NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES, NEWS OPINIONS AND BEST BETS THRU MARCH MADNESS !

[Udog]

VIRGINIA TECH is 9-2 Over (6.8 Units) after playing 2 consecutive games as a home favorite over the last 2 seasons.

BOSTON U is 24-10 ATS (13 Units) in road games when playing only their 3rd game in a week since 1997.

COPPIN ST is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home games after 2 consecutive conference games in the last 3 seasons.

MORGAN ST is 3-15 ATS (-13.5 Units) in road games after one or more consecutive overs in the last 3 seasons.

NC CENTRAL is 8-1 Over (6.9 Units) after a game where they made 78% of their free throws or better over the last 2 seasons.

HOUSTON CHRISTIAN is 7-0 Over (7 Units) in home games after allowing 75 points or more 3 straight games over the last 2 seasons.

NEW ORLEANS are 7-0 Over (7 Units) against conference opponents in the current season.

FLORIDA A&M is 1-10 ATS (-10 Units) as a home underdog of 6 points or less or pick in the last 3 seasons.

TEXAS A&M CC is 8-0 ATS (8 Units) when the line is +3 to -3 over the last 2 seasons.

MCNEESE ST is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in home games after a combined score of 155 points or more in the last 3 seasons.

MD-EAST SHORE is 9-2 ATS (6.8 Units) after scoring 60 points or less over the last 2 seasons.

ARK-PINE BLUFF is 7-22 ATS (-17.2 Units) off a road loss in the last 3 seasons.

ALABAMA ST is 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) in road games as a dog in the current season.

SOUTHERN U is 8-0 ATS (8 Units) in home games in January games over the last 2 seasons.

HOUSTON is 9-2 Over (6.8 Units) in road games after having won 4 or 5 of their last 6 games over the last 2 seasons.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN is 14-5 ATS (8.5 Units) in home games after playing a game as an underdog in the last 3 seasons.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M is 6-20 ATS (-16 Units) as a favorite in the last 3 seasons.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, January 29

Monday’s 2 interesting games
Duke (-11.5) @ Virginia Tech
Duke (15-4, 6-2)
KenPom rating: 14
Tempo: 158
Experience: 218
Continuity: 28
Duke won 10 of its last 11 games.
Blue Devils are 3-1 SU/1-3 ATS as an ACC road favorite.
Blue Devils are shooting 38.1% on the arc (#23)
Duke is 5-2 vs top 100 teams.


Virginia Tech (13-7, 5-4)
KenPom rating: 52
Tempo: 165
Experience: 66
Continuity: 90
Virginia Tech won/covered its last three games.
Hokies are 2-3 ATS as an ACC underdog this year.
Hokies have #41 eFG% in country.
Virginia Tech is 5-7 vs teams in the top 100.


Virginia Tech is 6-5 in its last 11 games vs Duke.
Duke lost five of last six visits to Blacksburg.
ACC double digit favorites are 2-9 ATS.


Houston (-4.5) @ Texas
Houston (18-2, 5-2)
KenPom rating: 1
Tempo: 350
Experience: 100
Continuity: 127
Houston won its last four games, giving up 54 ppg.
Houston is 1-2 SU/ATS in Big X road games.
Cougars have #1 eFG% defense in country.
Houston is 8-2 against teams ranked in top 100.


Texas (14-6, 3-4)
KenPom rating: 36
Tempo: 239
Experience: 6
Continuity: 176
Texas is 3-4 in Big X, after an 11-2 pre-conference mark.
Texas is 1-2 SU/0-3 ATS in Big X home games.
Longhorns have #31 eFG% in country.
Texas is 4-5 vs top 100 teams.


These former SWC rivals haven’t met since the 2013 NIT.
Big X home dogs of 6 or less points are 6-3 ATS.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB

Monday, January 29

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Monday, January 29

 

[CNOTES]

