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NCAA Sunday Night Basketball: Nevada/UNLV Preview

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Jan 31, 2021

The Sunday night college basketball card concludes with UNLV visiting Nevada in Reno on FS1 at 9:30 PM ET.The Runnin’ Rebels had been on a five-game winning before playing their rematch with Utah State on Wednesday. UNLV was defeated by the Aggies, 83-74, as a 7-point underdog after defeating Utah State on Monday, 59-56. Second-year head coach T.J. Otzelberger only returned three rotation players from the team last year that finished 17-15. The former South Dakota State head coach had his team on a five of six winning streak to end the season, headlined by them handing San Diego State their first loss of the year. Otzelberger relied on transfers and freshmen to fill-out the team this year.Bryce Hamilton was an All-Mountain West Conference player last season. This year, the junior leads the Runnin’ Rebels with an 18.2 points-per-game scoring average while adding 5.5 rebounds-per-game and 4.0 assists-per-game. Hamilton scored only 2 points on Wednesday, missing 11 of his 12 shots from the field, including all five of his three-point attempts. He is questionable for tonight’s game with an ankle injury. If Hamilton cannot play, UNLV will have to rely on the supporting cast. David Jenkins, a transfer from South Dakota State, is the second-leading scorer with a 15.8 points-per-game clip. He is hitting 42.2% of his 3-pointers. Caleb Grill, a sophomore guard who transferred from Iowa State, is scoring 9.6 points-per-game. Senior forward Cheikh Mbacke Diong is adding 8.5 points-per-game. UNLV opened the season with an upset loss at home to Montana State before embarking to Maui Invitational relocated to Asheville, North Carolina, this year. They got crushed against North Carolina by 27 points before losing to Alabama by eight points and then Davidson by four points. Otzelberger’s team earned their first win of the season with a 10-point win against Kansas State before getting swept on the road against Colorado State. A four-game winning streak started with a win against Division II St. Katherine before a sweep at home against a struggling New Mexico and then a win against Division II Benedictine, AZ, before their upset win against the Aggies. After playing six straight games at home at the Thomas & Mack Center, this is the Runnin’ Rebels' first game on the road since their loss at Colorado State on January 9th. The Runnin’ Rebels are 3-3 in conference play to go along with their 6-7 overall record. They rank fourth in the Mountain West Conference in adjusted defensive efficiency. Their opponent’s effective field goal percentage of 49.1 is also fourth in the conference. They are forcing turnovers at a 21.1% rate, which is third-best in the Mountain West.Nevada was 9-5 going into a two-game road trip in Laramie against Wyoming last weekend. The Cowboys upset the Wolf Pack twice by 71-64 and 93-88 scores as a 3.5 and 4.5-point underdog in those Friday and Sunday contests. Alford oversaw a Nevada team that finished 19-12 last season, including a surprising 12-6 in Mountain West Conference play, which was good for second place. Yet five of the top six scorers from that team departed, leaving Alford to rebuild this team nearly from scratch from bench players, freshmen, and transfer players. Grant Sherfield leads the team with an 18.5 points-per-game scoring average while adding 5.5 assists-per-game. The Wichita State transfer was granted eligibility in the fall from the NCAA’s blanket transfer exception policy this year due to COVID. Desmond Cambridge, a former transfer from Brown, is second on the team with a 15.2 points-per-game average. The Wolf Pack are 5-5 in conference play. They are fifth in adjusted offensive efficiency while having the top free throw rate in the conference. Nevada is sixth in adjusted defensive efficiency in the MWC while ranking third with an opponent’s effective field goal percentage of 48.7%. They have a bad loss to Air Force on their resume while playing two close games against San Diego State in 2-point and 5-point losses. A victory at home against UNLV would represent their biggest win so far this season for Alford.BookMaker lists Nevada as a 4-point favorite with the total set at 142.5.

