Armadillo Sports
Thursday’s 6-pack:
Six actors who were in Batman and Magnum PI
— Elisha Cook (1903-1995)- Ice Pick on Magnum PI
— Alan Hale (1921-1990)- skipper on Gilligan’s Island
— Howard Duff (1913-1990)- played Magnum’s grandfather.
— Cesar Romero (1907-1994)- was the Joker on Batman
— Barbara Rush (1927-2024)- passed away this past Sunday
— Jill St John- was Molly in two episodes of Batman
Quote of the Day
“For the first time in my life, I don’t know what’s next. I’m dying to get back in……I know this, there’s some good coaches out there. I’m a good coach. I belong doing it. I just don’t know for sure where that’s going to be right now. If the right head coach job comes along, I’d take it. If the right coordinator job comes, I’d take it.”
Former Nebraska football coach Scott Frost
Thursday’s quiz
Kevin Durant has been in the NBA since 2007; what team did he play for as a rookie?
Wednesday’s quiz
Before he became the coach at Alabama, Nate Oats coaching the Buffalo Bulls.
Tuesday’s quiz
Mike Trout was 1-12 with three walks in his three career playoff games.
**************************************************
Diggs put up 100+ yard receiving games in five of his first six games last year, then averaged only 51.2 yards/game the rest of the season. Buffalo takes a $31M dead cap hit this year, while the Texans are positioning themselves to be favored in the AFC South this fall.
— People here in Las Vegas have been looking at NFL totals bets every day, but how can you do that before the draft in three weeks? Rosters can/will change a lot between now and then.
Teams like Vikings, Broncos don’t know who their QB will be this season; I’m told that QB is kind of an important position in football.
— Sun Coast hotel/casino here in Las Vegas has a 24-hour coffee shop, Du-Par’s, which has the best pancakes I’ve ever had, seriously, they’re excellent.
— Tigers-Mets got rained out the last two days in Queens, will try and play a doubleheader on Thursday, which means I’ll be waking up way earlier than I wanted to.
— In his last three games against New Orleans, Phoenix Suns’ star Devin Booker scored 52-52-58 points, making him only the second player ever to score 50+ points three games in a row against the same team.
Wilt Chamberlain is the other player, but he did it against nine different teams, not just one.
— Milwaukee Bucks were 30-13 when they fired coach Adrian Griffin earlier this season; they’re 15-15 since they hired Doc Rivers to replace him.
— Famous birthdays for April 4th:
Mike Epstein, 81
Craig T Nelson, 80
Christine Lahti, 74
Tommy Herr, 68
Jack Del Rio, 61
Scott Rolen, 49
Ben Gordon, 41
JP France, 29
— RIP to Joe Flaherty, the great comic actor who passed away at age 81; Flaherty was in Second City TV, where he played anchorman Floyd Robertson next to Eugene Levy’s Earl Camembert in the news skits on that excellent comedy show. RIP, sir.
RIP to Barbara Rush, who passed way at age 97; she is one of six actors to appear in both the TV series Batman and the original Magnum PI, where she played Magnum’s Aunt Phoebe. She played Nora Clavicle on Batman. RIP, ma’am.
— College basketball’s Final Four is this weekend; there are already 1,360 names in the college basketball transfer portal, because that is how the sport works now. With 362 Division I teams, that works out to an average of 3.76 players per team in the portal.
— Forgot to mention this earlier in the week, but lefty pitcher Shota Imanaga threw six shutout innings in his MLB debut Monday, not giving up any hits until the 6th inning. Imanaga didn’t get much hype when he signed; that was reserved for Yomamoto with the Dodgers, but so far, so good, although the wind was blowing in Monday and Imanaga is a fly ball pitcher.
— Dodgers 5, Giants 4- Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run for the Dodgers.
— Back in 1948 a guy named Fred Gehrke got paid a dollar a helmet to paint the LA Rams logo on all the Rams’ helmets— they were the first team to have their logo on a helmet, and for that, he is the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as an innovator.
Fred Gehrke has a well-known great-grandson; Christian Yelich, outfielder for the Brewers.
— This week marks the 48th anniversary of a cruddy day in A’s history, when they traded Reggie Jackson and Ken Holtzman to the Orioles, as they slowly dismantled what had been a great team, winning the World Series three years in a row (1972-74). By 1977, they were truly terrible, as free agency had started in the major leagues and the A’s couldn’t match up $$$-wise.
Now this year, the A’s are 1-6, and have been shut out three times already. It would be nice if a really, really rich person bought the team and they actually tried to win again.
— For second day in a row, a team lost its DH during a game, but this time, it came back to bite them, in an embarrassing way.
Arizona trailed 6-5 at home in the 11th inning- they had runners on 1st/3rd with two outs, but Bronx walked their next batter intentionally, because Arizona’s DH Ketel Marte went in to play shortstop after they pinch-ran for Geraldo Perdomo, which left the Snakes without a hitter when Perdomo’s spot in the order came around in the 11th inning.
Pitcher Scott McGough took a called third strike to end the game. Managing in the DH era is supposed to be easier, but two teams losing their DH in the first week of the season, both in close games, seems like managerial malpractice.
Thursday’s 6-pack:
Six actors who were in Batman and Magnum PI
— Elisha Cook (1903-1995)- Ice Pick on Magnum PI
— Alan Hale (1921-1990)- skipper on Gilligan’s Island
— Howard Duff (1913-1990)- played Magnum’s grandfather.
— Cesar Romero (1907-1994)- was the Joker on Batman
— Barbara Rush (1927-2024)- passed away this past Sunday
— Jill St John- was Molly in two episodes of Batman
Quote of the Day
“For the first time in my life, I don’t know what’s next. I’m dying to get back in……I know this, there’s some good coaches out there. I’m a good coach. I belong doing it. I just don’t know for sure where that’s going to be right now. If the right head coach job comes along, I’d take it. If the right coordinator job comes, I’d take it.”
Former Nebraska football coach Scott Frost
Thursday’s quiz
Kevin Durant has been in the NBA since 2007; what team did he play for as a rookie?
Wednesday’s quiz
Before he became the coach at Alabama, Nate Oats coaching the Buffalo Bulls.
Tuesday’s quiz
Mike Trout was 1-12 with three walks in his three career playoff games.
**************************************************
Thursday’s Den: Doing some thinking out loud……..
— Big trade in the NFL Wednesday; Buffalo Bills traded star WR Stefon Diggs to Houston, for three draft picks: 2nd/6th round picks later this month, then a 5th round pick in 2025.Diggs put up 100+ yard receiving games in five of his first six games last year, then averaged only 51.2 yards/game the rest of the season. Buffalo takes a $31M dead cap hit this year, while the Texans are positioning themselves to be favored in the AFC South this fall.
— People here in Las Vegas have been looking at NFL totals bets every day, but how can you do that before the draft in three weeks? Rosters can/will change a lot between now and then.
Teams like Vikings, Broncos don’t know who their QB will be this season; I’m told that QB is kind of an important position in football.
— Sun Coast hotel/casino here in Las Vegas has a 24-hour coffee shop, Du-Par’s, which has the best pancakes I’ve ever had, seriously, they’re excellent.
