last seven games.
Illinois 4-1 last five games.
Not:
Michigan lost its last eight games.
Maryland 2-8 last 10 games.
Wisconsin 3-7 last 10 games.
Rutgers 1-6 last seven games.
Michigan State 1-4 last five games.
Minnesota 1-4 last five games.
Big X
Hot:
Houston won its last nine games.
Iowa State 8-2 in last ten games.
Not:
Oklahoma State lost its last five games.
West Virginia lost nine of last ten games.
Kansas lost three of last four games.
Oklahoma lost five of last seven games.
TCU lost four of last six games.
Big West
Hot:
Cal-Irvine 6-1 in last seven games.
Cal-Davis 4-1 in last five games.
Hawai’i 7-2 in last nine games.
Cal-Riverside 7-2 in last nine games.
Not:
Long Beach State lost its last five games.
Cal-Santa Barbara 3-6 in last nine games.
Cal-Northridge 1-5 in last six games.
Conference USA
Hot:
Sam Houston won its last seven games.
Louisiana Tech 6-1 in last seven games.
Texas-El Paso won its last three games.
Not:
Western Kentucky lost its last four games.
Jacksonville State lost five of last seven games.
MAAC
Hot:
Rider won its last seven games.
Quinnipiac won its last four games.
Fairfield 8-2 in last ten games.
Not:
Niagara 1-4 in last five games.
Iona lost five of last seven games.
Mt St Mary’s lost five of last seven games.
Siena lost 14 of last 15 games.
MAC
Hot:
Ohio U won its last six games.
Toledo won its last three games.
Central Michigan 7-4 last 11 games (4 of 7 wins in OT)
Not:
Akron 3-5 in last eight games.
Ball State 3-6 in last nine games.
Mountain West
Hot:
Nevada won its last seven games.
Utah State won its last five games.
UNLV 10-2 in last 12 games.
Boise State 6-1 last seven games.
Not:
Fresno State lost last seven games.
San Jose State lost 13 of last 14 games.
Air Force lost 19 of last 21 games.
New Mexico 4-6 last 10 games.
Pac-12
Hot:
Colorado won its last six games.
Arizona 10-2 last 12 games.
Washington State 9-2 last 11 games.
USC 4-1 last five games.
Not:
UCLA 1-5 in last six games.
Utah 4-8 in last 12 games.
Stanford 1-6 in last seven games.
Arizona State 3-10 in last 13 games.
Oregon State 2-9 last 11 games.
SEC
Hot:
Tennessee 7-1 last eight games.
Kentucky 7-1 last eight games.
Auburn 4-1 last five games.
South Carolina 4-1 last five games.
Not:
Missouri went 0-18 in the SEC this year.
Mississippi State lost last four games.
Georgia 2-10 last 12 games.
Ole Miss 2-8 last 10 games.
WAC
Hot:
Texas-Arlington won its last six games.
Tarleton State 11-1 last 12 games.
Grand Canyon 10-2 last 12 games.
Utah Valley 7-1 last eight games.
Abilene Christian 7-1 last eight games.
Not:
Seattle lost its last three games.
Cal Baptist 1-8 last nine games.
NY RANGERS are 41-25 Under (13.5 Units) after playing a game where 4 or fewer total goals were scored in the last 3 seasons.
ST LOUIS are 11-4 ATS (6.6 Units) after allowing 2 goals or more in the third period last game in the current season.
WASHINGTON is 14-3 Over (10.7 Units) off a home win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES are 41-27 ATS (11.3 Units) revenging a same season loss vs opponent in the last 3 seasons.
NHL
Monday, March 11
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Louis @ Boston
St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games
Boston
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing at home against St. Louis
New Jersey @ NY Rangers
New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 7 games when playing NY Rangers
The total has gone OVER in 9 of New Jersey's last 13 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
NY Rangers
NY Rangers is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
NY Rangers is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Washington @ Winnipeg
Washington
Washington is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Winnipeg
Washington is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Winnipeg is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
NY Islanders @ Los Angeles
NY Islanders
NY Islanders is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
NY Islanders is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Los Angeles's last 8 games at home
Los Angeles is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ST LOUIS are 11-4 ATS (6.6 Units) after allowing 2 goals or more in the third period last game in the current season.
WASHINGTON is 14-3 Over (10.7 Units) off a home win by 2 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES are 41-27 ATS (11.3 Units) revenging a same season loss vs opponent in the last 3 seasons.
NHL
Monday, March 11
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Louis @ Boston
St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games
Boston
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing at home against St. Louis
New Jersey @ NY Rangers
New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 7 games when playing NY Rangers
The total has gone OVER in 9 of New Jersey's last 13 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
NY Rangers
NY Rangers is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
NY Rangers is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Washington @ Winnipeg
Washington
Washington is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Winnipeg
Washington is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Winnipeg is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
NY Islanders @ Los Angeles
NY Islanders
NY Islanders is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
NY Islanders is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Los Angeles's last 8 games at home
Los Angeles is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Armadillo Sports
Tuesday’s 6-pack:
— Pistons 114, Hornets 97- Detroit shot 70.5% inside the arc.
— Suns 117, Cavaliers 111- Cleveland scored 70 in first half, 41 in second.
— Mavericks 127, Bulls 92- Doncic had yet another triple-double.
— Warriors 112, Spurs 102- Warriors outscored Spurs 32-18 in 3rd quarter.
— Nuggets 125, Raptors 119- Toronto led by 17 points at halftime.
— Celtics 121, Portland 99- Boston scored 121 points, had only 3 turnovers.
Quote of the Day
“I’m not going to sit here and tell you to never throw a sweeper or never throw a hard changeup. But at some point, you have to say, ‘OK, when we see a pitcher throwing that pitch more than 15% of the time, the likelihood of him having an injury to his shoulder or elbow goes (up), whatever, tenfold.’”
Dr. Keith Meister, who works for the Texas Rangers, talking about injuries to pitchers
Tuesday’s quiz
Which NFL team drafted Kirk Cousins?
Monday’s quiz
2010/2011 was last time the same team won the ACC Tournament two years in a row; Duke won both of those tournaments.
Sunday’s quiz
Dodgers (2017-18) are the last team to lose the World Series in consecutive years.
**********************************
— It is March 12 and the NFL is in the headlines, with free agency starting. NFL is genius at promoting their sport, unlike baseball, which does a terrible job giving their sport exposure.
Friday afternoon, Bronx-Toronto game is on MLB Network, but the game is blacked out on DirecTV, at the bar where I’m having lunch. Game must be on the YES Network, right?
Ummm…..no. Game couldn’t be found anywhere. Why?!?!?
1) baseball needs exposure, so people can see what a great game it is.
2) baseball needs to promote its stars (Judge, Guerrero, Soto, Bichette in this game)
3) There was nothing else good on TV Friday afternoon; you had a captive audience!!!
4) Stop with the blackouts; your sport needs exposure!!!
Oy.
An explanation I read Monday: the salary cap creates a buzz for signing earlier in the free agent process. Baseball has no salary cap, thus less urgency to get deals done early in the off-season.
Lot of stuff actually happened Monday; here are some highlights:
— Atlanta Falcons gave Kirk Cousins a 4-year, $180M contract; Cousins tore his achilles last year; he is 77-70 record as an NFL starter, 1-3 in playoff games.
Baltimore Ravens re-signed DL Justin Madubuike for four years, $98M.
Carolina Panthers traded DE Brian Burns to the Giants for 2nd/5th round picks; Giants then paid Burns $150M for five years.
New Jersey Jets gave K Greg Zuerlein a 2-year, $8.4M contract.
Philadelphia Eagles gave RB Saquon Barkley a 3-year, $37.75M contract.
Las Vegas Raiders gave DL Christian Wilkins $110M for four years.
Raiders also gave QB Gardner Minshew a 2-year, $25M contract.
Washington Commanders gave RB Austin Ekeler a 2-year, $11.4M deal.
Commanders also gave C Tyler Biadasz a 3-year, $30M contract.
Commanders gave K Brandon McManus a one-year, $3.6M deal.
Washington was $91.5M under the salary cap, so they’re going to be aggressive.
Green Bay Packers gave RB Josh Jacobs a 4-year, $48M deal.
Good day for offensive linemen:
LA Rams gave G Jonah Jackson a 3-year, $51M contract.
Carolina Panthers gave G Robert Hunt a 5-year, $100M deal.
— Famous birthdays for March 12:
Jake Kupp, 83 (played OL for Saints; Cooper Kupp’s grandfather)
Liza Minelli, 78
James Taylor, 76
Mark Moseley, 76
Dale Murphy, 68
Darryl Strawberry, 62
Aaron Eckhart, 56
— Cy Young champ Gerrit Cole will have an MRI on his pitching elbow; he threw 39 pitches in a game March 1st, hasn’t appeared in game since.
Good news for fans of Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, two free agent pitchers who still don’t have a home for the coming season, which starts next week.
JD Martinez, Adam Duvall, Michael Lorenzen, Tommy Pham are also still available.