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NBA: How Do The Teams Stack Up So Far?

by Power Sports

Sunday, Jan 31, 2021

We’re a little more than one month into the NBA season, so I wanted to share some thoughts on how the two conferences are shaping up. If you’re unaware, the playoff format has been altered. There will be a  "play-in tournament" for teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference from May 18–21. The 7th place team will play the 8th place team, with the winner earning the 7-seed. The 9th place team will play the 10th place team with the loser of that game being eliminated. The 7th-8th loser will then play the 9th-10th winner, with the winner of that game earning the 8-seed and the loser being eliminated.The top six in each conference do not have to worry about the “play-in tournament” and are assured of playoff berths.Let’s look at who I think has a good shot at finishing in the top six in the East and West. East: The current top six of Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Indiana, Boston & Atlanta are who I expect to be the top six when the regular season concludes. The order will likely shuffle with Milwaukee being my pick to finish on top, which they’ve done the previous two seasons. The Bucks are #1 in the East in both point differential and net efficiency. Brooklyn is #2 in both and now that they have James Harden, will probably finish no lower than third. I expect them to duke it out with Philadelphia for the #2 seed. The Sixers have cleaned up against sub-.500 foes so far (11-2 SU) and did just beat the Lakers, but I don’t see them making the Conference Finals. Atlanta is among the league’s most improved teams so far and as the likely winner of the Southeast Division could finish ahead of Indiana and Boston, if all goes well.  As for the play-in spots, I think you have to look at the likelihood of both Toronto and Miami improving. These teams have been negatively impacted by COVID with the Raptors playing home games in Orlando and the Heat having a thin roster. The East is too weak for these teams not to finish in the top 10. It’s so weak that even teams like Charlotte, New York and Cleveland have a shot at making the playoffs. When all is said and done, expect the Raptors and Heat to round out the top eight. West: The top three have really solidified themselves already. As expected, the Lakers and Clippers are among those three teams. The surprise is Utah, who has won 11 in a row as of this writing, and currently leads the conference. There’s no “smoke and mirrors” either. The Jazz are 12-3 in games decided by 10 points or more and have the best point differential in the NBA. They’ve covered the spread in all 11 games during this win streak as well and have the best ATS record in the league. The Jazz have actually been favored in 17 of their 19 games so far, so the strong start should actually NOT be that surprising. They have yet to face the Lakers, but did beat the Clippers on New Year’s Day.Denver, who has finished top three in the West each of the previous two seasons, would seem like a lock to finish in the top six again this year. I’ve been very disappointed with the Mavericks recently as they’ve lost five straight to fall to 8-12 SU. But like the Raptors and Heat in the East, expect the Mavs to rise up and I’ve got them projected for the top six here. Phoenix is a young and exciting team and I think they’ll also finish above the “cut line” for the playoff scenario.The West is deeper than the East, making the race for the Play-In spots more intriguing. Unlike the East, I think there are some teams that you can easily “write off” though. Oklahoma City, Sacramento and Minnesota are all pretty bad and I would be stunned if any of those three finished in the top 10. That would leave six teams - Memphis, San Antonio, Houston, Portland, Golden State and New Orleans - fighting for the four spots. All of these teams would make the playoffs if they were in the East. They all have significant flaws, Portland’s horrible defensive efficiency for example, but those things can be overcome. I think it’s pretty clear the Warriors are never getting back to their previous championship heights. Memphis and Houston are both solid defensive teams. San Antonio is one of only three teams currently covering at a 60% rate or higher, so they’ve been undervalued. New Orleans is the worst of the six teams, according to every metric. Since it’s so early in the season, I’m not really comfortable choosing which four of these six will get the chance to play playoff basketball.I’ll be checking back in as the season progresses. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NHL, NBA, EPL and NCAA Basketball Preview