MONDAY, JANUARY 29​

Game	Time(ET)	Pick	Units
DUKE at VT	07:00 PM	VT +3.5	+500
BU at HC	07:00 PM	BU -4.0	+500
MORG at NORF	07:30 PM	MORG +13.0	+500
HOW at COPP	07:30 PM	COPP +8.5	+500
NCCU at DSU	07:30 PM	NCCU -1.0	+500
UNO at LAM	08:00 PM	LAM -9.0 O 159.5	+500 +500
JKST at FAMU	08:00 PM	JKST -4.5	+500
SELA at HCU	08:00 PM	HCU +3.5	+500
NWST at MCNS	08:00 PM	NWST +20.0 O 145.5	+500 +500
SCST at UMES	08:00 PM	UMES +1.0	+500
AMCC at TAMCOM	08:00 PM	TAMCOM +3.0	+500
MVSU at SOU	08:30 PM	SOU -19.5	+500
ALST at TXSO	08:30 PM	TXSO -5.5	+500
ARPB at GRAM	08:30 PM	GRAM -6.5	+500
HOU at TEX	09:00 PM	HOU -4.5	+500
AAMU at PV	09:00 PM	PV -7.5	+500
ALCN at COOK	09:00 PM	COOK -3.5	+500

 

[CNOTES]

Tuesday’s 6-pack:
— Cavaliers 118, Clippers 108- Cleveland won 10 of its last 11 games.
— Celtics 118, Pelicans 112- New Orleans led by 10 at halftime.
— Suns 118, Heat 105- Miami lost its last seven games.
— Rockets 135, Lakers 119- Alperen Sengun had 31 points, 12 boards, 7 assists.
— Timberwolves 107, Thunder 101- Minnesota is 33-14, #1-seed in the West.
— Nuggets 113, Bucks 107- Milwaukee loses 1st game with Doc Rivers as coach.

Quote of the Day
“The one stat that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet is heart and poise and togetherness and just fight.”

Ole Miss basketball coach Chris Beard
Tuesday’s quiz
When was the last time a Big Ten team won the college basketball national title?

Monday’s quiz
Patrick Mahomes played his college football at Texas Tech.

Sunday’s quiz
In the baseball movie For Love of the Game, JK Simmons plays the manager of the Detroit Tigers.

************************************************

Tuesday’s Den: College basketball stat leaders…….​

College basketball trends (team’s record):
Teams that play the fastest tempos:
1- Western Kentucky (14-6)
3- VMI (4-17)
7- Samford (18-3)
8- New Mexico (18-3)

Teams that play the slowest tempos:
362- North Texas (12-7)
361- Virginia (15-5)
359- Towson (13-8)
358- Charlotte (13-7)

Teams that force highest % of turnovers:
1- Texas-El Paso (11-10)
2- Iowa State (16-4)
3- Houston (18-2)
4- Florida International (7-14)

Teams that turn ball over the most:
24.5%- Siena (3-17)
23%- Sacramento State (6-15)
22.9%- Texas-Arlington (9-11)
22.8%- Stephen F Austin (12-8)

Best teams on offensive boards:
43.8%- Texas A&M (12-8)
40.7%- Florida (14-6)
40.6%- Towson (13-8)
40.1%- St John’s (13-7)

Worst teams on defensive boards:
63.3%- Cleveland State (13-9)
64.1%- North Carolina A&T (6-15)
64.3%- Florida International (7-14)
64.5%- Rio Grande Valley (6-14)

Teams with highest FG %age on 2-point shots:
64%- Cornell (15-3)
60.8%- Indiana State (18-3)
60%- BYU (15-5)
59.8%- Creighton (16-5)

Teams with highest FG %age on 3-point shots:
41.1%- Indiana State (18-3)
41%- Baylor (14-5)
40.2%- Kentucky (15-4)
40.2%- Samford (18-3)

Defenses with best FG %age on 2-point shots:
40.3%- Houston (18-2)
42%- Loyola Chi (13-7)
42.6%- Cal-Irvine (15-6)
42.6%- UConn (18-2)

Defenses with best FG %age on 3-point shots:
27.4%- SMU (13-7)
27.6%- Louisiana (13-8)
27.7%- Mississippi State (14-6)
27.8%- Seattle (12-8)

Teams who get highest %age of points on 3’s:
43%- BYU (15-5)
41.4%- Georgia Southern (5-16)
41%- Liberty (13-8)
41%- St Joe’s (13-7)

Teams who get highest %age of points on 2’s:
63.7%- IUPUI (6-17)
63.4%- Cal-Bakersfield (8-12)
60%- Tarleton State (13-7)
59.9%- Wright State (12-10)

Teams who get highest %age of points on foul shots:
26.2%- Texas-El Paso (11-10)
25.5%- Grand Canyon (19-2)
25.5%- Rio Grande Valley (6-14)
24.7%- Arkansas (10-10)