— San Francisco Giants signed 3B Matt Chapman last week, then they waived 3B JD Davis, after he beat the Giants last month in salary arbitration. Davis will get just over $1.1M in termination pay rather than a $6.9M salary. Whoops.
— 1B Joey Votto signed on with Toronto, after playing 17 years for the Reds. Votto was born and raised in Toronto.
— Red Sox gave P Brayan Bello a 6-year deal worth $55M.
— Word of the Day: Shenanigans- secret, dishonest activity; mischief, trickery.
— Something to think about this week: over the last 12 NCAA Tournaments, the 48 teams who made the Final Four went 44-4 in their first conference tournament game, 33-11 in their second conference tournament game.
Overall, 22 of the last 48 Final Four teams won their conference tournament.
— Kansas Jayhawks’ two best players are banged up, won’t play in the Big X tournament this weekend in Kansas City.
Hunter Dickinson dislocated his shoulder over the weekend.
Kevin McCullar has a nagging bone bruise that has bothered him for weeks.
— Sun Belt
James Madison 91, Arkansas State 71
Dukes have won 13 in a row; they get to the NCAAs for first time since 2013.
Playing for third night in a row, Dukes made 11-19 on the arc.
— SoCon
Samford 76, East Tennessee State 69
Samford gets to the NCAA’s for first time since 2000.
Bulldogs are 29-5, playing tempo #14; they’re shooting 39.3% on arc (#7)
— CAA
Charleston 61, Towson 56
Charleston had a 13-1 run over final 3:13 of the game.
Cougars won their last 11 games.
Stony Brook 63, Hofstra 59
#7-seed Seawolves were an 8.5-point underdog.
Their three games with local rival Hofstra (1-2) were decided by 6-1-4 points.
— Horizon
Oakland 74, Cleveland State 71
Jack Gohlke was 7-14 on arc, scored 21 points off bench.
For season, Gohlke is 116-315 on 3-point shots, 4-8 on 2-point shots.
Milwaukee 82, Northern Kentucky 75
Northern Kentucky led by 15 points in first half.
Milwaukee out-rebounded the Norse, 50-28.
Panthers won their last six games.
— Summit
South Dakota State 59, St Thomas 49
Only 59 possessions in this game; very slow pace.
Jackrabbits have won seven games in a row.
St Thomas finishes 20-13, in their 3rd season as a Division I team.
Denver 66, Omaha 63
Omaha led by 4 with 6:50 left in the game.
Pioneers survived going 8-17 on foul line.
— Big Sky
Montana State 91, Weber State 82
MSU outscored Weber State 66-48 in second half.
Bobcats made 13-27 shots on the arc.
Bobcats were an 8.5-point underdog.
Montana 87, Portland State 81
Teams were tied with 14:33 left in the game.
Montana starts five seniors; they’ve got #34 eFG% in country.
Final Four of the Big Sky had the #’s 3-5-8-10 seeds.
— WCC
Saint Mary’s 79, Santa Clara 65
Gaels shot 65.6% inside the arc.
Alex Ducas shot 7-11 on the arc for Saint Mary’s.
Gonzaga 89, San Francisco 77
Zags have won nine in a row, 14 of last 15 games.
Zags’ last seven wins were all by 12+ points.
For 12th time in last 16 years, WCC tournament final is Saint Mary’s-Gonzaga.
— Underdogs were 8-6 ATS in Monday’s tournament games; they have a 61-56 lead ATS in conference tournaments this month.
Tuesday’s 6-pack:
— Pistons 114, Hornets 97- Detroit shot 70.5% inside the arc.
— Suns 117, Cavaliers 111- Cleveland scored 70 in first half, 41 in second.
— Mavericks 127, Bulls 92- Doncic had yet another triple-double.
— Warriors 112, Spurs 102- Warriors outscored Spurs 32-18 in 3rd quarter.
— Nuggets 125, Raptors 119- Toronto led by 17 points at halftime.
— Celtics 121, Portland 99- Boston scored 121 points, had only 3 turnovers.
Quote of the Day
“I’m not going to sit here and tell you to never throw a sweeper or never throw a hard changeup. But at some point, you have to say, ‘OK, when we see a pitcher throwing that pitch more than 15% of the time, the likelihood of him having an injury to his shoulder or elbow goes (up), whatever, tenfold.’”
Dr. Keith Meister, who works for the Texas Rangers, talking about injuries to pitchers
Tuesday’s quiz
Which NFL team drafted Kirk Cousins?
Monday’s quiz
2010/2011 was last time the same team won the ACC Tournament two years in a row; Duke won both of those tournaments.
Sunday’s quiz
Dodgers (2017-18) are the last team to lose the World Series in consecutive years.
**********************************
Tuesday’s Den: Nobody asked me, but……
— It is March 12 and the NFL is in the headlines, with free agency starting. NFL is genius at promoting their sport, unlike baseball, which does a terrible job giving their sport exposure.
Friday afternoon, Bronx-Toronto game is on MLB Network, but the game is blacked out on DirecTV, at the bar where I’m having lunch. Game must be on the YES Network, right?
Ummm…..no. Game couldn’t be found anywhere. Why?!?!?
1) baseball needs exposure, so people can see what a great game it is.
2) baseball needs to promote its stars (Judge, Guerrero, Soto, Bichette in this game)
3) There was nothing else good on TV Friday afternoon; you had a captive audience!!!
4) Stop with the blackouts; your sport needs exposure!!!
Oy.
An explanation I read Monday: the salary cap creates a buzz for signing earlier in the free agent process. Baseball has no salary cap, thus less urgency to get deals done early in the off-season.
Lot of stuff actually happened Monday; here are some highlights:
— Atlanta Falcons gave Kirk Cousins a 4-year, $180M contract; Cousins tore his achilles last year; he is 77-70 record as an NFL starter, 1-3 in playoff games.
Baltimore Ravens re-signed DL Justin Madubuike for four years, $98M.
Carolina Panthers traded DE Brian Burns to the Giants for 2nd/5th round picks; Giants then paid Burns $150M for five years.
New Jersey Jets gave K Greg Zuerlein a 2-year, $8.4M contract.
Philadelphia Eagles gave RB Saquon Barkley a 3-year, $37.75M contract.
Las Vegas Raiders gave DL Christian Wilkins $110M for four years.
Raiders also gave QB Gardner Minshew a 2-year, $25M contract.
Washington Commanders gave RB Austin Ekeler a 2-year, $11.4M deal.
Commanders also gave C Tyler Biadasz a 3-year, $30M contract.
Commanders gave K Brandon McManus a one-year, $3.6M deal.
Washington was $91.5M under the salary cap, so they’re going to be aggressive.
Green Bay Packers gave RB Josh Jacobs a 4-year, $48M deal.
Good day for offensive linemen:
LA Rams gave G Jonah Jackson a 3-year, $51M contract.
Carolina Panthers gave G Robert Hunt a 5-year, $100M deal.
— Famous birthdays for March 12:
Jake Kupp, 83 (played OL for Saints; Cooper Kupp’s grandfather)
Liza Minelli, 78
James Taylor, 76
Mark Moseley, 76
Dale Murphy, 68
Darryl Strawberry, 62
Aaron Eckhart, 56
— Cy Young champ Gerrit Cole will have an MRI on his pitching elbow; he threw 39 pitches in a game March 1st, hasn’t appeared in game since.
Good news for fans of Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, two free agent pitchers who still don’t have a home for the coming season, which starts next week.
JD Martinez, Adam Duvall, Michael Lorenzen, Tommy Pham are also still available.
— San Francisco Giants signed 3B Matt Chapman last week, then they waived 3B JD Davis, after he beat the Giants last month in salary arbitration. Davis will get just over $1.1M in termination pay rather than a $6.9M salary. Whoops.
— 1B Joey Votto signed on with Toronto, after playing 17 years for the Reds. Votto was born and raised in Toronto.
— Red Sox gave P Brayan Bello a 6-year deal worth $55M.
— Word of the Day: Shenanigans- secret, dishonest activity; mischief, trickery.
— Something to think about this week: over the last 12 NCAA Tournaments, the 48 teams who made the Final Four went 44-4 in their first conference tournament game, 33-11 in their second conference tournament game.
Overall, 22 of the last 48 Final Four teams won their conference tournament.
— Kansas Jayhawks’ two best players are banged up, won’t play in the Big X tournament this weekend in Kansas City.
Hunter Dickinson dislocated his shoulder over the weekend.
Kevin McCullar has a nagging bone bruise that has bothered him for weeks.
— Sun Belt
James Madison 91, Arkansas State 71
Dukes have won 13 in a row; they get to the NCAAs for first time since 2013.
Playing for third night in a row, Dukes made 11-19 on the arc.
— SoCon
Samford 76, East Tennessee State 69
Samford gets to the NCAA’s for first time since 2000.
Bulldogs are 29-5, playing tempo #14; they’re shooting 39.3% on arc (#7)
— CAA
Charleston 61, Towson 56
Charleston had a 13-1 run over final 3:13 of the game.
Cougars won their last 11 games.