— Tigers-Mets got rained out the last two days in Queens, will try and play a doubleheader on Thursday, which means I’ll be waking up way earlier than I wanted to.
— In his last three games against New Orleans, Phoenix Suns’ star Devin Booker scored 52-52-58 points, making him only the second player ever to score 50+ points three games in a row against the same team.
Wilt Chamberlain is the other player, but he did it against nine different teams, not just one.
— Milwaukee Bucks were 30-13 when they fired coach Adrian Griffin earlier this season; they’re 15-15 since they hired Doc Rivers to replace him.
— Famous birthdays for April 4th:
Mike Epstein, 81
Craig T Nelson, 80
Christine Lahti, 74
Tommy Herr, 68
Jack Del Rio, 61
Scott Rolen, 49
Ben Gordon, 41
JP France, 29
— RIP to Joe Flaherty, the great comic actor who passed away at age 81; Flaherty was in Second City TV, where he played anchorman Floyd Robertson next to Eugene Levy’s Earl Camembert in the news skits on that excellent comedy show. RIP, sir.
RIP to Barbara Rush, who passed way at age 97; she is one of six actors to appear in both the TV series Batman and the original Magnum PI, where she played Magnum’s Aunt Phoebe. She played Nora Clavicle on Batman. RIP, ma’am.
— College basketball’s Final Four is this weekend; there are already 1,360 names in the college basketball transfer portal, because that is how the sport works now. With 362 Division I teams, that works out to an average of 3.76 players per team in the portal.
— Forgot to mention this earlier in the week, but lefty pitcher Shota Imanaga threw six shutout innings in his MLB debut Monday, not giving up any hits until the 6th inning. Imanaga didn’t get much hype when he signed; that was reserved for Yomamoto with the Dodgers, but so far, so good, although the wind was blowing in Monday and Imanaga is a fly ball pitcher.
— Dodgers 5, Giants 4- Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run for the Dodgers.
— Back in 1948 a guy named Fred Gehrke got paid a dollar a helmet to paint the LA Rams logo on all the Rams’ helmets— they were the first team to have their logo on a helmet, and for that, he is the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as an innovator.
Fred Gehrke has a well-known great-grandson; Christian Yelich, outfielder for the Brewers.
— This week marks the 48th anniversary of a cruddy day in A’s history, when they traded Reggie Jackson and Ken Holtzman to the Orioles, as they slowly dismantled what had been a great team, winning the World Series three years in a row (1972-74). By 1977, they were truly terrible, as free agency had started in the major leagues and the A’s couldn’t match up $$$-wise.
Now this year, the A’s are 1-6, and have been shut out three times already. It would be nice if a really, really rich person bought the team and they actually tried to win again.
— For second day in a row, a team lost its DH during a game, but this time, it came back to bite them, in an embarrassing way.
Arizona trailed 6-5 at home in the 11th inning- they had runners on 1st/3rd with two outs, but Bronx walked their next batter intentionally, because Arizona’s DH Ketel Marte went in to play shortstop after they pinch-ran for Geraldo Perdomo, which left the Snakes without a hitter when Perdomo’s spot in the order came around in the 11th inning.
Pitcher Scott McGough took a called third strike to end the game. Managing in the DH era is supposed to be easier, but two teams losing their DH in the first week of the season, both in close games, seems like managerial malpractice.
INDIANA ST is 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) after 3 straight games committing 11 or less turnovers over the last 2 seasons.
NCAAB
Dunkel
Thursday, April 4
NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Thursday, April 4
Thursday’s NIT final (@ Indianapolis)
Seton Hall vs Indiana State (-2.5)
Seton Hall (24-12) ranked #52 by KenPom
Tempo: #236
Experience: #9
Continuity: #194
Seton Hall won six of its last seven games.
Pirates are 11-4 in non-conference games.
Seton Hall is #19 team on offensive boards.
Seton Hall is 8-2 in games decided by 6 or less points, or in OT.
Pirates are 13-10 vs teams ranked in top 100.
Seton Hall’s schedule, to this point: #56
bench minutes: #356
Seton Hall led 42-25 at half Tuesday, had a stress-free win.
Indiana State (32-6) ranked #37 by KenPom
Tempo: #37
Experience: #125
Continuity: #193
ISU won 10 of its last 11 games.
Sycamores have the #1 eFG% in country.
ISU is #7 team on defensive boards.
Sycamores are 13-2 in non-conference games.
ISU is shooting 80% on foul line (#3)
Sycamores are 7-4 vs teams ranked in top 100.
ISU’s schedule, to this point: #114
bench minutes: #360
Indiana State shot 80.6% inside arc in Tuesday’s 100-90 win.
Sycamores played four starters 32:00+ in that game.
Indiana State will have home crowd edge, with game in Butler’s gym.
NCAAB
Long Sheet
Thursday, April 4
NCAAB
Dunkel
Thursday, April 4
NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Thursday, April 4
Thursday’s NIT final (@ Indianapolis)
Seton Hall vs Indiana State (-2.5)
Seton Hall (24-12) ranked #52 by KenPom
Tempo: #236
Experience: #9
Continuity: #194
Seton Hall won six of its last seven games.
Pirates are 11-4 in non-conference games.
Seton Hall is #19 team on offensive boards.
Seton Hall is 8-2 in games decided by 6 or less points, or in OT.
Pirates are 13-10 vs teams ranked in top 100.
Seton Hall’s schedule, to this point: #56
bench minutes: #356
Seton Hall led 42-25 at half Tuesday, had a stress-free win.
Indiana State (32-6) ranked #37 by KenPom
Tempo: #37
Experience: #125
Continuity: #193
ISU won 10 of its last 11 games.
Sycamores have the #1 eFG% in country.
ISU is #7 team on defensive boards.
Sycamores are 13-2 in non-conference games.
ISU is shooting 80% on foul line (#3)
Sycamores are 7-4 vs teams ranked in top 100.
ISU’s schedule, to this point: #114
bench minutes: #360
Indiana State shot 80.6% inside arc in Tuesday’s 100-90 win.
Sycamores played four starters 32:00+ in that game.
Indiana State will have home crowd edge, with game in Butler’s gym.
NCAAB
Long Sheet
Thursday, April 4
Friday’s 6-pack:
Odds to win The Masters next week:
+440— Scottie Scheffler
+1400— Jon Rahm
+1500— Rory McIlroy
+1950— Xander Schauffele
+2100— Brooks Koepka
+2500— Wyndham Clark
Quote of the Day
“Focus on ‘get to’ instead of ‘have to’; each day, focus on what you get to do, not what you have to do. Life is a gift, not an obligation.”
Jon Gordon
Friday’s quiz
In the old TV show Las Vegas, what well-known actress played James Caan’s wife?
Thursday’s quiz
Kevin Durant has been in the NBA since 2007; as a rookie, he played for the Seattle SuperSonics.
Wednesday’s quiz
Before he became the coach at Alabama, Nate Oats coaching the Buffalo Bulls.
***********************************************
Pirates ended game on a 9-0 run to win the NIT
Game was 39-39 at halftime.
