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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 12/22/2021

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Dec 22, 2021

The Wednesday sports card features action in NCAAF, NBA, and NCAAB.The college football bowl season continues with the Armed Forces Bowl on ESPN at 8 PM ET. Army plays Missouri at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. The Black Knights had their four-game winning streak end with their 17-13 upset loss to Navy as a 7-point favorite on December 11th. Their record dropped to 8-4 with the loss. The Tigers ended a two-game winning streak with a 34-17 loss at Arkansas on November 26th. Army is a 6.5-point favorite with the total set at 54.5. Six games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. Two games tip-off at 7:40 PM ET. Atlanta plays at home against Orlando as an 8-point favorite. Boston hosts Cleveland as a 6-point favorite. Three more NBA games begin at 8:10 PM ET. Chicago plays at home against Toronto at 8:05 PM ET as a 9-point favorite. Milwaukee is at home against Houston as a 10-point favorite. Denver visits Oklahoma City as a 5-point road favorite. The Los Angeles Clippers travel to Sacramento at 10:10 PM ET as a 6-point road favorite. The National Hockey League shut down their scheduled games on Wednesday due to COVID. They return to play after the holiday break on Monday.Eight games are on national television in college basketball. Three games are on ESPNU for the Diamond Head Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Northern Iowa plays Liberty at 3 PM ET as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 125.5. Stanford battles Wyoming at 5:30 PM ET as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 139.5. BYU faces South Florida at 9:30 PM ET as a 15.5-point favorite with an over/under of 128.5. Kentucky hosts Western Kentucky on ESPN at 6 PM ET. The Wildcats won their eighth game in their last nine with a 98-69 victory against North Carolina as a 3-point favorite on a neutral court at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday. They improved their record to 8-2 with the win. The Hilltoppers have won seven of eight after their 82-72 upset victory against UMass as a 1-point underdog on Saturday. Western Kentucky has an 8-4 record. Kentucky is a 10-point favorite with a total of 142.5Tennessee plays at home against Arizona on ESPN2. The Volunteers won their second straight game in a 96-52 win against the University of South Carolina Upstate as a 35.5-point favorite on December 14th. They improved their record to 8-2. The Wildcats are unbeaten in 11 games with their 84-60 victory against Cal-Baptist as a 28-point favorite on December 18th. Tennessee is a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 149.5Kennesaw State visits Nebraska on ESPNU at 7:30 PM ET. Duke is at home against Virginia Tech on ESPN2 at 9 PM ET as a 9-point favorite with a total of 139. Vanderbilt travels to Hawaii on ESPN2 at 11:59 PM ET as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 134. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NCAAB, NBA, NHL and NCAAF Previews and Odds - 12/21/2021

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Dec 21, 2021

The Tuesday sports card features action in the NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB.Week 15 in the National Football League concludes with two games on Fox (regional coverage) at 7 PM ET. Philadelphia hosts Washington on Fox for 70% of the country. The Eagles won their third game in their last four with a 33-18 victory in New York against the Jets as a 5-point favorite on December 5th. They went into their bye last week with a 6-7 record. The Football Team had their four-game winning streak end in a 27-20 loss at home to Dallas as a 6.5-point underdog on December 12th. Washington has a 6-7 record. Philadelphia is a 6.5-point favorite, with the total set at 42.5. The Los Angeles Rams play at home against Seattle on Fox for 30% of the country. The Rams won their second straight game with a 30-23 upset victory at Arizona as a 3-point underdog last Monday. They improved their record to 9-4. The Seahawks won their second straight game with a 33-13 win at Houston as a 10-point favorite last Sunday. Seattle raised their record to 5-8 with the victory. Los Angeles is a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 46.5. The college football bowl season continues with two games on ESPN. Wyoming plays Kent State at 3:30 PM ET in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The Cowboys ended their regular season losing two of their last three games after a 38-14 upset loss to Hawaii as a 13-point favorite on November 27th. They have a 6-6 record. The Golden Flashes lost to Northern Illinois, 41-23, as a 3.5-point favorite in the Mid-American Conference championship game on December 4th. Kent State has a 7-6 record. Wyoming is a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 59.San Diego State battles the University of Texas-San Antonio at 7:30 PM ET in the Frisco Bowl at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The Aztecs had their four-game winning streak end in a 46-13 upset loss to Utah State as a 6.5-point favorite in the Mountain West Conference championship game on December 4th. They have an 11-2 record. The Roadrunners won the Conference USA championship game with a 49-41 upset win against Western Kentucky as a 3.5-point underdog on December 3rd. UTSA raised their record to 12-1 with the victory. San Diego State is a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 49.5. Five games are the docket in the National Basketball Association. Two games tip-off at 7:40 PM ET. Indiana visits Miami in a pick ‘em contest. New York plays at home against Detroit as a 9.5-point favorite. Portland travels to New Orleans at 8:10 PM ET as a 1-point road favorite. Minnesota is at Dallas at 8:40 PM ET as a 1-point road favorite. Phoenix plays at Los Angles against the Lakers at 10:10 PM ET as a 7-point road favorite. The Washington/Brooklyn game got canceled because of a COVID outbreak. The National Hockey League has two games on its slate. Washington travels to Philadelphia at 7:08 PM ET as a -135 money line road favorite with a total of 6. Vegas hosts Tampa Bay at 10:08 PM ET as a -135 money line favorite with an over/under of 6. Eight games got canceled because of COVID outbreaks: St. Louis/Ottawa; Carolina/Boston; Winnipeg/Nashville; New Jersey/Pittsburgh; Florida/Chicago; Anaheim/Calgary; Arizona/Seattle; Vancouver/San Jose.Three games are on national television in college basketball. Villanova plays at home against Xavier on FS1 at 7 PM ET as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 137. Two games start at 9 PM ET. Kansas visits Colorado on ESPN2 as a 10.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 144. UConn plays at Marquette on FS1 as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 144.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NCAAB, NHL, NCAAF and NBA Previews and Odds - 12/20/2021