Stony Brook 63, Hofstra 59
#7-seed Seawolves were an 8.5-point underdog.
Their three games with local rival Hofstra (1-2) were decided by 6-1-4 points.
— Horizon
Oakland 74, Cleveland State 71
Jack Gohlke was 7-14 on arc, scored 21 points off bench.
For season, Gohlke is 116-315 on 3-point shots, 4-8 on 2-point shots.
Milwaukee 82, Northern Kentucky 75
Northern Kentucky led by 15 points in first half.
Milwaukee out-rebounded the Norse, 50-28.
Panthers won their last six games.
— Summit
South Dakota State 59, St Thomas 49
Only 59 possessions in this game; very slow pace.
Jackrabbits have won seven games in a row.
St Thomas finishes 20-13, in their 3rd season as a Division I team.
Denver 66, Omaha 63
Omaha led by 4 with 6:50 left in the game.
Pioneers survived going 8-17 on foul line.
— Big Sky
Montana State 91, Weber State 82
MSU outscored Weber State 66-48 in second half.
Bobcats made 13-27 shots on the arc.
Bobcats were an 8.5-point underdog.
Montana 87, Portland State 81
Teams were tied with 14:33 left in the game.
Montana starts five seniors; they’ve got #34 eFG% in country.
Final Four of the Big Sky had the #’s 3-5-8-10 seeds.
— WCC
Saint Mary’s 79, Santa Clara 65
Gaels shot 65.6% inside the arc.
Alex Ducas shot 7-11 on the arc for Saint Mary’s.
Gonzaga 89, San Francisco 77
Zags have won nine in a row, 14 of last 15 games.
Zags’ last seven wins were all by 12+ points.
For 12th time in last 16 years, WCC tournament final is Saint Mary’s-Gonzaga.
— Underdogs were 8-6 ATS in Monday’s tournament games; they have a 61-56 lead ATS in conference tournaments this month.
PHILADELPHIA is 18-7 ATS (10.3 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest in the last 3 seasons.
NY RANGERS are 10-1 ATS (8.9 Units) revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 3 goals or more in the current season.
MONTREAL is 14-7 ATS (6.3 Units) off a home loss against a division rival in the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) in home games when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days in the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 9-2 ATS (6.8 Units) in road games after 3 consecutive non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 10-1 ATS (8.9 Units) in home games off a close home win by 1 goal over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS are 11-1 Over (9.9 Units) in home games after 3 straight games with 33 or more shots on goal over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 31-81 ATS (-58.1 Units) after playing a home game in the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 14-2 ATS (11.8 Units) in road games after a close win by 1 goal in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
VEGAS are 10-1 ATS (8.9 Units) revenging a loss where team scored 1 or less goals in the current season.
NY RANGERS are 10-1 ATS (8.9 Units) revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 3 goals or more in the current season.
MONTREAL is 14-7 ATS (6.3 Units) off a home loss against a division rival in the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) in home games when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days in the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 9-2 ATS (6.8 Units) in road games after 3 consecutive non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 10-1 ATS (8.9 Units) in home games off a close home win by 1 goal over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS are 11-1 Over (9.9 Units) in home games after 3 straight games with 33 or more shots on goal over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 31-81 ATS (-58.1 Units) after playing a home game in the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 14-2 ATS (11.8 Units) in road games after a close win by 1 goal in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
VEGAS are 10-1 ATS (8.9 Units) revenging a loss where team scored 1 or less goals in the current season.
NHL
Tuesday, March 12
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Trend Report
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Detroit @ Buffalo
Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing Detroit
Buffalo is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
NY Rangers @ Carolina
NY Rangers
NY Rangers is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games
NY Rangers is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Carolina
Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Carolina is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Columbus @ Montreal
Columbus
Columbus is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Montreal is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Pittsburgh @ Ottawa
Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Pittsburgh is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
San Jose @ Philadelphia
San Jose
San Jose is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
San Jose is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing San Jose
Florida @ Dallas
Florida
Florida is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Florida is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games on the road
Dallas
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Dallas is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Florida
Arizona @ Minnesota
Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 6 games
Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Arizona
Minnesota is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing Arizona
Anaheim @ Chicago
Anaheim
Anaheim is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Anaheim's last 25 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Colorado @ Calgary
Colorado
Colorado is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Calgary
Colorado is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Calgary's last 7 games
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Vegas @ Seattle
Vegas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vegas's last 5 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vegas's last 5 games on the road
Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing Vegas
Seattle is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
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Tuesday, March 12
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detroit @ Buffalo
Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing Detroit
Buffalo is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
NY Rangers @ Carolina
NY Rangers
NY Rangers is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games
NY Rangers is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Carolina
Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Carolina is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Columbus @ Montreal
Columbus
Columbus is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Montreal is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Pittsburgh @ Ottawa
Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Pittsburgh is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
San Jose @ Philadelphia
San Jose
San Jose is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
San Jose is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing San Jose
Florida @ Dallas
Florida
Florida is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Florida is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games on the road
Dallas
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Dallas is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Florida
Arizona @ Minnesota
Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 6 games
Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Arizona
Minnesota is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing Arizona
Anaheim @ Chicago
Anaheim
Anaheim is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Anaheim's last 25 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Colorado @ Calgary
Colorado
Colorado is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Calgary
Colorado is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Calgary's last 7 games
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Vegas @ Seattle
Vegas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Vegas's last 5 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vegas's last 5 games on the road
Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing Vegas
Seattle is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
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TUESDAY, MARCH 12
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIT at OTT | 07:00 PM | OTT -100 O 6.5 | +500 +500 |
| NYR at CAR | 07:00 PM | CAR -167 O 5.5 | +500 +500 |
| CLB at MON | 07:00 PM | MON -113 O 6.5 | +500 +500 |
| DET at BUF | 07:00 PM | BUF -125 O 6.5 | +500 +500 |
| SJ at PHI | 07:00 PM | SJ +275 U 6.0 | +500 +500 |
| ARI at MIN | 08:00 PM | ARI +169 O 6.0 | +500 +500 |
| FLA at DAL | 08:00 PM | DAL -106 O 6.0 | +500 +500 |
| ANA at CHI | 08:30 PM | ANA -103 U 6.0 | +500 +500 |
| COL at CAL | 09:00 PM | COL -167 O 6.5 | +500 +500 |
| VEG at SEA | 10:00 PM | SEA +128 U 5.5 | +500 +500 |
Wednesday’s 6-pack:
Six of the best prospects for the Seattle Mariners
— Cole Young, SS
— Harry Ford, C
— Colt Emerson, SS
— Lazaro Montes, OF
— Gabriel Gonzalez, OF
— Tyler Locklear, 1B
Quote of the Day
“If we had some sort of revenue sharing proposition that did not make student-athletes employees … I think that may be the long-term solution.”
Nick Saban, talking about competitive balance issues in college sports
Wednesday’s quiz
In the history of the Seattle Mariners, who has scored the most runs?
Tuesday’s quiz
Washington Redskins drafted Kirk Cousins in the 4th round of the 2012 draft, the same year they drafted Robert Griffin III in the first round.
Monday’s quiz
2010/2011 was last time the same team won the ACC Tournament two years in a row; Duke won both of those tournaments.
****************************************
Saint Mary’s 69, Gonzaga 60
Gaels win WCC tournament for first time since 2019.
How did Saint Mary’s do in NCAA’s, after winning WCC title?
2010- #10-seed, made Sweet 16, lost 72-49 to Baylor in Sweet 16.
2012- #7-seed, lost 72-69 (-2) to Purdue in first round.
2019- #11-seed, lost 61-57 (+4) in first round, to Villanova
— Horizon
Oakland 83, Milwaukee 76
Grizzlies win Horizon title for first time.
Last time Oakland made NCAA’s was 2011; they were in Summit League then.
Oakland is 17-3 in its last 20 games, after a 6-8 start.
— Summit
South Dakota State 76, Denver 68
Jackrabbits are in NCAA’s for 7th time in last 13 years.
South Dakota State has won eight games in a row.
Opponents get 40.8% of their points on 3’s, the most against anyone in country.
— CAA
Charleston 82, Stony Brook 79 OT
Charleston has won 12 games in a row, 2 CAA titles in a row.
Cougars won, after blowing a 10-point second half lead.
Good shooting: Charleston was 13-30 on arc, Stony Brook 15-35.
— NEC
Wagner 54, Merrimack 47
Seahawks win NEC title, after losing 4 of last 5 regular season games.
Wagner is in the NCAA’s for first time since 2003, when Dereck Whittenberg was coach.
— Atlantic 15
Saint Louis 74, Rhode Island 71
URI led 64-59 with 5:47 left in the game.
Billikens advance to play Duquesne tomorrow.
— Big X
Cincinnati 90, West Virginia 85
Bearcats trailed 64-48 with 11:45 left in game.
Cincinnati advances to play banged-up Kansas tomorrow.
— Famous birthdays for March 13:
William H Macy, 74
Dana Delany, 68
Will Clark, 60
Johan Santana, 45
Trent Dilfer, 52
Caron Butler, 44
Coco Gauff, 20
— College basketball coaching carousel:
Coastal Carolina hired Western Carolina coach Justin Gray.
