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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL and UEFA Champions League Previews and Odds - 03/16/2021

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Mar 16, 2021

The Tuesday sports card features action in the NBA, the NHL, and the UEFA Champions League.The NBA dockets feature seven games. The card tips off at 7:35 PM ET in the first game in a TNT double-header with Utah visiting Boston. The Jazz have lost three of their last four games after a 131-119 upset loss at Golden State as a 7.5-point favorite on Sunday. The Celtics have won five of their last six games after their 134-107 win at Houston as an 11-point favorite on Sunday. Utah is a 4.5-point road favorite with the total set at 227.5 (all odds from BetOnline). Four games start at 8 PM ET. Chicago hosts Oklahoma City as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 224. Atlanta plays at Houston. Cleveland visits Miami. New York plays at Philadelphia. New Orleans travels to Portland in the nightcap on TNT at 10:05 PM ET. The Pelicans won their second game in a row with their 135-115 upset win against the Los Angeles Clippers as a 6-point underdog on Sunday. The Trail Blazers dropped their second in three games after a 114-112 upset loss at Minnesota as a 5-point favorite on Sunday. The NBA slate concludes with Minnesota playing in Los Angeles against the Lakers at 10:35 PM ET.Seven games are on the NHL card. Three games start the slate at 7 PM ET. New Jersey plays at home against Buffalo as a -155 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. The New York Islanders visit Washington as a -105 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Boston plays at Pittsburgh on the NBC Sports Network. The Bruins have lost four of five after losing on the road to the Penguins, 4-1, on Monday. Pittsburgh has won six straight games. Carolina visits Detroit at 7:30 PM ET as a -230 money line road favorite, with the total at 5.5. Minnesota plays at home against Arizona at 8 PM ET as a -190 money line with an over/under of 5.5. Tampa Bay travels to Dallas at 8:30 PM ET. Colorado hosts Anaheim to close out the card at 9 PM ET as a -265 money line favorite with a total of 5.5.The UEFA Champions League has two matches in the second leg of the Final 16 at 3 PM ET. Manchester City plays Borussia Monchengladbach after winning the first leg, 1-0, on February 24th. This match is on a neutral field in Budapest, given COVID travel restrictions in Germany impacting Borussia Monchengladbach’s ability to travel abroad. Man City is a -1.75 goal line favorite with the total of 3 after winning the first leg on February 24th by a 1-0 score. Real Madrid plays at home against Atalanta with a 1-0 aggregate lead after winning the first leg, 1-0, on February 24th. Los Blancos are a -0.25 goal line home favorite with an over/under of 3. Both games are available on Paramount, formerly the CBS  All-Access.

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NCAA Basketball Tournament Sleeper Teams

by Sean Murphy

Tuesday, Mar 16, 2021

The NCAA Tournament is set to tip off with four play-in games on Thursday night and after missing out on the Big Dance last March, we're obviously all anxiously waiting with our betting slips in hand for what will likely be the heaviest bet tournament of all-time. Here's a look at four potential tournament sleeper picks. - one from each region. While these teams aren't likely to be serenaded by 'One Shining Moment' come April, they do have the potential to bust a few brackets early on. Seeding in parentheses.St. Bonaventure (9) - East RegionThe Bonnies rode their wealth of experience to an Atlantic-10 Tournament championship on Sunday, delivering a dominant performance against a quality VCU squad. They draw a favorable opening round matchup against an LSU team that came a point short of winning the SEC Tournament championship, falling to Alabama in what was an impressive (but somewhat improbable) run. I really like St. Bonaventure's depth advantage in the early stages of the tournament. Keep in mind, LSU doesn't get much scoring at all from its bench while the Bonnies likely second-round matchup would be Michigan, which lost starting guard and team co-captain Isaiah Livers to a stress fracture in his foot and his status remains in doubt. There's definitely a path forward for the Bonnies, who open as a two-point underdog against the Tigers.Ohio (13) - West RegionThe Bobcats draw the defending national champions (from two years ago) in Virginia in their opening round matchup. Ohio doesn't get a lot of press coming out of the MAC but its resume is certainly impressive (if not all that extensive). The Bobcats gave popular bracket-winning pick Illinois all it could handle in just their second game of the season, falling by a 77-75 score as 16-point underdogs, on the road no less. They followed that up with an impressive 101-46 dismantling of eventual Horizon League champion Cleveland State. After running the table in the MAC Tournament, scoring 85, 87 and 84 points in the process, they're certainly upset-minded heading into this date with what I believe to be a vulnerable Virginia squad. Should Ohio upset Virginia it would likely draw Creighton - a team that had its own issues down the stretch and got drummed by Georgetown in the Big East Tournament championship game.North Texas (13) - South RegionThe Mean Green Eagles certainly have the look of a true Cinderella team after going on a magical run to a Sun Belt Tournament championship last weekend. North Texas loaded its early season schedule with tough matchups on the road against Arkansas, Mississippi State, West Virginia and Loyola-Chicago and while it went winless in those three games, I do think it helps eliminate any sort of intimidation factor against Purdue here in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. A win over the Boilers, while improbable, would lead the Eagles to a likely matchup with Villanova in the second round. The Wildcats obviously possess a championship pedigree but certainly aren't invincible, at least not this season. While this is probably the biggest longshot of the four teams I've highlighted, I do think UNT is worth a look early on. Syracuse (11) - Midwest RegionSyracuse battled to the final buzzer despite not making it all the way in the ACC Tournament, exiting at the hands of Virginia in a hard-fought affair. The Orange draw a quality San Diego State team in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Aztecs are the Mountain West champions and deserving of plenty of respect but as we've seen in the last couple of weeks, the Orange are capable of getting hot and staging the minor upset here. I actually like the path forward for the winner in this game as I see some upset potential in the Morehead State-West Virginia matchup, the winner of which 'Cuse-SD State would face in the second round. Note that 2019 (the last time an NCAA Tournament was played) marked the first time since 2013 where the six-seeds won at least three games against the 11-seeds. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NHL, EPL and NBA Previews and Odds - 03/15/2021