Seton Hall was +7 in turnovers (15-8)
— Going to be a tough few days for the Sycamores; ISU coach Josh Schertz is expected to leave Terre Haute this weekend, to take the vacant coaching job at Saint Louis.
— Voters in Kansas City rejected extending a sales tax this week, that would’ve paid for major renovations at Arrowhead Stadium along with a new downtown stadium for the Kansas City Royals. The sales tax is currently in place through 2031; Tuesday’s vote was asking the people of Jackson County to extend the tax through 2064.
Chiefs and Royals will now have to figure out what their next step is going to be; re-location is an option, especially for the Chiefs.
— Oakland A’s are going to play the 2025-27 seasons in Sacramento, before they move to a new stadium in Las Vegas in 2028. This is their last season in Oakland, where they started playing in 1968, after moving from, ironically, Kansas City.
— NBA’s Toronto Raptors have lost 15 games in a row, going 3-12 ATS in those games.
— Golden State Warriors are 26-12 ATS on the road, best road record in NBA this season.
— Detroit’s Malachi Flynn scored 50 points off the bench in Atlanta Wednesday, in the Pistons’ 121-113 loss to the Hawks. Flynn is just the third guy ever to score 50+ points coming off the bench, joining Nick Anderson (1993) and Jamal Crawford (2014).
Coming into the game, Flynn was averaging 5.2 points/game.
— Guy sat next to me in the sportsbook and lit up a cigarette, blowing smoke in my direction. I’d forgotten that you can smoke in casinos here; smoking indoors in public isn’t allowed in New York State.
— Famous birthdays for April 5th
Michael Moriarity, 83
Oliver Luck, 64
Dale Hatcher, 61
Tony Banks, 51
Dane Looker, 48
Marc Bulger, 47
Stephen Jackson, 46
— USC hired Eric Musselman as its new basketball coach; Musselman went 111-59 coaching at Arkansas the last five years. Before that, he was 110-34 in four years coaching Nevada. He has also been a head coach in the NBA, for Golden State/Sacramento.
— Purdue big man Zach Edey has taken 424 foul shots this year, the most in one season by a college player since Pete Maravich, way back in 1970.
— UConn’s trip to the Final Four Wednesday night was delayed eight hours due to mechanical issues with the airplane; they finally landed in Arizona at 3:12am local time.
— If you like the NBA, you should be here in Las Vegas July 12-22, when they have the NBA’s Summer League at UNLV. It is fun to watch, it isn’t real expensive, lot of famous people in the arenas, and it is air conditioned— it’ll be over 100 degrees outside.
— On Opening Day of baseball season, there were 166 players on the Injured List, 5.5 players per team.
— Miami Marlins’ pitching prospect Eury Perez is going to have Tommy John surgery, is out for the season.
— Odd Fact of the Day: New York Mets have won two World Series, in 1969/1986.
In 1969, last out of the World Series was made by Baltimore 2B Davey Johnson.
In 1986, the Mets were managed by former Baltimore 2B Davey Johnson.
Odds to win The Masters next week:
+440— Scottie Scheffler
+1400— Jon Rahm
+1500— Rory McIlroy
+1950— Xander Schauffele
+2100— Brooks Koepka
+2500— Wyndham Clark
Quote of the Day
“Focus on ‘get to’ instead of ‘have to’; each day, focus on what you get to do, not what you have to do. Life is a gift, not an obligation.”
Jon Gordon
Friday’s quiz
In the old TV show Las Vegas, what well-known actress played James Caan’s wife?
Thursday’s quiz
Kevin Durant has been in the NBA since 2007; as a rookie, he played for the Seattle SuperSonics.
Wednesday’s quiz
Before he became the coach at Alabama, Nate Oats coaching the Buffalo Bulls.
***********************************************
Friday’s Den: Random stuff, with the weekend here……..
— Seton Hall 79, Indiana State 77Pirates ended game on a 9-0 run to win the NIT
Game was 39-39 at halftime.
Seton Hall was +7 in turnovers (15-8)
— Going to be a tough few days for the Sycamores; ISU coach Josh Schertz is expected to leave Terre Haute this weekend, to take the vacant coaching job at Saint Louis.
— Voters in Kansas City rejected extending a sales tax this week, that would’ve paid for major renovations at Arrowhead Stadium along with a new downtown stadium for the Kansas City Royals. The sales tax is currently in place through 2031; Tuesday’s vote was asking the people of Jackson County to extend the tax through 2064.
Chiefs and Royals will now have to figure out what their next step is going to be; re-location is an option, especially for the Chiefs.
— Oakland A’s are going to play the 2025-27 seasons in Sacramento, before they move to a new stadium in Las Vegas in 2028. This is their last season in Oakland, where they started playing in 1968, after moving from, ironically, Kansas City.
— NBA’s Toronto Raptors have lost 15 games in a row, going 3-12 ATS in those games.
— Golden State Warriors are 26-12 ATS on the road, best road record in NBA this season.
— Detroit’s Malachi Flynn scored 50 points off the bench in Atlanta Wednesday, in the Pistons’ 121-113 loss to the Hawks. Flynn is just the third guy ever to score 50+ points coming off the bench, joining Nick Anderson (1993) and Jamal Crawford (2014).
Coming into the game, Flynn was averaging 5.2 points/game.
— Guy sat next to me in the sportsbook and lit up a cigarette, blowing smoke in my direction. I’d forgotten that you can smoke in casinos here; smoking indoors in public isn’t allowed in New York State.
— Famous birthdays for April 5th
Michael Moriarity, 83
Oliver Luck, 64
Dale Hatcher, 61
Tony Banks, 51
Dane Looker, 48
Marc Bulger, 47
Stephen Jackson, 46
— USC hired Eric Musselman as its new basketball coach; Musselman went 111-59 coaching at Arkansas the last five years. Before that, he was 110-34 in four years coaching Nevada. He has also been a head coach in the NBA, for Golden State/Sacramento.
— Purdue big man Zach Edey has taken 424 foul shots this year, the most in one season by a college player since Pete Maravich, way back in 1970.
— UConn’s trip to the Final Four Wednesday night was delayed eight hours due to mechanical issues with the airplane; they finally landed in Arizona at 3:12am local time.
— If you like the NBA, you should be here in Las Vegas July 12-22, when they have the NBA’s Summer League at UNLV. It is fun to watch, it isn’t real expensive, lot of famous people in the arenas, and it is air conditioned— it’ll be over 100 degrees outside.
— On Opening Day of baseball season, there were 166 players on the Injured List, 5.5 players per team.
— Miami Marlins’ pitching prospect Eury Perez is going to have Tommy John surgery, is out for the season.
— Odd Fact of the Day: New York Mets have won two World Series, in 1969/1986.
In 1969, last out of the World Series was made by Baltimore 2B Davey Johnson.
In 1986, the Mets were managed by former Baltimore 2B Davey Johnson.