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Jan 31, 2021

The Sunday sports card features college basketball with action in the NBA, the NHL, and English Premier League.The college basketball card tips off with Temple hosting Tulane at noon ET with the Owls a 7-point favorite with the total set at 130 (all odds courtesy of BetOnline).The nationally-televised college basketball schedule begins at 1 PM ET, with Houston playing at home against SMU on ESPN. The Cougars, 14-1, are ranked sixth in the AP poll with seven straight victories after they defeated Tulane on the road, 83-60, as a 15.5-point favorite on Tuesday. The Mustangs, 9-3, won their third game in their last four with their 67-65 win against Memphis as a 4-point favorite on Thursday. Houston is a 9.5-point favorite with the over/under at 139.Ohio State is at home against Michigan State on CBS at 1 PM ET. The Buckeyes, 13-4, rank 13th by the AP with five wins in their last six games after they beat Penn State, 83-79, as a 7-point favorite on Wednesday. The Spartans, 8-5, played their first game since January 8th on Thursday in a 67-37 loss at Rutgers as a 7.5-point underdog. Ohio State is a 7-point favorite with the total at 143. Loyola-Illinois travels to Missouri State on the CBS Sports Network at 3 PM ET. The Ramblers, 13-3, have won six in a row after their 68-58 win at Bradley as a 7-point favorite on Monday. The Bears fell to 9-3 after their 78-73 loss to Drake as a 4-point underdog on Wednesday. Loyola-Illinois is a 6.5-point road favor with the over/under at 136. Marquette hosts St. John’s on Fox at 3:30 PM ET. The Golden Eagles fell to 8-8 with their 72-63 loss at Providence as a 2-point underdog on Thursday. The Red Storm won their fourth game in their last five to improve to 10-7 with their 81-68 victory at DePaul as a 1-point favorite on Thursday. Marquette is a 4-point favorite with a total of 150.5.Stephen F. Austin plays at home against Sam Houston State on ESPNU at 4 PM ET. The Lumberjacks, 9-3, had their six-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday in their 82-62 loss at Abilene Christian as a 2.5-point underdog. The Bearkats won their tenth straight to improve to 13-5 with their 75-70 victory at Texas A&M Corpus Christi as a 9-point favorite on Wednesday. Stephen F. Austin is a 5-point favorite with an over/under of 149.5. Colgate plays a rematch at Holy Cross on the CBS Sports Network at 5 PM ET. The Raiders, 6-1, won their meeting on Saturday by a 74-63 score in overtime as a 15-point favorite. The Crusaders fell to 2-7 with the loss. Northern Iowa is on the road at Southern Illinois on ESPN2 after winning on Saturday, 74-62, to improve to 5-10. The Salukis fell to 7-6.Nevada is at home against UNLV on FS1 at 9:30 PM ET. The Wolf Pack, 9-7, have lost two in a row after their 93-88 upset loss at Wyoming as a 4.5-point favorite last Sunday. The Runnin’ Rebels had their five-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday to drop to 6-7 with their 83-74 loss to Utah State as a 7-point underdog. Nevada is a 2-point favorite with the total at 142.Six games are on the NBA docket. The Los Angeles Clippers play at New York at 1 PM ET as a 7.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 211.5. The card concludes at 8 PM ET with Cleveland visiting Minnesota as a 3.5-point road favorite with the total at 219. None of the games are on national television.The NHL has eight games on its Sunday schedule. Buffalo plays at home against New Jersey at 1 PM ET as a -155 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The card concludes at 9 PM ET with Ottawa visiting Edmonton. None of the games are on national television. Four matches take place in the English Premier League to conclude Matchweek 21. Chelsea hosts Burnley at 7 AM ET as a -1.5 goal line favorite with the total set at 2.75. Leicester plays at home against Leeds United at 9 AM ET as a -0.75 goal line favorite with an over/under of 3. Liverpool visits West Ham United at 11:30 AM ET as a -0.75 goal line road favorite with a total of 2.75. Tottenham travels to Brighton and Hove Albion at 2:15 PM ET as a -0.25 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.25.