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Dec 20, 2021

The Monday sports card features action in the NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB.Week 15 in the National Football League continues with two games. Las Vegas visits Cleveland on the NFL Network at 5 PM ET. The Raiders lost their fifth game in their last six contests with a 48-9 loss at Kansas City as a 10-point underdog last Sunday. Las Vegas’ record has fallen to 6-7. The Browns won their second game in their last three with a 24-22 win against Baltimore as a 3-point favorite on December 12. They improved their record to 7-6 win the win. Las Vegas is a 3-point road favorite with the total set at 41.5 (all odds from DraftKings).Minnesota travels to Chicago on ABC and ESPN at 8:15 PM ET for Monday Night Football. The Vikings ended a two-game losing streak with a 36-28 win against Pittsburgh as a 3.5-point favorite on December 9th. Minnesota brings a 6-7 record into this game. The Bears lost their seventh game in their last eight with a 45-30 loss at Green Bay as an 11.5-point underdog on Sunday. Their record has dropped to 4-9. This is the first meeting between these NFC North rivals this season. They split their two games last year. Minnesota is a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 46.5. The college football bowl season continues with Tulsa playing Old Dominion in the Myrtle Beach Bowl at Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina. The Golden Hurricane is on a three-game winning streak after a 34-31 upset win at SMU as a 3-point underdog on November 27th. They have a 6-6 record. The Monarchs are on a five-game winning streak after a 56-34 win against Charlotte as a 9-point favorite on November 27th. Old Dominion has a 6-6 record. Tulsa is a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 50.5. The kickoff is at 2:30 PM ET on ESPN.Six games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. Boston hosts Philadelphia at 7:40 PM ET as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 213.5. Two games tip-off at 8:10 PM ET. Chicago plays at home against Houston as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 222.5. Memphis hosts Oklahoma City as a 9-point favorite with an over/under of 214.5. Utah plays at home against Charlotte at 9:10 PM ET as a 12.5-point favorite with a total of 237.5. Golden State is at home against Sacramento at 10:10 PM ET as a 12.5-point favorite with an over/under of 221.5. The Los Angeles Clippers host San Antonio at 10:40 PM ET as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 217. The Orlando/Toronto game got postponed because of COVID outbreaks.The National Hockey League has one game on its slate. Dallas plays at home against Minnesota as a -115 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Four games got postponed because of COVID outbreaks: Columbus/Buffalo; Montreal/New York Islanders; Colorado/Detroit; Anaheim/Edmonton.Sixteen games are on the college basketball card tonight. There are no games on national television.