Saturday’s 6-pack:
Division leaders in the major leagues:
AL East— Bronx 6-2
AL Central— Tigers 6-1
AL West— Rangers 5-2
NL East— Braves 4-2
NL Central— Brewers 5-1
NL West— Dodgers 7-3
Quote of the Day
“They (the baseballs) were horrible. You can mark that down in all caps for me: horrible. That’s what happens when you don’t throw strikes, you get punished for it. So, I’d love to see those come out of the humidor tomorrow in a little better shape before they get rubbed up, but there’s nobody to blame but myself for not being able to adjust to some of the quality issues.”
Tampa Bay reliever Pete Fairbanks
Saturday’s quiz
In the baseball movie The Natural, what famous actor played the manager of the New York Knights?
Friday’s quiz
In the old TV show Las Vegas, Cheryl Ladd played James Caan’s wife.
Thursday’s quiz
Kevin Durant has been in the NBA since 2007; as a rookie, he played for the Seattle SuperSonics.
***************************************
Lebron James’ son had a cardiac arrest at a July workout, then sat out four months; he averaged 4.8 ppg in 25 games for USC, starting six times (USC went 1-5 in those games).
Whats next?
USC coach Andy Enfield bolted to SMU; Eric Musselman, a former NBA head coach, is USC’s new head coach. Seems kind of doubtful that Bronny would transfer, if he stays in college.
If Bronny goes pro, he is likely to wind up wherever his dad is, and then they can play on the same team for a while, but Bronny isn’t an NBA player yet— he would likely wind up playing in the G-League for 2-3 years after he played some with his dad.
— It snowed a few times during the Oriole-Pirate game Friday; seems like every time it snowed, Pittsburgh was batting.
— Kid playing third base for the A’s Friday was dressed like he was playing for the Packers at Lambeau Field in January.
— Earlier this week, it snowed in upstate New York; Friday morning, there was an earthquake in New Jersey that measured 4.8 on the Richter scale. Good thing I’m out here in the desert, away from all the fun.
Oh yeah, there’s an eclipse coming Monday afternoon, too. Glad I won’t be flying home during that.
— Every night I’ve been in the sportsbook here, a young guy comes in, runs over and says hi to one of the ticket sellers, then starts yelling “Lets go Buffalo!!!” even though no teams from Buffalo are playing. Then he yells some stuff about Josh Allen, then roots for whatever teams he bet on. It has happened every night.
— They don’t have Apple TV in the sportsbook; couldn’t watch Mets-Reds or Astros-Rangers Friday night. MLB is so greedy that they forget to market their sport the right way.
— Famous birthdays for April 6th
Billy Dee Williams, 86
John Ratzenberger, 77
Bert Blyleven, 73
Marilu Henner, 72
Sterling Sharpe, 59
Bret Boone, 55
Paul Rudd, 55
Oliver Miller, 54
Tim Hasselbeck, 46
— Dodgers lost 9-7 to the Cubs Friday; LA is 7-3- they’ve scored a total of 23 runs in the three games they lost. Once their pitching gets healthier, they’ll be very hard to beat.
Shohei Ohtani hit his 2nd homer of the year; he is 12-42 (.286) so far this season.
— There was a kerfuffle involving the baseball Ohtani hit for his first Dodger home run; a fan got the ball, and then a Dodger employee bargained to get the ball back. The woman got a signed bat, two signed hats and an autographed baseball, I’m guessing around $400 worth of stuff, not a bad haul, but the woman complained, because she wanted to meet Ohtani.
I’m guessing when the Dodgers go back home, the meeting will be arranged, public relations being what they are.
— Dodgers have scored 5+ runs in their first ten games this year, which a graphic on TV said was their longest streak ever to start a season.
— Rockies 10, Rays 7
Colorado led 6-2 after eight innings.
Rays scored five runs in the top of the 9th
Ryan McMahon hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 9th.
— Mets 3, Reds 2
Edwin Diaz got his first save since September, 2022
Jeff McNeil was off to a 1-18 start before he homered in 7th inning.
— Brewers 6, Mariners 5
Seattle tied game with two runs in top of the 9th
Mariner reliever walked four guys in bottom of 9th, including a walk-off walk.
— Giants 3, Padres 2
Thairo Estrada had a walk-off double as Giants won their home opener.
Division leaders in the major leagues:
AL East— Bronx 6-2
AL Central— Tigers 6-1
AL West— Rangers 5-2
NL East— Braves 4-2
NL Central— Brewers 5-1
NL West— Dodgers 7-3
Quote of the Day
“They (the baseballs) were horrible. You can mark that down in all caps for me: horrible. That’s what happens when you don’t throw strikes, you get punished for it. So, I’d love to see those come out of the humidor tomorrow in a little better shape before they get rubbed up, but there’s nobody to blame but myself for not being able to adjust to some of the quality issues.”
Tampa Bay reliever Pete Fairbanks
Saturday’s quiz
In the baseball movie The Natural, what famous actor played the manager of the New York Knights?
Friday’s quiz
In the old TV show Las Vegas, Cheryl Ladd played James Caan’s wife.
Thursday’s quiz
Kevin Durant has been in the NBA since 2007; as a rookie, he played for the Seattle SuperSonics.
***************************************
Saturday’s Den: Random stuff on a Friday in the desert
— Bronny James put his name in the transfer portal, but might also declare for the NBA Draft. Interesting situation.Lebron James’ son had a cardiac arrest at a July workout, then sat out four months; he averaged 4.8 ppg in 25 games for USC, starting six times (USC went 1-5 in those games).
Whats next?
USC coach Andy Enfield bolted to SMU; Eric Musselman, a former NBA head coach, is USC’s new head coach. Seems kind of doubtful that Bronny would transfer, if he stays in college.
If Bronny goes pro, he is likely to wind up wherever his dad is, and then they can play on the same team for a while, but Bronny isn’t an NBA player yet— he would likely wind up playing in the G-League for 2-3 years after he played some with his dad.
— It snowed a few times during the Oriole-Pirate game Friday; seems like every time it snowed, Pittsburgh was batting.
— Kid playing third base for the A’s Friday was dressed like he was playing for the Packers at Lambeau Field in January.
— Earlier this week, it snowed in upstate New York; Friday morning, there was an earthquake in New Jersey that measured 4.8 on the Richter scale. Good thing I’m out here in the desert, away from all the fun.
Oh yeah, there’s an eclipse coming Monday afternoon, too. Glad I won’t be flying home during that.
— Every night I’ve been in the sportsbook here, a young guy comes in, runs over and says hi to one of the ticket sellers, then starts yelling “Lets go Buffalo!!!” even though no teams from Buffalo are playing. Then he yells some stuff about Josh Allen, then roots for whatever teams he bet on. It has happened every night.
— They don’t have Apple TV in the sportsbook; couldn’t watch Mets-Reds or Astros-Rangers Friday night. MLB is so greedy that they forget to market their sport the right way.
— Famous birthdays for April 6th
Billy Dee Williams, 86
John Ratzenberger, 77
Bert Blyleven, 73
Marilu Henner, 72
Sterling Sharpe, 59
Bret Boone, 55
Paul Rudd, 55
Oliver Miller, 54
Tim Hasselbeck, 46
— Dodgers lost 9-7 to the Cubs Friday; LA is 7-3- they’ve scored a total of 23 runs in the three games they lost. Once their pitching gets healthier, they’ll be very hard to beat.
