NCAAB
Tuesday, December 17
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Trend Report
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Tuesday, December 17
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Trend Report
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NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Tuesday, December 17
5 of the day’s best college basketball games:
DePaul @ St John’s (-12.5)
DePaul (8-2, 0-1)
KenPom rating: 88
Tempo: 163
Experience: 69
Continuity: 356 (lot of transfers)
DePaul is 1-35 in its last 36 Big East games.
Blue Demons have #12 eFG% in country.
DePaul is shooting 40.4% on arc, getting 46% of points on 3’s (#2)
Blue Demons are 1-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by 14-7 points.
DePaul’s best win: 91-72 over #100 Wichita State
St John’s (8-2)
KenPom rating: 15
Tempo: 78
Experience: 76
Continuity: 264
St John’s have #56 eFG% defense in country.
Johnnies are 2-2 vs top 100 teams
St John’s best win: 88-71 over #69 Kansas State
Johnnies are #13 team team in country on offensive boards.
Florida vs North Carolina (-3.5) (@ Charlotte)
Florida (10-0)
KenPom rating: 7
Tempo: 96
Experience: 60
Continuity: 55
Florida is 3-0 vs top 100 teams (wins by 13-37-17 points)
Gators are grabbing 40.2% of their missed shots (#10)
Florida have four neutral court wins, also won at Florida State
Gators are shooting 58.3% inside arc (#30)
North Carolina (6-4)
KenPom rating: 28
Tempo: 5
Experience: 73
Continuity: 87
North Carolina is 1-4 against top 100 teams.
Tar Heels’ best win: 92-90 over #26 Dayton.
Opponents are shooting 47.2% inside arc (#73)
Tar Heels gave up 85+ points in all four losses.
So far this season, SEC teams are 26-3 SU vs ACC opponents
Clemson (-2.5) @ South Carolina
Clemson (9-2)
KenPom rating: 27
Tempo: 326
Experience: 11
Continuity: 92
Clemson lost its last game in OT to Memphis (led by 5 with 1:07 left)
Tigers are 4-2 vs top 100 teams (schedule #75)
Clemson lost 84-71 at Boise, won 65-55 at Miami.
Tigers are forcing turnovers 21.5% of time (#41)
South Carolina (7-3)
KenPom rating: 68
Tempo: 264
Experience: 118
Continuity: 83
South Carolina is 0-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by 16-9 points.
Gamecocks’ best win: 70-60 over #143 Virginia Tech
South Carolina has #34 eFG% defense (vs schedule #264)
Gamecocks are getting 21.4% of points on foul line (#78)
So far this season, SEC teams are 26-3 SU vs ACC opponents
Seton Hall @ Villanova (-8.5)
Seton Hall (5-6)
KenPom rating: 135
Tempo: 360
Experience: 131
Continuity: 265
Seton Hall lost three of its last four games.
Pirates lost their only true road game, 66-63 at Rutgers.
Seton Hall has #300 eFG%, is turning ball over 20.7% of time (#319)
Pirates are 2-3 vs top 100 teams (beat VCU 69-66 in OT)
Villanova (7-4)
KenPom rating: 50
Tempo: 346
Experience: 30
Continuity: 249
Villanova won its last four games, scoring 80 ppg.
Wildcats are 1-1 vs top 100 teams (schedule #300)
Villanova’s best win: 68-60 over #24 Cincinnati
Wildcats are shooting 40.5% on the arc (#9)
Drake @ Kansas State (-1.5) (@ Kansas City)
Drake (9-0)
KenPom rating: 73
Tempo: 348
Experience: 358
Continuity: 311
Drake is 3-0 vs top 100 teams, all at Charleston tourney
Bulldogs are forcing turnovers 22.4% of time (#21)
Drake has four starters who were playing D2 ball last year.
Bulldogs’ best win: 81-70 over #62 Vanderbilt.
Kansas State (6-3)
KenPom rating: 69
Tempo: 135
Experience: 55
Continuity: 298
K-State hasn’t played in ten days.
Wildcats are 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 11-2-17 points.
K-State’s best win: 83-71 over #144 George Washington
Wildcats are shooting 37.5% on arc (#57) vs schedule #325
Armadillo's Write-Up
Tuesday, December 17
5 of the day’s best college basketball games:
DePaul @ St John’s (-12.5)
DePaul (8-2, 0-1)
KenPom rating: 88
Tempo: 163
Experience: 69
Continuity: 356 (lot of transfers)
DePaul is 1-35 in its last 36 Big East games.
Blue Demons have #12 eFG% in country.
DePaul is shooting 40.4% on arc, getting 46% of points on 3’s (#2)
Blue Demons are 1-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by 14-7 points.
DePaul’s best win: 91-72 over #100 Wichita State
St John’s (8-2)
KenPom rating: 15
Tempo: 78
Experience: 76
Continuity: 264
St John’s have #56 eFG% defense in country.
Johnnies are 2-2 vs top 100 teams
St John’s best win: 88-71 over #69 Kansas State
Johnnies are #13 team team in country on offensive boards.
Florida vs North Carolina (-3.5) (@ Charlotte)
Florida (10-0)
KenPom rating: 7
Tempo: 96
Experience: 60
Continuity: 55
Florida is 3-0 vs top 100 teams (wins by 13-37-17 points)
Gators are grabbing 40.2% of their missed shots (#10)
Florida have four neutral court wins, also won at Florida State
Gators are shooting 58.3% inside arc (#30)
North Carolina (6-4)
KenPom rating: 28
Tempo: 5
Experience: 73
Continuity: 87
North Carolina is 1-4 against top 100 teams.
Tar Heels’ best win: 92-90 over #26 Dayton.
Opponents are shooting 47.2% inside arc (#73)
Tar Heels gave up 85+ points in all four losses.
So far this season, SEC teams are 26-3 SU vs ACC opponents
Clemson (-2.5) @ South Carolina
Clemson (9-2)
KenPom rating: 27
Tempo: 326
Experience: 11
Continuity: 92
Clemson lost its last game in OT to Memphis (led by 5 with 1:07 left)
Tigers are 4-2 vs top 100 teams (schedule #75)
Clemson lost 84-71 at Boise, won 65-55 at Miami.
Tigers are forcing turnovers 21.5% of time (#41)
South Carolina (7-3)
KenPom rating: 68
Tempo: 264
Experience: 118
Continuity: 83
South Carolina is 0-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by 16-9 points.
Gamecocks’ best win: 70-60 over #143 Virginia Tech
South Carolina has #34 eFG% defense (vs schedule #264)
Gamecocks are getting 21.4% of points on foul line (#78)
So far this season, SEC teams are 26-3 SU vs ACC opponents
Seton Hall @ Villanova (-8.5)
Seton Hall (5-6)
KenPom rating: 135
Tempo: 360
Experience: 131
Continuity: 265
Seton Hall lost three of its last four games.
Pirates lost their only true road game, 66-63 at Rutgers.
Seton Hall has #300 eFG%, is turning ball over 20.7% of time (#319)
Pirates are 2-3 vs top 100 teams (beat VCU 69-66 in OT)
Villanova (7-4)
KenPom rating: 50
Tempo: 346
Experience: 30
Continuity: 249
Villanova won its last four games, scoring 80 ppg.
Wildcats are 1-1 vs top 100 teams (schedule #300)
Villanova’s best win: 68-60 over #24 Cincinnati
Wildcats are shooting 40.5% on the arc (#9)
Drake @ Kansas State (-1.5) (@ Kansas City)
Drake (9-0)
KenPom rating: 73
Tempo: 348
Experience: 358
Continuity: 311
Drake is 3-0 vs top 100 teams, all at Charleston tourney
Bulldogs are forcing turnovers 22.4% of time (#21)
Drake has four starters who were playing D2 ball last year.
Bulldogs’ best win: 81-70 over #62 Vanderbilt.
Kansas State (6-3)
KenPom rating: 69
Tempo: 135
Experience: 55
Continuity: 298
K-State hasn’t played in ten days.
Wildcats are 0-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 11-2-17 points.
