Follow us @bigal_com

Instagram Twitter

Articles

Big Al's Daily Angle: EPL, NHL, NBA and NCAA Basketball Previews and Odds - 03/04/2021

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Mar 04, 2021

The Thursday sports card features action in NCAA basketball, the NBA, the NHL, and the English Premier League. The college basketball card begins at 11 AM ET with the first of four games in the second round of the Atlantic 10 tournament. All four games are on the NBC Sports Network. Richmond plays Duquesne in the opener as a 5.5-point favorite, with the total set at 141.5 (all odds from BetOnline). Saint Joseph’s plays UMass at 1 PM ET after defeating La Salle on Wednesday, 72-66, as a 3-point favorite. The Minutemen are a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 152. Dayton plays Rhode Island at 3:30 PM ET as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 137. George Washington plays George Mason in the final game at 5:30 PM ET after defeating Fordham, 53-49, as a 7-point favorite on Wednesday.Michigan hosts Michigan State on ESPN at 7 PM ET. The Wolverines are second in the nation by the Associated Press. They fell to 18-2 after their 76-53 upset loss to Illinois as an 8.5-point favorite on Tuesday. The Spartans, 14-10, won their fourth game in their last five with their 64-58 victory against Indiana as a 3.5-point favorite on Tuesday. Michigan is a 12-point favorite with the total at 140.5.Baylor plays at home against Oklahoma State on ESPN2 at 7 PM  ET. The Bears are ranked third nationally by the AP with a 19-1 record. They defeated West Virginia on the road, 94-89, as a 5.5-point favorite on Tuesday. The Cowboys are ranked 17th by the AP with a 17-6 mark. They won their fifth in a row with a 79-75 victory against Oklahoma as a 2.5-point underdog on Monday. Baylor is an 11-point favorite with an over/under of 149.Oklahoma is at home against Texas on ESPN at 9 PM ET. The Sooners are ranked 16th in the nation by the AP with a 14-8 record. They lost their third straight game after a 79-75 upset loss at Oklahoma State as a 2.5-point favorite on Monday. The Longhorns rank 15th nationally by the AP with a 15-7 record. They have won four of six with their 81-67 win at Iowa State as a 12.5-point favorite on Tuesday. Oklahoma is a 2-point favorite, with the total at 142.Colorado hosts Arizona State on ESPN2 at 9 PM ET. The Buffaloes are ranked 24th by the AP with a 19-7 record. They won their third straight game with a 70-61 win against UCLA as a 6.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Sun Devils improved to 10-11 with a 77-74 win against Washington State as a 5-point favorite on Saturday. Colorado is a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 147.5.Central Florida plays at East Carolina on ESPNU at 9 PM ET as a 3.5-point road favorite with the total at 134. Utah State is at home against Wyoming on FS1 at 9:30 PM ET as a 16.5-point favorite with the total at 148.5.Nine games are on the NBA slate before the All-Star Game break this weekend. Miami visits New Orleans on TNT at 8:35 PM ET. The Heat lost at home to Atlanta, 94-80, as a 2.5-point favorite on Tuesday. The Pelicans lost their third game in their last four with their 128-124 upset loss to Chicago as a 6-point favorite on Wednesday. Ten games are on the NHL docket. The puck drops at 7 PM ET with five game,s with the slate concluding at 10 PM ET with Toronto playing at Vancouver. None of the games are on national television. Matchweek 26 in the English Premier League concludes with three matches. Tottenham travels to Fulham at 1 PM ET as a -0.5 goal line road favorite with the total set at 2.25. Everton plays at West Bromwich Albion at 1 PM ET as a -0.5 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Liverpool hosts Chelsea at 3:15 PM ET as a -0.25 goal line favorite with the over/under at 2.5. All three games are on the NBC Peacock app.