Teams whose subs play the most:
46.7%- Stephen F Austin (12-8)
44.2%- Samford (18-3)
44.1%- Auburn (16-4)
44%- Vanderbilt (5-14)

Teams whose subs play the least:
14.5%- Princeton (15-2)
17.8%- Tulane (12-8)
17.9%- Ball State (11-9)
18.5%- Michigan (7-13)

Most experienced teams:
St Bonaventure (12-7)
Washington (12-9)
TCU (15-5)
Nevada (16-5)

Least experienced teams:
Idaho (7-13)
Siena (3-17)
North Carolina A&T (6-15)
Notre Dame (7-13)

Teams with most continuity:
Florida Atlantic (17-4)
Columbia (10-7)
Marquette (15-5)
Cal-Davis (12-8)

 

[Udog]

S CAROLINA is 7-1 ATS (5.9 Units) as a dog in the current season.

OHIO ST is 13-32 ATS (-22.2 Units) when playing only their 2nd game in a week in the last 3 seasons.

GEORGE WASHINGTON is 8-1 Over (6.9 Units) in road games after a game where they failed to cover the spread over the last 2 seasons...

VILLANOVA is 60-33 ATS (23.7 Units) in home games after failing to cover 2 of their last 3 against the spread since 1997.

TCU is 7-0 Under (7 Units) off 2 consecutive close wins by 5 or less over a conference rival since 1997.

N CAROLINA is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) in road games when playing only their 2nd game in a week in the current season.

KANSAS ST is 10-1 ATS (8.9 Units) in home games after 2 consecutive conference games over the last 2 seasons.

SAN JOSE ST is 7-0 Over (7 Units) after allowing 75 points or more 3 straight games in the current season.

OKLAHOMA ST is 0-11 ATS (-12.1 Units) after a game with 5 or less offensive rebounds in the last 3 seasons.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, January 30

Tuesday’s 5 interesting games
South Carolina @ Tennessee (-14.5)
South Carolina (17-3, 5-2)
KenPom rating: 53
Tempo: 348
Experience: 22
Continuity: 181
South Carolina won 10 of its last 12 games.
Gamecocks are 4-1 ATS as an SEC underdog, 2-1 on road.
Opponents are shooting 44.8% inside the arc (#24)
South Carolina is 4-3 vs top 100 teams.


Tennessee (15-4, 5-1)
KenPom rating: 4
Tempo: 105
Experience: 26
Continuity: 64
Tennessee won four in row, 11 of last 12 games.
Vols won/covered all three SEC home games.
Vols have #4 eFG% defense in country.
Tennessee is 9-4 vs teams in the top 100.


Tennessee beat South Carolina twice LY, by 43-40 points.
Tennessee won 10 of last 11 series games.
Gamecocks lost their last six visits to Knoxville.
SEC double digit home favorites are 9-3 ATS.


Marquette @ Villanova (-1.5)
Marquette (15-5, 6-3)
KenPom rating: 14
Tempo: 84
Experience: 119
Continuity: 3
Marquette won its last four games, scoring 80.3 ppg.
Marquette split its six true road games this season.
Golden Eagles are forcing turnovers 23% of time (#7).
Marquette is 7-5 against teams ranked in top 100.


Villanova (11-9, 4-5)
KenPom rating: 36
Tempo: 239
Experience: 6
Continuity: 176
Villanova lost last four games (lost last game in 2 OT’s)
Villanova is 3-5 games decided by 4 or less points, or in OT.
Wildcats get 37% (#35) of their points on arc (32.5%, #228)
Villanova is 6-7 vs top 100 teams.


Villanova (+6) lost 87-74 at Marquette January 15.
Marquette shot 75% inside the arc in that game.
Marquette won last five series games.
Golden Eagles won last 2 visits here, by 3-2 points.
Big East home favorites of 5 or less points are 5-5 ATS.


Texas Tech @ TCU (-4.5)
Texas Tech (16-3, 5-1)
KenPom rating: 26
Tempo: 267
Experience: 62
Continuity: 282
Texas Tech won 11 of its last 12 games.
Red Raiders are 14-1 when they score 70+ points.
Texas Tech is 5-1 in games decided by 7 or less, or in OT.
Red Raiders are 5-3 vs teams ranked in top 100.


TCU (15-5, 4-3)
KenPom rating: 23
Tempo: 64
Experience: 3
Continuity: 142
TCU won 3 in row, 11 of last 12 games.
TCU’s last five games were all decided by 5 or fewer points.
Horned Frogs are shooting 55.1% inside arc (#30)
TCU is 3-5 against teams in top 100.