K-State’s best win: 83-71 over #144 George Washington
Wildcats are shooting 37.5% on arc (#57) vs schedule #325
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNF at UNCA | 06:30 PM | UNF +3.0 O 162.0 | +500 +500 |
| DEP at SJU | 06:30 PM | DEP +11.5 O 150.0 | +500 +500 |
| JMU at WAKE | 07:00 PM | JMU +8.0 O 136.0 | +500 +500 |
| GMU at DUKE | 07:00 PM | DUKE -19.5 U 136.5 | +500 +500 |
| WIN at FSU | 07:00 PM | WIN +11.5 U 158.5 | +500 +500 |
| WCU at TENN | 07:00 PM | WCU +36.5 O 142.5 | +500 +500 |
| SOU at MISS | 07:00 PM | SOU +24.0 O 143.5 | +500 +500 |
| SBON at SIE | 07:00 PM | SIE +6.5 O 127.5 | +500 +500 |
| UNLV at DAY | 07:00 PM | UNLV +11.0 U 141.0 | +500 +500 |
| FIU at ECU | 07:00 PM | ECU -7.5 O 143.0 | +500 +500 |
| UWG at CHAR | 07:00 PM | CHAR -12.5 U 138.5 | +500 +500 |
| HC at QUIN | 07:00 PM | QUIN -11.0 O 143.0 | +500 +500 |
| OAK at MSU | 07:00 PM | OAK +16.5 U 133.5 | +500 +500 |
| TOWS at RMU | 07:00 PM | RMU +1.5 O 131.0 | +500 +500 |
| UNC at AFA | 07:00 PM | U 167.5 | +500 |
| WEBB at GASO | 07:00 PM | WEBB +3.0 O 152.5 | +500 +500 |
| CCAR at NCAT | 07:00 PM | NCAT -4.0 O 146.5 | +500 +500 |
| SFPA at MD | 07:30 PM | MD -34.5 U 146.5 | +500 +500 |
| JVST at MIZZ | 07:30 PM | JVST +17.5 O 147.0 | +500 +500 |
| UMKC at WICH | 07:30 PM | WICH -14.5 O 147.5 | +500 +500 |
| HALL at VILL | 07:30 PM | VILL -8.5 O 127.0 | +500 +500 |
| CMU at MSST | 07:30 PM | MSST -20.0 O 148.0 | +500 +500 |
| GAST at AUB | 08:00 PM | AUB -39.5 O 156.5 | +500 +500 |
| VALP at OSU | 08:00 PM | OSU -21.5 U 150.5 | +500 +500 |
| SEA at WKU | 08:00 PM | WKU -6.0 O 149.5 | +500 +500 |
| DRKE at KSU | 08:00 PM | KSU -1.5 U 136.0 | +500 +500 |
| LAM at USM | 08:00 PM | LAM -2.0 O 139.0 | +500 +500 |
| TNTC at WIU | 08:30 PM | TNTC +2.0 O 139.5 | +500 +500 |
| HBU at ULM | 08:30 PM | HBU +3.5 O 138.0 | +500 +500 |
| STET at LSU | 09:00 PM | LSU -23.5 U 150.0 | +500 +500 |
| FAMU at UTAH | 09:00 PM | FAMU +32.5 O 151.5 | +500 +500 |
| UCSD at USU | 09:00 PM | USU -10.0 O 150.0 | +500 +500 |
| RAD at CSU | 09:00 PM | RAD +13.0 U 137.0 | +500 +500 |
| TXSO at BSU | 09:00 PM | TXSO +22.5 U 149.0 | +500 +500 |
| PV at UCLA | 09:30 PM | UCLA -34.0 U 147.0 | +500 +500 |
| MW at STAN | 10:00 PM | STAN -15.5 U 136.0 | +500 +500 |
| SAC at ORST | 10:00 PM | ORST -20.5 U 131.0 | +500 +500 |
| DEN at CP | 10:00 PM | CP -10.5 O 162.0 | +500 +500 |
COLLEGE HOOPS BEST BETS FOR DECEMBER !
12/17/2024................13 - 16 - 0....................44.82%.............- 23.00
12/16/2024...................7 - 3 - 0.....................70.00%.............+ 18.50
12/15/2024.................12 - 16 - 0..................42.85%.............- 28.00
12/14/2024.................12 - 23 - 4..................34.28%..............- 66.50
12/13/2024.....................3 - 8 - 1...................27.27%..............- 29.00
12/12/2024.....................4 - 6 - 0...................40.00%..............- 13.00
12/11/2024...................12 - 8 - 1...................60.00%...............+ 16.00
12/10/2024...................10 - 15 - 0.................40.00%...............- 32.50
12/09/2024......................4 - 4 - 0.................50.00%................- 2.00
12/08/2024....................15 - 18 - 0................45.45%................- 24.00
12/07/2024...................43 - 21 - 1.................61.81%................+ 54.50
12/06/2024......................9 - 6 - 0.................60.00%................+ 12.00
12/05/2024......................5 - 5 - 1.................50.00%................- 5.00
12/04/2024...................19 - 20 - 1.................48.71%................- 15.00
12/03/2024...................20 - 19 - 0.................51.28%................- 4.50
12/02/2024......................2 - 8 - 0.................20.00%................- 34.00
12/01/2024..................... 4 - 6 - 0.................40.00%................- 13.00
TOTALS......................194 - 202 - 9.................48.98%................- 178.50
12/17/2024................13 - 16 - 0....................44.82%.............- 23.00
12/16/2024...................7 - 3 - 0.....................70.00%.............+ 18.50
12/15/2024.................12 - 16 - 0..................42.85%.............- 28.00
12/14/2024.................12 - 23 - 4..................34.28%..............- 66.50
12/13/2024.....................3 - 8 - 1...................27.27%..............- 29.00
12/12/2024.....................4 - 6 - 0...................40.00%..............- 13.00
12/11/2024...................12 - 8 - 1...................60.00%...............+ 16.00
12/10/2024...................10 - 15 - 0.................40.00%...............- 32.50
12/09/2024......................4 - 4 - 0.................50.00%................- 2.00
12/08/2024....................15 - 18 - 0................45.45%................- 24.00
12/07/2024...................43 - 21 - 1.................61.81%................+ 54.50
12/06/2024......................9 - 6 - 0.................60.00%................+ 12.00
12/05/2024......................5 - 5 - 1.................50.00%................- 5.00
12/04/2024...................19 - 20 - 1.................48.71%................- 15.00
12/03/2024...................20 - 19 - 0.................51.28%................- 4.50
12/02/2024......................2 - 8 - 0.................20.00%................- 34.00
12/01/2024..................... 4 - 6 - 0.................40.00%................- 13.00
TOTALS......................194 - 202 - 9.................48.98%................- 178.50
Wednesday’s 6-pack:
College hoop teams shooting the best on the foul line:
84.8%— Wisconsin
83.8%— Cal-Irvine
82.4%— Tex-San Antonio
82.2%— Valparaiso
81.5%— Canisius
81.3%— Campbell
Quote of the Day
“He’s got to play better. We have to find a way to get him to play better. We have to play better at the quarterback position.”
Falcons coach Raheem Morris, before he benched Kirk Cousins Tuesday
Wednesday’s quiz
Which NFL team drafted Kirk Cousins in 2012?
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook has scored the most points.
Monday’s quiz
25 years ago, the Rams won the Super Bowl for the first time, behind QB Kurt Warner, who was the backup during training camp. Trent Green was the Rams’ starting QB that summer, before he blew his knee out in an exhibition game.
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33.3%- Chiefs
30.4%- Dolphins
29.4%- Broncos
28.8%- Eagles
28.5%- Steelers
— NFL teams who get the lowest %age of their first downs on 3rd down plays:
20.6%- Packers
22.0%- Browns
22.0%- Falcons
22.9%- Lions
23.1%- Vikings
— NFL screwed around with the Week 17 (next week) schedule, moving some games:
Saturday December 28:
Chargers @ Patriots, 1:00
Broncos @ Bengals, 4:00
Cardinals @ Rams, 8:00
Sunday, December 29:
Falcons @ Commanders, 8:20
— Minnesota Vikings are 12-2, having a great year; are they really going to let QB Sam Darnold walk next spring? The franchise tag for a QB figures to be around $41M next year, which would be a crimp in Minnesota’s salary cap, but quarterbacks are really important, and Darnold is leading a 12-2 team this season.
Rookie JJ McCarthy hasn’t played yet; he’s already had two knee procedures. Will Minnesota really let Darnold walk and let McCarthy take over, with Giants’ reject Daniel Jones as the #2 quarterback? Tough decision they’ll have to face after the season.
— Falcons are benching QB Kirk Cousins, will start rookie Michael Penix this week against the Giants, giving the rookie QB his first NFL start.
Tennessee Titans are benching QB Will Levis; Mason Rudolph is the likely starter- Trevor Siemian is their other QB. Rudolph has a 9-6-1 record as an NFL starter, mostly with Pittsburgh.