Read more

NCAA Basketball: Texas/Oklahoma Preview, Odds and Prediction - 03/04/2021

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Mar 04, 2021

A Thursday ESPN doubleheader concludes at 9 PM ET in a rematch between two nationally-ranked teams from the Big 12.Texas has won four of their last six games with their 81-67 victory at Iowa State as a 12.5-point favorite on Tuesday. Courtney Ramey paced the team with 14 points to add to his 13.7 points-per-game scoring average. Andrew Jones leads the team with a 14.8 points-per-game clip. The Longhorns returned twelve players, including all five starters from last year. Smart added a likely one-and-done freshman in Greg Brown, who is contributing 10.7 points-per-game and 6.9 rebounds-per-game. Texas has six players scoring at least 8.1 points-per-game.Texas ranks 16th in the AP poll with a 15-7 record. They have several impressive victories against Indiana and North Carolina en route to winning the Maui Invitational while adding wins against Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and Kansas twice. Their seven losses are against Villanova, Texas Tech (twice), Oklahoma, Baylor, Oklahoma State, and West Virginia. Their 9-6 record in the Big 12 puts them in fifth place. Smart’s team has also had several games lost this season due to the COVID, with both the players and the coaching staff missing time.Texas ranks 25th in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency at kenpom. Their effective field goal percentage of 52.0% is second-best in the conference. On defense, the Longhorns are 34th in adjusted defensive efficiency fueled by their half-court defense as they hold their opponents to a 46.1% effective field goal percentage, 25th nationally.Oklahoma lost their third in a row on Monday in a 79-75 upset loss at Oklahoma State as a 2.5-point favorite. These three setbacks were by 13 combined points. Brady Manek stepped up with 20 points, four assists, and four rebounds in the loss. The senior is fourth on the team with a 10.4 points-per-game average. He has started the last six games at center after previously playing at power forward. Austin Reaves added 19 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, with the senior leading the way with 17.6 points-per-game, 5.7 rebounds-per-game, and 5.1 assists-per-game averages. Sophomore De’Vian Harmon contributed another 14 points to help his 13.0 points-per-game average. The Sooners are ranked 15th by the Associated Press with a 14-8 record. Lon Kruger’s team has high-profile victories against Kansas, Texas, West Virginia (twice), and Alabama in non-conference play. Seven of their losses are against teams ranked in the top-56 at kenpom: Baylor, Kansas, Texas Tech (twice), Oklahoma State (twice), and Xavier. A setback to Kansas State that ranks 183rd at kenpom is the lone blemish on their resume. Kruger has over 70% of the production return last year's 19-12 team. Oklahoma is 36th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency and 39th in defense at kenpom. The Sooners have been tough to score on inside the arc, with opponents making only 45.6% of their 2-point shots, 33rd nationally. But Oklahoma is allowing opposing shooters to convert 35.4% of their 3-pointers, 260th in the nation. The Sooners make the most of their scoring opportunities, with Reeves running the point. Oklahoma only turns the ball over in 15.5% of their possessions, ranking 19th nationally.Oklahoma won the first meeting between these two teams, 80-79, as a 3.5-point underdog in Austin on January 26th. Texas did not have starters Courtney Ramey and Jericho Sims and rotational players Jase Febres and Brock Cunningham, given COVID quarantine issues in that contest. All four of those players are back in the mix now. BetAnySports lists Oklahoma as a 2-point favorite with the total set at 143.Computer prediction:  Oklahoma 72 Texas 69

Read more

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

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Mar 03, 2021

The Wednesday sports card features action in NCAA basketball, the NBA, the NHL, and the English Premier League. The college basketball card begins at 11 AM ET with the first game in the Atlantic 10 tournament. Saint Josephs plays LaSalle at the E.J. Wade Arena in Richmond, Virginia, as a 2-point favorite with the total set at 151.The nationally-televised college basketball schedule begins at 6:30 PM ET, with UConn playing at Seton Hall. The Huskies, 12-6, won their fourth game in their last five with their 80-62 win against Marquette as a 7-point favorite on Saturday. Seton Hall, 13-10, lost their second straight game with a 61-52 upset loss at Butler as an 8-point favorite back on February 24th. UConn is a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 135.5.Utah hosts Oregon State on ESPNU at 7 PM ET. The Utes, 10-11, ended a four-game losing streak with a 71-61 upset win against USC as a 4.5-point underdog on Saturday. The Beavers improved to 13-11 with a 73-62 win at Stanford as a 5-point underdog on Saturday. Utah is a 3.5-point favorite, with the total at 133.St. Johns plays at home against Providence on the CBS Sports Network at 7 PM ET. The Red Storm, 14-10, has lost three of four after their 81-58 loss at Villanova as an 11.5-point underdog back on February 23rd. The Friars, 12-11, have won three of four with their 83-68 upset victory against Xavier as a 1.5-point underdog last Wednesday. St. John’s is a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 150.Villanova is at home against Creighton on FS1 at 8:30 PM ET. The Wildcats are ranked 10th by the Associated Press with a 15-4 record. They lost at Butler by a 73-61 score as a 12.5-point favorite on Sunday. The Bluejays are 14th in the AP poll with a 17-6 record. They lost at Xavier by a 77-69 score as a 4-point favorite on Saturday. Villanova is a 4-point favorite with the total at 146.5.Oregon hosts UCLA on ESPN2 at 9 PM ET. The Ducks, 17-5, have won eight of nine with their 80-69 victory against Arizona as a 4-point favorite on Monday. The Bruins fell to 17-6 with a 70-61 loss at Colorado as a 6.5-point underdog on Saturday. Oregon is a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 134.Ten games are on the NBA docket. A doubleheader on ESPN begins at 7:35 PM ET with Brooklyn playing at Houston. The Nets won their ninth game in their last ten with their 124-112 win at San Antonio as a 4.5-point favorite on Monday. The Rockets lost their 12th game in a row with a 101-90 upset loss to Cleveland as a 3-point favorite on Monday. The nightcap on ESPN is at 10:05 PM ET, with Golden State visiting Portland. The Warriors had their three-game losing streak end with a 117-91 loss at Los Angeles against the Lakers as a 2.5-point underdog on Sunday. The Trail Blazers ended a four-game losing streak with a 123-111 win against Charlotte as an 8.5-point favorite on Monday. Six games are on the NHL slate. A doubleheader on the NBC Sports Network begins at 7 PM ET with Boston hosting Washington. The Bruins come off a 4-1 win against the New York Rangers on Sunday. The Capitals won their third in a row on Sunday in a 3-2 win at New Jersey. Boston is a -145 money line favorite with a total of 6.Matchweek 26 of the English Premier League continues with three matches. Leicester City visits Burnley on the NBC Sports Network at 1 PM ET as a -0.5 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.25. Aston Villa travels to Sheffield United on the NBC Peacock app at 1 PM ET as a -0.25 goal line road favorite with the total at 2.25. Manchester United plays at Crystal Palace on the NBC Peacock app at 3:15 PM ET as a -1.25 goal line road favorite with the over/under at 2.75.