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Mar 15, 2021

The Monday sports card features action in the NBA, the NHL, and the English Premier League.The NBA dockets feature eight games. Two games tip-off the card at 7 PM ET. Charlotte hosts Sacramento as a 3.5-point favorite with the total set at 240 (all odds from BetOnline). Milwaukee visits Washington. At 8 PM ET, San Antonio plays at Detroit. Brooklyn hosts the New York on ESPN at 8 PM ET. The Nets are on a four-game winning streak with 12 victories in their last 13 games after they defeated Detroit, 100-95, as an 11.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Knicks have won five of their last seven games after their 119-97 win at Oklahoma City as a 4.5-point favorite on Saturday. Brooklyn is an 8-point favorite with an over/under of 225. Denver plays at home against Indiana at 9 PM ET as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 226. The Los Angeles Clippers visit Dallas as a 1.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 227.5. Phoenix is at home against Memphis at 10 PM ET as a 7-point favorite with a total of 228.The Monday ESPN doubleheader concludes at 10:30 PM ET With the Los Angeles Lakers playing at Golden State. The Lakers have won three of their last five after a 105-100 win against Indiana as a 5-point favorite on Friday. The Warriors ended a four-game losing streak on Sunday with a 131-119 upset win against Utah as a 7.5-point favorite. The NHL has ten games on the slate. The puck drops early at 4 PM ET, with Tampa Bay hosting Nashville as a -315 moneyline favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Four games continue the card at 7 PM ET. Boston visits Pittsburgh as a -109 moneyline road favorite with a total of 5.5. Vancouver travels to Ottawa as a -171 moneyline road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Florida is at home against Chicago as a -170 moneyline favorite with a total of 6. Washington plays at Buffalo as a -225 moneyline road favorite with an over/under of 6.Philadelphia is on the road at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers on the NBC Sports Network at 7 PM ET. The Flyers have lost four of their last five games after a 5-4 loss to Washington on Saturday. The Rangers ended a three-game losing streak with a 4-0 win at Boston on Saturday. Philadelphia is a -108 moneyline road favorite with the total at 6.Montreal visits Winnipeg at 8 PM ET as a -118 moneyline road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Calgary hosts Edmonton at 9 PM ET as a -110 moneyline favorite with the total at 6.5. St. Louis plays at Los Angeles at 10 PM ET as a -138 moneyline road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Vegas hosts San Jose at 10 PM ET as a -245 moneyline favorite with a total of 6.5. Matchweek 28 in the English Premier League concludes at 4 PM ET with Liverpool playing at Wolverhampton. The defending EPL champions are a -0.75 moneyline road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. 

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NHL Hockey: Philadelphia Flyers/New York Rangers Preview, Odds and Prediction - 03/15/2021