TCU won last three meetings, by 1-3-6 points.
Tech lost last three visits to Fort Worth, by 11-3-6 points.
Big X home favorites of 4 or less points are 8-6 ATS.


Mississippi State @ Ole Miss (-1.5)
Mississippi State (14-6, 3-4)
KenPom rating: 32
Tempo: 203
Experience: 51
Continuity: 42
Miss State is 0-3 on SEC road, losing by 6-13-9 points.
Bulldogs have #22 eFG% defense in country.
Bulldogs are 6-4 vs teams ranked in top 100.
Miss State is #34 team on offensive boards.


Ole Miss (17-3, 4-3)
KenPom rating: 64
Tempo: 241
Experience: 24
Continuity: 187
Ole Miss is 3-0 at home in SEC, winning by 18-13-26.
Rebels are shooting 38.4% on the arc (#18)
Rebels are #346 team in country on defensive boards.
Ole Miss is 5-3 vs teams ranked in top 100.


Miss State won four of last five series games.
Teams split their last six meetings in Oxford.
SEC home favorites of 5 or fewer points are 5-4 ATS.


San Diego State @ Colorado State (-1.5)
San Diego State (16-4, 5-2)
KenPom rating: 21
Tempo: 222
Experience: 54
Continuity: 134
Aztecs split last four games, after a 14-2 start.
San Diego State is shooting 27.5% on arc in MW tilts.
Aztecs are 7-4 vs teams ranked in top 100.
Aztecs are 5-2 in games decided by 6 or less points, or OT.


Colorado State (15-5, 3-4)
KenPom rating: 24
Tempo: 6
Experience: 59
Continuity: 251
Colorado State lost 4 of last 6 games, after a 13-1 start.
Rams are 3-4 in games decided by 7 or less, or in OT.
Colorado State is 7-4 vs teams in top 100.
Rams are shooting 57.8% inside the arc (#10)


San Diego State won 11 of last 13 series games.
Aztecs won five of last six visits to Fort Collins.
MW home favorites of less than 5 points are 6-3 ATS.

 

[Udog]

E MICHIGAN is 7-22 ATS (-17.2 Units) after having lost 3 of their last 4 games in the last 3 seasons.

TOLEDO is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) in home games after 4 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers over the last 2 seasons.

C MICHIGAN is 8-0 Under (8 Units) after 2 straight games with 9 or less offensive rebounds in the current season.

BOWLING GREEN is 0-10 ATS (-11 Units) in road games after playing a road game in the last 3 seasons.

ST BONAVENTURE is 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) in home games after a game where they covered the spread over the last 2 seasons.

Mike Woodson is 14-4 ATS (9.6 Units) in home games vs. good free throw shooting teams - making >=72% of their attempts (Coach of I...

BUFFALO is 46-19 Over (25.1 Units) in road games after 3 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers since 1997.

KENT ST is 24-12 ATS (10.8 Units) after 1 or more consecutive unders in the last 3 seasons.

BOSTON COLLEGE is 7-0 Under (7 Units) in home games after 5 straight games forcing opponent to commit 14 or less turnovers in the last 3 seasons.

ILLINOIS ST is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in road games after playing a game as favorite in the last 3 seasons.

SAINT LOUIS are 9-20 ATS (-13 Units) after 2 straight games where they had 5 or less steals in the last 3 seasons.

MISSISSIPPI ST is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) after a game outrebounding opponent by 15 or more in the last 3 seasons.

SE MISSOURI ST is 11-2 ATS (8.8 Units) revenging a same season loss vs opponent in the last 3 seasons.

COLORADO ST is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) after 2 straight games forcing opponent to commit 11 or less turnovers in the last 3 seasons...

WYOMING is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in road games after 2 straight games forcing opponent to commit 11 or less turnovers in the last...

MICHIGAN is 1-10 ATS (-10 Units) in road games in January games in the last 3 seasons.

DEPAUL is 27-12 Under (13.8 Units) after allowing 80 points or more in a loss to a conference rival since 1997.

LOUISVILLE is 11-1 Over (9.9 Units) in road games after having lost 8 or more of their last 10 games over the last 2 seasons.

MIAMI is 24-12 Over (10.8 Units) after playing 2 consecutive games as favorite in the last 3 seasons.