Shohei Ohtani hit his 2nd homer of the year; he is 12-42 (.286) so far this season.
— There was a kerfuffle involving the baseball Ohtani hit for his first Dodger home run; a fan got the ball, and then a Dodger employee bargained to get the ball back. The woman got a signed bat, two signed hats and an autographed baseball, I’m guessing around $400 worth of stuff, not a bad haul, but the woman complained, because she wanted to meet Ohtani.
I’m guessing when the Dodgers go back home, the meeting will be arranged, public relations being what they are.
— Dodgers have scored 5+ runs in their first ten games this year, which a graphic on TV said was their longest streak ever to start a season.
— Rockies 10, Rays 7
Colorado led 6-2 after eight innings.
Rays scored five runs in the top of the 9th
Ryan McMahon hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 9th.
— Mets 3, Reds 2
Edwin Diaz got his first save since September, 2022
Jeff McNeil was off to a 1-18 start before he homered in 7th inning.
— Brewers 6, Mariners 5
Seattle tied game with two runs in top of the 9th
Mariner reliever walked four guys in bottom of 9th, including a walk-off walk.
— Giants 3, Padres 2
Thairo Estrada had a walk-off double as Giants won their home opener.
PURDUE is 9-0 ATS (9 Units) in road games in non-conference games in the current season.
CONNECTICUT is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) in road games as a favorite of 10 or more points in the current season.
NCAAB
Dunkel
Saturday, April 6
NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Saturday, April 6
Final Four (@ Glendale, AZ)
NC State vs Purdue (-9.5)
NC State (26-14) ranked #43 by KenPom
Tempo: #143
Experience: #14
Continuity: #245
NC State won its last nine games, after a 2-7 skid.
Opponents are shooting 33.3% on the arc (#141)
Wolfpack is 11-6 in games decided by 7 or less points, or in OT
NC State is 12-7 ATS as an underdog this year.
Wolfpack is 12-3 SU in non-conference games.
NC State is 7-8 against teams ranked in the top 50.
NC State’s schedule, to this point: #36
bench minutes: #289
Coach Keatts is in the Final Four for the first time.
Last time Wolfpack made the Final Four, 1983.
Purdue (33-4) ranked #3 by KenPom
Tempo: #205
Experience: #67
Continuity: #11
Purdue won its first four NCAA games, by 28-39-12-6 points.
Big guy Edey was 14-22 on foul line in the regional final.
Boilers are shooting 40.6% on the arc (#2)
Purdue has #13 eFG% in country.
Boilers are 15-0 in non-conference games (NC schedule #9).
Purdue is #6 team on offensive boards.
Boilers are 15-4 vs teams ranked in top 50.
Purdue’s schedule, to this point: #3
bench minutes: #244
Coach Painter is in the Final Four for the first time.
Purdue’s last Final Four was in 1980.
This season, ACC teams are 5-3 SU/6-2 ATS vs Big 14 opponents.
Since 2011, #1-seeds are 4-7 ATS in national semi-finals, vs non-#1-seeds.
#9 or lower seeds are 3-4 ATS in national semi-final games.
Alabama vs UConn (-11.5)
Alabama (25-11) ranked #12 by KenPom
Tempo: #9
Experience: #63
Continuity: #276
Alabama is 5-1 in its last six games.
Crimson Tide is 3-6 ATS as an underdog this season.
They gave up 99+ points in four of their last five losses.
Crimson Tide is 12-5 in non-conference games (NC SOS #16).
Alabama has #10 eFG% in country.
Crimson Tide is #22 team on offensive boards.
Opponents are shooting 50.7% inside arc (#194)
Crimson Tide is 7-11 vs teams ranked in top 50.
Alabama’s schedule, to this point: #1
bench minutes: #132
Alabama has never been to the Final Four before.
UConn (35-3) ranked #1 by KenPom
Tempo: #315
Experience: #69
Continuity: #149
UConn won 11 in row, 25 of last 26 games.
Huskies won the national title last year.
UConn has #7 eFG% in country, #3 eFG% defense.
Huskies are #13 team on offensive boards.
Huskies are 15-2 vs teams ranked in top 50.
UConn’s schedule, to this point: #26
bench minutes: #230
Last two years, UConn is 10-0 SU/ATS in NCAA Tournament
This season, SEC teams are 4-3 SU/5-2 ATS vs Big East opponents,
Since 2011, #1-seeds are 4-7 ATS in national semi-finals, vs non-#1-seeds.
NCAAB
Long Sheet
Saturday, April 6
CONNECTICUT is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) in road games as a favorite of 10 or more points in the current season.
NCAAB
Dunkel
Saturday, April 6
NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Saturday, April 6
Final Four (@ Glendale, AZ)
NC State vs Purdue (-9.5)
NC State (26-14) ranked #43 by KenPom
Tempo: #143
Experience: #14
Continuity: #245
NC State won its last nine games, after a 2-7 skid.
Opponents are shooting 33.3% on the arc (#141)
Wolfpack is 11-6 in games decided by 7 or less points, or in OT
NC State is 12-7 ATS as an underdog this year.
Wolfpack is 12-3 SU in non-conference games.
NC State is 7-8 against teams ranked in the top 50.
NC State’s schedule, to this point: #36
bench minutes: #289
Coach Keatts is in the Final Four for the first time.
Last time Wolfpack made the Final Four, 1983.
Purdue (33-4) ranked #3 by KenPom
Tempo: #205
Experience: #67
Continuity: #11
Purdue won its first four NCAA games, by 28-39-12-6 points.
Big guy Edey was 14-22 on foul line in the regional final.
Boilers are shooting 40.6% on the arc (#2)
Purdue has #13 eFG% in country.
Boilers are 15-0 in non-conference games (NC schedule #9).
Purdue is #6 team on offensive boards.
Boilers are 15-4 vs teams ranked in top 50.
Purdue’s schedule, to this point: #3
bench minutes: #244
Coach Painter is in the Final Four for the first time.
Purdue’s last Final Four was in 1980.
This season, ACC teams are 5-3 SU/6-2 ATS vs Big 14 opponents.
Since 2011, #1-seeds are 4-7 ATS in national semi-finals, vs non-#1-seeds.
#9 or lower seeds are 3-4 ATS in national semi-final games.
Alabama vs UConn (-11.5)
Alabama (25-11) ranked #12 by KenPom
Tempo: #9
Experience: #63
Continuity: #276
Alabama is 5-1 in its last six games.
Crimson Tide is 3-6 ATS as an underdog this season.
They gave up 99+ points in four of their last five losses.
Crimson Tide is 12-5 in non-conference games (NC SOS #16).
Alabama has #10 eFG% in country.
Crimson Tide is #22 team on offensive boards.
Opponents are shooting 50.7% inside arc (#194)
Crimson Tide is 7-11 vs teams ranked in top 50.
Alabama’s schedule, to this point: #1
bench minutes: #132
Alabama has never been to the Final Four before.
UConn (35-3) ranked #1 by KenPom
Tempo: #315
Experience: #69
Continuity: #149
UConn won 11 in row, 25 of last 26 games.
Huskies won the national title last year.