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NCAA Football Championship and Semi-Final Games: A Point Spread Review

by Al McMordie

Monday, Dec 20, 2021

Dating back to the first BCS Championship Game -- Florida State vs. Tennessee, on January 4, 1999 -- there have been 37 College Football games in the semi-final or championship round.  Let's take a look at how these games have shaken out from a point spread perspective.First, it's worth noting that all but one of the games was played at a completely neutral site.  The lone exception was the BCS Championship Game played at the Rose Bowl, on January 4, 2006 between USC and Texas.  The Trojans had the advantage of playing in their home city of Los Angeles (though the game was played at the home field of UCLA).  Unfortunately for Angelenos who attended the game, the Longhorns upset USC, 41-38, as a 7-point underdog.The majority (23 of 37) of games had point spreads of 7 points or less, while a minority (14 of 37) were above a touchdown, with 10 involving spreads of 10 or more points.The games have been roughly split evenly between favorites and underdogs.  The underdogs do have a slight edge, at 19-18 ATS.In 32 of the 37 games, the straight-up winner has covered the point spread.  The five exceptions were:Florida St. (-12, 34-31) vs. Auburn, BCS Championship, Jan. 6, 2014Alabama (-6, 45-40) vs. Clemson, NCAA Championship, Jan. 11, 2016Alabama (-3.5, 26-23) vs. Georgia, NCAA Championship, Jan. 8, 2018Alabama (-14.5, 45-34) vs. Oklahoma, NCAA Semi-Final, Dec. 29, 2018Alabama (-18.5, 31-14) vs. Notre Dame, NCAA Semi-Final, Jan. 1, 2021The point spread ranges have had the following results:Pk to -3 (Favorites 4-2 ATS; Underdogs 2-4 ATS)-3 to -6.5 (Favorites 6-8 ATS; Underdogs 8-6 ATS)-7 to -9.5 (Favorites 3-4 ATS; Underdogs 4-3 ATS)-10 to -12.5 (Favorites 5-3 ATS; Underdogs 3-5 ATS)-13 or more (Favorites 0-2 ATS; Underdogs 2-0 ATS)Here are some other situations of note:Teams playing with revenge from a loss in the current season have gone 1-0 ATSTeams playing with revenge from a loss in the prior season have gone 4-1 ATSTeams off an upset win in its previous game have gone 6-1 ATSTeams off a loss in its previous game have gone 2-2 ATSTeams that played in their Conference Championship game have gone 10-3 ATS against opponents that did not play in their Conference Championship game.Teams off a double-digit win have gone 9-9 ATS vs. opponents not off a double-digit winTeams off a double-digit cover have gone 10-9 ATS vs. opponents that did not cover the spread by 10+ points in their previous gameTeams off an ATS win have gone 11-7 ATS vs. opponents not off an ATS winTeams with the greater scoring margin have gone 14-23 ATSTeams that gave up less points on defense have gone 21-16 ATSTeams that scored more points on offense have gone 17-20 ATSGood luck, as always,Al McMordie

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Time To Crank It Up A Notch

by Tom Stryker

Sunday, Dec 19, 2021

It’s getting late in the NFL season and there are a number of teams that need to crank their game up a notch.  Each team in the league is playing their 14th game (out of a 17-game season) and those squads that are hovering around the .500 mark need to make a move. With that thought in mind, I took a look at game 14 teams that held a 7-6 SU and 6-7 SU records.  With only four games remaining, those are the ones I felt really needed to put the pedal to the metal and pick up a victory.  The best of what I discovered can be found in the NFL system below.  Since 1980, PLAY ON any NFL game 14 competitive underdog priced at +7 or less provided they take the field with a 6-7 SU record.  41 Year ATS Record = 41-23-3 ATS for 64.1 percent  This Week’s Plays = WASHINGTON & LAS VEGAS  At 6-7 SU and with four games left on their schedule, these teams understand that a loss puts them two games under the .500 mark with only four games left to play.  That means the best they could do if they dropped this contest would be to finish a game over the .500-mark at 9-8 SU.  More than likely, postseason play would be difficult with that record. There are a couple of tighteners that can be added to this general system that really make it pop.  If our “play on” side is not off a blowout loss of 19 points or more and currently matched up against an opponent that takes the field off a tough division game, this system tightens up to a sensational 20-5-1 ATS for 80.0 percent.  Of the two teams that fit the general part of this system, only the Raiders apply to the tightener. Good luck with Las Vegas on Monday.  