Hampton fired Edward Joyner; they went 17-48/8-28 in two years in the CAA
Louisville is going to fire Kenny Payne, after going 12-52 the last two years.
Missouri State fired Dana Ford; Bears were over .500 the last four years.
— One of Colgate’s subs is the son of former NBA coach PJ Carlesimo.
— Stetson coach Donnie Jones is in the NCAA’s for first time in his 14 years as a head coach, but Jones was an assistant at Florida when they won back-to-back national titles in 2006/2007.
— Word of the Day: Enthusiasm- a feeling of excitement, passion for something.
NFL knowledge…….
— New England signed QB Jacoby Brissett to a 1-year deal, with base salary of $8M. This suggests that the Patriots will draft a QB, and Brissett will start the rookie is ready to roll.
— Minnesota signed QB Sam Darnold to a one-year deal; he’s already played for three teams in his first six NFL seasons. Vikings will be his 4th team. Darnold is 21-35 as an NFL starter.
Vikings also signed RB Aaron Jones for one year, $7M.
— Baltimore Ravens signed RB Derrick Henry to a 2-year, $16M deal.
— Bengals traded RB Joe Mixon to Houston, saving $6.1M on the salary cap.
— Cleveland Browns signed QB James Winston.
— Washington Commanders signed QB Marcus Mariota.
— Underdogs were 11-6 ATS in Tuesday’s college basketball tournament games; they have a 72-62 lead ATS in conference tournaments this month.
Six of the best prospects for the Seattle Mariners
— Cole Young, SS
— Harry Ford, C
— Colt Emerson, SS
— Lazaro Montes, OF
— Gabriel Gonzalez, OF
— Tyler Locklear, 1B
Quote of the Day
“If we had some sort of revenue sharing proposition that did not make student-athletes employees … I think that may be the long-term solution.”
Nick Saban, talking about competitive balance issues in college sports
Wednesday’s quiz
In the history of the Seattle Mariners, who has scored the most runs?
Tuesday’s quiz
Washington Redskins drafted Kirk Cousins in the 4th round of the 2012 draft, the same year they drafted Robert Griffin III in the first round.
Monday’s quiz
2010/2011 was last time the same team won the ACC Tournament two years in a row; Duke won both of those tournaments.
****************************************
Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings……..
— WCCSaint Mary’s 69, Gonzaga 60
Gaels win WCC tournament for first time since 2019.
How did Saint Mary’s do in NCAA’s, after winning WCC title?
2010- #10-seed, made Sweet 16, lost 72-49 to Baylor in Sweet 16.
2012- #7-seed, lost 72-69 (-2) to Purdue in first round.
2019- #11-seed, lost 61-57 (+4) in first round, to Villanova
— Horizon
Oakland 83, Milwaukee 76
Grizzlies win Horizon title for first time.
Last time Oakland made NCAA’s was 2011; they were in Summit League then.
Oakland is 17-3 in its last 20 games, after a 6-8 start.
— Summit
South Dakota State 76, Denver 68
Jackrabbits are in NCAA’s for 7th time in last 13 years.
South Dakota State has won eight games in a row.
Opponents get 40.8% of their points on 3’s, the most against anyone in country.
— CAA
Charleston 82, Stony Brook 79 OT
Charleston has won 12 games in a row, 2 CAA titles in a row.
Cougars won, after blowing a 10-point second half lead.
Good shooting: Charleston was 13-30 on arc, Stony Brook 15-35.
— NEC
Wagner 54, Merrimack 47
Seahawks win NEC title, after losing 4 of last 5 regular season games.
Wagner is in the NCAA’s for first time since 2003, when Dereck Whittenberg was coach.
— Atlantic 15
Saint Louis 74, Rhode Island 71
URI led 64-59 with 5:47 left in the game.
Billikens advance to play Duquesne tomorrow.
— Big X
Cincinnati 90, West Virginia 85
Bearcats trailed 64-48 with 11:45 left in game.
Cincinnati advances to play banged-up Kansas tomorrow.
— Famous birthdays for March 13:
William H Macy, 74
Dana Delany, 68
Will Clark, 60
Johan Santana, 45
Trent Dilfer, 52
Caron Butler, 44
Coco Gauff, 20
— College basketball coaching carousel:
Coastal Carolina hired Western Carolina coach Justin Gray.
Hampton fired Edward Joyner; they went 17-48/8-28 in two years in the CAA
Louisville is going to fire Kenny Payne, after going 12-52 the last two years.
Missouri State fired Dana Ford; Bears were over .500 the last four years.
— One of Colgate’s subs is the son of former NBA coach PJ Carlesimo.
— Stetson coach Donnie Jones is in the NCAA’s for first time in his 14 years as a head coach, but Jones was an assistant at Florida when they won back-to-back national titles in 2006/2007.
— Word of the Day: Enthusiasm- a feeling of excitement, passion for something.
NFL knowledge…….
— New England signed QB Jacoby Brissett to a 1-year deal, with base salary of $8M. This suggests that the Patriots will draft a QB, and Brissett will start the rookie is ready to roll.
— Minnesota signed QB Sam Darnold to a one-year deal; he’s already played for three teams in his first six NFL seasons. Vikings will be his 4th team. Darnold is 21-35 as an NFL starter.
Vikings also signed RB Aaron Jones for one year, $7M.
— Baltimore Ravens signed RB Derrick Henry to a 2-year, $16M deal.
— Bengals traded RB Joe Mixon to Houston, saving $6.1M on the salary cap.
— Cleveland Browns signed QB James Winston.
— Washington Commanders signed QB Marcus Mariota.
— Underdogs were 11-6 ATS in Tuesday’s college basketball tournament games; they have a 72-62 lead ATS in conference tournaments this month.
ST LOUIS are 7-2 ATS (4.8 Units) in home games after failing to cover 2 of their last 3 against the spread in the current season.
NASHVILLE is 9-3 ATS (5.7 Units) in road games after playing a game where 7 or more total goals were scored in the current season.
WASHINGTON is 47-68 ATS (-27.8 Units) after playing a road game in the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 8-1 Over (6.9 Units) in road games after covering 6 or 7 of their last 8 against the spread in the current season.
NHL
Dunkel
Wednesday, March 13
NHL
Wednesday, March 13
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles @ St. Louis
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games
St. Louis
St. Louis is 13-5 ATS in its last 18 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games
Nashville @ Winnipeg
Nashville
Nashville is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Nashville is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Nashville
Winnipeg is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Washington @ Edmonton
Washington
Washington is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Edmonton's last 8 games
Edmonton is 19-5 SU in its last 24 games at home
Colorado @ Vancouver
Colorado
Colorado is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 7 games
Vancouver
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games
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NASHVILLE is 9-3 ATS (5.7 Units) in road games after playing a game where 7 or more total goals were scored in the current season.
WASHINGTON is 47-68 ATS (-27.8 Units) after playing a road game in the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 8-1 Over (6.9 Units) in road games after covering 6 or 7 of their last 8 against the spread in the current season.
NHL
Dunkel
Wednesday, March 13
NHL
Wednesday, March 13
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles @ St. Louis
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games
St. Louis
St. Louis is 13-5 ATS in its last 18 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games
Nashville @ Winnipeg
Nashville
Nashville is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Nashville is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Nashville
Winnipeg is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Washington @ Edmonton
Washington
Washington is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Edmonton
Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Edmonton's last 8 games
Edmonton is 19-5 SU in its last 24 games at home
Colorado @ Vancouver
Colorado
Colorado is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado's last 7 games
Vancouver
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games
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Thursday’s 6-pack:
— Pistons 113, Raptors 104- Jalen Duren had 24 points, 23 rebounds.
— Bulls 132, Pacers 129, OT- Bulls’ starters were +69; their subs, minus-54.
— Nuggets 100, Heat 88- Denver outscored Miami 28-17 in 4th quarter.
— Magic 114, Nets 106- Orlando made 14 of 32 shots on the arc.
— Hornets 110, Grizzlies 98- Charlotte played only 3 subs; they were +31.
— Cavaliers 116, Pelicans 95- Darius Garland had 27 points, 11 assists.
Quote of the Day
“Every day of my life I think about that home run. Wouldn’t you?”
Bill Mazeroski, who hit a walk-off home run to end the 1960 World Series
Thursday’s quiz
Where did Kirk Cousins play his college football?
Wednesday’s quiz
In the history of the Seattle Mariners, Edgar Martinez has scored the most runs.
Tuesday’s quiz
Washington Redskins drafted Kirk Cousins in the 4th round of the 2012 draft, the same year they drafted Robert Griffin III in the first round.
****************************************
Cincinnati 72, Kansas 52
Playing without its two best players, Kansas shot 3-20 on the arc.
Jayhawks lost four of their last five games.
Kansas State 78, Texas 74
K-State was only team Wednesday that was outside the Field of 68, and beat a team that is (right now) in the Field of 68.