GONZAGA is 13-4 Under (8.6 Units) after playing a game as a road favorite in the last 3 seasons.

FRESNO ST is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in road games when playing only their 2nd game in a week in the last 3 seasons

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Tuesday, January 30

 

[Udog]

NCAAB

Tuesday, January 30

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Tuesday, January 30

 

[Udog]

 

[CNOTES]

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30​

Game	Time(ET)	Pick	Units
SCAR at TENN	06:30 PM	SCAR +14.0	+500
BUFF at OHIO	07:00 PM	OHIO -15.0 U 150.0	+500 +500
GW at DAY	07:00 PM	DAY -13.0 U 146.0	+500 +500
M-OH at KENT	07:00 PM	M-OH +8.0	+500
AKR at EMU	07:00 PM	EMU +10.5	+500
ILL at OSU	07:00 PM	ILL -2.5	+500
UNC at GT	07:00 PM	UNC -9.0 U 152.5	+500 +500
TTU at TCU	07:00 PM	TCU -5.0 U 147.5	+500 +500
BGSU at BALL	07:00 PM	BGSU +1.0 U 148.5	+500 +500
VCU at SBON	07:00 PM	SBON -4.0	+500
WMU at TOL	07:00 PM	TOL -11.5 U 156.0	+500 +500
IOWA at IND	07:00 PM	IND +2.0 U 160.0	+500 +500
NIU at CMU	07:00 PM	CMU -3.5	+500
MARQ at VILL	07:00 PM	MARQ +2.0	+500
SYR at BC	07:00 PM	BC -4.0	+500
SLU at L-IL	08:00 PM	L-IL -9.5	+500
OKLA at KSU	08:00 PM	KSU -3.0 U 139.0	+500 +500
ILST at MURR	08:00 PM	MURR -7.5 U 133.5	+500 +500
SEMO at LNDNWD	08:30 PM	SEMO +3.0	+500
MSST at MISS	08:30 PM	MISS +1.0 O 138.5	+500 +500
OKST at KU	09:00 PM	U 144.5	+500
MICH at MSU	09:00 PM	MSU -12.0	+500
MIA at NCST	09:00 PM	NCST -3.5 U 153.0	+500 +500
HALL at DEP	09:00 PM	HALL -10.0	+500
LOU at CLEM	09:00 PM	CLEM -16.5	+500
WYO at AFA	09:00 PM	AFA -4.5	+500
SJSU at USU	09:00 PM	SJSU +13.0	+500
SDSU at CSU	09:00 PM	CSU -2.0	+500
LMU at GONZ	11:00 PM	GONZ -15.5	+500
FRES at UNLV	11:00 PM	UNLV -8.5 O 141.5	+500 +500

 

[CNOTES]

Wednesday’s 6-pack:
NFL teams with most room under the 2024 salary cap:
$73.6M— Washington
$71.8M— Tennessee
$69.9M— Houston
$66.1M— New England
$62.7M— Indianapolis
$59.4M— Cincinnati

Quote of the Day
“The world hangs by a thin thread.”
Carl Jung

Wednesday’s quiz
Which current NBA head coach was once an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs when Jerry Tarkanian was their head coach?

Tuesday’s quiz
2000 was the last time a Big Ten team won the college basketball national title, when Michigan State beat Florida 89-76 in the national championship game.

Monday’s quiz
Patrick Mahomes played his college football at Texas Tech.

*********************************************

Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings…….​

— Surprise of the Day: Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is staying with Detroit, which is really surprising- thought for sure he would fill one of the eight job openings for head coaches (there are only two left now). Apparently he wanted a boatload of $$$, which scared teams off.

— Can’t let January 30 pass without remembering January 30, 2000, one of my favorite days as a sports fan. Can’t believe its been 24 years since the Rams beat Tennessee 23-16, winning Super Bowl XXXIV, their first Super Bowl title.
Quite a game; Rams tackled a Tennessee receiver on the 1-yard line on the last play of the game to preserve the win, after they had blown a 16-0 third quarter lead. When NFL Network shows the highlights of that game every year, I still get queasy during the 4th quarter.

— The Angelos family is selling the Baltimore Orioles to a couple of really rich guys for $1.725B; Steve Cohen bought the Mets for $2.42B four years ago.

— Underdogs are 8-4 ATS in the last 12 Super Bowls, covering the last three.