Cleveland Browns are benching QB Jameis Winston, will start #3 QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson against Cincinnati. Bailey Zappe is Cleveland’s other QB. Thompson-Robinson was 1-2 as a starter for Cleveland last year.
— Memphis 42, West Virginia 37
Tigers led 28-17 at halftime.
West Virginia outgained Memphis, 534-474
Mountaineers ran ball for 206 yards, but were minus-2 in turnovers.
Memphis threw an 89-yard pass that wasn’t a TD; it was the longest pass play in the country this year that didn’t result in a touchdown.
— Ohio U is playing Jacksonville State in a bowl game in Orlando Friday; both teams have had really good years, so good that both head coaches have already bolted to greener pa$ture$.
Famous birthdays, December 18th:
Steven Spielberg, 78
Bobby Jones, 73 (basketball player)
Roy Howell, 71
Brad Pitt, 61
Charles Oakley, 61
Don Beebe, 60
Dan McGwire, 57
Byron Buxton, 31
Ronald Acuna, 27
Jayden Daniels, 24
— Chicago Cubs traded OF/1B Cody Bellinger to New York Tuesday, in exchange for P Cody Poteet- the Cubs are dumping most of Bellinger’s salary. Chicago will send $5M to New York as part of the deal, but Bellinger is going to make $52.5M the next two years, so the Cubs dump $47.5M in salary.
Bellinger hit 18 homers LY with a .751 OPS; his numbers figure to go up with the short right field fence in the Bronx.
— Baltimore Orioles signed P Tomoyuki Sugano to one-year, $13M deal; the 35-year old Sugano had a 1.67 ERA in 24 starts LY in Japan, but had only 111 strikeouts in 156.2 IP. Sugano has spent his entire 12-year pro career with the Yomiuri Giants.
— Bucks 97, Thunder 81
Milwaukee wins the NBA Cup championship; not sure what that means.
Lakers won its last year; they fired their coach after the season.
Bucks have won 11 of their last 13 games.
— WCC (Gonzaga’s league) is ranked #7 this year; this is the highest the league has been ranked in the last 25 years, partly because having Washington State/Oregon State for this year only has provided a boost.
Oregon State is 12-6, ranked #65; Wazzu is 11-7, ranked #72; they give the WCC more depth than it has had in quite a while.
Of course, Gonzaga is off to the Mountain West in a couple years, and Coogs/Beavers will be back in the Pac-12 then, so the WCC has darker days ahead.
— Florida 90, North Carolina 83
11-0 Gators outscored Carolina 13-3 over the final 4:03
Tar Heels were only 5-28 behind the arc.
SEC is 28-3 against the ACC this year, which is pretty amazing.
— South Carolina 91, Clemson 88 OT
Gamecocks led by 14 in first half; they shot 56% inside the arc.
Clemson led 69-67 with 5:09 left in the game.
Carolina has won five games in a row, after a 3-3 start.
— Drake 73, Kansas State 70 OT
Drake was up 29-9 in first half of this game.
K-State was up by a hoop with 1:19 left to play.
Drake is 10-0, with four starters who were playing D-2 ball last season.
— Dayton 66, UNLV 65
UNLV led 62-58 with 1:25 left in the game.
Dayton shot 63.3% inside the arc.
— Cal-San Diego 75, Utah State 73
Tritons of Big West have won eight in a row, are 10-2.
Cal-San Diego shot 70% inside arc; they were 23-27 on foul line.
— Conference bowl records (SU/ATS)
AAC 1-0 SU/0-1 ATS
Big X 0-1 SU/1-0 ATS
MAC. 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
Sun Belt 1-0 SU/1-0 ATS
Favorites: 1-1 ATS
Totals: under 1-1
College hoop teams shooting the best on the foul line:
84.8%— Wisconsin
83.8%— Cal-Irvine
82.4%— Tex-San Antonio
82.2%— Valparaiso
81.5%— Canisius
81.3%— Campbell
Quote of the Day
“He’s got to play better. We have to find a way to get him to play better. We have to play better at the quarterback position.”
Falcons coach Raheem Morris, before he benched Kirk Cousins Tuesday
Wednesday’s quiz
Which NFL team drafted Kirk Cousins in 2012?
Tuesday’s quiz
In the history of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook has scored the most points.
Monday’s quiz
25 years ago, the Rams won the Super Bowl for the first time, behind QB Kurt Warner, who was the backup during training camp. Trent Green was the Rams’ starting QB that summer, before he blew his knee out in an exhibition game.
***************************************
Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings……
— NFL teams who get the highest %age of their first downs on 3rd down plays:33.3%- Chiefs
30.4%- Dolphins
29.4%- Broncos
28.8%- Eagles
28.5%- Steelers
— NFL teams who get the lowest %age of their first downs on 3rd down plays:
20.6%- Packers
22.0%- Browns
22.0%- Falcons
22.9%- Lions
23.1%- Vikings
— NFL screwed around with the Week 17 (next week) schedule, moving some games:
Saturday December 28:
Chargers @ Patriots, 1:00
Broncos @ Bengals, 4:00
Cardinals @ Rams, 8:00
Sunday, December 29:
Falcons @ Commanders, 8:20
— Minnesota Vikings are 12-2, having a great year; are they really going to let QB Sam Darnold walk next spring? The franchise tag for a QB figures to be around $41M next year, which would be a crimp in Minnesota’s salary cap, but quarterbacks are really important, and Darnold is leading a 12-2 team this season.
Rookie JJ McCarthy hasn’t played yet; he’s already had two knee procedures. Will Minnesota really let Darnold walk and let McCarthy take over, with Giants’ reject Daniel Jones as the #2 quarterback? Tough decision they’ll have to face after the season.
— Falcons are benching QB Kirk Cousins, will start rookie Michael Penix this week against the Giants, giving the rookie QB his first NFL start.
Tennessee Titans are benching QB Will Levis; Mason Rudolph is the likely starter- Trevor Siemian is their other QB. Rudolph has a 9-6-1 record as an NFL starter, mostly with Pittsburgh.
Cleveland Browns are benching QB Jameis Winston, will start #3 QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson against Cincinnati. Bailey Zappe is Cleveland’s other QB. Thompson-Robinson was 1-2 as a starter for Cleveland last year.
— Memphis 42, West Virginia 37
Tigers led 28-17 at halftime.
West Virginia outgained Memphis, 534-474
Mountaineers ran ball for 206 yards, but were minus-2 in turnovers.
Memphis threw an 89-yard pass that wasn’t a TD; it was the longest pass play in the country this year that didn’t result in a touchdown.
— Ohio U is playing Jacksonville State in a bowl game in Orlando Friday; both teams have had really good years, so good that both head coaches have already bolted to greener pa$ture$.
Famous birthdays, December 18th:
Steven Spielberg, 78
Bobby Jones, 73 (basketball player)
Roy Howell, 71
Brad Pitt, 61
Charles Oakley, 61
Don Beebe, 60
Dan McGwire, 57
Byron Buxton, 31
Ronald Acuna, 27
Jayden Daniels, 24
— Chicago Cubs traded OF/1B Cody Bellinger to New York Tuesday, in exchange for P Cody Poteet- the Cubs are dumping most of Bellinger’s salary. Chicago will send $5M to New York as part of the deal, but Bellinger is going to make $52.5M the next two years, so the Cubs dump $47.5M in salary.
Bellinger hit 18 homers LY with a .751 OPS; his numbers figure to go up with the short right field fence in the Bronx.
— Baltimore Orioles signed P Tomoyuki Sugano to one-year, $13M deal; the 35-year old Sugano had a 1.67 ERA in 24 starts LY in Japan, but had only 111 strikeouts in 156.2 IP. Sugano has spent his entire 12-year pro career with the Yomiuri Giants.
— Bucks 97, Thunder 81
Milwaukee wins the NBA Cup championship; not sure what that means.
Lakers won its last year; they fired their coach after the season.
Bucks have won 11 of their last 13 games.
— WCC (Gonzaga’s league) is ranked #7 this year; this is the highest the league has been ranked in the last 25 years, partly because having Washington State/Oregon State for this year only has provided a boost.
Oregon State is 12-6, ranked #65; Wazzu is 11-7, ranked #72; they give the WCC more depth than it has had in quite a while.
Of course, Gonzaga is off to the Mountain West in a couple years, and Coogs/Beavers will be back in the Pac-12 then, so the WCC has darker days ahead.