— ACC
Boston College 76, Clemson 55
BC won decisively the last two nights, by 16-21 points.
Wake Forest 72, Notre Dame 59
Wake Forest-Pitt Thursday seems like an elimination game.
— SEC
Arkansas 90, Vanderbilt 85 OT
Vandy led by 15 with 16:55 left in game.
Arkansas’ Khalif Battle was 13-14 on foul line.
Vandy’s whole team was 13-21 on foul line.
— Big East
Xavier 76, Butler 72
Bulldogs lost six of their last eight games.
Subs in this game scored a combined total of only 5 points.
— Pac-12
USC 80, Washington 74
USC is 14-12 when Collier plays, 1-5 when he doesn’t.
Trojans shot 56% inside the arc.
— Big Sky
Montana State 85, Montana 70
Montana State was +12 in turnovers (15-3)
Bobcats win Big Sky tournament for third year in a row.
Favored Montana led 38-32 at halftime.
— Patriot
Colgate 74, Lehigh 55
Raiders shot 74.3% inside the arc.
Colgate has won this league five of last six years.
— Southland
McNeese State 92, Nicholls State 76
Cowboys are in NCAAs for first time since 2002.
McNeese has won 25 of its last 26 games- they won at VCU, UAB.
— Big West
Cal-Riverside 83, Cal-Bakersfield 78
Bakersfield led 40-21 late in first half.
Riverside was 24-34 on foul line, Roadrunners 9-11.
— MAAC
Fairfield 68, Iona 63
Gaels had won six of previous eight MAAC tournaments.
Fairfield started season 1-6, is 20-5 since then.
— Only two teams have won 25+ games the last four years:
Houston and………..the Drake Bulldogs.
— Good news/bad news for Marquette basketball:
Marquette coach Shaka Smart is 22-9 SU in conference tournament games.
Marquette’s star G Tyler Kolek (oblique) isn’t playing this week, so they’re a long shot to win the Big East tournament this year.
— Famous birthdays for March 14:
Michael Caine, 91
Billy Crystal, 76
Dave McKay, 74
Larry Johnson, 55
Corey Stoll, 48
Steph Curry, 36
Albert Einstein was born on this day, 145 years ago.
— Knicks are first NBA team since 2012 to hold three straight opponents under 80 points.
— A #5-seed has never won the NCAA Tournament:
#4’s- UConn 2023, Arizona 1997
#6’s- Kansas, 1988
#7’s- UConn 2014
#8’s- Villanova, 1985
— 14 conference tournaments are finished; here are the winners, by seeds:
#1-seeds- 7
#2’s- 3
#3’s- 1 (Morehead State, OVC)
#5’s- 2 (Longwood Big South, Montana State Big Sky)
#6’s- 1 (Wagner, NEC)
— Word of the Day: Integrity- being honest and having strong moral principles.
Baseball stuff……
— White Sox traded P Dylan Cease to San Diego, for three prospects and another player.
— Bronx ace Gerrit Cole has an elbow issue, is out at least 1-2 months.
— With all the pitching injuries, I’m surprised an older pitcher or two hasn’t tried to become a knuckleball pitcher, to prolong his big league career.
Tim Wakefield, RA Dickey are the most recent pitchers who had success with the knuckler; Matt Waldron of the Padres dabbles with it these days.
NFL stuff…….
— backup QB happenings……..
Jets signed Tyrod Taylor
Colts signed Joe Flacco
Titans signed Mason Rudolph
Bears signed Brett Rypien
— Tennessee also signed WR Calvin Ridley, for four years, $92M.
— Chargers released WR Mike Williams, saving $20M on the salary cap. Williams was a Charger for seven years, catching 309 passes for 4,806 yards and 31 TD’s.
— Washington signed LB Bobby Wagner for one year, $8.5M ($6M guaranteed).
— Rams signed CB Darious Williams, who helped LA win a Super Bowl three years ago, before going off to Jacksonville.
— Pistons 113, Raptors 104- Jalen Duren had 24 points, 23 rebounds.
— Bulls 132, Pacers 129, OT- Bulls’ starters were +69; their subs, minus-54.
— Nuggets 100, Heat 88- Denver outscored Miami 28-17 in 4th quarter.
— Magic 114, Nets 106- Orlando made 14 of 32 shots on the arc.
— Hornets 110, Grizzlies 98- Charlotte played only 3 subs; they were +31.
— Cavaliers 116, Pelicans 95- Darius Garland had 27 points, 11 assists.
Quote of the Day
“Every day of my life I think about that home run. Wouldn’t you?”
Bill Mazeroski, who hit a walk-off home run to end the 1960 World Series
Thursday’s quiz
Where did Kirk Cousins play his college football?
Wednesday’s quiz
In the history of the Seattle Mariners, Edgar Martinez has scored the most runs.
Tuesday’s quiz
Washington Redskins drafted Kirk Cousins in the 4th round of the 2012 draft, the same year they drafted Robert Griffin III in the first round.
****************************************
Thursday’s Den: Wrapping up a busy Wednesday
— Big XCincinnati 72, Kansas 52
Playing without its two best players, Kansas shot 3-20 on the arc.
Jayhawks lost four of their last five games.
Kansas State 78, Texas 74
K-State was only team Wednesday that was outside the Field of 68, and beat a team that is (right now) in the Field of 68.
— ACC
Boston College 76, Clemson 55
BC won decisively the last two nights, by 16-21 points.
Wake Forest 72, Notre Dame 59
Wake Forest-Pitt Thursday seems like an elimination game.
— SEC
Arkansas 90, Vanderbilt 85 OT
Vandy led by 15 with 16:55 left in game.
Arkansas’ Khalif Battle was 13-14 on foul line.
Vandy’s whole team was 13-21 on foul line.
— Big East
Xavier 76, Butler 72
Bulldogs lost six of their last eight games.
Subs in this game scored a combined total of only 5 points.
— Pac-12
USC 80, Washington 74
USC is 14-12 when Collier plays, 1-5 when he doesn’t.
Trojans shot 56% inside the arc.
— Big Sky
Montana State 85, Montana 70
Montana State was +12 in turnovers (15-3)
Bobcats win Big Sky tournament for third year in a row.
Favored Montana led 38-32 at halftime.
— Patriot
Colgate 74, Lehigh 55
Raiders shot 74.3% inside the arc.
Colgate has won this league five of last six years.
— Southland
McNeese State 92, Nicholls State 76
Cowboys are in NCAAs for first time since 2002.
McNeese has won 25 of its last 26 games- they won at VCU, UAB.
— Big West
Cal-Riverside 83, Cal-Bakersfield 78
Bakersfield led 40-21 late in first half.
Riverside was 24-34 on foul line, Roadrunners 9-11.
— MAAC
Fairfield 68, Iona 63
Gaels had won six of previous eight MAAC tournaments.
Fairfield started season 1-6, is 20-5 since then.
— Only two teams have won 25+ games the last four years:
Houston and………..the Drake Bulldogs.
— Good news/bad news for Marquette basketball:
Marquette coach Shaka Smart is 22-9 SU in conference tournament games.
Marquette’s star G Tyler Kolek (oblique) isn’t playing this week, so they’re a long shot to win the Big East tournament this year.
— Famous birthdays for March 14:
Michael Caine, 91
Billy Crystal, 76
Dave McKay, 74
Larry Johnson, 55
Corey Stoll, 48
Steph Curry, 36
Albert Einstein was born on this day, 145 years ago.
— Knicks are first NBA team since 2012 to hold three straight opponents under 80 points.
— A #5-seed has never won the NCAA Tournament:
#4’s- UConn 2023, Arizona 1997
#6’s- Kansas, 1988
#7’s- UConn 2014
#8’s- Villanova, 1985
— 14 conference tournaments are finished; here are the winners, by seeds:
#1-seeds- 7
#2’s- 3
#3’s- 1 (Morehead State, OVC)
#5’s- 2 (Longwood Big South, Montana State Big Sky)
#6’s- 1 (Wagner, NEC)
— Word of the Day: Integrity- being honest and having strong moral principles.
Baseball stuff……
— White Sox traded P Dylan Cease to San Diego, for three prospects and another player.
— Bronx ace Gerrit Cole has an elbow issue, is out at least 1-2 months.
— With all the pitching injuries, I’m surprised an older pitcher or two hasn’t tried to become a knuckleball pitcher, to prolong his big league career.
Tim Wakefield, RA Dickey are the most recent pitchers who had success with the knuckler; Matt Waldron of the Padres dabbles with it these days.
NFL stuff…….
— backup QB happenings……..
Jets signed Tyrod Taylor
Colts signed Joe Flacco
Titans signed Mason Rudolph
Bears signed Brett Rypien
— Tennessee also signed WR Calvin Ridley, for four years, $92M.
— Chargers released WR Mike Williams, saving $20M on the salary cap. Williams was a Charger for seven years, catching 309 passes for 4,806 yards and 31 TD’s.
— Washington signed LB Bobby Wagner for one year, $8.5M ($6M guaranteed).
— Rams signed CB Darious Williams, who helped LA win a Super Bowl three years ago, before going off to Jacksonville.