UConn has #7 eFG% in country, #3 eFG% defense.
Huskies are #13 team on offensive boards.
Huskies are 15-2 vs teams ranked in top 50.
UConn’s schedule, to this point: #26
bench minutes: #230
Last two years, UConn is 10-0 SU/ATS in NCAA Tournament
This season, SEC teams are 4-3 SU/5-2 ATS vs Big East opponents,
Since 2011, #1-seeds are 4-7 ATS in national semi-finals, vs non-#1-seeds.
NCAAB
Long Sheet
Saturday, April 6
Armadillo Sports
Sunday’s 6-pack:
Major league leaders in batting average:
.459— Will Smith, Dodgers
.448— Spencer Steer, Reds
.429— Michael Taylor, Pirates
.417— Logan O’Hoppe, Angels
.415— Mookie Betts, Dodgers
.406— Ryan McMahon, Rockies
Quote of the Day
“Everyone is going through their own struggles. Be kind.”
Anonymous
Sunday’s quiz
Before this year’s Marlins, what was the last major league team to start a season 0-9?
Saturday’s quiz
In the baseball movie The Natural, Wilford Brimley played the manager of the New York Knights.
Friday’s quiz
In the old TV show Las Vegas, Cheryl Ladd played James Caan’s wife.
*********************************************
— Purdue 63, NC State 50
Purdue never trailed, held NC State to 36.8% from the floor.
Purdue out-rebounded the Wolfpack, 41-28.
64 possessions; slow pace. Three Boilers played 38:00+.
— If I had a vote, I’d vote for Purdue coach Matt Painter as Coach of the Year in college basketball; his team lost in the first round as a #1-seed last year, only the second time that has ever happened, had to be a tough summer for him, but now they’re one win away from doing the same thing Virginia did, winning a national title the year after they got beat by a #16-seed.
— UConn 86, Alabama 72
Huskies outscored Alabama 42-32 in second half.
63-possession game, slowest-paced game Alabama played all season.
Last two years, UConn is 11-0 SU/ATS in NCAA Tourney games.
— Early line on Monday’s championship game:
UConn, -6.5 vs Purdue
— San Antonio 20, Memphis 19
Memphis led 16-0 after three quarters.
Brahmas scored two TD’s in the last 0:48 of game.
San Antonio QB Garbers threw for 287 yards, three TD’s.
— St Louis 27, Arlington 24
Battlehawks kicked a 22-yard FG at the gun for their first win.
St Louis led 14-11 at halftime.
Arlington was 6-11 on third down, St Louis 3-10.
— Famous birthdays for April 7th:
Janis Ian, 73
Tony Dorsett, 70
Jackie Chan, 70
Thurl Bailey, 63
Ronde/Tiki Barber, 49
Adrian Beltre, 45
Josh Hader, 30
— A’s 4, Detroit 0
Paul Blackburn is 2-0, 0.00 in 13 IP this season.
Rest of the A’s are 0-7, outscored 46-15.
— Dodgers 4, Cubs 1
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s last two starts:
10 IP, seven baserunners, no runs allowed, with 13 strikeouts.
— Cardinals 3, Marlins 1
Marlins are first MLB team since 2016 to start a season 0-9.
Steven Matz threw five shutout IP.
— Pirates 5, Orioles 4 (11)
Don’t look now, but Pittsburgh is off to a 7-2 start.
Joey Bart had a HR/double in his first two AB’s for the Pirates.
— Braves 9, Diamondbacks 8
Arizona led 6-0 after the top of the first.
Austin Riley had the game-winning single in the 8th inning,
— Rays 8, Rockies 6
Colorado led 6-1 after six innings.
Yandy Diaz had the game-winning single for Tampa Bay.
Sometimes here in Las Vegas, the unpleasant aspects of gambling pop up; while I was watching the Tampa Bay-Colorado game, there was a guy sitting in front of me who bet on the Rays, and for the 2:45 of this 3:03 game, he did nothing but bitch and moan about every aspect of his bet, which was Tampa Bay and over.
If you bet the over on f-bombs this guy used, it probably went over the total in the third inning; Colorado led this game 6-1 after six innings. Dressed like an undercover cop, with long hair, a ski cap and sunglasses, his response when the Rays rallied late to take the lead was “It’s about time” When the Rays won, he got to the cashier, got his money and quietly bolted.
— Baseball injuries:
Cleveland P Shane Bieber (elbow) is out for the year.
Atlanta P Spencer Strider (UCL) is going on the IL.
— One of the best parts of casinos here are the good conversations you have with total strangers; had a few this week with a guy who is an options trader, but also has done some acting work in movies. He showed me a picture Saturday of himself with the late James Caan in a movie they were both in— that had to be pretty cool.
— Was watching the A’s play Friday morning here; there were only two other people watching the game in the sportsbook, and one of those guys was on the phone with his brother somewhere in the eastern time zone. Apparently the brother is having some personal problems.
The guy was loud; he said, at least five times to his brother:”This is just between the two of us” forgetting that I was five feet behind him, and the people selling betting tickets 30 feet away could hear him, too.
The brothers are in business together; the eastern brother’s marriage is falling apart, and there are rumors his personal assistant could be a reason why. Hopefully everything will turn out OK, but I wouldn’t count on the Las Vegas brother to keep things quiet.
— Modern college basketball: 11 of the 20 players who started in the Final Four Saturday transferred to their current team.
Sunday’s 6-pack:
Major league leaders in batting average:
.459— Will Smith, Dodgers
.448— Spencer Steer, Reds
.429— Michael Taylor, Pirates
.417— Logan O’Hoppe, Angels
.415— Mookie Betts, Dodgers
.406— Ryan McMahon, Rockies
Quote of the Day
“Everyone is going through their own struggles. Be kind.”
Anonymous
Sunday’s quiz
Before this year’s Marlins, what was the last major league team to start a season 0-9?
Saturday’s quiz
In the baseball movie The Natural, Wilford Brimley played the manager of the New York Knights.
Friday’s quiz
In the old TV show Las Vegas, Cheryl Ladd played James Caan’s wife.
*********************************************
Sunday’s Den: Wrapping up a sports Saturday……..
— Purdue 63, NC State 50
Purdue never trailed, held NC State to 36.8% from the floor.
Purdue out-rebounded the Wolfpack, 41-28.
64 possessions; slow pace. Three Boilers played 38:00+.
— If I had a vote, I’d vote for Purdue coach Matt Painter as Coach of the Year in college basketball; his team lost in the first round as a #1-seed last year, only the second time that has ever happened, had to be a tough summer for him, but now they’re one win away from doing the same thing Virginia did, winning a national title the year after they got beat by a #16-seed.
— UConn 86, Alabama 72
Huskies outscored Alabama 42-32 in second half.
63-possession game, slowest-paced game Alabama played all season.
Last two years, UConn is 11-0 SU/ATS in NCAA Tourney games.
— Early line on Monday’s championship game:
UConn, -6.5 vs Purdue
— San Antonio 20, Memphis 19
Memphis led 16-0 after three quarters.
Brahmas scored two TD’s in the last 0:48 of game.
San Antonio QB Garbers threw for 287 yards, three TD’s.