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NFL, NHL, EPL, and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 12/19/2021

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Dec 19, 2021

The Sunday sports card features action in the NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and the EPL.Week 15 in the National Football League continues with ten games. Six games kick off at 1 PM ET. Dallas plays at New York against the Giants as an 11-point road favorite with the total set at 44.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Jacksonville hosts Houston as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 39.5. Pittsburgh is at home against Tennessee as a 1-point favorite with a total of 41.5. Arizona plays at Detroit as a 12.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 47. Miami hosts the New York Jets as a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 41.5. Buffalo is at home against Carolina as a 13-point favorite with an over/under of 44. Three games start in the second-afternoon window. Denver plays at home against Cincinnati at 4:05 PM ET as a 3-point favorite with a total of 44. San Francisco hosts Atlanta at 4:05 PM ET as an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 46.5. Green Bay travels to Baltimore at 4:25 PM ET as a 7-point road favorite with a total of 43.5. Tampa Bay hosts New Orleans on NBC at 8:20 PM ET for Sunday Night Football. The Buccaneers are 11-point favorites with an over/under of 46. Nine games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. Three games tip-off at 6:10 PM ET. Miami visits Detroit as a 5-point road favorite. Memphis plays at home against Portland as a 4-point favorite. San Antonio is at Sacramento as a 3-point road favorite. Philadelphia hosts New Orleans at 7:10 PM ET as a 6-point favorite. Two more NBA games start at 7:30 PM ET. Atlanta is at home against Cleveland as a 5-point favorite. Denver travels to Brooklyn. Three games conclude the NBA card at 8:10 PM ET. Minnesota plays at home against Dallas as a 3.5-point favorite. Phoenix hosts Charlotte as a 7.5-point favorite. Chicago is at home against the Los Angeles Lakers as a 4.5-point favorite. The National Hockey League has four games on its slate. Vegas visits New York to play the Islanders at 2:08 PM ET as a -140 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Winnipeg plays at home against St. Louis at 3:08 PM ET as a -130 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Two games complete the NHL card at 7:08 PM ET. Washington is at home against Los Angeles as a -140 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Pittsburgh travels to New Jersey as a -165 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Four NHL games got canceled because of COVID outbreaks impacting rosters: Boston at Ottawa; Nashville at Carolina; Toronto at Seattle; Arizona at Vancouver. One game is on national television in college basketball. Texas plays Stanford on ABC at 3 PM ET on the neutral court at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Longhorns are a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 129.5.Matchweek 17 in the English Premier League concludes three matches. Manchester City visits Newcastle United on the NBC Sports Network at 9 AM ET as a -2 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 3.5. Chelsea travels to Wolverhampton on the USA Network at 9 AM ET as a -1 goal line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Liverpool plays at Tottenham on Peacock at 11:30 AM ET as a -1 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 3.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAB, NFL, NCAAF, EPL, NBA and NHL Previews and Odds - 12/18/2021