— Georgia Tech 74, North Carolina 73
Loss ends North Carolina’s 10-game win streak.
Tar Heels were only 9-17 on the foul line.
Tech has beaten UNC/Duke; they’re 1-7 against the rest of the ACC.

— Marquette 85, Villanova 80
Marquette blew a 20-point lead, trailed by 4 with 13:11 left.
Kolek had 32 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds for the Golden Eagles.
Villanova lost its fifth game in a row.

— TCU 85, Texas Tech 78
TCU is #3 experience team that played non-conference schedule #345.
Horned Frogs are 16-5; all those wins in Nov/Dec built their confidence.
Texas Tech was 14-28 on arc; TCU was 11-20.

— St Bonaventure 67, VCU 62
VCU led this game 39-19 late in first half.
Bonnies out-rebounded VCU, 43-28.
Bonnies were 20-23 on foul line, Rams 9-11.

— Colorado State 79, San Diego State 71
Colorado State outscored Aztecs 19-10 over final 7:29.
Rams shot 67.7% inside the arc.
San Diego State lost 3 of last 5 games, after a 14-2 start.

— South Carolina 63, Tennessee 59
Gamecocks have won four in row, 11 of last 13 games.
Last four games, South Carolina gave up only 62.3 ppg.
Dalton Knecht scored 31 of Tennessee’s 59 points.

— Central Michigan 84, Northern Illinois 77, 2OT
Chippewas are 7-2 in MAC, Northern Illinois 0-8.
NIU led by 13 with 12:05 left in the game.
CMU was 26-37 on foul line, Huskies 16-25.

— Baseball Note of the Day: Seattle Mariners acquired 2B Jorge Polanco from the Twins, for four players, one of whom is P Anthony DeSclafani- another is OF Gabriel Gonzalez, who was Seattle’s #3 prospect.

— Word of the Day: Relentless- Being determined to do something, refusing to give up, to the point of sometimes being harsh or inflexible.

— If you have ESPN+, I recommend a 30-for-30 they did a while back, The Guru of Go, about former Lakers/LMU coach Paul Westhead.
If you saw HBO’s Winning Time last year, that show did a hatchet job of sorts on both Westhead and Jerry West; this show is a little bit more of an accurate appraisal of Westhead and what he did in a very interesting coaching career, a career that included him winning a WNBA title, 27 years after his NBA title with the Lakers.

— Was watching The Firm the other night, the 1993 movie adapted from one of John Grisham’s books; really good movie with an excellent cast- Gene Hackman, Tom Cruise, Wilford Brimley.
Two actors with smaller parts in the movie were Terry Kinney/David Strathairn; 30 years later, those two actors also worked in Showtime’s series Billions, which ran for seven years.
One of the things I got interested in during the pandemic was watching a ton of movies, and seeing how certain actors worked together a lot (John Cusack/Jeremy Piven come to mind).

— NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks have lost their last 18 road games; their last road win was back on November 9th, at Tampa Bay.

— Nick Dunlap, the 20-year-old golfer who won the American Express golf tournament as an amateur couple weeks ago, has turned pro. He was the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since Phil Mickelson in 1991.
Bad week for the golf coach at Alabama; Dunlap was on his team.

— James Harden has never played on a losing team in the NBA; he played on a 41-41 team once, the 2016 Rockets, but every other team he’s played on finished above .500.

Harden’s teams have a combined playoff record of 80-73; his 2012 Thunder team lost in the NBA Finals to Miami.
— Mobile sports betting is coming to North Carolina on March 11, just in time for people to bet on the ACC Tournament. North Carolina will be the 30th state to have mobile sports betting.

— Let’s compare the coaching resumes of two former NFL coaches:
Coach A: 125-106 in regular season, 0-6 in playoffs.
Coach B: 131-122-3 in regular season, 0-7 in playoffs.
Both coaches turned around losing programs, but couldn’t get over the hump in the playoffs. Any idea who they are? (Hint: they’re both retired)
I’ll let you know tomorrow.

 

[Udog]

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, January 31

Wednesday’s 5 interesting games
Northwestern @ Purdue (-13.5)
Northwestern (15-5, 6-3)
KenPom rating: 47
Tempo: 339
Experience: 36
Continuity: 58
Northwestern won five of its last seven games.
Wildcats are 4-2 ATS as a Big 14 underdog, 1-2 on road.
Wildcats are shooting 38.1% on the arc (#24)
Northwestern is 6-4 vs top 100 teams.