ARIZONA is 15-13 ATS (0.7 Units) after 2 consecutive division games in the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 144-171 ATS (-44.1 Units) in home games after 2 or more consecutive unders since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 7-1 Under (5.9 Units) after losing their previous game in overtime in the current season.
COLUMBUS are 7-2 ATS (4.8 Units) in home games revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 3 goals or more in the current season.
CAROLINA is 9-0 ATS (9 Units) off a home loss against a division rival over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 9-1 Over (7.9 Units) in home games after scoring 6 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 39-32 ATS (3.8 Units) after a division game in the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 44-21 Over (20.9 Units) in road games after covering 4 or 5 of their last 6 against the spread in the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS are 8-0 Over (8 Units) in home games after allowing 2 goals or more in the third period last game in the current season.
ANAHEIM is 30-39 ATS (-12.9 Units) in road games when playing their 3rd game in 5 days in the last 3 seasons.
VEGAS are 11-1 ATS (9.9 Units) revenging a loss where team scored 1 or less goals in the current season.
SEATTLE is 14-30 ATS (-19 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game in the last 3 seasons.
MONTREAL is 144-171 ATS (-44.1 Units) in home games after 2 or more consecutive unders since 1996.
PITTSBURGH is 7-1 Under (5.9 Units) after losing their previous game in overtime in the current season.
COLUMBUS are 7-2 ATS (4.8 Units) in home games revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 3 goals or more in the current season.
CAROLINA is 9-0 ATS (9 Units) off a home loss against a division rival over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 9-1 Over (7.9 Units) in home games after scoring 6 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 39-32 ATS (3.8 Units) after a division game in the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 44-21 Over (20.9 Units) in road games after covering 4 or 5 of their last 6 against the spread in the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS are 8-0 Over (8 Units) in home games after allowing 2 goals or more in the third period last game in the current season.
ANAHEIM is 30-39 ATS (-12.9 Units) in road games when playing their 3rd game in 5 days in the last 3 seasons.
VEGAS are 11-1 ATS (9.9 Units) revenging a loss where team scored 1 or less goals in the current season.
SEATTLE is 14-30 ATS (-19 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game in the last 3 seasons.
NHL
Thursday, March 14
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Trend Report
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NY Islanders @ Buffalo
NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Islanders's last 5 games when playing Buffalo
NY Islanders is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
Buffalo is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Florida @ Carolina
Florida
Florida is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 5 games when playing on the road against Carolina
Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing at home against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Carolina's last 10 games
Ottawa @ Columbus
Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Ottawa's last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games
Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Columbus's last 8 games at home
Columbus is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Arizona @ Detroit
Arizona
Arizona is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing at home against Arizona
Detroit is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games at home
Boston @ Montreal
Boston
Boston is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing Montreal
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Montreal is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
San Jose @ Pittsburgh
San Jose
San Jose is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
San Jose is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Pittsburgh's last 23 games when playing San Jose
NY Rangers @ Tampa Bay
NY Rangers
NY Rangers is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
NY Rangers is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Tampa Bay's last 11 games at home
Toronto @ Philadelphia
Toronto
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games
Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Toronto
New Jersey @ Dallas
New Jersey
New Jersey is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games
Dallas
Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 18 of Dallas's last 23 games at home
Anaheim @ Minnesota
Anaheim
Anaheim is 12-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing Anaheim
Minnesota is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Vegas @ Calgary
Vegas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vegas's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Vegas's last 10 games
Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Calgary's last 8 games
Calgary is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Vegas
Washington @ Seattle
Washington
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Washington's last 13 games
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Seattle
Seattle is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Seattle is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
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Thursday, March 14
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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NY Islanders @ Buffalo
NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Islanders's last 5 games when playing Buffalo
NY Islanders is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
Buffalo is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Florida @ Carolina
Florida
Florida is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Florida's last 5 games when playing on the road against Carolina
Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing at home against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Carolina's last 10 games
Ottawa @ Columbus
Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Ottawa's last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Ottawa's last 5 games
Columbus
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Columbus's last 8 games at home
Columbus is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Arizona @ Detroit
Arizona
Arizona is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing at home against Arizona
Detroit is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games at home
Boston @ Montreal
Boston
Boston is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing Montreal
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Montreal is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
San Jose @ Pittsburgh
San Jose
San Jose is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
San Jose is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Jose
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Pittsburgh's last 23 games when playing San Jose
NY Rangers @ Tampa Bay
NY Rangers
NY Rangers is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
NY Rangers is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Tampa Bay's last 11 games at home
Toronto @ Philadelphia
Toronto
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games
Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Toronto
New Jersey @ Dallas
New Jersey
New Jersey is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games
Dallas
Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 18 of Dallas's last 23 games at home
Anaheim @ Minnesota
Anaheim
Anaheim is 12-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing Anaheim
Minnesota is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Vegas @ Calgary
Vegas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Vegas's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Vegas's last 10 games
Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Calgary's last 8 games
Calgary is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Vegas
Washington @ Seattle
Washington
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Washington's last 13 games
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Seattle
Seattle is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Seattle is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
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THURSDAY, MARCH 14
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| SJ at PIT | 07:00 PM | SJ +267 U 6.0 | +500 +500 |
| NYR at TB | 07:00 PM | NYR -109 O 6.0 | +500 +500 |
| BOS at MON | 07:00 PM | MON +183 U 6.0 | +500 +500 |
| ARI at DET | 07:00 PM | ARI +139 O 6.5 | +500 +500 |
| OTT at CLB | 07:00 PM | CLB +108 U 6.5 | +500 +500 |
| NYI at BUF | 07:00 PM | NYI -102 U 6.0 | +500 +500 |
| FLA at CAR | 07:00 PM | FLA +109 U 5.5 | +500 +500 |
| TOR at PHI | 07:30 PM | PHI +104 O 6.5 | +500 +500 |
| ANA at MIN | 08:00 PM | ANA +245 O 6.0 | +500 +500 |
| NJ at DAL | 08:00 PM | NJ +164 O 6.5 | +500 +500 |
| VEG at CAL | 09:00 PM | CAL +136 O 6.5 | +500 +500 |
| WAS at SEA | 10:00 PM | SEA -165 U 5.5 | +500 +500 |
Friday’s 6-pack:
Last six national title games in college basketball:
2023— UConn 76, San Diego State 59
2022— Kansas 72, North Carolina 69
2021— Baylor 86, Gonzaga 70
2019— Virginia 85, Texas Tech 77 OT
2018— Villanova 79, Michigan 62
2017— North Carolina 71, Gonzaga 65
Thought of the Day
“Everyone is going through their own struggles. Be kind.”
Friday’s quiz
Who was Vanderbilt’s coach, the last time they made the NCAA Tournament?
Hint: He is coaching another D-I team now, and is a #1-seed in his league
Thursday’s quiz
Kirk Cousins played his college football at Michigan State.
Wednesday’s quiz
In the history of the Seattle Mariners, Edgar Martinez has scored the most runs.
**********************************************
First two games on Thursday were #1-seeds getting upset in their tournaments.
— Mid-American
Kent State 67, Toledo 59
Last four years, Toledo is 62-13 in MAC regular season games, but only 4-4 in MAC Tournament games. Rockets haven’t been to the NCAA’s since 1980.
— Atlantic 15
St Joe’s 66, Richmond 61
Spiders led by 10 with 11:27 left in the game.
Hawks out-rebounded Richmond, 40-29.
Duquesne 65, Dayton 57
This is a disaster for bubble teams; Dayton is going to be in the NCAA’s, so now the winner of this tournament becomes a bid-stealer from a bubble team.
St Bonaventure 75, Loyola 74, 2OT
Bonnies were down 10, with 6:06 left in the game.
St Bonaventure won the last two days, by total of 3 points.
Daryl Banks scored 22 points in 42:00, and he didn’t start.
— Coaches who win (South Carolina, Florida) get new contracts.
Coaches who don’t win enough lose their jobs; this is a tough week for that.
Fresno State
Oklahoma State
Rice
Saint Louis
Texas-San Antonio
Vanderbilt…….all these schools fired their coach in the last day or two.
— ACC
NC State 74, Duke 69
12th-seed Wolfpack are first double-digit seed since 2010 to make the semi-finals of the ACC Tournament.
Last time Duke lost its first ACC Tourney game was 2013 (18-3 since 2003).
Pitt 81, Wake Forest 69
Panthers have won 10 of their last 12 games.
Wake Forest went 4-6 in its last ten games.
— Big East
St John’s 91, Seton Hall 72
Red Storm scored 1.32 points/possession; in their two losses to Seton Hall during the season, they scored 0.97/0.85 points/possession.
St John’s has won six in a row; their Selection Sunday will be stress-free.
Providence 78, Creighton 73
Friars held Creighton to 37.9% from the floor.
Bracketology suggests that Providence still needs a win Friday to make the NCAA’s.
Marquette 71, Villanova 65 OT
Loss figures to send Villanova to the NIT.
Wildcats shot 9-35 on the arc.