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NCAA Saturday Night Basketball: Kansas/Tennessee Preview

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Jan 30, 2021

The highest-profile matchup in the Big 12/SEC Challenge tips off at 6 PM ET on ESPN. Kansas ranks 15th in the nation in the Associated Press poll, while Tennessee ranks 18th by the AP.Kansas was at one time ranked third in the nation by the AP. Then three losses on the road this month at Oklahoma State, Baylor, and Oklahoma left Bill Self’s team with a 10-5 record. The Jayhawks returned home to Lawrence on Thursday to defeat TCU by a 59-51 score as a 14-point favorite. Kansas trailed by a 33-26 score with under 17 minutes to go in the second half before rallying to outscore the Horned Frogs by a 33-18 margin to pull the victory. The Jayhawks are fifth in the Big 12 with a 5-4 conference record. Kansas is led in scoring by Ochai Agbaji with his 14.4 points-per-game average. Jalen Wilson is second on the team with a 12.3 points-per-game scoring average. David McCormack is adding 11.7 points-per-game while pulling down 5.6 rebounds-per-game. The Jayhawks can struggle to score baskets. Their 48.8% shooting percentage inside the arc this season is 217th in the nation. The kenpom adjusted offensive efficiency numbers still rank the Jayhawks 33rd in the nation. They pull down 32.4% of their misses, 58th best in the country. They rank 12th in adjusted defensive efficiency, with their interior defense leading the way. Kansas leads the Big 12 by holding their opponents to just 45.0% shooting inside the arc.Kansas has quality victories against Creighton, West Virginia, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma. Their other two losses were their opening game loss to number-one ranked Gonzaga as well as Texas. Tennessee ended a two-game losing streak on Tuesday with a 56-53 victory against Mississippi State as a 9.5-point favorite. That win did continue a disturbing trend for head coach Rick Barnes with the Volunteers making only 37.0% of their shots. Barnes did get Jaden Springer back on the court Vader he missed the previous two loss with an ankle injury. Springer scored 9 points while adding five assists and four rebounds in the win. The Volunteers went into last week with a 10-1 record. They suffered an embarrassing 75-49 loss at Florida before returning home last Saturday to get upset again by Missouri, 73-64. Tennessee was a 7.5 and 6.5 point favorite in both games but only shot 29.3% and then 43.7% from the field in those two upset losses. In their last three games, the Vols have not scored more than 64 points and have not made more than 43.7% of their shots. They rank 294th with a 31.9% shooting percentage from 3-point land. Tennessee hits the offensive glass like the Jayhawks as they share their 32.4% offensive rebounding rate. The Vols also get to the free-throw line at the second-highest rate in the SEC. Yet the Volunteers make only 65.4% of their shots at the charity stripe. The Vols are 70th at kenpom in adjusted offensive efficiency. Barnes’ team excels on the other end of the court, where they rank second in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency. Tennessee forces turnovers in 24.7% of their opponent’s possessions, 10th best. They hold their opponents to only 59.3 points-per-game. Tennessee is 5-3 in conference play. Their third loss was to Alabama. The Volunteers have quality victories against Arkansas and Missouri in the SEC and a win against Creighton in non-conference action. BetAnySports lists Tennessee as a 3.5-point favorite with the total set at 130.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: EPL, NHL, NBA and NCAA Basketball Preview