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Dec 18, 2021

The Saturday sports card features action in the NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and the EPL.Week 15 in the National Football League continues with the Indianapolis Colts hosting the New England Patriots on the NFL Network at 8:20 PM ET. The Colts are a 3-point favorite with the total set at 44.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). The college football bowl season continues with six games. Western Kentucky plays Appalachian State on ESPN at 11 AM ET in the Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. The Mountaineers are a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 66.5. Fresno State goes against UTEP on ESPN at 2:15 PM ET in the New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium in Albuquerque. The Bulldogs are an 11.5-point favorite with a total of 52. BYU faces UAB on ABC at 3:30 PM ET in the Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Cougars are a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 54.5. Liberty battles Eastern Michigan on ESPN at 5:45 PM ET in the Lending Tree Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The Flames are a 10-point favorite with a total of 58.5. Oregon State plays Utah State on ABC at 7:30 PM ET in the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Beavers are a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 67.5. Louisiana-Lafayette goes against Marshall on ESPN at 9:15 PM ET in the New Orleans Bowl at the Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans. The Ragin’ Cajuns are a 4-point favorite with a total of 55.5. Seven games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. Detroit plays at home against Houston at 12:10 PM ET as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 215. Boston hosts New York at 7:10 PM ET as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 210. Two games tip-off at 7:40 PM ET. Brooklyn is at home as a 2.5-point favorite at BetRivers. Golden State plays at Toronto as a 3.5-point road favorite at BetRivers. The Los Angeles Clippers visit Oklahoma City at 8:10 PM ET as a 4-point road favorite. Two games conclude the NBA card at 9:10 PM ET. Milwaukee hosts Cleveland as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 214. Utah is at home against Washington as an 11-point favorite with a total of 228.5. The National Hockey League has six games on its slate. The puck drops at 7:08 PM ET for three games. Philadelphia plays at home against Ottawa as a -155 money line favorite with an over/under of 6. Carolina hosts Los Angeles as a -155 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Toronto travels to Vancouver as a -135 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Two more NHL games start at 8:08 PM ET. Detroit is at home against New Jersey as a -140 money line favorite with a total of 6. Dallas plays at home against Chicago as a -165 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Edmonton visits Seattle at 10:08 PM ET as a -130 money line road favorite with a total of 6. Seventeen games are on national television in college basketball. Three games tip-off at noon ET. Purdue plays Butler on Fox in the opening game of the Crossroads Classic at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Boilermakers are a 15.5-point favorite with an over/under of 132.5. Tennessee plays Memphis on ESPN2 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Volunteers are a 5-point favorite with a total of 142.5. St. John’s hosts Pittsburgh in a Gotham Classic match on FS1. The Red Storm are a 13.5-point favorite with an over/under of 141.5. Gonzaga plays Texas Tech on CBS at 1 PM ET at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. The Bulldogs are an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 146.5. TCU visits Georgetown on FS1 at 2 PM ET as a 2-point road favorite with an over/under of 143. Indiana plays Notre Dame on Fox at 2:30 PM ET in the second game of the Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers are a 4-point favorite with a total of 138. Louisville travels to Western Kentucky on CBS at 3 PM ET as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 138.5. Two games begin at 4 PM ET. Xavier hosts Marquette on FS1 as a 10-point favorite with a total of 148.5. Howard plays North Carolina A&T on TNT in a Legacy Classic game at the Providence Center in Newark, New Jersey. Two more NCAAB games start at 5 PM ET. Connecticut plays at home against Providence on Fox as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 137. UAB is at home against West Virginia on the CBS Sports Network at 5 PM ET as a 3-point favorite with a total of 135. Kentucky plays North Carolina on CBS at 5:30 PM ET in a rescheduled game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Wildcats are a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 146. Two NCAAB games begin at 7 PM ET. Houston plays Oklahoma State on ESPNU at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The Cougars are a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 134. LSU goes against Louisiana Tech on the CBS Sports Network at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City, Louisiana. The Tigers are a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 146. Auburn travels to St. Louis on the CBS Sports Network at 9 PM ET as a 6-point road favorite with a total of 145.5. Baylor visits Oregon on ESPN2 at 10 PM ET as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 137.5. Nevada is at home against Loyola-Marymount on the CBS Sports Network at 11 PM ET as a 6-point favorite with a total of 146.5. Matchweek 18 in the English Premier League begins with two matches on an abbreviated weekend schedule that had five games canceled because of COVID protocols. Aston Villa hosts Burnley on the NBC Sports Network at 10 AM ET as a -0.5 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Arsenal visits Leeds United on NBC at 12:30 PM ET as a -0.5 goal line road favorite with a total of 2.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 12/17/2021

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Dec 17, 2021

The Friday sports card features action in the NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB.The college football bowl season kicks off with two games. Toledo plays Middle Tennessee on ESPN at noon ET in the Bahamas Bowl at Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau in the Bahamas. The Rockets concluded their regular season with a 49-14 victory against Akron as a 28.5-point favorite on November 27th. They have three straight wins to raise their record to 7-5. The Blue Raiders became bowl eligible with a 27-17 upset win at Florida Atlantic as a 3.5-point underdog on November 27th. Middle Tennessee won two of three games to even their record at 6-6. Toledo is an 11-point favorite with the total set at 49.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Coastal Carolina faces Northern Illinois on ESPN2 at 6 PM ET in the Cure Bowl at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The Chanticleers ended their regular season with a 27-21 victory in overtime at South Alabama as a 14.5-point favorite on November 26th. They won four of their final five games to raise their record to 10-2. The Huskies won the Mid-American Conference championship game, 41-23, as a 3.5-point underdog against Kent State on December 4th. Northern Illinois won three of their last four games to improve their mark to 9-4. Coastal Carolina is an 11-point favorite with an over/under of 62. Eight games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. Miami visits Orlando at 7:10 PM ET as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 209. Two games tip-off at 7:40 PM ET. Atlanta plays at home against Denver as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 221. Golden State is at Boston on ESPN as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 214.5. Milwaukee plays at New Orleans as a 3-point road favorite. Utah hosts San Antonio at 9:10 PM ET as a 12-point favorite with an over/under of 223.5. Three games conclude the NBA card at 10:10 PM ET. Portland is at home against Charlotte as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 225. Memphis travels to Sacramento. The Los Angeles Lakers play at Minnesota on ESPN as a 1-point road favorite. The National Hockey League has six games on its slate. Two games drop the puck at 7:08 PM ET. Vegas plays at New York against the Rangers as a -125 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Pittsburgh is at home against Buffalo as a -320 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Two games begin at 8:08 PM ET. St. Louis hosts Dallas as a -125 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Washington visits Winnipeg as a -115 money line road favorite with a total of 6. Chicago is at home against Nashville at 8:38 PM ET as a -114 money line favorite at BetRivers with an over/under of 5.5. Anaheim plays at home against Arizona at 10:08 PM ET as a -260 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Two games are on national television in college basketball. Virginia Tech plays St. Bonaventure on ESPN2 at 4 PM ET in a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Shootout contest at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hokies are a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 129.5. Villanova travels to Creighton on FS1 at 8 PM ET as a 6.5-point road favorite with a total of 129.5. 