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Mar 15, 2021

Monday NHL action on the NBC Sports Network features an East Division showdown between the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers.Philadelphia has only won six of their 15 games since the beginning of February. They have lost two in a row and five of their last six games after a 5-4 loss on Saturday. The Flyers played from behind all night, with deficits of 2-0, 3-0, and 5-2. Philly made things interesting by scoring two goals in the final six minutes of the game but could not register the fifth goal to force overtime.After earning the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs in the bubble last season, the Flyers have dropped to fifth place in the makeshift East Division. There are three points behind Boston for fourth place and the final spot playoff from the division.James van Riemsdyk leads the teams with 12 goals and 16 assists. Fellow left-winger Joel Farabee has added 11 goals with 11 assists. Philadelphia is solid up in the middle with their top three lines, with centers Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, and Kevin Hayes combining for 20 goals and 37 assists.Carter Hart has been named the starting goaltender tonight after relieving Brian Elliott on Saturday. Hart has a 6-6 record with a 3.69 goals-against-average and a .887 save percentage in 16 (15 starts) this season. Hart posted a 9-5 record, with 2.23 goals-against-average and a .926 save percentage, in 14 playoff games (11 starts) last year after a regular season, where he had a 24-13-3 mark with a 2.42 goals-against-average and a .914 save percentage in 43 games (40 starts). New York ended a three-game losing streak with a 4-0 win at Boston on Saturday. The Rangers scored more goals in that game than during their three-game slide. Their victory was the first time they had shutout an opponent since a 5-0 win against the Islanders on January 16th. New York is in fifth place in the East Division, four points behind the Flyers. The Rangers got a shot in the arm with the return of Artemi Panarin to the ice on Saturday. The star left-winger had not played since February 20th, when he took a personal leave of absence. Andrei Nazarov, Panarin’s former coach in the Russian KHL, accused him of physical assault against a teenage woman in 2011. Panarin denied the claim while asserting the accusation was political retaliation for his being an outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin. Panarin was leading the Rangers with 18 points before his hiatus. He assisted on a goal while registering one shot on Saturday. Right-winger Pavel Buchnevich has eight goals and 14 assists to lead the team with 22 points. Left-winger Chris Kreider leads the team with 14 goals. Rookie Alexis Lafreniere, the top-pick in the 2020 draft, has four goals with three assists, but he has scored twice with an assist so far this month. Keith Kinkaid is likely to get the start in net tonight. Igor Shesterkin remains out on Injured Reserve with a groin injury. Kinkaid has a 1.53 goals-against-average with a .933 save percentage in four games with two starts this season. He served as a backup last year for Montreal, where he had a 1-1-3 record with a 4.24 goals-against-average and a .875 save percentage in six games (five starts). In his last season as a regular starter with New Jersey in 2018-19, Kinkaid had a 15-18-6 record with a 4.24 goals-against-average and a .875 save percentage. Philadelphia won the last meeting between these teams on February 24th in a 4-3 home win. BetAnySports lists the Flyers as a -120 money line favorite with the total set at 6.Prediction:  Flyers 4 Rangers 3

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The Las Vegas Sands Hotel

by Will Rogers

Sunday, Mar 14, 2021

Las Vegas has been the Restaurant Capital of America, the Convention Capital of America, the Marriage Capital of America, the Divorce Capital of America and, of course, the Gambling Capital of America. All unofficially, of course. It will change to be anything you want it to be, as long as it will bring visitors to the 89109 Zip Code, and as long as those visitors bring money with them and have no problem spending it.Recently significant change came to corporate offices when Las Vegas Sands decided that enough was enough, and it was time to pull up stakes and concentrate on its more lucrative properties in Macau. Only a few months after the death of founder and CEO Sheldon Adelson, eyes were opened in the industry when the property – hotels (Venetian and Palazzo), casino, retail outlets and convention center – was sold to a pair of real estate companies.The new New York-based owners, Apollo Global Management and VICI Properties, are gambling that pent-up demand will bring vacationers, bettors and conventioneers back to Vegas as soon as the pandemic has passed, and appear willing to take the next few months (or more) to get to know the property until that happens.At the height of the pandemic several months ago Las Vegas was basically a ghost town, with many hotels operating only on weekends, if at all, a non-existent entertainment / club scene, minimal gambling with more cleaners than blackjack dealers. Things got so bad that all but one casino pulled the plug on their iconic buffets. Any worse, and there would have been tumbleweed blowing down Las Vegas Boulevard past the Bellagio fountains.Las Vegas Sands obviously didn’t have the stomach to wait for a turnaround that most everyone thinks is coming but can’t say exactly when or to what extent, so it chose discretion over valor and somehow was able to negotiate a deal that puts some $6.25 billion in its bank account as it focuses on its Asian interests. It will now fall on the shoulders of the suits at Apollo and VICI to figure out a way to get people back to the city and convince them to stay and play at the Venetian or Palazzo. Hotel occupancy rates are rising ever so slowly, and the Venetian and Palazzo have a combined 7,117 rooms available 365 days a year. That’s 2,597,705 room nights.[Note: During the 2008 economic meltdown which caused a significant downturn in Vegas, Adelson was famously one of the few hotel owners refusing to cut prices to fill room nights. It will be interesting to see if Apollo follows that model. As of this writing, a weeknight room could be had for $113, with weekend nights running at about $180 – plus resort fees of about $40 a night.]This is Apollo’s second bite of the apple in La Vegas, and the first one didn’t go all that well. In January 2008, a few months before the economy tanked and slipped into a deep recession, Apollo and Texas Pacific Group engineered a $28-billion buyout of Harrah’s Entertainment. Apollo assumed nearly $11 billion in debt in that one, and things went from frying pan to fire, forcing Harrah’s (later called Caesars) to declare bankruptcy and sell. But in the NBA shooters keep shooting even after they miss 6 or 7 shots in a row, and real estate investors invest. It’s what they do. So here we are.The new owners have no choice but to wait. Wait for the vaccine to get into enough arms to make Americans and foreign visitors comfortable enough to visit Vegas again (or for the first time). Wait for the government to ease restrictions. Wait for the convention business to return to pre-Covid levels. Wait for the opportunity to compete with 30 other Strip casinos for gambling dollars. Wait for Americans to forget all about Zoom and put the virus behind them so everyone can have fun again.For Apollo and VICI, that all can’t happen soon enough.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAA Basketball, NBA, NHL and EPL Previews and Odds - 03/14/2021