— St Louis 27, Arlington 24
Battlehawks kicked a 22-yard FG at the gun for their first win.
St Louis led 14-11 at halftime.
Arlington was 6-11 on third down, St Louis 3-10.
— Famous birthdays for April 7th:
Janis Ian, 73
Tony Dorsett, 70
Jackie Chan, 70
Thurl Bailey, 63
Ronde/Tiki Barber, 49
Adrian Beltre, 45
Josh Hader, 30
— A’s 4, Detroit 0
Paul Blackburn is 2-0, 0.00 in 13 IP this season.
Rest of the A’s are 0-7, outscored 46-15.
— Dodgers 4, Cubs 1
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s last two starts:
10 IP, seven baserunners, no runs allowed, with 13 strikeouts.
— Cardinals 3, Marlins 1
Marlins are first MLB team since 2016 to start a season 0-9.
Steven Matz threw five shutout IP.
— Pirates 5, Orioles 4 (11)
Don’t look now, but Pittsburgh is off to a 7-2 start.
Joey Bart had a HR/double in his first two AB’s for the Pirates.
— Braves 9, Diamondbacks 8
Arizona led 6-0 after the top of the first.
Austin Riley had the game-winning single in the 8th inning,
— Rays 8, Rockies 6
Colorado led 6-1 after six innings.
Yandy Diaz had the game-winning single for Tampa Bay.
Sometimes here in Las Vegas, the unpleasant aspects of gambling pop up; while I was watching the Tampa Bay-Colorado game, there was a guy sitting in front of me who bet on the Rays, and for the 2:45 of this 3:03 game, he did nothing but bitch and moan about every aspect of his bet, which was Tampa Bay and over.
If you bet the over on f-bombs this guy used, it probably went over the total in the third inning; Colorado led this game 6-1 after six innings. Dressed like an undercover cop, with long hair, a ski cap and sunglasses, his response when the Rays rallied late to take the lead was “It’s about time” When the Rays won, he got to the cashier, got his money and quietly bolted.
— Baseball injuries:
Cleveland P Shane Bieber (elbow) is out for the year.
Atlanta P Spencer Strider (UCL) is going on the IL.
— One of the best parts of casinos here are the good conversations you have with total strangers; had a few this week with a guy who is an options trader, but also has done some acting work in movies. He showed me a picture Saturday of himself with the late James Caan in a movie they were both in— that had to be pretty cool.
— Was watching the A’s play Friday morning here; there were only two other people watching the game in the sportsbook, and one of those guys was on the phone with his brother somewhere in the eastern time zone. Apparently the brother is having some personal problems.
The guy was loud; he said, at least five times to his brother:”This is just between the two of us” forgetting that I was five feet behind him, and the people selling betting tickets 30 feet away could hear him, too.
The brothers are in business together; the eastern brother’s marriage is falling apart, and there are rumors his personal assistant could be a reason why. Hopefully everything will turn out OK, but I wouldn’t count on the Las Vegas brother to keep things quiet.
— Modern college basketball: 11 of the 20 players who started in the Final Four Saturday transferred to their current team.
Monday’s 6-pack:
Major league leaders in hits:
37— Mookie Betts, LA
29— Shohei Ohtani, LA
28— Jose Altuve, Hst
27— Teoscar Hernandez LA/Bobby Witt KC
26— Ketel Marte Az/Michael Conforto SF/Spencer Steer Cin
25— Marcell Ozuna Atl/Tyler O’Neill Bos
Quote of the Day
“I think he’s going to show people why he’s the best running back in the league…….being able to see Saquon (Barkley) up close and personal, being in the same locker room, on the same team, man, he’s a different guy when he’s on that field, honestly.”
Eagles’ WR Parris Campbell
Monday’s quiz
Who was the basketball coach at Kentucky before John Calipari?
Sunday’s quiz
Before this year’s Marlins, the 2016 Braves were the last major league team to start a season 0-9.
Saturday’s quiz
In the baseball movie The Natural, Wilford Brimley played the manager of the New York Knights.
************************************************
Kentucky was 23-10 this year, 13-5 in a tough SEC, with the #317 continuity team in America, but in the three years since the pandemic, Kentucky is 1-3 in NCAA tournament games, which doesn’t fly with a very spoiled fanbase.
Calipari spent 15 years at Kentucky; he made the Elite 8 five of his first six years there, but lately, not so much. Overall, Kentucky was 32-11 overall in NCAA Tournament games under Calipari.
Calipari is a great coach; he got freakin’ UMass to the Final Four. Will he change his approach at Arkansas? Will he use the transfer portal more and recruit fewer freshmen? Will he bring his son Brad along with him? Brad Calipari was an assistant at Vanderbilt the last couple years.
Where Kentucky turns from here (Mick Cronin?) is a very interesting question. .
— One thing for sure; college sports if off its rocker; crazy stuff going on.
— Pirates 3, Orioles 2- Pittsburgh is 8-2 for first time since 2018; they’re already 5-0 in games where the winning run scored from the 7th inning on.
— Marlins 10, Cardinals 3- Miami gets its first win this year in its 10th game; Luis Arraez went 4-5 with three runs scored. Marlins scored six runs in the first inning.
— Cubs 8, Dodgers 1- Early part of this game was played in cruddy weather; there was nearly a 3-hour rain delay after the Cubs led 6-0.
— Rays 3, Rockies 2- Ryan Pepiot tossed six shutout innings, struck out 11 while allowing only three hits.
— Famous birthdays for April 8th:
Ricky Bell, 69
Terry Porter, 61
Robin Wright, 58
Carlos Santana, 38 (first baseman, not the singer)
Jeff McNeil, 32
Zach Eflin, 30
CeeDee Lamb, 25
Today would’ve been Hall of Fame pitcher Catfish Hunter’s 78th birthday.
— Astros 3, Rangers 1- Houston pitcher Ronel Blanco is the first pitcher in the last 50 years (50 years!!!) to start a season by throwing 13 no-hit innings.
— A’s 7, Tigers 1- A’s are 3-0 when they score in the first inning, 0-7 when they do not.
— Giants 3, Padres 2- San Francisco scored a total of six runs in this 3-game series, somehow won two of the three games.
— Red Sox 12, Angels 2- Boston starts the season with a 7-3 road trip; their home opener is Tuesday against the Orioles.
— Royals 5, White Sox 3- Chicago is off to a 1-8 start, 0-5 in games where the winning run scored from the 7th inning on.
— Birmingham 20, Michigan 13
Stallions outgained Michigan 302-205, held Panthers to 47 rushing yards.
Birmingham backup QB Martinez threw for 88 yards, ran for 65 more.
— DC Defenders 23, Houston 18
Defenders outscored Houston 11-0 in fourth quarter.
Houston converted 3-13 on third down against Gregg Williams’ defense.
Jordan Ta’amu threw a 17-yard TD pass with 6:04 left for the winning score.