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Jan 30, 2021

The Saturday sports card features a busy card in college basketball headlined by the Big 12/SEC Challenge, with action in the NBA, the NHL, and English Premier League taking place as well.The college basketball card tips off at noon PM ET. Oklahoma hosts Alabama on ESPN in a Big 12/SEC Challenge showdown between two nationally-ranked teams. The Crimson Tide are ninth in the Associated Press poll, while the Sooners rank 24th. Oklahoma is a 1-point favorite with the total set at 154.5 (all odds from BetOnline). ESPNU has another Big 12/SEC Challenge contest with Texas A&M visiting Kansas State as a 1-point road favorite with an over/under of 125. Duke plays at home against Clemson on ESPNU as a 5-point favorite with the total at 134.Providence plays at Georgetown on FS1 at 1 PM ET as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 140.5. VCU plays at home against LaSalle on the NBC Sports Network as a 14.5-point favorite with a total of 138. At 2 PM ET, three more nationally-televised contests in the Big 12/SEC Challenge tip-off. Texas Tech visits LSU on ESPN2. The tenth-ranked Red Raiders are 4-point road favorites with the over/under at 151. West Virginia is at home against Florida on ESP with the 11th-ranked Mountaineers are a 6-point favorite with the total at 147. Missouri hosts TCU on ESPNU. The 12th ranked Tigers are a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 138. Villanova visits Seton Hall at 3:30 PM ET on Fox. The third-ranked Wildcats are a 5.5-point road favorite with the total at 142.Baylor plays at home on ESPN against Auburn at 4 PM ET in another Big 12/SEC Challenge contest with the second-ranked Bears a 15-point favorite with an over/under of 154. Oklahoma State is at home against Arkansas on ESPN2 as a 3-point favorite with the total at 152.5. Wichita State hosts Central Florida on ESPNU as a 6-point favorite with the total at 135.5. Dayton plays at home against Rhode Island on the CBS Sports Network as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 136. Wright State is at home against Robert Morris on ESPNU at 5 PM ET in a rematch of their opening contest Friday night. At 5:30 PM ET, Xavier travels to Butler on FS1 as a 1.5-point road favorite with a total of 132.5. Tennessee plays at home against Kansas in the second Big 12/SEC Challenge showdown between two nationally-ranked opponents on ESPN at 6 PM ET. The Volunteers rank 18th by the AP, with the Jayhawks ranking 15th. Tennessee is a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 131. Mississippi State hosts a short-handed Iowa State team on ESPN2 as a 9-point favorite with the total at 136. BYU is at home against Pacific on the CBS Sports Network. Gonzaga visits Pepperdine on ESPN at 8 PM ET. The number-one team in the nation is a 22-point road favorite with an over/under of 162.5. Creighton travels to DePaul on the CBS Sports Network as a 9.5-point road favorite with the total at 147.5. Arizona State hosts Stanford on ESPN2 as a 2-point favorite, with the total set at 146.5. San Diego State is at home vs. Wyoming in the nightcap of the evening on the CBS Sports Network at 10 PM ET. The Aztecs are 18-point favorites with an over/under of 142.Eight games are on the NBA docket for Saturday. Four games tip-off the card at 8 PM ET. The Los Angeles Lakers visit Boston on ABC at 8:30 PM ET. The reigning NBA champions have lost two in a row after getting upset in Detroit on Thursday, 107-92, as a 7-point favorite. The Celtics were upset on Wednesday in San Antonio, 110-106, as a 4.5-point favorite. The NBA slate concludes at 10 PM ET with Golden State at home against the Pistons as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 142.Twelve games take place in the NHL. The card begins at 1:08 PM ET with Buffalo playing at home against New Jersey as a -155 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Winnipeg playing at home against Vancouver concludes the slate as a -120 money line favorite with a total of 6 at 10:08 PM ET.Matchweek 21 in the English Premier League begins with six matches. Everton plays at home against Newcastle United at 7:30 PM ET on the NBC Sports Network as a -1 goal line favorite with the over/under of 2.5. Manchester City hosts Sheffield United on the NBC Sports Network at 10 AM ET as a -2.25 goal line favorite with the total at 3.25. Manchester United plays at Arsenal on NBC at 12:30 PM ET in a pick ‘em matchup with an over/under of 2.75.