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NFL Week 15 Breakdown

by Will Rogers

Thursday, Dec 16, 2021

BEST GAME – New England at Indianapolis (-2)New England 9-4 SU, 9-4 ATSIndianapolis 7-6 SU, 8-5 ATSFish-or-cut-bait time for the red-hot Colts, who need this one more than the Patriots do. An Indy loss basically closes the door in the AFC South and would most likely force the Colts to run the table (at Arizona, home vs. Las Vegas, at Jacksonville) to squeak into the playoffs. Any edge Indy might have gained by having Week 14 off is negated by NE also coming off its bye week, with Bill Belichick having 12 days to prepare for Jonathan Taylor. (Taylor is so far ahead in the NFL rushing stats that he could sit out the final four games and probably STILL win that title, but prop bettors should probably take a hard look at the under here.) Playing indoors will probably enable Belichick to remove the choke chain from rookie QB Mac Jones, who was allowed to throw only three times in the Buffalo wind two weeks ago. If you care about weird statistics, the Patriots are unbeaten (6-0) on the road this season. This one might not have the intensity of those many early-2000s Brady-Manning battles, but it has plenty of meaning – and the added juice of two teams that have been reliable covers (combined 17-9 ATS) all season. Oddsmakers originally listed this one as a pick ‘em.WORST GAME – Houston at Jacksonville (-3, O/U 42.5)Houston 2-11 SU, 5-8 ATS, 5-8 O/UJacksonville 2-11 SU, 4-9 ATS, 2-11 O/UCall it the Race to the Bottom Bowl, with the loser of this one still having a puncher’s chance to beat out Detroit for the overall No. 1 pick come next April. Since the Jags already have their quarterback of the future, there is more incentive for Houston to tank this one. Plus, the last thing J-Ville coach Urban Meyer needs right now is more pressure, so he’ll empty the playbook to try to save his job. No matter what, this game is all about the future for both teams, as the present is not all that pleasant. As befitting two offensively-challenged teams, this is also the lowest total on the board (41). Houston’s Davis Mills showed a little zip against Seattle in his late-season QB audition, but Trevor Lawrence is coming off a disastrous 4-interception shutout loss to Tennessee.LARGEST SPREAD – Arizona at Detroit (+14)Arizona 10-3 SU, 9-4 ATSDetroit 1-11-1 SU, 8-5 ATSYes, the Lions got pasted in Denver this past Sunday and yes, 1-11-1 is 1-11-1. But a two-touchdown home dog? For a team that would be around .500 if all its one-score losses were flipped?  The number actually went UP a half-point after Arizona’s loss to the Rams on Monday night in a game which threw a hand grenade in the Cardinals’ march to the NFC West title, best record in the conference and playoff bye. They CAN’T let up now in Detroit.LARGEST TOTAL – Kansas City at Los Angeles Chargers (51)Kansas City 9-4, SU, 6-7 ATS, 6-7 O/ULos Angeles 8-5 SU, 7-6 ATS, 6-7 O/UWhatever issues the Chiefs may have had when they were in the midst of that 3-4 start are long since in the rear view mirror. KC has it rolling now, and will bring tons of momentum to the West Coast for this one on Thursday night. It’s doubtful that totals players will shy away from this one even though the Chiefs defense has found its footing and now had held three consecutive opponents to 9 points each. The Chiefs offense is capable of covering the 51 all by itself, although if recent history is any guide the Chargers will hold up their end of the bargain. The LAC have scored at least 37 in three of the last four. The D coordinators won’t be sleeping much as they prep for this one on a short week.SMALLEST TOTAL – Tennessee at Pittsburgh (41.5)Tennessee 9-4 SU, 8-5 ATS, 7-6 O/UPittsburgh 6-6-1 SU, 5-8 ATS, 5-8 O/UThe Houston-Jacksonville game is a half-point smaller, but this game at 41.5 has some significance in that it in all likelihood is the beginning of the end for Steelers warhorse Ben Roethlisberger? Pittsburgh faces a closing grim schedule (after the Titans they’ll be at Kansas City, home vs. Cleveland and at Baltimore). How much gas is left in Ben’s tank is anyone’s guess. The Steelers did score 28 this past Sunday, but that was against a relaxed Vikings defense that was playing with a 29-0 lead. The Titans, meanwhile, are continuing to cope without RB Derrick Henry. They averaged 28 points a game with him, and in five without him they’ve dropped to 19 a game.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB and EPL Previews and Odds - 12/16/2021