Major league leaders in hits:
37— Mookie Betts, LA
29— Shohei Ohtani, LA
28— Jose Altuve, Hst
27— Teoscar Hernandez LA/Bobby Witt KC
26— Ketel Marte Az/Michael Conforto SF/Spencer Steer Cin
25— Marcell Ozuna Atl/Tyler O’Neill Bos
Quote of the Day
“I think he’s going to show people why he’s the best running back in the league…….being able to see Saquon (Barkley) up close and personal, being in the same locker room, on the same team, man, he’s a different guy when he’s on that field, honestly.”
Eagles’ WR Parris Campbell
Monday’s quiz
Who was the basketball coach at Kentucky before John Calipari?
Sunday’s quiz
Before this year’s Marlins, the 2016 Braves were the last major league team to start a season 0-9.
Saturday’s quiz
In the baseball movie The Natural, Wilford Brimley played the manager of the New York Knights.
************************************************
Monday’s Den: Wrapping up a sports Sunday…….
— OK, so this came out of nowhere; John Calipari is bolting from Kentucky to Arkansas; if this had happened last Monday, would’ve assumed it was a (bad) April Fools Day joke.Kentucky was 23-10 this year, 13-5 in a tough SEC, with the #317 continuity team in America, but in the three years since the pandemic, Kentucky is 1-3 in NCAA tournament games, which doesn’t fly with a very spoiled fanbase.
Calipari spent 15 years at Kentucky; he made the Elite 8 five of his first six years there, but lately, not so much. Overall, Kentucky was 32-11 overall in NCAA Tournament games under Calipari.
Calipari is a great coach; he got freakin’ UMass to the Final Four. Will he change his approach at Arkansas? Will he use the transfer portal more and recruit fewer freshmen? Will he bring his son Brad along with him? Brad Calipari was an assistant at Vanderbilt the last couple years.
Where Kentucky turns from here (Mick Cronin?) is a very interesting question. .
— One thing for sure; college sports if off its rocker; crazy stuff going on.
— Pirates 3, Orioles 2- Pittsburgh is 8-2 for first time since 2018; they’re already 5-0 in games where the winning run scored from the 7th inning on.
— Marlins 10, Cardinals 3- Miami gets its first win this year in its 10th game; Luis Arraez went 4-5 with three runs scored. Marlins scored six runs in the first inning.
— Cubs 8, Dodgers 1- Early part of this game was played in cruddy weather; there was nearly a 3-hour rain delay after the Cubs led 6-0.
— Rays 3, Rockies 2- Ryan Pepiot tossed six shutout innings, struck out 11 while allowing only three hits.
— Famous birthdays for April 8th:
Ricky Bell, 69
Terry Porter, 61
Robin Wright, 58
Carlos Santana, 38 (first baseman, not the singer)
Jeff McNeil, 32
Zach Eflin, 30
CeeDee Lamb, 25
Today would’ve been Hall of Fame pitcher Catfish Hunter’s 78th birthday.
— Astros 3, Rangers 1- Houston pitcher Ronel Blanco is the first pitcher in the last 50 years (50 years!!!) to start a season by throwing 13 no-hit innings.
— A’s 7, Tigers 1- A’s are 3-0 when they score in the first inning, 0-7 when they do not.
— Giants 3, Padres 2- San Francisco scored a total of six runs in this 3-game series, somehow won two of the three games.
— Red Sox 12, Angels 2- Boston starts the season with a 7-3 road trip; their home opener is Tuesday against the Orioles.
— Royals 5, White Sox 3- Chicago is off to a 1-8 start, 0-5 in games where the winning run scored from the 7th inning on.
— Birmingham 20, Michigan 13
Stallions outgained Michigan 302-205, held Panthers to 47 rushing yards.
Birmingham backup QB Martinez threw for 88 yards, ran for 65 more.
— DC Defenders 23, Houston 18
Defenders outscored Houston 11-0 in fourth quarter.
Houston converted 3-13 on third down against Gregg Williams’ defense.
Jordan Ta’amu threw a 17-yard TD pass with 6:04 left for the winning score.
CONNECTICUT is 7-0 ATS (7 Units) after 2 straight games where they had 5 or less steals in the current season.
NCAAB
Dunkel
Monday, April 8
NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Monday, April 8
National Championship game (@ Glendale, AZ)
Purdue vs UConn (-6.5)
Purdue (34-4) ranked #2 by KenPom
Tempo: #211
Experience: #66
Continuity: #11
Purdue is 20-2 in its last 22 games, losing by 1-4 points.
Purdue won its first five NCAA games, by 28-39-12-6-13 points.
Boilers allowed 60.2 ppg in their NCAA games.
Boilers are shooting 40.6% on the arc (#2)
Purdue has #13 eFG% in country.
Boilers are 16-0 in non-conference games (NC schedule #9).
Purdue is #6 team on offensive boards.
Boilers are 16-4 vs teams ranked in top 50.
Purdue’s schedule, to this point: #2
bench minutes: #255
Coach Painter is in his first national title game.
Big 14 hasn’t won a national title since Michigan State in 2000.
UConn (36-3) ranked #1 by KenPom
Tempo: #328
Experience: #69
Continuity: #149
UConn won 12 in row, 26 of last 27 games.
Huskies won the national title last year.
UConn has #7 eFG% in country, #3 eFG% defense.
Huskies are #13 team on offensive boards.
Huskies are 16-2 vs teams ranked in top 50.
UConn’s schedule, to this point: #20
bench minutes: #232
Last two years, UConn is 11-0 SU/ATS in NCAA Tournament.
This year, Big 14 teams are 10-9 SU/ATS vs Big East opponents.
Since 2008, underdogs are 3-1 in national title games involving two #1-seeds.
NCAAB
Long Sheet
Monday, April 8
NCAAB
Dunkel
Monday, April 8
NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up
Monday, April 8
National Championship game (@ Glendale, AZ)
Purdue vs UConn (-6.5)
Purdue (34-4) ranked #2 by KenPom
Tempo: #211
Experience: #66
Continuity: #11
Purdue is 20-2 in its last 22 games, losing by 1-4 points.
Purdue won its first five NCAA games, by 28-39-12-6-13 points.
Boilers allowed 60.2 ppg in their NCAA games.
Boilers are shooting 40.6% on the arc (#2)
Purdue has #13 eFG% in country.
Boilers are 16-0 in non-conference games (NC schedule #9).
Purdue is #6 team on offensive boards.
Boilers are 16-4 vs teams ranked in top 50.
Purdue’s schedule, to this point: #2
bench minutes: #255
Coach Painter is in his first national title game.
Big 14 hasn’t won a national title since Michigan State in 2000.
UConn (36-3) ranked #1 by KenPom
Tempo: #328
Experience: #69
Continuity: #149
UConn won 12 in row, 26 of last 27 games.
Huskies won the national title last year.
UConn has #7 eFG% in country, #3 eFG% defense.
Huskies are #13 team on offensive boards.
Huskies are 16-2 vs teams ranked in top 50.
UConn’s schedule, to this point: #20
bench minutes: #232
Last two years, UConn is 11-0 SU/ATS in NCAA Tournament.
This year, Big 14 teams are 10-9 SU/ATS vs Big East opponents.
Since 2008, underdogs are 3-1 in national title games involving two #1-seeds.
NCAAB
Long Sheet
Monday, April 8