— Florida 90, North Carolina 83
11-0 Gators outscored Carolina 13-3 over the final 4:03
Tar Heels were only 5-28 behind the arc.
SEC is 28-3 against the ACC this year, which is pretty amazing.
— South Carolina 91, Clemson 88 OT
Gamecocks led by 14 in first half; they shot 56% inside the arc.
Clemson led 69-67 with 5:09 left in the game.
Carolina has won five games in a row, after a 3-3 start.
— Drake 73, Kansas State 70 OT
Drake was up 29-9 in first half of this game.
K-State was up by a hoop with 1:19 left to play.
Drake is 10-0, with four starters who were playing D-2 ball last season.
— Dayton 66, UNLV 65
UNLV led 62-58 with 1:25 left in the game.
Dayton shot 63.3% inside the arc.
— Cal-San Diego 75, Utah State 73
Tritons of Big West have won eight in a row, are 10-2.
Cal-San Diego shot 70% inside arc; they were 23-27 on foul line.
— Conference bowl records (SU/ATS)
AAC 1-0 SU/0-1 ATS
Big X 0-1 SU/1-0 ATS
MAC. 0-1 SU/0-1 ATS
Sun Belt 1-0 SU/1-0 ATS
Favorites: 1-1 ATS
Totals: under 1-1
NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Wednesday, December 18
5 of the day’s best college basketball games:
Creighton (-3.5) @ Georgetown
Creighton (7-4)
KenPom rating: 40
Tempo: 94
Experience: 43
Continuity: 105
Creighton is 3-4 in its last seven games (schedule #57)
Bluejays are 2-4 against top 100 teams.
Creighton is shooting 61.1% inside arc (#5)
Bluejays lost only true road game, 83-75 at #8 Alabama.
Georgetown (8-2)
KenPom rating: 84
Tempo: 129
Experience: 176
Continuity: 258
Georgetown is 8-2, but against schedule #350.
Hoyas are 0-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by 21-13 points.
Georgetown is forcing turnovers 22.3% of time (#21)
Hoyas’ best win: 75-71 at #107 Syracuse.
Xavier @ UConn (-13.5)
Xavier (8-3)
KenPom rating: 61
Tempo: 111
Experience: 2
Continuity: 232
Xavier is 2-3 in last five games, after a 6-0 start.
Musketeers are 1-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 25-4-3 points.
Xavier’s best win: 75-66 over #66 South Carolina
Musketeers are shooting 39.4% on the arc (#18).
UConn (8-3)
KenPom rating: 13
Tempo: 309
Experience: 209
Continuity: 115
UConn won its last four games since the 0-3 trip to Maui.
Huskies are 3-3 vs top 100 teams, with two top 20 wins.
UConn is shooting 62.9% inside the arc (#1)
Opponents are shooting 42.3% inside the arc (#9).
Butler @ Marquette (-13.5)
Butler (7-4)
KenPom rating: 74
Tempo: 207
Experience: 17
Continuity: 30
Butler lost its last three games, after a 7-1 start.
Bulldogs are 3-2 vs top 100 teams (best win over #25 Miss State)
Butler is shooting 39.3% on the arc (#19)
Bulldogs lost only true road game, 79-51 at #4 Houston
Marquette (9-2)
KenPom rating: 9
Tempo: 143
Experience: 125
Continuity: 14
Marquette lost two of last three games, after an 8-0 start.
Eagles are 5-2 vs top 100 teams (best win over #17 Maryland)
Marquette is forcing turnovers 23.3% of time (#9)
Eagles are shooting 59% inside the arc (#22)
Oklahoma vs Michigan (-2.5) (@ Charlotte, NC)
Oklahoma (10-0)
KenPom rating: 38
Tempo: 206
Experience: 64
Continuity: 248
Oklahoma is 10-0, but against schedule #315
Sooners’ best win: 82-77 over #0 Arizona.
Oklahoma is forcing turnovers 22.4% of time (#19)
Sooners are shooting 57.5% inside the arc (#42)
Michigan (8-2)
KenPom rating: 22
Tempo: 69
Experience: 30
Continuity: 249
Michigan hasn’t played in 8 days, since 89-87 loss to Arkansas.
Wolverines are 4-1 vs top 100 teams (schedule #48)
Michigan is turning ball over 21.4% of time (#335)
Wolverines are shooting 61% inside the arc (#7)
VCU @ New Mexico (-2.5)
VCU (9-2)
KenPom rating: 42
Tempo: 214
Experience: 44
Continuity: 58
9-2 VCU won its last five games (schedule #292)
Rams have #7 eFG% defense in country.
Both of VCU’s losses were by 3 points (Seton Hall/Nevada)
Rams are 1-1 vs top 100 teams (best win over #95 Miami)
New Mexico (8-3)
KenPom rating: 70
Tempo: 5
Experience: 51
Continuity: 72
New Mexico is 4-3 in its last seven Division I games.
Lobos are 2-2 vs top 100 teams (best win over #14 UCLA)
New Mexico is forcing turnovers 22.4% of time (#20)
Lobos lost a home game to #201 New Mexico State, 89-83 in OT
Armadillo's Write-Up
Wednesday, December 18
5 of the day’s best college basketball games:
Creighton (-3.5) @ Georgetown
Creighton (7-4)
KenPom rating: 40
Tempo: 94
Experience: 43
Continuity: 105
Creighton is 3-4 in its last seven games (schedule #57)
Bluejays are 2-4 against top 100 teams.
Creighton is shooting 61.1% inside arc (#5)
Bluejays lost only true road game, 83-75 at #8 Alabama.
Georgetown (8-2)
KenPom rating: 84
Tempo: 129
Experience: 176
Continuity: 258
Georgetown is 8-2, but against schedule #350.
Hoyas are 0-2 vs top 100 teams, losing by 21-13 points.
Georgetown is forcing turnovers 22.3% of time (#21)
Hoyas’ best win: 75-71 at #107 Syracuse.
Xavier @ UConn (-13.5)
Xavier (8-3)
KenPom rating: 61
Tempo: 111
Experience: 2
Continuity: 232
Xavier is 2-3 in last five games, after a 6-0 start.
Musketeers are 1-3 vs top 100 teams, losing by 25-4-3 points.
Xavier’s best win: 75-66 over #66 South Carolina
Musketeers are shooting 39.4% on the arc (#18).
UConn (8-3)
KenPom rating: 13
Tempo: 309
Experience: 209
Continuity: 115
UConn won its last four games since the 0-3 trip to Maui.
Huskies are 3-3 vs top 100 teams, with two top 20 wins.
UConn is shooting 62.9% inside the arc (#1)
Opponents are shooting 42.3% inside the arc (#9).
Butler @ Marquette (-13.5)
Butler (7-4)
KenPom rating: 74
Tempo: 207
Experience: 17
Continuity: 30
Butler lost its last three games, after a 7-1 start.
Bulldogs are 3-2 vs top 100 teams (best win over #25 Miss State)
Butler is shooting 39.3% on the arc (#19)
Bulldogs lost only true road game, 79-51 at #4 Houston
Marquette (9-2)
KenPom rating: 9
Tempo: 143
Experience: 125
Continuity: 14
Marquette lost two of last three games, after an 8-0 start.
Eagles are 5-2 vs top 100 teams (best win over #17 Maryland)
Marquette is forcing turnovers 23.3% of time (#9)
Eagles are shooting 59% inside the arc (#22)
Oklahoma vs Michigan (-2.5) (@ Charlotte, NC)
Oklahoma (10-0)
KenPom rating: 38
Tempo: 206
Experience: 64
Continuity: 248
Oklahoma is 10-0, but against schedule #315
Sooners’ best win: 82-77 over #0 Arizona.
Oklahoma is forcing turnovers 22.4% of time (#19)
Sooners are shooting 57.5% inside the arc (#42)
Michigan (8-2)
KenPom rating: 22
Tempo: 69
Experience: 30
Continuity: 249
Michigan hasn’t played in 8 days, since 89-87 loss to Arkansas.
Wolverines are 4-1 vs top 100 teams (schedule #48)
Michigan is turning ball over 21.4% of time (#335)
Wolverines are shooting 61% inside the arc (#7)
VCU @ New Mexico (-2.5)
VCU (9-2)
KenPom rating: 42
Tempo: 214
Experience: 44
Continuity: 58
9-2 VCU won its last five games (schedule #292)
Rams have #7 eFG% defense in country.