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Dec 16, 2021

The Thursday sports card features action in the NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL.Week 15 in the National Football League regular season kicks off with Kansas City visiting the Los Angeles Chargers on Fox and the NFL Network at 8:20 PM ET. The Chiefs won their sixth straight game in a 48-9 victory at home against Las Vegas as a 10-point favorite on Sunday. The Chargers won their third game in their last four with a 37-21 victory against the New York Giants as a 9.5-point favorite last week. Kansas City is a 3-point road favorite, with the total set at 52.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise).Four games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. Indiana hosts Detroit at 7:10 PM ET as a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 211. Philadelphia visits Brooklyn at 7:40 PM ET in a pick ‘em contest. New York plays at Houston at 8:10 PM ET as a 6.5-point road favorite. Phoenix is at home against Washington as an 8.5-point favorite.  Chicago’s game at Toronto got postponed because of the COVID outbreak on the Bulls’ roster. The National Hockey League has ten games on its slate. The puck drops at 7:08 PM ET for five games. Philadelphia visits Montreal as a -135 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Tampa Bay plays at home against Ottawa as a -250 money line favorite with an over/under of 6. Florida hosts Los Angeles as a -205 money line favorite with a total of 6. Vegas travels to New Jersey as a -165 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Carolina is at home against Detroit as a -190 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Boston plays at New York against the Islanders at 7:38 PM ET as a -120 money line road favorite at BetRivers with an over/under of 5.5. Two games in the NHL start at 8:08 PM ET. Minnesota plays at home against Buffalo as a -320 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Colorado is at Nashville as a -145 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Edmonton is at home against Columbus at 9:08 PM ET as a -195 money line favorite with a total of 6. San Jose hosts Vancouver at 10:38 PM ET as a -130 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. One game is on national television in college basketball. Duke plays at home against Appalachian State on ESPN2 at 7 PM ET as a 21-point favorite with a total of 139.5. Matchweek 17 in the English Premier League concludes with three matches. Tottenham travels to Leicester City on Peacock at 2:30 PM ET in a pick ‘em matchup with an over/under of 2.5. Chelsea is at home against Everton on the NBC Sports Network at 2:45 PM ET as a -1.5 goal line favorite with a total of 2.5. Liverpool hosts Newcastle United on Peacock at 3 PM ET as a -2.5 goal line favorite with an over/under of 3.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, NCAAB and EPL Previews and Odds - 12/15/2021