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Mar 14, 2021

The college basketball card tips off at noon ET. Loyola-Maryland plays at Colgate on the CBS Sports Network in the championship game of the Patriot League. The Greyhounds, 6-10, won at Army in the semifinals, 67-63, as a 3-point underdog on Wednesday. The Raiders defeated Bucknell, 105-75, as an 11.5-point favorite on Wednesday. Colgate, 13-1, is a 9.5-point favorite with the total set at 147 (all odds from BetOnline). VCU battles St. Bonaventure at 1 PM ET in the Atlantic 10 Championship Game on CBS. The Rams improved to 19-6 with a 64-52 victory against Davidson as a 2-point favorite last Saturday in the semifinals. The Bonnies raised their record to 15-4 with a 71-53 upset win against St. Louis as a 2-point favorite last Saturday. St. Bonaventure is a 3-point favorite with the over/under at 128.LSU goes against sixth-ranked Alabama in the championship game of the SEC tournament on ESPN at 1 PM ET. The Tigers, 18-8, won their fourth game in a row with a 78-71 upset win against Arkansas as a 4-point underdog on Saturday. The Crimson Tide, 23-6, won their fifth game in a row with a 73-68 victory against Tennessee as a 4-point favorite on Saturday. Alabama is a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 137.5. Cincinnati faces seventh-ranked Houston in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game on ESPN at 3:15 PM ET. The Bearcats, 12-10, won their third in a row with a 60-59 upset win against Wichita State as a 4-point underdog in the semifinals on Saturday. The Cougars, 23-3, won their sixth in a row with their 76-74 victory Memphis as a 7.5-point favorite on Saturday. Houston is a 13-point favorite with an over/under of 136.5.Ohio State plays Illinois in the championship game of the Big Ten tournament on CBS at 3:30 PM ET. The Buckeyes are ranked ninth by the Associated Press with a 21-8 record. They upset Michigan, 68-67, as a 5-point underdog in the semifinals on Saturday. The Fighting Illini are ranked third nationally with a 22-6 record. They won their fifth in a row with an 82-71 win against Iowa as a 3-point favorite on Saturday. Illinois is a 5.5-point favorite with the total at 150.5.Nine games are on the NBA docket. The card tips off at 2 PM ET with Memphis playing at Oklahoma City. The Los Angeles Clippers visit New Orleans on ESPN at 9:05 PM ET. The Clippers ended a three-game losing streak with a 130-104 win against Golden State as a 7-point favorite on Thursday. The Pelicans snapped their three-game slide in a 116-92 victory against Cleveland as a 6.5-point favorite on Friday. Los Angeles is a 6-point road favorite with an over/under of 236.Six games are on the NHL slate. The opening contest has Minnesota hosting Arizona as a -185 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Colorado plays at home against Los Angeles on the NBC Sports Network at 5:30 PM ET. The Avalanche defeated the Kings at home on Friday in a 2-0 shutout. Colorado is a -240 money line favorite with a total of 5.5.Matchweek 28 in the English Premier League continues with four matches. Brighton travels to Southampton on the NBC Peacock app at 8 AM ET as a -0.25 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.25. Leicester City is at home against Sheffield United on NBC Peacock at 10 AM ET as a -1 goal line favorite with the total at 2.5. Tottenham visits Arsenal on the NBC Sports Network at 12:30 PM ET in a pick ‘em matchup with an over/under of 2.5. Manchester United hosts West Ham United on the NBC Sports Network at 3:15 PM ET as a -0.5 goal line favorite with the total at 2.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, EPL, NHL and NCAA Basketball Previews and Odds - 03/13/2021