Read more

UFC 259 Preview

by Ben Burns

Tuesday, Mar 02, 2021

UFC 259 PreviewUFC's second PPV of 2021 goes this Saturday (March 6) and it figures to be a good one. No fewer than three different titles are up for grabs.The main event sees Middleweight champ Israel Adesanya move up to 205 pounds to take on Jan Blachowicz for the Light Heavyweight belt. At Featherweight, Amanada Nunes faces Megan Anderson. Additionally, Petr Yan makes the first defense of his Bantamweight belt, going up against Aljamain Sterling.The Main EventTalk about respect. Despite moving up in weight, Adesanya is still a -240 favorite. At 20-0, he's clearly one of the biggest stars in the sport. If he wins this and becomes a champ in two divisions, he'll already be considered one of the greatest ever. You may recall him disposing of Paulo Costo with ease in his last fight. The Middleweight champ will be faster and he'll be the more technical striker. Blachowicz has serious power of his own though. The big Polish fighter catches Adesanya with one good shot and anything is possible. While I do think Adesanya will get it done, I don't expect it to be nearly as easy as the Costo fight. Amanda NunesNunes is the biggest favorite (roughly -1200) on the card and for good reason. The "Goat" of women's MMA, Nunes has already done (belts at two weight classes) what Adesanya is trying to achieve. Nunes has dominated everyone: Rousey, Cyborg, Tate and Holm to name just a few. She can knock opponents out or she can choke them out. Anderson is a "knock-out artist" herself but she's outclassed here. Yan/SterlingWith a line of roughly a pick'em, this is expected to be the most competitive of the three title fights. Given the amount of trash talk between them, it should be exciting. The two fighters were originally supposed to fight back in December and the war of words between them has been going on for months. Yan had this to say: "He likes to talk a lot. He's a big mouth and sometimes I just happen to answer his tweets. For me, he's just another opponent, but I understand that he's the challenger and he needs to attract attention that he needs so much. As I started training and preparing, recently he's gone quiet. I don't know what happened. I don't know what happened to his big mouth ... " Yan went on to say: "... I don’t know what he's hoping for when he fights me. Is he hoping just to work his jiu-jitsu on me? I don't understand. I work and train with black belts so it’s not a problem for me.  I'm training to break him and destroy him. I can't see what he's going to offer me and I'm determined to prove to everyone that I deserve to be champion. I'm gonna defend this belt for a long time ... " Naturally, Sterling feels much differently. He had this to say: "Petr Yan has beaten up a lot of old men. I want to prove he's been the paper champ this entire time."