Purdue (19-2, 8-2)
KenPom rating: 2
Tempo: 174
Experience: 78
Continuity: 9
Purdue won last five games, scoring 86.6 ppg.
Boilers are 5-4 as Big 14 favorites, 2-2 at home.
Boilers are #18 team on offensive boards.
Purdue is 9-2 vs teams in the top 50.


Northwestern (+5) upset Purdue 92-88 in OT December 1st.
Wildcats also upset Purdue LY (both games at home)
Wildcats lost their last six visits to Mackey Arena.
Big 14 double digit home favorites are 7-5 ATS.


St John’s @ Xavier (-1.5)
St John’s (13-7, 5-4)
KenPom rating: 32
Tempo: 96
Experience: 9
Continuity: 332
St John’s lost three of its last four games.
Red Storm is 1-3 SU on Big East road (dogs 4-0 ATS)
Red Storm is #4 team in country on offensive boards.
St John’s is 7-7 against teams ranked in top 100.


Xavier (10-10, 4-5)
KenPom rating: 41
Tempo: 54
Experience: 120
Continuity: 344
Xavier won three of four Big East home games.
Xavier is 2-7 games decided by 7 or less points.
Opponents are shooting 46.1% inside arc (#43)
Musketeers are 5-8 vs top 100 teams.


St John’s (-5.5) beat Xavier 81-66 at home December 20.
St John’s won four of last six series games.
Red Storm lost 7 of last 8 visits to the Cintas Center.
Big East home favorites of 5 or less points are 5-6 ATS.


Florida @ Kentucky (-5.5)
Florida (14-6, 4-3)
KenPom rating: 36
Tempo: 18
Experience: 86
Continuity: 281
Florida won four of its last five games.
Gators allowed 87-103-85 points in SEC losses.
Florida is #2 team in country on offensive boards.
Gators are 6-6 vs teams ranked in top 100.


Kentucky (15-5, 4-3)
KenPom rating: 21
Tempo: 12
Experience: 161
Continuity: 321
Kentucky won nine of its last 11 games.
Wildcats are 3-0 SU/2-1 ATS as an SEC home favorite.
Wildcats have #8 eFG% in country.
Kentucky is 6-3 against teams in top 100.


Kentucky (+3.5) won 87-85 at Florida January 6th.
Kentucky won five in row, 10 of last 11 series games.
Gators lost 4 of last 5 visits to Lexington.
SEC home favorites of 7 or less points are 10-7 ATS.


Boise State @ New Mexico (-11.5)
Boise State (14-6, 5-2)
KenPom rating: 61
Tempo: 198
Experience: 132
Continuity: 72
Boise State won six of its last eight games.
Broncos’ two MW losses were by 4-6 points.
Broncos are 7-6 vs teams ranked in top 100.
Opponents are shooting 52.1% inside arc (#249).


New Mexico (18-3, 6-2)
KenPom rating: 19
Tempo: 8
Experience: 57
Continuity: 245
New Mexico won its last five games, scoring 91.2 ppg.
Lobos are 4-0 SU/ATS as a MW home favorite.
Lobos are forcing turnovers 21.9% of time (#19)
New Mexico is 5-3 vs teams ranked in top 100.


Boise State won five of last six series games.
Broncos lost three of last four visits to Albuquerque.
MW double digit home favorites are 4-3 ATS.


Santa Clara @ Saint Mary’s (-13.5)
Santa Clara (15-7, 6-1)
KenPom rating: 114
Tempo: 94
Experience: 176
Continuity: 323
Broncos won six of their last seven games.
Santa Clara’s two WCC losses were by 19-24 points.
Santa Clara is 4-5 vs teams ranked in top 100.
Broncos have #49 eFG% in country.


Saint Mary’s (16-6, 7-0)
KenPom rating: 30
Tempo: 357
Experience: 187
Continuity: 40
Saint Mary’s is 13-1 in last 14 games, after a 3-5 start.
Gaels are 3-0 SU/2-1 ATS as a WCC home favorite.
Saint Mary’s has #9 eFG% defense in country.
Gaels are #5 team in country on offensive boards.


Saint Mary’s (-6) won 73-49 at Santa Clara January 13.
Gaels won last four series games, by 3-3-19-24 points.
Broncos lost last two visits to Moraga, by 8-15 points.
WCC double digit home favorites are 12-1 ATS.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Wednesday, January 31

 

[Udog]

NCAAB

Wednesday, January 31

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Wednesday, January 31