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Mar 13, 2021

The college basketball card tips off at 11:30 AM ET with Hartford playing UMass-Lowell on ESPN2 in the America East championship game as a 3-point favorite with the total set at 135 (all odds from BetOnline). Michigan plays Ohio State in the Big Ten semifinals on CBS at 1 PM ET. The Wolverines are ranked fourth by the Associated Press, while the Buckeyes are ranked ninth. Michigan is a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 145. Norfolk State battles Morgan State on ESPN2 in the Mid-Eastern Atlantic championship game as a 2-point favorite with a total of 145. Alabama faces Tennessee on ESPN in the semifinals of the SEC tournament. The sixth-ranked Crimson Tide are a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 138.5.Wichita State goes against Cincinnati on ESPN2 at 3 PM ET in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference tournament as a 4-point favorite with the total at 144. Arkansas plays LSU on ESPN in the semifinals of the SEC tournament. The eighth-ranked Razorbacks are a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 162.5. Illinois battles Iowa in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament. The Fighting Illini are ranked third by the AP, with the Hawkeyes ranked fifth. Illinois is a 4-point favorite with a total set at 158.Houston places Memphis on ESPN2 at 4 PM ET in the semifinals of the American Athletic Association tournament. The seventh-ranked Cougars are a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 133. Utah State faces San Diego State on CBS at 6 PM ET in the Mountain West Conference championship game. The Aztecs are ranked 19th by the AP. Oklahoma State plays Texas in the Big 12 championship game on ESPN. The Cowboys are ranked 12th by the AP, with the Longhorns ranked 13th. Texas is a 1.5-point favorite, with the total at 145. Texas Southern battles Prairie View A&M on ESPNU in the SWAC championship game. At 6:30 PM ET, Creighton goes against Georgetown on Fox in the Big East championship game. The 17th-ranked Bluejays are an 8-point favorite, with the total at 144.5.Buffalo plays Ohio on ESPN2 at 7:30 PM ET in the Mid-American Conference championship game as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 156.5. At 8 PM ET, Eastern Washington faces Montana State on ESPNU in the Big Sky championship game as a 7-point favorite with the total at 150. Florida State battles Georgia Tech on ESPN at 8:30 PM ET in the ACC championship game. The 15th-ranked Seminoles are a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 149. Western Kentucky goes against North Texas on the CBS Sports Network at 9 PM ET in the Conference USA championship game as a 1-point favorite with the total at 128.5. Abilene Christian faces Nicholls State on ESPNU at 9:30 PM ET in the Southland championship game.Colorado plays Oregon State on ESPN in the Pac-12 championship game at 10:30 PM ET. The Buffaloes are ranked 23rd by the AP. UC-Irvine battles UC-Santa Barbara on ESPN2 in the Big West championship game at 11:30 PM ET. Eight games are on the NBA docket. The card tips off at 2 PM ET with New York playing at Oklahoma City. The slate concludes at 10 PM ET with Dallas playing at Denver and Phoenix hosting Indiana as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 221. None of the games are on national television.Twelve games are on the NHL slate. The schedule begins at 1 PM ET, with Boston playing at home against the New York Rangers as a -180 money line favorite with the total at 5.5. Two games end the slate at 10 PM ET, with Edmonton playing at Vancouver and San Jose visiting Anaheim. None of the games are on national television. Matchweek 28 in the English Premier League continues with four matches. Chelsea visits Leeds United on the NBC Sports Network at 7:30 AM ET as a -0.75 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.75. Crystal Palace hosts West Bromwich Albion on the NBC Sports Network at 10 AM ET as a -0.25 goal line favorite with a total of 2. Everton is at home against Burnley on the NBC Peacock app at 12:30 PM ET as a -0.5 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.25. Manchester City travels to Fulham on the NBC Peacock app at 3 PM ET as a -1.5 goal line road favorite with a total of 2.75. 

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NCAA Basketball: Iowa/Illinois Preview, Odds and Prediction - 03/13/2021