Read more

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, NCAA Basketball and EPL Previews and Odds - 03/02/2021

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Mar 02, 2021

The Tuesday sports card features action in NCAA basketball, the NBA, the NHL, and the English Premier League. The college basketball card begins at 1 PM ET with New Mexico State hosts UT Rio Grande Valley as an 8-point favorite with the total set at 136 (all odds from BetOnline).The nationally-televised college basketball schedule begins at 5 PM ET with a Super Tuesday triple-header on ESPN with Baylor playing at West Virginia. The Bears are ranked third in the nation by the Associated Press with an 18-1 record. They lost their first game of the season on Saturday in a 71-58 upset loss at Arkansas as a 4.5-point favorite. The Mountaineers are ranked sixth nationally by the AP with a 17-6 record. They have six of their last seven games after the 65-43 victory against Kansas State as a 16-point favorite. Baylor is a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 149.Michigan hosts Illinois on ESPN at 7 PM ET. The Wolverines are ranked second in the nation with an 18-1 record. They won their seventh in a row with a 73-57 victory at Indiana as a 7-point favorite on Saturday. The Fighting Illini is ranked fourth nationally at 18-6. They won their ninth game in their last ten on Saturday with a 74-69 upset win at Wisconsin as a 4.5-point favorite. Michigan is an 8-point favorite, with the total is at 145.5.Alabama plays at home against Auburn on ESPN2 at 7 PM ET. The Crimson Tide is ranked eighth nationally with a 19-6 record. They won their fourth game in their last five with their 64-59 win at Mississippi State as a 6.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Tigers, 12-13, ended a three-game losing streak on Saturday with a 77-72 upset win against Tennessee as an 8-point underdog. Alabama is an 11-point favorite with an over/under of 157.5.Boise State is at home against Fresno State on the CBS Sports Network at 7 PM ET as a 13.5-point favorite with a total of 135. Central Florida hosts Tulsa on ESPNU as a 3-point favorite, with the total at 131. Xavier visits Georgetown on FS1 as a 1.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 147.5.Mississippi plays at home against Kentucky on ESPN at 9 PM ET. The Rebels fell to 13-10 on Saturday with their 75-70 upset loss at Vanderbilt as a 10.5-point favorite. The Wildcats, 8-14, had their three-game winning streak end with a 71-67 upset loss to Florida as a 2-point favorite on Saturday. Ole Miss is a 1.5-point favorite with the total at 130.5.Purdue hosts Wisconsin on ESP2 at 9 PM ET. The Boilermakers are ranked 23rd by the AP with a 16-8 record. They won their third in a row on Friday in a 73-52 win at Penn State as a 1-point underdog. The Badgers are ranked 25th nationally with a 16-9 mark. They have lost three of their last four games after a 74-69 loss to Illinois on Saturday. Purdue is a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 129.5. Marquette travels to DePaul on FS1 at 9 PM ET as a 5.5-point road favorite, with the total at 136.5. Memphis visits South Florida pm ESPNU as a 10-point road favorite with an over/under of 134.5.Seven games are on the NBA docket. A doubleheader on TNT begins at 7:35 PM ET with the Los Angeles Clippers visiting Boston. The Clippers have lost two of their last three games after their 105-100 loss at Milwaukee as a 2-point underdog on Sunday. The Celtics won their second straight game on Sunday with a 111-110 win against Washington as a 1-point favorite. The nightcap on TNT at 10 PM ET has the Los Angeles Lakers playing at home against Phoenix. The Lakers have won two in a row with a 117-91 victory against Golden State as a 2.5-point favorite on Sunday. The Suns won their fifth game in their last six in a 118-99 win at Minnesota as a 10-point favorite on Sunday. Los Angeles is a 1.5-point favorite with the total set at 211.5.Seven games are on the NHL slate. Pittsburgh hosts Philadelphia on the NBC Sports Network at 7 PM ET. The Penguins have lost two of their last three games after their 2-0 loss at New York against the Islanders on Sunday. The Flyers won their third game in a row with a 3-2 win at Buffalo on Sunday. Pittsburgh is a -110 money line favorite with an over/under of 6.Matchweek 26 in the English Premier League continues with Manchester City playing at home against Wolverhampton on the NBC Sports Network at 3 PM ET as a -2 goal line favorite with the total at 2.75. 