— Big X
Iowa State 76, Kansas State 57
Iowa State was 24-40 inside arc, 1-14 on arc, 25-31 on foul line.
Cyclones were +14 in turnovers; they’ve won nine of their last 11 games.
— Mountain West
Both afternoon games went to overtime.
Utah State 87, Fresno State 75, OT
Aggies have won six games in a row, two of them in OT.
Utah State’s Great Osobar was 15-24 on the foul line; Fresno’s whole team was 11-14.
San Diego State 74, UNLV 71, OT
Aztecs have won nine in a row vs UNLV in the MW Tournament.
San Diego State out-rebounded UNLV, 50-31.
Aztecs survived shooting 6-23 on arc, 16-26 on foul line.
— SEC
Mississippi State 70, LSU 60
Bulldogs outscored LSU 48-31 in second half.
Miss State snaps a 4-game losing skid; they’re on right side of the bubble, for now.
— Pac-12
Oregon 68, UCLA 66
UCLA’s last 26 games this season:
1-8 from December 9-January 11
8-1 from January 14-February 15
2-6 from February 18-today.
Arizona 70, USC 49- Because ESPN is ESPN, they have a story on the front page of their website about Bronny James’ NBA prospects. The kid started 6 of USC’s 33 games this season; let him progress at his own pace.
— American
Wichita State 71, Memphis 65
Shockers shot 56.8% inside arc.
Penny Hardaway said Memphis would pass on playing in the NIT; in his six years coaching the Tigers, Memphis is 133-62, but only 1-2 in NCAA Tournament games.
— Big 14
Ohio State 90, Iowa 78
Buckeyes are 6-1 since they fired their coach; that coach, by the way, got hired Thursday by DePaul to be their new coach.
— MAAC
Saint Peter’s 50, Rider 48
Teams combined to shoot 5-28 on the arc. No bueno.
Peacocks never trailed; they were up 14 at one point, hung on for dear life.
— Conference USA
Texas El-Paso 66, Liberty 57
Thursday would’ve been Don Haskins’ 94th birthday; he was UTEP’s coach when they won the 1966 national title. UTEP has won four games in a row, after starting out 4-9 in C-USA.
— WAC
Tex-Arlington 109, Stephen F Austin 78
Mavericks have won seven games in a row; they led 48-27 at halftime.
Tex-Arlington made 19-40 shots on the arc.
Seattle 81, Cal Baptist 57
Seattle snaps a 3-game losing skid.
Redhawks made 12-23 shots on the arc.
— Big West
Hawai’i 75, Northridge 68
Rainbows won eight of their last ten games.
Long Beach State 86, Cal-Riverside 67
Long Beach snaps a 5-game losing skid.
— Oakland Griizlies have a player, Jack Gohlke, who this season has taken:
121-327 on 3-pointers (37%)
4-8 on 2-point shots
45-57 on foul shots (78.9%)
Turns out that Gohlke is a graduate student who played four years at D-II Hillsdale College, and wasn’t starting there until January 15 of his junior year. Hillsdale made the Elite 8 of the D-II tournament for the first time in 2022.
Shooting is marketable.
***********************************************
— Saw something last week I haven’t seen in years; on Wolf Road, one of the main streets around here, a middle-aged guy was hitch-hiking, around 3:00 on a weekday afternoon.
Can’t remember the last time I saw a hitchhiker; kids today probably don’t even know what it is.
The world has become a stranger place. Giving total strangers a ride in your car seems like a potentially bad idea these days.
— NFL schedule makers probably scrambled to adjust their 2024 schedule when Russell Wilson went to the Steelers; Denver-Pittsburgh wouldn’t normally be a big primetime draw, but you have to think now that it’ll be a Sunday or Monday night game.
As far as Wilson’s departure goes, Denver will take a $53M cap hit this year, $32M in 2025
— There have been some free agents who jumped to divisional rivals; those games figure to get some attention on national TV this fall:
Eagles-Giants (Saquon Barkley)
Aaron Jones (Vikings-Packers)
Steelers-Ravens (Patrick Queen)
Dolphins-Bills (Jordan Poyer)
Also, Panthers-Buccaneers (Baker Mayfield)
— When he was coach of the Houston Texans, Boston College coach Bill O’Brien once told his team “…….welcome to the most competitive business in the world.” There is such a fine line between winning and losing, but some teams are smarter than others.
Take the Carolina Panthers…..in the past three years, they’ve traded/given away:
RB Christian McCaffrey
WR DJ Moore
EDGE Brian Burns
QB Baker Mayfield
Their first-round draft pick in 2023, 2024 AND 2025.
2nd round pick in 2023.
In return, they’ve gotten……
QB Bryce Young
LB DJ Johnson
Two 5th round picks
An extra year of Brian Burns, who they wound up trading away anyway.
In December, 2022, Carolina released Mayfield; their division rival Tampa Bay just gave Mayfield a 3-year contract worth $100M. Slight difference of opinion there.
— Over the last five seasons, Washington Commanders have started 10 different QB’s, the most of any NFL team during that time.
— After signing free-agent QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons traded QB Desmond Ridder to Arizona, for WR Rondale Moore.
— NFL Network is going to show 30 or so Arena Football games this spring.
— NFL awarded compensatory draft picks for next month’s draft, 34 in all:
5- Rams, 49ers
4- Eagles
3- Saints, Packers, Jets
2- Jaguars, Cowboys, Bengals
1- Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, Bucs, Chargers
— Milwaukee Brewers’ closer Devin Williams is out for 10-12 weeks with a couple of stress fractures in his back.
— 1B/OF Adam Duvall signed with the Braves, for one year, $3M. Duvall hit .247 with 21 home runs last year for the Red Sox.
— It is March 15; Blake Snell, JD Martinez and Jordan Montgomery are still unsigned; those three players can’t be real happy.
— I’m an A’s fan; how about they pretend they’re trying to win and sign Trevor Bauer to a one-year deal? He can’t be very expensive, at this point, and if he did well for the A’s this year, he could make a whole lot of $$$ next year.
— Arizona doesn’t do Daylight Savings Time, so while spring training games start at 3:00 here in the east early in spring training, after the clocks spring ahead in most of the country, they start at 4:00 from that point on.
— Major League Baseball hasn’t expanded since 1998, when Arizona/Tampa Bay came aboard, but they’ll be going to 32 teams in the next few years. Would be smart if they scrapped the current American/National League set-up and went to geographic realignment.
— Los Angeles Angels’ TV guys were talking the other day how it’ll help their starting pitchers this season to be back in a 5-man rotations, something they never would’ve said last year, when they had a 6-man rotation, because Shohei Ohtani only pitches once a week.
— In case you were wondering, the last villain on the old Batman TV series as Zsa Zsa Gabor, who played Minerva; she then went on to co-star on Green Acres, one of my favorite TV shows when I was a kid.
— I’m off to Las Vegas next month for a vacation, which reminds me…….
In the movie Last Vegas, Morgan Freeman wins $87,000 playing blackjack at Aria.
In The Hangover, Zach Galifianakis wins $85,000 playing blackjack at Caeser’s Palace.
I’m looking forward to sitting down at a table and cashing in……..(ha!!!)
Last six national title games in college basketball:
2023— UConn 76, San Diego State 59
2022— Kansas 72, North Carolina 69
2021— Baylor 86, Gonzaga 70
2019— Virginia 85, Texas Tech 77 OT
2018— Villanova 79, Michigan 62
2017— North Carolina 71, Gonzaga 65
Thought of the Day
“Everyone is going through their own struggles. Be kind.”
Friday’s quiz
Who was Vanderbilt’s coach, the last time they made the NCAA Tournament?
Hint: He is coaching another D-I team now, and is a #1-seed in his league
Thursday’s quiz
Kirk Cousins played his college football at Michigan State.
Wednesday’s quiz
In the history of the Seattle Mariners, Edgar Martinez has scored the most runs.
**********************************************
Two Lists for Friday: List #1, wrapping up a great day of hoop
Thursday of Champ Week is the best basketball day of the year.First two games on Thursday were #1-seeds getting upset in their tournaments.
— Mid-American
Kent State 67, Toledo 59
Last four years, Toledo is 62-13 in MAC regular season games, but only 4-4 in MAC Tournament games. Rockets haven’t been to the NCAA’s since 1980.
— Atlantic 15
St Joe’s 66, Richmond 61
Spiders led by 10 with 11:27 left in the game.
Hawks out-rebounded Richmond, 40-29.
Duquesne 65, Dayton 57
This is a disaster for bubble teams; Dayton is going to be in the NCAA’s, so now the winner of this tournament becomes a bid-stealer from a bubble team.
St Bonaventure 75, Loyola 74, 2OT
Bonnies were down 10, with 6:06 left in the game.
St Bonaventure won the last two days, by total of 3 points.
Daryl Banks scored 22 points in 42:00, and he didn’t start.
— Coaches who win (South Carolina, Florida) get new contracts.
Coaches who don’t win enough lose their jobs; this is a tough week for that.