Both of VCU’s losses were by 3 points (Seton Hall/Nevada)
Rams are 1-1 vs top 100 teams (best win over #95 Miami)
New Mexico (8-3)
KenPom rating: 70
Tempo: 5
Experience: 51
Continuity: 72
New Mexico is 4-3 in its last seven Division I games.
Lobos are 2-2 vs top 100 teams (best win over #14 UCLA)
New Mexico is forcing turnovers 22.4% of time (#20)
Lobos lost a home game to #201 New Mexico State, 89-83 in OT
NCAAB
Wednesday, December 18
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Trend Report
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Wednesday, December 18
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Trend Report
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEHST at BING | 05:00 PM | BING -6.0 U 132.5 | +500 +500 |
| STONE at MASSL | 06:00 PM | STONE +14.5 O 148.5 | +500 +500 |
| SCST at SCUS | 06:00 PM | SCST -1.5 U 153.5 | +500 +500 |
| FDU at LAS | 06:30 PM | LAS -15.5 O 161.5 | +500 +500 |
| CREI at GTWN | 06:30 PM | CREI -4.0 U 145.5 | +500 +500 |
| RICH at WM | 07:00 PM | RICH +2.5 U 155.0 | +500 +500 |
| NE at MASS | 07:00 PM | MASS -3.5 U 148.0 | +500 +500 |
| CCSU at FAIR | 07:00 PM | FAIR +1.5 O 137.5 | +500 +500 |
| COOK at USF | 07:00 PM | USF -13.0 U 148.0 | +500 +500 |
| FGCU at UNCW | 07:00 PM | UNCW -6.5 O 138.5 | +500 +500 |
| XAV at CONN | 07:00 PM | XAV +13.5 U 146.5 | +500 +500 |
| MSM at LIU | 07:00 PM | MSM +1.0 O 140.0 | +500 +500 |
| DAV at TEM | 07:00 PM | DAV +1.5 O 149.0 | +500 +500 |
| MAN at WAG | 07:00 PM | WAG -2.0 U 130.0 | +500 +500 |
| PEAY at OHIO | 07:00 PM | PEAY +12.5 O 141.0 | +500 +500 |
| MURR at INST | 07:00 PM | MURR -3.0 O 153.5 | +500 +500 |
| LAF at GW | 07:00 PM | GW -13.0 U 144.0 | +500 +500 |
| M-OH at UVM | 07:00 PM | UVM -4.5 O 130.0 | +500 +500 |
| ELON at ETSU | 07:00 PM | ELON +3.0 U 144.5 | +500 +500 |
| AMER at JOES | 07:00 PM | AMER +13.5 O 141.5 | +500 +500 |
| MEM at UVA | 07:00 PM | MEM -4.0 U 129.5 | +500 +500 |
| MER at QNC | 07:00 PM | MER +1.0 O 161.0 | +500 +500 |
| DET at NKU | 07:00 PM | DET +13.5 O 135.0 | +500 +500 |
| YSU at WRST | 07:00 PM | WRST -7.0 U 144.0 | +500 +500 |
| LONG at CAMP | 07:00 PM | LONG -3.0 U 143.5 | +500 +500 |
| AAMU at UAB | 07:30 PM | UAB -23.0 O 159.0 | +500 +500 |
| UMBC at GT | 07:30 PM | GT -15.5 U 159.5 | +500 +500 |
| SUU at UTRGV | 07:30 PM | UTRGV -1.5 U 157.5 | +500 +500 |
| SF at BRAD | 08:00 PM | SF +2.0 O 141.0 | +500 +500 |
| NIU at ILST | 08:00 PM | NIU +14.0 O 140.0 | +500 +500 |
| TST at OKST | 08:00 PM | TST +21.5 O 139.0 | +500 +500 |
| CIT at VAN | 08:00 PM | CIT +29.0 O 149.0 | +500 +500 |
| TOL at HOU | 08:00 PM | TOL +29.0 O 142.0 | +500 +500 |
| MVSU at UNT | 08:00 PM | MVSU +36.5 U 123.0 | +500 +500 |
| WOF at SLU | 08:00 PM | SLU -7.5 U 150.0 | +500 +500 |
| EVAN at UTA | 08:00 PM | UTA -8.0 U 150.5 | +500 +500 |
| APP at ULL | 08:00 PM | ULL +1.5 U 135.5 | +500 +500 |
| VCU at UNM | 09:00 PM | UNM -3.0 U 151.5 | +500 +500 |
| MICH at OKLA | 09:00 PM | OKLA +4.0 O 149.0 | +500 +500 |
| NICH at GONZ | 09:00 PM | NICH +36.0 U 156.0 | +500 +500 |
| SAM at ARIZ | 09:00 PM | SAM +19.5 U 168.0 | +500 +500 |
| BUT at MARQ | 09:00 PM | BUT +14.0 O 148.5 | +500 +500 |
| IDHO at UCD | 09:00 PM | UCD -6.5 U 141.5 | +500 +500 |
| ALA at UND | 09:00 PM | UND +24.5 O 167.5 | +500 +500 |
| UVU at IDST | 09:00 PM | IDST +1.0 U 135.5 | +500 +500 |
| KENN at SCU | 10:00 PM | KENN +15.0 O 157.5 | +500 +500 |
| CSB at PORT | 10:00 PM | PORT +1.0 O 140.5 | +500 +500 |
| PRST at PAC | 10:00 PM | PRST +4.0 O 148.0 | +500 +500 |
| UCSB at LMU | 10:00 PM | UCSB +3.0 U 141.5 | +500 +500 |
| CSN at USC | 10:00 PM | USC -12.5 U 151.5 | +500 +500 |
| MTST at UCRV | 10:00 PM | UCRV -2.0 U 143.5 | +500 +500 |
| WSU at WASH | 11:00 PM | WASH -2.5 U 148.5 | +500 +500 |
COLLEGE HOOPS BEST BETS FOR DECEMBER !
12/18/2024................25 - 21 - 1....................54.34%............+ 9.50
12/17/2024................13 - 16 - 0....................44.82%.............- 23.00
12/16/2024...................7 - 3 - 0.....................70.00%.............+ 18.50
12/15/2024.................12 - 16 - 0..................42.85%.............- 28.00
12/14/2024.................12 - 23 - 4..................34.28%..............- 66.50
12/13/2024.....................3 - 8 - 1...................27.27%..............- 29.00
12/12/2024.....................4 - 6 - 0...................40.00%..............- 13.00
12/11/2024...................12 - 8 - 1...................60.00%...............+ 16.00
12/10/2024...................10 - 15 - 0.................40.00%...............- 32.50
12/09/2024......................4 - 4 - 0.................50.00%................- 2.00
12/08/2024....................15 - 18 - 0................45.45%................- 24.00
12/07/2024...................43 - 21 - 1.................61.81%................+ 54.50
12/06/2024......................9 - 6 - 0.................60.00%................+ 12.00
12/05/2024......................5 - 5 - 1.................50.00%................- 5.00
12/04/2024...................19 - 20 - 1.................48.71%................- 15.00
12/03/2024...................20 - 19 - 0.................51.28%................- 4.50
12/02/2024......................2 - 8 - 0.................20.00%................- 34.00
12/01/2024..................... 4 - 6 - 0.................40.00%................- 13.00
TOTALS....................219 - 223 - 10.................49.54%................- 169.00
12/18/2024................25 - 21 - 1....................54.34%............+ 9.50
12/17/2024................13 - 16 - 0....................44.82%.............- 23.00
12/16/2024...................7 - 3 - 0.....................70.00%.............+ 18.50
12/15/2024.................12 - 16 - 0..................42.85%.............- 28.00
12/14/2024.................12 - 23 - 4..................34.28%..............- 66.50
12/13/2024.....................3 - 8 - 1...................27.27%..............- 29.00
12/12/2024.....................4 - 6 - 0...................40.00%..............- 13.00
12/11/2024...................12 - 8 - 1...................60.00%...............+ 16.00
12/10/2024...................10 - 15 - 0.................40.00%...............- 32.50
12/09/2024......................4 - 4 - 0.................50.00%................- 2.00
12/08/2024....................15 - 18 - 0................45.45%................- 24.00
12/07/2024...................43 - 21 - 1.................61.81%................+ 54.50
12/06/2024......................9 - 6 - 0.................60.00%................+ 12.00
12/05/2024......................5 - 5 - 1.................50.00%................- 5.00
12/04/2024...................19 - 20 - 1.................48.71%................- 15.00
12/03/2024...................20 - 19 - 0.................51.28%................- 4.50
12/02/2024......................2 - 8 - 0.................20.00%................- 34.00
12/01/2024..................... 4 - 6 - 0.................40.00%................- 13.00
TOTALS....................219 - 223 - 10.................49.54%................- 169.00
NCAAB
Thursday, December 19
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Trend Report
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Thursday, December 19
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Trend Report
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALST at NORF | 05:00 PM | NORF -5.0 O 146.5 | +500 +500 |
| CHSO at UNA | 07:00 PM | UNA -9.0 U 148.0 | +500 +500 |
| BUFF at UGA | 07:00 PM | UGA -27.0 U 147.5 | +500 +500 |
| OAK at CLEV | 07:00 PM | OAK -2.0 O 128.0 | +500 +500 |
| UTM at MORE | 07:30 PM | MORE -5.5 O 145.0 | +500 +500 |
| LIP at MTU | 07:30 PM | LIP +2.0 U 148.0 | +500 +500 |
| UCI at BEL | 07:30 PM | BEL +2.0 U 153.0 | +500 +500 |
| GRAM at DSU | 07:30 PM | DSU +5.0 O 142.0 | +500 +500 |
| SIUE at UALR | 08:00 PM | SIUE +4.0 O 137.0 | +500 +500 |
| UNO at TEX | 08:00 PM | TEX -33.5 U 149.0 | +500 +500 |
| TNST at USI | 08:30 PM | USI -5.0 O 150.0 | +500 +500 |
| TNTC at LINW | 08:30 PM | LINW -2.0 U 145.0 | +500 +500 |
| EIU at SEMO | 08:30 PM | SEMO -5.0 U 140.0 | +500 +500 |
| BELL at WYO | 08:30 PM | WYO -14.0 O 140.0 | +500 +500 |
| LBSU at PEPP | 09:00 PM | LBSU +6.5 O 139.0 | +500 +500 |
| CHS at GC | 09:00 PM | CHS +30.5 U 149.0 | +500 +500 |
| SDAK at DSU | 09:00 PM | SDAK -3.0 U 163.5 | +500 +500 |
| MW at SMC | 10:00 PM | MW +20.5 O 128.5 | +500 +500 |
COLLEGE HOOPS BEST BETS FOR DECEMBER !