Read more

NCAA Basketball: Michigan/Illinois Preview, Odds and Prediction - 03/02/2021

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Mar 02, 2021

An ESPN Super Tuesday triple-header is headlined by a Big Ten heavyweight battle between teams two of the top four teams in the country.Illinois has won nine of their last ten games after they defeated Wisconsin on the road, 74-69, as a 4.5-point underdog on Saturday. Kofi Cockburn scored 19 points to lead the Fighting Illini. The 7’0 sophomore averages 17.7 points-per-game while adding 9.9 rebounds-per-game. Brad Underwood was without Ayo Dosunmu for the second-straight game in the triumph against the Badgers. The junior point guard is out indefinitely with a broken nose. He is averaging 21.0 points-per-game, 6.3 rebounds-per-game, and 5.3 assists-per-game. Dosunmu and Cockburn were two of five returning starters from the team last year that finished 21-10.Illinois ranks fourth in the nation by the Associated Press with an 18-6 record. The Illini earned an impressive non-conference victory against Duke in December. Underwood’s team is second in the Big Ten with a 14-4 mark with wins against Iowa, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Indiana (twice). Illinois has conference losses to Ohio State, Michigan State, Rutgers, and Maryland and non-conference losses to Baylor and Missouri. The Fighting Illini are tenth in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency at kenpom. They rank 19th nationally with both a 38.1% shooting percentage from 3-point land and a 55.7% mark inside the arc. Illinois is sixteenth nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency using the kenpom metrics. They limit their opponents to rebounding 22.4% of their missed shots, 15th nationally. Their opponents make 45.1% of their 2-point shots, ranking 22nd nationally. Michigan has won seven in a row after their 73-57 victory at Indiana on Saturday. Franz Wagner scored a season-high 21 points. The sophomore is scoring 13.3 points-per-game and grabbing 6.4 rebounds-per-game. Isaiah Livers added 16 points with 10 rebounds. The senior is averaging 14.5 points-per-game and 6.2 rebounds-per-game. He has scored at least 16 points in five of his last seven games. Hunter Dickinson contributed another 13 points and seven rebounds. The freshman is scoring 14.8 points-per-game and pulling down 7.8 rebounds-per-game.The Wolverines rank second in the nation with an 18-1 record. A victory tonight clinches them the Big Ten regular-season title. Michigan has a 13-1 conference record with wins against Iowa, Ohio State, Wisconsin (twice), and Maryland (twice). Their lone loss was at Minnesota in January. Michigan ranks fifth in adjusted offensive efficiency according to the metrics at kenpom. The Wolverines are 22nd with a 55.4% shooting percentage inside the arc, which helps elevate their effective field goal percentage to 56.5%, twelfth nationally. They are making 39.0% of their 3-point shots, ranking 11th nationally. Michigan registers an assist in 55.7% rate of their made field goals, 78th nationally. Only 6.4% of their shot attempts are getting blocked, 20th nationally.The Wolverines are fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency at kenpom. They are second in opponent’s effective field goal percentage with a 43.9% mark. Michigan is also second nationally by limiting their opponents to just 41.3% shooting inside the arc. These opponents make 32.7% of their 3-pointers, 117th nationally. This team does not foul as they rank 21st nationally in foul-rate. They block 11.6% of their opponent’s shots, 43rd nationally. They hold their opponents to just a 41.5% assist rate, 8th nationally.This showdown is the first meeting between these two teams this season. BetAnySports lists Michigan as a 7-point favorite with the total set at 144.5.Computer prediction: Michigan 75 Illinois 68

Read more

DAME TIME - All Star Starter in our Book!

by ASA, Inc.

Monday, Mar 01, 2021

For years Steph Curry has been the best point guard in the league and single handedly changed the game with his three point barrages in front of a raucous Bay Area crowds. His record breaking number of attempts over the years have not even been the crazy part, it’s been his efficiency. Again this year he leads the league in three point attempts yet he’s shooting over 42%. There is a reason he is considered the best point guard in the league, but it is time to start including someone else in the conversation.   Damian Lillard was snubbed from the All-Star starters after leading the Blazers to fifth in the West almost single handedly. Steph getting a starting spot is understandable but we could make the case for Dame starting over Luka Doncic. Luka is shooting 33% from three point range and turning it over at a higher clip than both Steph and Dame. Doncic may have better overall raw numbers than both Curry and Lillard but his +/- differential is lower than both and the Mavs are just .500. Missing CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic, the Blazers have relied heavily on Lillard to carry the offensive load, and he has delivered. They own a better record than both the Warriors and Mavericks, yet Dame still seems to be underrated. Steph and Dame are in very similar situations this season and are producing very similar numbers. They are both averaging just under 30 ppg but Lillard is dishing out almost 2 more assists per game and pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game to Steph’s 5.4 rpg. He also has more game winning buzzer beaters (3) since he entered the league in 2012 according to basketball reference. Big shots at the end of games are hard to track based on the situations but there are very few players as cold blooded as Dame when it comes to winning time. Steph has three rings in his great career but zero finals MVP’s. This year will be a true test to see how far Curry can carry the Warriors. If he falls short, maybe he will then know what Dame has felt like his entire career. Either way, the two best point guards in the league both deserve to be mentioned in the same conversation moving forward. If you are looking for a betting angle with Lillard and the Blazers look no further than their road games. Portland is 12-6 ATS (67%) away from home and 8-4 ATS (67%) as a road dog as of this writing. Led by Dame Time, the Blazers have the 6th best overall 3-point shooting percentage in the league which has also helped the Over cash in 10 of eighteen road games.  Their road games have averaged 230 total points this season.  