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Dec 15, 2021

The Wednesday sports card features action in the NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL.Eleven games are on the docket in National Basketball Association. Three games tip-off the card at 7:10 PM ET. Cleveland hosts Houston as a 10.5-point favorite with the total set at 220.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Atlanta visits Orlando as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 224. Philadelphia plays at home against Miami as a 5.5-point favorite. Dallas is at home against the Los Angeles Lakers on ESPN at 7:40 PM ET. The Mavericks won their second straight game with a 120-96 victory against Charlotte as a 2.5-point favorite on Monday. They improved their record to 14-13 with the win. The Lakers won their second game in a row in a 106-94 victory against Orlando as a 10-point favorite on Sunday. Los Angeles has a 15-13 record. Dallas is a 1-point favorite.Two more NBA games start at 8:10 PM ET. Milwaukee hosts Indiana as a 2-point favorite. New Orleans travels to Oklahoma City as a 1.5-point road favorite. San Antonio plays at home against Charlotte at 8:40 PM ET as a 3-point favorite. Denver hosts Minnesota at 9:10 PM ET as a 4-point favorite. Three games conclude the NBA card at 10:10 PM ET. Memphis visits Portland in a pick ‘em matchup. Sacramento plays at home against Washington as a 1-point favorite. Utah is at home against the Los Angeles Lakers in the nightcap on ESPN at 10:10 PM ET. The Jazz won their seventh-straight game with a 123-98 victory at Washington as a 7-point favorite on Saturday. They raised their record to 19-7 with the win. The Clippers won their fourth in a row in a 111-95 upset victory against Phoenix as a 3-point favorite on Monday. Los Angeles has a 16-12 record. Utah is a 9-point favorite. The National Hockey League has three games on its slate. Washington plays at Chicago at 8:08 PM ET as a -145 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The New York Rangers are at Arizona at 9:08 PM ET as a -220 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Anaheim hosts Seattle on TNT at 10:08 PM ET as a -150 money line favorite with a total of 6. Three games are on national television in college basketball. Howard visits Georgetown on FS1 at 6:30 PM ET. Central Florida plays at Temple on ESPN2 at 7 PM ET as a 5-point road favorite with an over/under of 136. Xavier is at home against Morehead State on FS1 at 8:30 PM ET as a 15-point favorite with a total of 135.5. Matchweek 17 in the English Premier League continues with four matches. Three games begin on Peacock at 2:30 PM ET. Brighton and Hove Albion host Wolverhampton as a -0.5 goal line favorite at PlayMGM with an over/under of 2. Burnley plays at home against Watford as a -0.5 goal line favorite with a total of 2.5. Crystal Palace is at home against Southampton as a -0.5 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Arsenal hosts West Ham United on the NBC Sports Network at 3 PM ET as a -0.5 goal line favorite with a total of 2.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL Previews and Odds - 12/14/2021

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Dec 14, 2021

The Tuesday sports card features action in the NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL.Three games are on the docket in National Basketball Association. Two games tip-off at 7:40 PM ET. Brooklyn hosts Toronto as a 9-point favorite (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Golden State plays at New York on TNT as a 3.5-point road favorite. Phoenix plays at Portland on TNT at 10:10 PM ET as a 3-point road favorite. The National Hockey League has 13 games on its slate. Five games drop the puck at 7:08 PM ET. Tampa Bay hosts Los Angeles as a -225 money line favorite with the total set at 5.5. Florida plays at home against Ottawa as a -300 money line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Philadelphia is at home against New Jersey as a -125 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Pittsburgh hosts Montreal as a -300 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Boston plays at home against Vegas as a -135 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. The New York Islanders play at Detroit at 7:38 PM ET as a -115 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Two NHL games start at 8:08 PM ET. Minnesota plays at home against Carolina as a -140 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Winnipeg is at home against Buffalo as a -265 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Dallas hosts St. Louis at 8:38 PM ET as a -160 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. Two more NHL games start at 9:08 PM ET. Colorado is at home against the New York Rangers as a -205 money line favorite with an over/under of 6. Toronto visits Edmonton as a -120 money kine road favorite with a total of 6.5. Vancouver hosts Columbus at 10:08 PM ET as a -150 money line with a total of 5.5. San Jose plays at home against Seattle at 10:38 PM ET as a -145 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Calgary/Nashville game got postponed due to the COVID outbreak with the Flames. Five games are on national television in college basketball. North Carolina hosts Furman on ESPN2 as an 11.5-point favorite with a total of 152.5. Creighton plays at home against Arizona State on FS1 as a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 137.5. Three games begin at 9 PM ET. Alabama visits Memphis on ESPN as a 5-point road favorite with a total of 156. Texas is at home against Arkansas-Pine Bluff as a 33.5-point favorite with an over/under of 133.5. Boise State plays at home against Santa Clara on the CBS Sports Network as a 7-point favorite with a total of 139.5. Matchweek 17 in the English Premier League begins with two matches. Aston Villa visits Norwich City on Peacock at 2:45 PM ET as a -0.5 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Manchester City hosts Leeds United at 3 PM ET on the NBC Sports Network as a -2.5 goal line favorite with a total of 3.5. The Manchester United/Brentford match got canceled because of a COVID outbreak on the Man United team.

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