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Mar 13, 2021

Two of the top-five teams in the nation battle in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament on CBS at 3 PM ET.Iowa won their fourth straight game yesterday in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament against Wisconsin, 62-57, as a 5-point favorite. The Hawkeyes eked out the win despite missing 18 of their 20 shots from 3-point land. Luka Garza led the team with 24 points. The senior All-American is scoring 23.8 points-per-game with 8.7 rebounds-per-game.McCaffery returned all five starters while getting three additional players back from injury from the team that finished 20-11. The Hawkeyes, 21-7, are ranked 5th nationally by the Associated Press with eight wins in their last nine games. They have high-profile victories against Ohio State, Wisconsin (twice), Purdue, and North Carolina. Their seven losses are against Gonzaga, Minnesota, Indiana (twice), Illinois, Michigan (twice), and the Buckeyes. Iowa finished the regular season with a 14-6 mark in the regular season.The Hawkeyes are the number two team in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency at kenpom. They make 38.8% of their 3-point shots, ninth-best nationally, while posting an effective field goal percentage of 54.9%, 26th in the country. They lead the nation with a turnover rate of 13.3%. Iowa is 51st nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency at kenpom. Perimeter defense is an issue for McCaffrey as opponents are shooting 35.1% of their 3-point attempts. The Hawkeyes’ opponents rebound 28.8% of their missed shots, 209th nationally.Illinois won their fourth in a row yesterday in a 90-68 win against Rutgers as an 8.5-point favorite. Ayo Dosunmu paved the way with 23 points in his second game back on the court after missing three contests with a broken nose. The junior is scoring 21.0 points-per-game while contributing 6.2 rebounds-per-game and 5.3 assists-per-game. Kofi Cockburn added 18 points and 12 rebounds for his tenth double-double of the season. The 7’0 sophomore averages 17.3 points-per-game while adding 9.7 rebounds-per-game. Dosunmu and Cockburn are two of the five returning starters Brad Underwood has this season.The Fighting Illini have won 12 of their last 13 games to raise their record to 21-6. They are ranked third in the nation by the AP. Underwood’s team finished the regular season with a 16-4 mark, which put them in second place behind Michigan. The Illini posted impressive wins against Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin (twice), Purdue, and these Hawkeyes. They have conference losses to Ohio State, Michigan State, Rutgers, and Maryland, and non-conference losses to Baylor and Missouri. The Fighting Illini are seventh in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency at kenpom. They rank 21st nationally with a 37.9% shooting percentage from 3-point land, and they rank 17th with a 55.6% mark inside the arc. They rebound 33.4% of their missed shots, ranking 33rd nationally. Illinois is seventh nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency using the kenpom metrics. They limit their opponents to rebounding 22.3% of their missed shots, 13th nationally. Their opponents make 45.1% of their 2-point attempts, ranking 25th nationally. Illinois won the previous meeting between these teams on January 29th, 80-75, in Champagne as a 3-point favorite. BetAnySports lists Illinois as a 3.5-point favorite with the total set at 152.5 in this rematch.Computer prediction:  Illinois 78 Iowa 74

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Big 12 Dark Horse to Win the National Title

by ASA, Inc.

Friday, Mar 12, 2021

In 1985 the NCAA expanded its basketball tournament to allow 64 teams into the field. Since then, no team higher than an 8 seed has won the championship and over half of the winners came from number 1 seeds. That is not surprising considering again this year that any of the top 10 teams in the nation feel like they have a legitimate chance to make it all the way. Any team outside the top 25 historically has almost no chance to win the tournament, so a team that could have great return on investment is Texas Tech (+4500) found at BookMaker. The Red Raiders were runners-up the last time the tournament took place so coach Chris Beard knows what buttons to push to get his guys playing their best. Back court play is critical in the big dance and Texas Tech has three guards averaging double figures on the season. Terrance Shannon and Kyler Edwards can fill it up but Mac McClung leads the way averaging 16 ppg. His energy and emotion are what drive this team and make them must-watch TV. Mac mania could pave the way for another Texas Tech Final Four run and set the college basketball world on fire.     Big 12 Teams in National Rankings + National Championship Odds (BookMaker) 2. Baylor +42510. West Virginia +260011. Kansas +360012. Oklahoma St +4300 13. Texas +400020. Texas Tech +450025. Oklahoma +8500 The Big 12 was an absolute gauntlet this season, and it has five teams ranked ahead of Texas Tech. The Big 12 tournament will had some great matchups and Tech lost 67-66 opener vs Texas despite holding a 10 point lead in the 2nd half.  Now they rest up and get ready for the Big Dance.  For +4500 return on investment the former runners-up pose some of the best odds for a team we feel has a legitimate shot to get to the 2nd weekend and potential the Final 4.  And, at 45/1, the opportunity to hedge if the Red Raiders get into the Elite 8 will be fantastic.     

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NCAA Basketball: Florida State/North Carolina Preview, Odds and Prediction