Read more

NCAA Basketball: Oklahoma/Oklahoma State Preview, Odds and Prediction - 03/01/2021

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Mar 01, 2021

The Big Monday doubleheader on ESPN concludes at 9 PM ET with a rematch between two Big 12 teams tied in the conference standings jockeying for NCAA tournament seeding. Bedlam Part 1 took place on Saturday in Norman, where Oklahoma State upset Oklahoma in overtime, 94-90,  as a 6.5-point underdog. Cade Cunningham scored a career-high 40 points and added 11 rebounds. The freshman phenom leads the team with a 19.8 points-per-game average. The 6’8 point guard will likely be the number one pick in the June NBA draft. Avery Anderson III added 15 points. The sophomore guard is second on the team with a 10.2 points-per-game scoring average. Bryce Williams contributed another 15 points to improve upon his 7.7 points-per-game scoring average. Oklahoma State, 16-6, have high-profile victories against Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas Tech, and these Sooners. The Cowboys moved into a tie for fourth place with Oklahoma with a 9-6 record n the Big 12 with losses to Baylor, West Virginia, Texas, and Kansas. Two conference losses to TCU dog their resume. The Cowboys are 75th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency at kenpom. Their 51.4% shooting mark inside the arc is 104th. They rank 20th at kenpom in adjusted defensive efficiency. Their opponent's effective field goal percentage of 46.4% ranks 29th nationally.Last year’s leading scorer, Isaac Likekely, is questionable with a hand injury after not playing over the weekend. His 33 minutes played last Monday against Texas Tech is the only time he has taken the court since February 8th. The 6’5  junior point guard has a 9.8 points-per-game scoring average. He is contributing 6.9 rebounds-per-game and 3.7 assists-per-game.Oklahoma got a career-high 23 points from De’Vian Harmon. The sophomore is second on the team with a 13.0 points-per-game scoring average. Austin Reaves added 22 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. The senior leads the team with 17.5 points-per-game, 5.6 rebounds-per-game, and 5.1 assists-per-game averages.The Sooners are ranked seventh by the Associated Press with a 14-7 record. Lon Kruger’s team has high-profile victories against Kansas, Texas, West Virginia (twice), and Alabama in non-conference play. Six of their losses are against teams ranked in the top-54 at kenpom: Baylor, Kansas, Texas Tech (twice), Oklahoma State, and Xavier. A setback to Kansas State that ranks 183rd at kenpom is the lone blemish on their resume. Kruger has over 70% of the production return last year's 19-12 team. Oklahoma is 35th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency and 39th in defense at kenpom. The Sooners have been tough to score on inside the arc, with opponents making only 44.9% of their 2-point shots. But Oklahoma is allowing opposing shooters to convert 35.4% of their 3-pointers, 259th in the nation. The Sooners make the most of their scoring opportunities, with Reeves running the point. Oklahoma only turns the ball over in 15.5% of their possessions, ranking 16th nationally.BookMaker lists the Sooners as a 1.5-point road favorite with the total set at 142 for Bedlam Part 2 tonight.Computer prediction:  Oklahoma 73 Oklahoma State 70

Read more

The Hard Rock Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas is no more.