12/19/2024................9 - 9 - 2.........................50.00%............- 4.50
12/18/2024................25 - 21 - 1....................54.34%............+ 9.50
12/17/2024................13 - 16 - 0....................44.82%.............- 23.00
12/16/2024...................7 - 3 - 0.....................70.00%.............+ 18.50
12/15/2024.................12 - 16 - 0..................42.85%.............- 28.00
12/14/2024.................12 - 23 - 4..................34.28%..............- 66.50
12/13/2024.....................3 - 8 - 1...................27.27%..............- 29.00
12/12/2024.....................4 - 6 - 0...................40.00%..............- 13.00
12/11/2024...................12 - 8 - 1...................60.00%...............+ 16.00
12/10/2024...................10 - 15 - 0.................40.00%...............- 32.50
12/09/2024......................4 - 4 - 0.................50.00%................- 2.00
12/08/2024....................15 - 18 - 0................45.45%................- 24.00
12/07/2024...................43 - 21 - 1.................61.81%................+ 54.50
12/06/2024......................9 - 6 - 0.................60.00%................+ 12.00
12/05/2024......................5 - 5 - 1.................50.00%................- 5.00
12/04/2024...................19 - 20 - 1.................48.71%................- 15.00
12/03/2024...................20 - 19 - 0.................51.28%................- 4.50
12/02/2024......................2 - 8 - 0.................20.00%................- 34.00
12/01/2024..................... 4 - 6 - 0.................40.00%................- 13.00
TOTALS....................228- 232 - 12.................49.56%................- 173.50
12/19/2024................9 - 9 - 2.........................50.00%............- 4.50
12/18/2024................25 - 21 - 1....................54.34%............+ 9.50
12/17/2024................13 - 16 - 0....................44.82%.............- 23.00
12/16/2024...................7 - 3 - 0.....................70.00%.............+ 18.50
12/15/2024.................12 - 16 - 0..................42.85%.............- 28.00
12/14/2024.................12 - 23 - 4..................34.28%..............- 66.50
12/13/2024.....................3 - 8 - 1...................27.27%..............- 29.00
12/12/2024.....................4 - 6 - 0...................40.00%..............- 13.00
12/11/2024...................12 - 8 - 1...................60.00%...............+ 16.00
12/10/2024...................10 - 15 - 0.................40.00%...............- 32.50
12/09/2024......................4 - 4 - 0.................50.00%................- 2.00
12/08/2024....................15 - 18 - 0................45.45%................- 24.00
12/07/2024...................43 - 21 - 1.................61.81%................+ 54.50
12/06/2024......................9 - 6 - 0.................60.00%................+ 12.00
12/05/2024......................5 - 5 - 1.................50.00%................- 5.00
12/04/2024...................19 - 20 - 1.................48.71%................- 15.00
12/03/2024...................20 - 19 - 0.................51.28%................- 4.50
12/02/2024......................2 - 8 - 0.................20.00%................- 34.00
12/01/2024..................... 4 - 6 - 0.................40.00%................- 13.00
TOTALS....................228- 232 - 12.................49.56%................- 173.50
Friday’s 6-pack:
College basketball teams with the best eFG% defense in country:
40.0%— Tennessee
41.0%— Houston
41.2%— Duke
41.4%— Illinois
42.2%— George Mason
42.2%— Cincinnati
Quote of the Day
“Great football game. Let’s talk about Cam Dicker and the free kick. It’s my favorite rule in football. I have been trying to get one in every game. When Cameron Dicker made it, it got the momentum back. This was our chance. This was our moment [to try it].”
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, talking about the 57-yard FG on a free kick
Friday’s quiz
What city is the Liberty Bowl football game played in every year?
Thursday’s quiz
Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff are the two starting QB’s in the NFL who have fathers that played major league baseball.
Wednesday’s quiz
Washington Redskins drafted Kirk Cousins in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
*******************************************************
Broncos’ first three drives: 28 plays, 212 yards, 21 points.
Denver led 21-13 at halftime.
Broncos last seven drives: 37 plays, 124 yards, 3 points.
Broncos are 1-5 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.
Denver’s team total: over 10-4-1
QB Herbert threw for 284 yards and two TD’s.
Chargers are 6-0 scoring 24+ points, 3-6 scoring 23 or fewer points.
Over is 5-0 in their last five home games.
Chargers are 5-1 ATS this season as home favorites.
Bolts are 8-4 ATS in last 12 AFC West home games.
Chargers got a 57-yard field goal at the end of the first half on a free kick after a fair catch by the punt returner; the last time that happened in the NFL was 1976.
— Sam Houston 31, Georgia Southern 26
Sam Houston scored on a pick-6 2:58 into the game.
Georgia Southern ran for 181 yards, outgained Bearkats 393-267.
Problem is, Sam Houston was +4 in turnovers (5-1)
Bearkats win their first-ever I-A bowl game.
Sam Houston still has 10 guys who were on 2021 team that won the 2021 national title at the I-AA level.
— When the Detroit Lions play in Chicago Sunday, it’ll be their second outdoor game this year, on freakin’ December 22. Very unusual.
Lions won their first outdoor game 24-14 at Green Bay in Week 9, but they were outgained 411-261. Detroit scored 34-42 points in their last two games, but those were both at home.
— Cardinals’ 3B Nolan Arenado vetoed a trade to Houston; at this point, the best St Louis can probably get for Arenado is most likely a mid-level prospect and for the other team to take on some of his salary (he will make $59M the next two years).
Does this mean Alex Bregman is leaving the Astros? Boston is rumored to be interested in him, as well as the Tigers.
— Sacramento A’s signed 33-year old IF Gio Urshela Thursday; he hit .250 last year, with nine homers, 52 RBI in a season split between Detroit/Atlanta.
— 31-year old Max Kepler signed a one-year, $10M deal with the Phillies; he’s played for the Twins the last 10 years, and was hampered by injuries LY, playing in only 105 games. Kepler is expected to play left field for Philadelphia.
— Washington Nationals signed P Mike Soroka for one year, $9M; Soroka was 17-8, 3.32 in 43 starts for Atlanta from 2018-23, but was 0-10, 4.74 in 25 games (nine starts) for a dreadful White Sox team last year. He is expected to be a starter again for Washington.