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Mar 12, 2021

The semifinals of the ACC tournament concludes with North Carolina and Florida State completing their season trilogy. The ESPN tip-off will be 30 minutes after the end of the Georgia Tech-Virginia opening game at 6:30 PM ET. A 9 PM ET start is likely. North Carolina won their third straight game and their sixth game in their last eight, with an 81-73 victory against Virginia Tech as a 0.5-point favorite yesterday. Armando Bacot scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half to help lift the Tar Heels to the victory. The sophomore pulled down 13 rebounds, and he leads the team with a 12.2 points-per-game scoring average and an 8.0 rebounds-per-game average. Freshman R.J. Davis scored 19 points to improve his 8.6 points-per-game number. Roy Williams has his team peaking in March. During their three-game winning streak, they are averaging 91 points-per-game, which is almost a 17 points-per-game improvement over the 74.2 points-per-game they were averaging after their last setback on March 1st to Syracuse. Williams’ experienced his worst record as the North Carolina head coach last year, with his team finishing with a 14-19 record. While Cole Anthony moved on to the NBA from that team, Williams did see most of the contributors last season return. He buttressed that group with one of the top-three incoming freshmen classes in the nation with three five-star recruits and three four-star recruits (including Davis).The Tar Heels lead the nation by rebounding 41.1% of their missed shots. After only pulling down two missed shots in the first half yesterday, they grabbed 13 offensive rebounds in the second half to pull away from the Hokies. North Carolina is 49th in adjusted offensive efficiency at kenpom. This team struggles to make baskets. They have an effective field goal percentage of 48.9% this season, 22nd nationally, dragged down by their 31.6% clip with 3-point attempts, 273rd nationally. They are only converting 49.5% of their shots inside the arc, 186th nationally. The Tar Heels are 16th at kenpom in adjusted defensive efficiency. With an 18-9 record overall and a 10-6 mark in the ACC, North Carolina ranks 26th in the kenpom ratings. Those marks rank 265th and 288th in the country. The Tar Heels are crashing the boards like a typical Williams-coached team as they rank third in the nation by rebounding 41.4% of their missed shots. Florida State got an unexpected day off yesterday when Duke pulled out of the ACC tournament after a positive COVID test. The Seminoles last played on Saturday when they were upset at Notre Dame, 84-46, as a 10.5-point favorite. That loss cost them the top seed in this tournament. Freshman Scottie Barnes scored 17 points in the losing effort, and junior RaiQuan Smith contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds. Barnes is averaging 10.4 points-per-game, and Smith is adding 12.4 points-per-game. Senior M.J. Walker leads the team with a 13.1 points-per-game scoring average. Leonard Hamilton’s team is 15th in the AP poll with a 15-5 record, and they finished 11-4 in the conference. Their five losses are against Georgia Tech, Clemson, these Tar Heels, and Irish on Saturday, with a non-conference loss to Central Florida. The Seminoles have non-conference victories against Florida and Indiana. They had three games canceled in January due to COVID issues. Florida State ranks 11th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency at kenpom. They are 16th in the nation with an offensive rebounding rate of 35.2%, and they are making 38.5% of their 3-pointers, 13th nationally. The Seminoles ranks 46th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. They have an opponent’s field goal percentage of 44.2% inside the arc, which is the 11th lowest mark in the nation.These two teams split their two regular-season encounters. Florida State won at home, 82-75, as a 3.5-point favorite on January 16th. North Carolina returned the favor in Chapel Hill on February 27th as a 2-point underdog, 78-70.BookMaker lists Florida State as a 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 151.5.Computer prediction:  Florida State 77 North Carolina 73

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAA Basketball, NBA, NHL and EPL Previews and Odds - 03/12/2021

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Mar 12, 2021

The Friday sports card features action in NCAA basketball, the NBA, the NHL, and the English Premier League.The college basketball conference tournament card tips off at 11:30 AM ET with Michigan playing Maryland, with the fourth-ranked Wolverines an 8-point favorite with the total set at 133 (all odds from BetOnline). Alabama faces Mississippi State on ESPN at noon PM ET. The sixth-ranked Crimson Tide is an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 141.5. Western Kentucky battles UAB on the CBS-Sports Network as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 136. Tennessee plays Florida on ESPN at 2 PM ET as a 3-point favorite with the total at 133. SMU faces Cincinnati on ESPN2 at 3 PM ET as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 143.5. North Texas goes against Louisiana Tech on the CBS Sports Network at 3 PM ET. Toledo battles Ohio on the CBS Sports Network at 5 PM ET as a 3.5-point favorite with the total at 156.5. Seton Hall faces Georgetown on FS1 at 6 PM ET as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 142. Iona plays Niagara on ESPN News at 6 PM ET as a 6-point favorite with the total of 133. Baylor plays Oklahoma State on ESPN at 6:30 PM ET in a battle of top-twenty teams from the Big 12. The Bears are ranked second by the Associated Press, while the Cowboys are ranked 12th. Baylor is a 9-point favorite with an over/under of 150.5. Virginia faces Georgia Tech on ESPN2 at 6:30 PM ET. The 16th-ranked Cavaliers are a 4-point favorite with the total at 128.5. Houston battles Tulane on ESPNU at 7 PM ET. The seventh-ranked Cougars are a 17.5-point favorite with an over/under of 132.5. Buffalo goes against Akron on the CBS Sports Network at 7:30 PM ET as a 3-point favorite with a total of 153.5. The 15th-ranked and rested Florida State Seminoles play North Carolina on ESPN at 9 PM ET.  The Seminoles are favored by 2.5, with a total of 151. The 17th-ranked Creighton Blue Jays battle UConn on FS1 at 9 PM ET.  The game is a Pk'em, with a total of 143.5.  San Diego State plays Nevada on the CBS Sports Network at 9:30 PM ET as an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 139. Memphis goes against Central Florida on ESPNU at 10 PM ET, with the Tigers a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 135. The 24th-ranked USC Trojans play Colorado on ESPN at 11:30 PM ET.  Colorado is favored by 1.5, with a total of 133. UC-Riverside faces UC-Irvine on ESPNU at midnight.  The Anteaters are 1.5-point favorites, with a total of 123.5.  Colorado State battles Utah State on the CBS Sports Network at midnight.  The Aggies are favored by 4, and the total is 137.5.Seven games are on the NBA schedule. Three games begin the card at 8 PM ET. The Los Angeles Lakers host Indiana at 10:30 PM ET to conclude the card as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 217. None of the games are on national television.Five games are on the NHL docket. Two games begin the slate at 8 PM ET. Anaheim plays at home against San Jose at 10 PM ET as a -105 moneyline favorite with a total of 5.5.Matchweek 28 in the English Premier League begins at 3 PM ET with Aston Villa visiting Newcastle United as a -0.5 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.25. The match is on the NBC Peacock app.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NCAA Basketball, and NHL Previews and Odds - 03/11/2021