Fresno State
Oklahoma State
Rice
Saint Louis
Texas-San Antonio
Vanderbilt…….all these schools fired their coach in the last day or two.
— ACC
NC State 74, Duke 69
12th-seed Wolfpack are first double-digit seed since 2010 to make the semi-finals of the ACC Tournament.
Last time Duke lost its first ACC Tourney game was 2013 (18-3 since 2003).
Pitt 81, Wake Forest 69
Panthers have won 10 of their last 12 games.
Wake Forest went 4-6 in its last ten games.
— Big East
St John’s 91, Seton Hall 72
Red Storm scored 1.32 points/possession; in their two losses to Seton Hall during the season, they scored 0.97/0.85 points/possession.
St John’s has won six in a row; their Selection Sunday will be stress-free.
Providence 78, Creighton 73
Friars held Creighton to 37.9% from the floor.
Bracketology suggests that Providence still needs a win Friday to make the NCAA’s.
Marquette 71, Villanova 65 OT
Loss figures to send Villanova to the NIT.
Wildcats shot 9-35 on the arc.
— Big X
Iowa State 76, Kansas State 57
Iowa State was 24-40 inside arc, 1-14 on arc, 25-31 on foul line.
Cyclones were +14 in turnovers; they’ve won nine of their last 11 games.
— Mountain West
Both afternoon games went to overtime.
Utah State 87, Fresno State 75, OT
Aggies have won six games in a row, two of them in OT.
Utah State’s Great Osobar was 15-24 on the foul line; Fresno’s whole team was 11-14.
San Diego State 74, UNLV 71, OT
Aztecs have won nine in a row vs UNLV in the MW Tournament.
San Diego State out-rebounded UNLV, 50-31.
Aztecs survived shooting 6-23 on arc, 16-26 on foul line.
— SEC
Mississippi State 70, LSU 60
Bulldogs outscored LSU 48-31 in second half.
Miss State snaps a 4-game losing skid; they’re on right side of the bubble, for now.
— Pac-12
Oregon 68, UCLA 66
UCLA’s last 26 games this season:
1-8 from December 9-January 11
8-1 from January 14-February 15
2-6 from February 18-today.
Arizona 70, USC 49- Because ESPN is ESPN, they have a story on the front page of their website about Bronny James’ NBA prospects. The kid started 6 of USC’s 33 games this season; let him progress at his own pace.
— American
Wichita State 71, Memphis 65
Shockers shot 56.8% inside arc.
Penny Hardaway said Memphis would pass on playing in the NIT; in his six years coaching the Tigers, Memphis is 133-62, but only 1-2 in NCAA Tournament games.
— Big 14
Ohio State 90, Iowa 78
Buckeyes are 6-1 since they fired their coach; that coach, by the way, got hired Thursday by DePaul to be their new coach.
— MAAC
Saint Peter’s 50, Rider 48
Teams combined to shoot 5-28 on the arc. No bueno.
Peacocks never trailed; they were up 14 at one point, hung on for dear life.
— Conference USA
Texas El-Paso 66, Liberty 57
Thursday would’ve been Don Haskins’ 94th birthday; he was UTEP’s coach when they won the 1966 national title. UTEP has won four games in a row, after starting out 4-9 in C-USA.
— WAC
Tex-Arlington 109, Stephen F Austin 78
Mavericks have won seven games in a row; they led 48-27 at halftime.
Tex-Arlington made 19-40 shots on the arc.
Seattle 81, Cal Baptist 57
Seattle snaps a 3-game losing skid.
Redhawks made 12-23 shots on the arc.
— Big West
Hawai’i 75, Northridge 68
Rainbows won eight of their last ten games.
Long Beach State 86, Cal-Riverside 67
Long Beach snaps a 5-game losing skid.
— Oakland Griizlies have a player, Jack Gohlke, who this season has taken:
121-327 on 3-pointers (37%)
4-8 on 2-point shots
45-57 on foul shots (78.9%)
Turns out that Gohlke is a graduate student who played four years at D-II Hillsdale College, and wasn’t starting there until January 15 of his junior year. Hillsdale made the Elite 8 of the D-II tournament for the first time in 2022.
Shooting is marketable.
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Friday’s Den #2: Some non-basketball thoughts……..
This den is about anything but basketball…….— Saw something last week I haven’t seen in years; on Wolf Road, one of the main streets around here, a middle-aged guy was hitch-hiking, around 3:00 on a weekday afternoon.
Can’t remember the last time I saw a hitchhiker; kids today probably don’t even know what it is.
The world has become a stranger place. Giving total strangers a ride in your car seems like a potentially bad idea these days.
— NFL schedule makers probably scrambled to adjust their 2024 schedule when Russell Wilson went to the Steelers; Denver-Pittsburgh wouldn’t normally be a big primetime draw, but you have to think now that it’ll be a Sunday or Monday night game.
As far as Wilson’s departure goes, Denver will take a $53M cap hit this year, $32M in 2025
— There have been some free agents who jumped to divisional rivals; those games figure to get some attention on national TV this fall:
Eagles-Giants (Saquon Barkley)
Aaron Jones (Vikings-Packers)
Steelers-Ravens (Patrick Queen)
Dolphins-Bills (Jordan Poyer)
Also, Panthers-Buccaneers (Baker Mayfield)
— When he was coach of the Houston Texans, Boston College coach Bill O’Brien once told his team “…….welcome to the most competitive business in the world.” There is such a fine line between winning and losing, but some teams are smarter than others.
Take the Carolina Panthers…..in the past three years, they’ve traded/given away:
RB Christian McCaffrey
WR DJ Moore
EDGE Brian Burns
QB Baker Mayfield
Their first-round draft pick in 2023, 2024 AND 2025.
2nd round pick in 2023.
In return, they’ve gotten……
QB Bryce Young
LB DJ Johnson
Two 5th round picks
An extra year of Brian Burns, who they wound up trading away anyway.
In December, 2022, Carolina released Mayfield; their division rival Tampa Bay just gave Mayfield a 3-year contract worth $100M. Slight difference of opinion there.
— Over the last five seasons, Washington Commanders have started 10 different QB’s, the most of any NFL team during that time.
— After signing free-agent QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons traded QB Desmond Ridder to Arizona, for WR Rondale Moore.
— NFL Network is going to show 30 or so Arena Football games this spring.
— NFL awarded compensatory draft picks for next month’s draft, 34 in all:
5- Rams, 49ers
4- Eagles
3- Saints, Packers, Jets
2- Jaguars, Cowboys, Bengals
1- Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, Bucs, Chargers
— Milwaukee Brewers’ closer Devin Williams is out for 10-12 weeks with a couple of stress fractures in his back.
— 1B/OF Adam Duvall signed with the Braves, for one year, $3M. Duvall hit .247 with 21 home runs last year for the Red Sox.
— It is March 15; Blake Snell, JD Martinez and Jordan Montgomery are still unsigned; those three players can’t be real happy.
— I’m an A’s fan; how about they pretend they’re trying to win and sign Trevor Bauer to a one-year deal? He can’t be very expensive, at this point, and if he did well for the A’s this year, he could make a whole lot of $$$ next year.
— Arizona doesn’t do Daylight Savings Time, so while spring training games start at 3:00 here in the east early in spring training, after the clocks spring ahead in most of the country, they start at 4:00 from that point on.
— Major League Baseball hasn’t expanded since 1998, when Arizona/Tampa Bay came aboard, but they’ll be going to 32 teams in the next few years. Would be smart if they scrapped the current American/National League set-up and went to geographic realignment.
— Los Angeles Angels’ TV guys were talking the other day how it’ll help their starting pitchers this season to be back in a 5-man rotations, something they never would’ve said last year, when they had a 6-man rotation, because Shohei Ohtani only pitches once a week.
— In case you were wondering, the last villain on the old Batman TV series as Zsa Zsa Gabor, who played Minerva; she then went on to co-star on Green Acres, one of my favorite TV shows when I was a kid.
— I’m off to Las Vegas next month for a vacation, which reminds me…….
In the movie Last Vegas, Morgan Freeman wins $87,000 playing blackjack at Aria.
In The Hangover, Zach Galifianakis wins $85,000 playing blackjack at Caeser’s Palace.
I’m looking forward to sitting down at a table and cashing in……..(ha!!!)
ANAHEIM is 32-100 ATS (-78 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent as a favorite in the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES are 23-14 ATS (7.6 Units) in road games after failing to cover 2 of their last 3 against the spread in the last 3 seasons.
NHL
Dunkel
Friday, March 15
NHL
Friday, March 15
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Trend Report
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Anaheim @ Winnipeg
Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Winnipeg is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Anaheim
Los Angeles @ Chicago
Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games
Los Angeles is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 8 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOS ANGELES are 23-14 ATS (7.6 Units) in road games after failing to cover 2 of their last 3 against the spread in the last 3 seasons.
NHL
Dunkel
Friday, March 15
NHL
Friday, March 15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anaheim @ Winnipeg
Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Winnipeg is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Anaheim
Los Angeles @ Chicago
Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 6 games
Los Angeles is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 8 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
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