— Famous birthdays, December 20th:
Dick Wolf, 78 (executive producer, Law and Order)
Cecil Cooper, 75
Jenny Agutter, 72
Trent Tucker, 65
Tom Newberry, 62
Rich Gannon, 59
David DeJesus, 45
James Shields, 43
Jonah Hill, 41
Calvin Ridley, 30
Bryce Perkins, 28
De’Aaron Fox, 27
Friday would’ve been John Hillerman’s 92nd birthday.
— Cal-Irvine 92, Belmont 84
Anteaters were down 13 with 12:20 left to play.
Irvine scored 40 points in the last 10:00 of the game.
Anteaters were 24-26 on foul line, Belmont 5-8; game was at Belmont.
It is December 20; Irvine already has four true road wins. Impressive.
— How much does Patrick Mahomes’ status effect the pointspread?
When it was thought he was sitting Saturday’s game out, Houston was favored by 2.5 points.
Now that Mahomes is going to play, Kansas City is favored by 3.5 points.
— Duke QB Maalik Murphy bolted to Oregon State, which probably means the Beavers gave him a lot more $$$$ than Duke was. On the surface, bolting from the ACC to the Mountain West isn’t a brilliant move. Duke is 9-3 this year; Murphy threw 26 TD’s, 12 INTs before he bolted.
Washington State QB John Mateer is bolting to Oklahoma, where he will reunite with his old offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, and quarterbacks coach John Kuceyesk from Wazzu.
Coogs are 8-4 this year, losing their last three games; Mateer threw 29 TD’s, 7 INT’s. It is safe to assume that Oklahoma gave him a boatload of $$$, too.
— NBA franchises that are worth the most $$$$:
Golden State $9.14B
NY Knicks $8.3B
LA Lakers $8.07B
Brooklyn $5.7B
LA Clippers $5.68B
— Steph Curry is getting paid $55,761,216 this season: he is expected to make another $90M or so off the floor, in endorsements. Same thing for Lebron James, who the Lakers are paying $48,728,845 this year (plus another $2M or so to his son).
Basketball is big business, but if the TV ratings keep tanking, will be interesting to see where the salary cap winds up the next few years.
— JJ Redick gave up the TV booth this year to coach Lebron and the Lakers, who are 15-12 as we speak, the #7-seed in the West. Redick had never coached before; they fired last year’s coach Darvin Ham even after the Lakers won the in-season tournament, which is probably an indictment of that event.
Would seem that coaching a big-market team with two big stars wouldn’t be an entry-level position, but this year, it is.
— Random stat: Los Angeles Chargers have lost their last 11 games that were decided by 3 or fewer points; the longest losing streak ever in that category is 13 (Buffalo, from 2001-06).
— Looks like Georgia Bulldogs QB Carson Beck is exploring surgery options on his injured throwing elbow; he isn’t expected to play in Georgia’s playoff games. Sophomore Gunner Stockton is expected to take his place- he was 12-16 for 71 yards in the SEC title game against Texas, which the Dawgs won 22-19 in overtime.
College basketball teams with the best eFG% defense in country:
40.0%— Tennessee
41.0%— Houston
41.2%— Duke
41.4%— Illinois
42.2%— George Mason
42.2%— Cincinnati
Quote of the Day
“Great football game. Let’s talk about Cam Dicker and the free kick. It’s my favorite rule in football. I have been trying to get one in every game. When Cameron Dicker made it, it got the momentum back. This was our chance. This was our moment [to try it].”
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, talking about the 57-yard FG on a free kick
Friday’s quiz
What city is the Liberty Bowl football game played in every year?
Thursday’s quiz
Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff are the two starting QB’s in the NFL who have fathers that played major league baseball.
Wednesday’s quiz
Washington Redskins drafted Kirk Cousins in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
*******************************************************
Friday’s Den: Random stuff with the weekend here…….
— Chargers 34, Broncos 27Broncos’ first three drives: 28 plays, 212 yards, 21 points.
Denver led 21-13 at halftime.
Broncos last seven drives: 37 plays, 124 yards, 3 points.
Broncos are 1-5 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.
Denver’s team total: over 10-4-1
QB Herbert threw for 284 yards and two TD’s.
Chargers are 6-0 scoring 24+ points, 3-6 scoring 23 or fewer points.
Over is 5-0 in their last five home games.
Chargers are 5-1 ATS this season as home favorites.
Bolts are 8-4 ATS in last 12 AFC West home games.
Chargers got a 57-yard field goal at the end of the first half on a free kick after a fair catch by the punt returner; the last time that happened in the NFL was 1976.
— Sam Houston 31, Georgia Southern 26
Sam Houston scored on a pick-6 2:58 into the game.
Georgia Southern ran for 181 yards, outgained Bearkats 393-267.
Problem is, Sam Houston was +4 in turnovers (5-1)
Bearkats win their first-ever I-A bowl game.
Sam Houston still has 10 guys who were on 2021 team that won the 2021 national title at the I-AA level.
— When the Detroit Lions play in Chicago Sunday, it’ll be their second outdoor game this year, on freakin’ December 22. Very unusual.
Lions won their first outdoor game 24-14 at Green Bay in Week 9, but they were outgained 411-261. Detroit scored 34-42 points in their last two games, but those were both at home.
— Cardinals’ 3B Nolan Arenado vetoed a trade to Houston; at this point, the best St Louis can probably get for Arenado is most likely a mid-level prospect and for the other team to take on some of his salary (he will make $59M the next two years).
Does this mean Alex Bregman is leaving the Astros? Boston is rumored to be interested in him, as well as the Tigers.
— Sacramento A’s signed 33-year old IF Gio Urshela Thursday; he hit .250 last year, with nine homers, 52 RBI in a season split between Detroit/Atlanta.
— 31-year old Max Kepler signed a one-year, $10M deal with the Phillies; he’s played for the Twins the last 10 years, and was hampered by injuries LY, playing in only 105 games. Kepler is expected to play left field for Philadelphia.
— Washington Nationals signed P Mike Soroka for one year, $9M; Soroka was 17-8, 3.32 in 43 starts for Atlanta from 2018-23, but was 0-10, 4.74 in 25 games (nine starts) for a dreadful White Sox team last year. He is expected to be a starter again for Washington.
— Famous birthdays, December 20th:
Dick Wolf, 78 (executive producer, Law and Order)
Cecil Cooper, 75
Jenny Agutter, 72
Trent Tucker, 65
Tom Newberry, 62
Rich Gannon, 59
David DeJesus, 45
James Shields, 43
Jonah Hill, 41
Calvin Ridley, 30
Bryce Perkins, 28
De’Aaron Fox, 27
Friday would’ve been John Hillerman’s 92nd birthday.
— Cal-Irvine 92, Belmont 84
Anteaters were down 13 with 12:20 left to play.
Irvine scored 40 points in the last 10:00 of the game.
Anteaters were 24-26 on foul line, Belmont 5-8; game was at Belmont.
It is December 20; Irvine already has four true road wins. Impressive.
— How much does Patrick Mahomes’ status effect the pointspread?
When it was thought he was sitting Saturday’s game out, Houston was favored by 2.5 points.
Now that Mahomes is going to play, Kansas City is favored by 3.5 points.
— Duke QB Maalik Murphy bolted to Oregon State, which probably means the Beavers gave him a lot more $$$$ than Duke was. On the surface, bolting from the ACC to the Mountain West isn’t a brilliant move. Duke is 9-3 this year; Murphy threw 26 TD’s, 12 INTs before he bolted.
Washington State QB John Mateer is bolting to Oklahoma, where he will reunite with his old offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, and quarterbacks coach John Kuceyesk from Wazzu.
Coogs are 8-4 this year, losing their last three games; Mateer threw 29 TD’s, 7 INT’s. It is safe to assume that Oklahoma gave him a boatload of $$$, too.
— NBA franchises that are worth the most $$$$:
Golden State $9.14B
NY Knicks $8.3B
LA Lakers $8.07B
Brooklyn $5.7B
LA Clippers $5.68B
— Steph Curry is getting paid $55,761,216 this season: he is expected to make another $90M or so off the floor, in endorsements. Same thing for Lebron James, who the Lakers are paying $48,728,845 this year (plus another $2M or so to his son).
Basketball is big business, but if the TV ratings keep tanking, will be interesting to see where the salary cap winds up the next few years.
— JJ Redick gave up the TV booth this year to coach Lebron and the Lakers, who are 15-12 as we speak, the #7-seed in the West. Redick had never coached before; they fired last year’s coach Darvin Ham even after the Lakers won the in-season tournament, which is probably an indictment of that event.