by Will Rogers

Monday, Mar 01, 2021

Shame.Michael Jordan used to go there to drag Dennis Rodman out of bed so they could go win playoff games and NBA championships. Ben Affleck was banned from the Hard Rock’s blackjack tables for counting cards. Bruno Mars was busted there for having drugs. Howard Stern, a notorious homebody, did his radio show from there once a year.So many celebrities flocked to the Hard Rock that it was hard to spend a weekend night there and NOT run into one. Simply put, anyone who was anyone who was bored with The Strip party scene hung out either at the Palms one mile north of Las Vegas Boulevard or the Hard Rock one mile south.Later this month or early in April the new owners of the property – a Houston-based private equity company – will open the doors again under the name Virgin Hotel. The mammoth guitar at the property’s entrance is long gone. Instead, Virgin will hope to retain some old customers and develop new ones with across-the-grain consumer-friendly policies such as no resort fees, free parking and free Wi-Fi – all of which have been in short supply in the city in recent years.If the old Hard Rock – which opened in 1990 and had undergone several renovations over its near 30-year run – was Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian and pool parties – Virgin is promising a more refined, laid-back vibe. The dance clubs are still there, but it’s clear from those who have seen it that the new owners probably won’t have to worry about undercover police checking for drug deals. Maybe not 50 Cent and maybe not Michael Buble, but something in between.The casino business has been farmed out to Mohegan Sun, the gigantic tribe-owned hotel-casino property that made its mark in southeastern Connecticut. The Virgin gambling area will be just a fraction of the size of Mohegan’s Northeast step-father.The renovation of the hotel end of the property includes plenty of 21st-century technology – lots of outlets for charging electronic devices, keyless room entry and everything you might want to do (order food, check out etc.) from your mobile phone.Opening any business into the headwinds created by the current Covid pandemic and amid various state travel restrictions is tricky and risky business, and Virgin no doubt is no doubt rolling the dice. Some analysts predict that the travel-entertainment industry will roar back big-time as pent-up demand takes effect once the virus’s effects have abated. Others estimate that it could take years before we’re back to pre-pandemic levels. No one really knows for sure. But Virgin bossman Richard Branson got silly rich taking risks growing his empire, and this is just another for him.As for the Hard Rock name itself, we may not have seen the last of it in Vegas. Even as Virgin is putting the finishing touches for its planned March 25 opening, Hard Rock International announced that it has purchased the intellectual property rights to build a new casino in Vegas. So Virgin and Hard Rock might actually be competitors at some point.

Read more

The Europeans Are Coming!

by Ben Burns

Monday, Mar 01, 2021

by Ben BurnsBetter late than never! Thanks to the pandemic, Euro 2020 will be played in 2021. Starting June 11th and going for a month, 24 teams will do battle across 12 host cities. How Did They Get Here?The top two teams from each of the 10 groups qualified. The four remaining positions were settled in the play-offs. Scotland beat Serbia in a penalty shootout. What Do The Groups Look Like?This year's "Group Of Death" pits Germany, France and Portugal against each other. Poor Hungary. Remember, teams play each of the other three in their group. Top two from each group. advance to the knockout stage. Complete listings below:Group A: Turkey, Italy, Wales, Switzerland Group B: Denmark, Finland, Belgium, RussiaGroup C: Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, North MacedoniaGroup D: England, Croatia, Scotland, Czech RepublicGroup E: Spain, Sweden, Poland, SlovakiaGroup F: Hungary, Portugal, France, GermanyWho's Expected To Win?Believe it, or not, England is actually the current favorite to hoist the Henri Delaunay Cup. It helps to be in a group with Scotland and the Czech Republic, two of the weaker teams in the tournament. The top 10 favorites, courtesy of Pinnacle, are below:England +394Belgium +520 France +520 Spain +623Germany +726 Netherlands +726Italy +1036 Portugal +1036Croatia +2586Ukraine +5168Any Longshots To Keep An Eye On?At +7751, Switzerland is well worth a look. They should finish ahead of Wales and Turkey in Group A and then anything is possible. I've had the pleasure of visiting Switzerland a couple of times and always remember being very impressed by their soccer program. My son played in some tournaments in Italy and Switzerland; he played on what was essentially a North American select team but they had their hands full. Anyway, if looking for a longshot, consider the Swiss. 

Read more

Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAA Basketball, EPL, NHL and NBA Previews and Odds - 03/01/2021