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Mar 11, 2021

The Thursday sports card features action in NCAA basketball, the NBA, and the NHL.The busy conference tournament college basketball card tips off at 11 AM ET with Toledo playing Ball State as a 2-point favorite with the total set at 154.5 (all odds from BetOnline).Villanova plays Georgetown on FS1 at noon ET. The Wildcats are ranked 14th nationally by the Associated Press, and they are an 8-point favorite with an over/under of 141. Virginia battles Syracuse on ESPN2. The Cavaliers are ranked 16th by the AP, and they are a 5-point favorite with the total at 133. Temple faces South Florida on ESPNU as a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 131.Baylor plays Kansas State on ESPN at 2 PM ET. The second-ranked Bears are a 19.5-point favorite, with the total at 136.5. Georgia Tech faces Miami (FL) on ESPN2 as a 9.5-point favorite with an over/under of 139. San Diego State goes against Wyoming on the CBS Sports Network at 3 PM ET. The 19th-ranked Aztecs are a 14.5-point favorite with total at 142. Seton Hall faces St. John’s on FS1 as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 151. Tulsa plays Tulane on ESPNU as a 3-point favorite with the total set at 127. Boise State battles Nevada on the CBS Sports Network as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 146.5 at 5:30 PM ET. Creighton plays Butler on FS1. The 17th-ranked Bluejays are a 10-point favorite, with the total at 135.5. Kansas faces off against Oklahoma on ESPN2 at 6:30 PM ET. The 11th-ranked Jayhawks are a 2.5-point favorite against the 25th-ranked Sooners with an over/under of 138. Florida State plays Duke on ESPN. The 15th-ranked Seminoles are a 3-point favorite with a total of 153.5. Central Florida battles East Carolina on ESPNU as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 134.5 at 7 PM ET.North Carolina battles 22nd-ranked Virginia Tech on ESPN as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 140 at 9 PM ET. Utah State faces UNLV on the CBS Sports Network as an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 136. UConn plays DePaul on FS1 as a 13-point favorite with a total of 134.5. Texas Tech goes against Texas on ESPN2 at 9:30 PM ET. The 20th-ranked Red Raiders are a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 135.5 against the 13th-ranked Longhorns. Colorado goes against California on ESPN at 11:30 PM ET. The Buffaloes are ranked 23rd nationally by the AP, and they are 16-point favorites with an over/under of 134. Colorado State battles Fresno State on the CBS Sports Network as a 9-point favorite with the total at 138. Ten games are on the NBA docket. A TNT doubleheader tips off at 7:35 PM ET with Brooklyn hosting Boston. The Nets return from the All-Star break with ten victories in their last eleven games after a 132-114 win at Houston as an 11-point favorite on March 3rd. The Celtics won their fourth game in a row with a 133-125 victory against Toronto on March 4th. Brooklyn is a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 234.5.Golden State travels to Los Angeles to face the Clippers in the TNT nightcap. The Warriors have lost three in a row after their 120-98 loss at Phoenix as a 13.5-point underdog on March 4th. The Clippers have lost three straight and five of seven after their 119-117 upset loss at Washington as an 8.5-point favorite on March 4th. Ten games are on the NHL card. Seven games start things off at 7 PM ET. The schedule concludes at 9 PM ET with Calgary hosting Montreal as a -109 money line favorite with the total set at 5.5. None of the games are on national television.  

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