Would seem that coaching a big-market team with two big stars wouldn’t be an entry-level position, but this year, it is.
— Random stat: Los Angeles Chargers have lost their last 11 games that were decided by 3 or fewer points; the longest losing streak ever in that category is 13 (Buffalo, from 2001-06).
— Looks like Georgia Bulldogs QB Carson Beck is exploring surgery options on his injured throwing elbow; he isn’t expected to play in Georgia’s playoff games. Sophomore Gunner Stockton is expected to take his place- he was 12-16 for 71 yards in the SEC title game against Texas, which the Dawgs won 22-19 in overtime.
NCAAB
Friday, December 20
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Trend Report
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Valparaiso vs Western Michigan
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Valparaiso's last 11 games on the road
Valparaiso is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Valparaiso's last 11 games on the road
Valparaiso is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
Houston Baptist vs Texas A&M
Texas A&M is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Texas A&M is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games at home
UIC vs Seattle
UIC is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of UIC's last 6 games on the road
Seattle is 19-5 SU in its last 24 games at home
Defiance vs PFW
PFW is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of PFW's last 6 games at home
Rider vs Pennsylvania
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Rider's last 9 games on the road
Rider is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pennsylvania
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Pennsylvania's last 9 games at home
Pennsylvania is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Rider
Delaware vs Saint Peter's
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Delaware's last 7 games on the road
Delaware is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Saint Peter's is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Holy Cross vs Siena
Siena is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Holy Cross
Siena is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Holy Cross
Dillard vs Tulane
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tulane's last 7 games at home
Tulane is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
St. John's vs Providence
St. John's is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of St. John's's last 9 games on the road
Providence is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against St. John's
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Providence's last 6 games when playing St. John's
South Dakota Mines vs North Dakota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of North Dakota's last 6 games at home
North Dakota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Appalachian State vs North Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Appalachian State's last 5 games on the road
Appalachian State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
North Texas is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Jackson State vs UTEP
UTEP is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
UTEP is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Jackson State
Florida A&M vs BYU
BYU is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Southern vs Loyola Marymount
Loyola Marymount is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Loyola Marymount's last 6 games at home
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Friday, December 20
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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Valparaiso vs Western Michigan
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Valparaiso's last 11 games on the road
Valparaiso is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Valparaiso's last 11 games on the road
Valparaiso is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
Houston Baptist vs Texas A&M
Texas A&M is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Texas A&M is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games at home
UIC vs Seattle
UIC is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of UIC's last 6 games on the road
Seattle is 19-5 SU in its last 24 games at home
Defiance vs PFW
PFW is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of PFW's last 6 games at home
Rider vs Pennsylvania
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Rider's last 9 games on the road
Rider is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pennsylvania
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Pennsylvania's last 9 games at home
Pennsylvania is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Rider
Delaware vs Saint Peter's
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Delaware's last 7 games on the road
Delaware is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Saint Peter's is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Holy Cross vs Siena
Siena is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Holy Cross
Siena is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Holy Cross
Dillard vs Tulane
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tulane's last 7 games at home
Tulane is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
St. John's vs Providence
St. John's is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of St. John's's last 9 games on the road
Providence is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against St. John's
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Providence's last 6 games when playing St. John's
South Dakota Mines vs North Dakota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of North Dakota's last 6 games at home
North Dakota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Appalachian State vs North Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Appalachian State's last 5 games on the road
Appalachian State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
North Texas is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Jackson State vs UTEP
UTEP is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
UTEP is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Jackson State
Florida A&M vs BYU
BYU is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Southern vs Loyola Marymount
Loyola Marymount is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Loyola Marymount's last 6 games at home
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| VALP at WMU | 01:00 PM | VALP +2.0 O 152.5 | +500 +500 |
| HBU at TAM | 02:00 PM | TAM -33.0 U 141.5 | +500 +500 |
| NORF at GRAM | 04:00 PM | NORF -6.0 U 137.5 | +500 +500 |
| UIC at SEA | 05:00 PM | UIC +6.0 U 149.0 | +500 +500 |
| RID at PENN | 06:00 PM | RID +5.0 O 135.5 | +500 +500 |
| DSU at ALST | 06:30 PM | ALST -5.0 U 147.5 | +500 +500 |
| LONG at NCCU | 07:00 PM | LONG -3.0 O 145.0 | +500 +500 |
| HC at SIE | 07:00 PM | HC +5.5 O 132.0 | +500 +500 |
| DEL at SPC | 07:00 PM | SPC -2.5 U 142.5 | +500 +500 |
| YALE at AKR | 07:00 PM | AKR +4.5 O 153.5 | +500 +500 |
| APP at UNT | 08:00 PM | UNT -11.5 U 123.0 | +500 +500 |
| SJU at PROV | 08:00 PM | PROV +6.5 O 142.0 | +500 +500 |
| DAY at CIN | 08:30 PM | DAY +3.5 O 137.0 | +500 +500 |
| FAMU at BYU | 09:00 PM | BYU -34.0 O 148.5 | +500 +500 |
| JKST at UTEP | 09:00 PM | JKST +14.5 O 140.5 | +500 +500 |
| SOU at LMU | 10:00 PM | SOU +8.0 O 138.5 | +500 +500 |
COLLEGE HOOPS BEST BETS FOR DECEMBER !
12/20/2024...............12 - 7 - 1.......................63.15%............+ 21.50
12/19/2024................9 - 9 - 2.........................50.00%............- 4.50
12/18/2024................25 - 21 - 1....................54.34%............+ 9.50
12/17/2024................13 - 16 - 0....................44.82%.............- 23.00
12/16/2024...................7 - 3 - 0.....................70.00%.............+ 18.50
12/15/2024.................12 - 16 - 0..................42.85%.............- 28.00
12/14/2024.................12 - 23 - 4..................34.28%..............- 66.50
12/13/2024.....................3 - 8 - 1...................27.27%..............- 29.00
12/12/2024.....................4 - 6 - 0...................40.00%..............- 13.00
12/11/2024...................12 - 8 - 1...................60.00%...............+ 16.00
12/10/2024...................10 - 15 - 0.................40.00%...............- 32.50
12/09/2024......................4 - 4 - 0.................50.00%................- 2.00
12/08/2024....................15 - 18 - 0................45.45%................- 24.00
12/07/2024...................43 - 21 - 1.................61.81%................+ 54.50
12/06/2024......................9 - 6 - 0.................60.00%................+ 12.00
12/05/2024......................5 - 5 - 1.................50.00%................- 5.00
12/04/2024...................19 - 20 - 1.................48.71%................- 15.00
12/03/2024...................20 - 19 - 0.................51.28%................- 4.50
12/02/2024......................2 - 8 - 0.................20.00%................- 34.00
12/01/2024..................... 4 - 6 - 0.................40.00%................- 13.00
TOTALS....................240- 239 - 13.................50.10%................- 152.00
12/20/2024...............12 - 7 - 1.......................63.15%............+ 21.50
12/19/2024................9 - 9 - 2.........................50.00%............- 4.50
12/18/2024................25 - 21 - 1....................54.34%............+ 9.50
12/17/2024................13 - 16 - 0....................44.82%.............- 23.00
12/16/2024...................7 - 3 - 0.....................70.00%.............+ 18.50
12/15/2024.................12 - 16 - 0..................42.85%.............- 28.00
12/14/2024.................12 - 23 - 4..................34.28%..............- 66.50
12/13/2024.....................3 - 8 - 1...................27.27%..............- 29.00
12/12/2024.....................4 - 6 - 0...................40.00%..............- 13.00
12/11/2024...................12 - 8 - 1...................60.00%...............+ 16.00
12/10/2024...................10 - 15 - 0.................40.00%...............- 32.50
12/09/2024......................4 - 4 - 0.................50.00%................- 2.00
12/08/2024....................15 - 18 - 0................45.45%................- 24.00
12/07/2024...................43 - 21 - 1.................61.81%................+ 54.50
12/06/2024......................9 - 6 - 0.................60.00%................+ 12.00
12/05/2024......................5 - 5 - 1.................50.00%................- 5.00
12/04/2024...................19 - 20 - 1.................48.71%................- 15.00
12/03/2024...................20 - 19 - 0.................51.28%................- 4.50
12/02/2024......................2 - 8 - 0.................20.00%................- 34.00
12/01/2024..................... 4 - 6 - 0.................40.00%................- 13.00
TOTALS....................240- 239 - 13.................50.10%................- 152.00