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Mar 01, 2021

The Monday sports card features action in NCAA basketball, the NBA, the NHL, and the English Premier League. The college basketball card begins at 1 PM ET with Florida International visiting Western Kentucky. The nationally-televised college basketball card begins at 5 PM ET, with St. Bonaventure hosting Dayton at ESPN. The Bonnies, 13-3, won their third straight game on Friday in an 88-41 win against George Washington as a 14-point favorite. The Flyers fell to 12-8 with a 97-84 loss a Saint Joseph’s as a 7.5-point favorite on Wednesday. St. Bonaventure is a 7.5-point favorite with the total set at 133 (all odds from BetOnline).North Carolina travels to Syracuse on ESPN at 7 PM ET. The Tar Heels improved to 15-8 with a 78-70 upset win against Florida State as a 2-point underdog on Saturday. The Orange dropped to 13-8 with their 84-77 setback at Georgia Tech as a 4.5-point underdog on Saturday. North Carolina is a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 149.Oklahoma plays at Oklahoma State on ESPN at 9 PM ET. The Sooners are ranked 7th in the nation by the Associated Press with a 14-7 record. They lost their second game in a row on Saturday in a 94-90 upset loss to the Cowboys. Oklahoma State has won four in a row to improve to 16-6. Oklahoma is a 1-point road favorite, with the total at 142.5.Oregon is at home against Arizona on ESPN2 at 9 PM ET. The Ducks raised their record to 16-5 with their 74-63 win at California as a 9-point favorite on Saturday. The Wildcats, 17-8, won their third straight game in a 75-74 win against Washington as a 15-point favorite on Saturday. Oregon is a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 141.Colorado State hosts Air Force on the CBS Sports Network at 9 PM ET. The Rams, 15-4, won their third straight with a 72-49 win against the Falcons on Saturday. Air Force fell to 5-18 with the loss. Colorado State is a 19-point favorite with the total at 132. Seven games are on the NBA schedule. Two games tip-off the card at 7 PM ET, including Dallas playing at Orlando as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 224. The card concludes at 10:30 PM ET with Portland hosting Charlotte as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 235.5. The NHL docket has seven games, with the puck dropping at 7 PM ET with two contests. Calgary visits Ottawa as a -161 money line road favorite with the total at 6. Carolina travels to Florida as a -115 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The slate ends at 10:30 PM ET with Colorado playing at San Jose as a -210 money line road favorite with the total at 6.Matchweek 26 of the English Premier League continues with Everton hosting Southampton at 3 PM ET on the NBC Sports Network as a -0.5 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.5.

Read more

Don’t Worry About the Lakers

by Team Del Genio

Sunday, Feb 28, 2021

The reigning NBA champions have hit their rock bottom earlier this week when they lost their fourth game in a row on Wednesday. Los Angeles put up little resistance in a 114-89 loss at the red-hot Utah Jazz despite being an 8.5-point underdog. That was the Lakers’ fifth loss in six games after Anthony Davis went out with an Achilles’ injury. Yet not all “rock bottoms” are the same. It is usually wise to not overreact when good teams struggle in the dog days of the NBA regular season especially when the All-Star Game is approaching. Losing Davis took away one of the Lakers’ top two players. LeBron James looks tired after playing every game averaging almost 35 minutes per contest. There is an understanding in professional sports that the defending champion always gets their opponent’s best effort. Despite losing five of six (before winning their last two games), only one of the losses would be considered “bad.” Losing at Denver as a 3-point favorite is forgivable. Losing at home to the new-look Brooklyn Nets with James Harden and Kyrie Irving (even without Kevin Durant) as a 3-point favorite is understandable. Getting beaten by Miami as a 3.5-point favorite in their first opportunity to avenge their loss in the NBA Finals might have been expected. Few observers gave the Lakers much of a chance than against the red-hot Jazz in Utah as an 8.5-point underdog. Only a loss to Washington does not look very good in the rearview mirror, yet in that game, Los Angeles took their foot off the gas pedal by blowing a 17-point lead. Sometimes that happens on a Monday night in February. Our Western Conference Game of the Month was on Friday with the Lakers hosting Portland. Help was on the way with Dennis Schroder returning from COVID quarantine. His absence in the previous four games has cost Los Angeles a reliable scorer and a second starter along with Davis. He was averaging 14.2 points-per-game before entering quarantine. Just getting Schroder back on the court made a significant difference. He scored 22 points against the Trail Blazers in helping Los Angeles win, 102-93, and cover the 5-point spread. Schroder’s efforts on defense should not be dismissed either. The Lakers held the Blazers to just 39.1% shooting. Schroder running the point on offense helped Los Angeles get to the free-throw line 28 times where they made 21 attempts. Strong defense and getting to the charity stripe was the recipe on Sunday as well in the Lakers’ 117-91 victory at home against Golden State. LA held the Warriors to 41% shooting. They got to the free-throw line 38 times resulting in 26 points. Schroder contributed 12 points while dishing out six assists. Racing out to a 73-44 lead at halftime allowed for James to only play for under 25 minutes in the game.Los Angeles may not repeat as NBA champions this spring but that is a May and perhaps June problem. Until then, don’t worry. Pick your spots when betting the Lakers in the regular season, just as they pick their spots to exert a little more effort. LeBron James is playing the long game. Good luck - TDG.

Read more

Follow us @bigal_com

Instagram Twitter

Links

Big Al's Sports Picks Info

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

© 2024 Al McMordie's BigAl.com. All Rights Reserved.