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Super Bowl 55 Preview

by AAA Sports

Saturday, Jan 30, 2021

There will be a lot on the line this Sunday as Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes looks to beat the greatest QB of all time in Tom Brady. At age 25, Mahomes has already won a Super Bowl and he's looking for more. In my opinion, both teams definitely have the ability to take home the Lombardi Trophy, but at the end of the day it will come down to who wants it more between these two great QBs. Winning a 7th Super Bowl would only add to Brady's career excellence, while people may never consider Mahomes as the best QB by the time his career ends if he never beats Brady in the big one. Therefore, this will be a terrific matchup between the best against the best. Brady and the Buccaneers took care of business at Lambeau last week, taking down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in a classic. The Bucs have also beaten the Saints and Washington to get to this one. Looking at the roster, Tom has all the targets that one could imagine as well as a stellar defense behind him. Linebacker Shaq Barrett has looked incredible these playoffs, dominating the opposing teams' offensive tackles play after play. He brought down Rodgers three times last week, and it felt like even more. With Evans, Godwin, Miller, Gronkowski, Fournette, Ronald Jones and an excellent offensive line, Brady has a lot to work with and is going to be extremely hard to stop. Plus Antonio Brown is probably going to return. Although the Bucs have a stellar team, with barely any holes, I think that the Chiefs' offense is better than Tampa's. They've got Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Le'Veon Bell, Mecole Hardman and Travis Kelce with the best QB in the league (Mahomes). They may have fewer weapons, but the speed and talent of those guys I just mentioned make them better than the Buccaneers' offense. Don't forget, dating back to last season, Patrick Mahomes is now 25-1 his last 26 games as a starter as well. So if the Chiefs have the better offense, and the Bucs have the better defense, what does that mean? Well both teams are strong on both sides of the ball, but like I said before, this game is between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes and who wants it more. Expect a great Super Bowl.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NCAA Basketball, EPL and NHL Preview

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Jan 29, 2021

The Friday sports card features action in college basketball, the NBA, and the NHL.The college basketball card tips off at noon PM ET, with North Texas visiting Rice as a 7-point favorite with the total set at 136 (all odds from BetOnline).The nationally-televised college basketball card begins at 6:30 PM ET, with Richmond hosting Saint Louis on ESPN2. The Spiders are 10-4 after their 79-56 victory at Saint Joseph’s as a 13-point favorite on Tuesday. The Billikens lost two of their last three to fall to 7-2 after their 76-71 upset loss to Dayton on Saturday as a 9-point favorite. Richmond is a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 146.5.Buffalo plays at home against Ohio on ESPNU at 7 PM ET. The Buffaloes improved to 6-5 with their 92-77 win against Eastern Michigan as a 10.5-point favorite last Thursday. The Bobcats have won five of their last seven games to improve to 9-6 with their 81-58 victory against Western Michigan as a 1.5-point favorite on Tuesday.  Buffalo is a 2.5-point favorite with the total at 159.5. Coastal Carolina travels to Georgia Southern on ESPN at 8:30 PM ET. The Chanticleers, 11-3, have won four of their last five games after their 70-65 victory against Troy as a 10-point favorite on Saturday. The Eagles fell to 10-7 after their 62-48 loss at South Alabama as a 2-point underdog on Saturday. Coastal Carolina is a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 140.Illinois plays at home against Iowa on FS1 at 9 PM ET. The Fighting Illini are 10-5 after their 79-65 win against Penn State as a 9.5-point favorite on January 19th. The Hawkeyes, 12-5, had their five-game winning streak snapped last Thursday in an 81-69 upset loss to Indiana as a 10.5-point favorite. Illinois is a 1.5-point favorite, with the total at 163.5.Wright State is home against Robert Morris on ESPNU at 9 PM ET. The Raiders, 11-4, won their third straight game with their 100-72 victory at IUPUI as a 15.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Colonials fell to 3-7 with their fourth straight loss on Saturday with a 79-74 upset loss to Northern Kentucky as a 1.5-point favorite. Wright State is a 16.5-point favorite with an over/under of 145.Colorado State hosts Boise State on FS1 at 11 PM ET. The Rams, 12-3, have won six of their last seven games after they upset the Broncos, 78-58, on Wednesday as a 3-point underdog. Boise State fell to 12-2. Colorado State is a 1-point favorite with the total at 145.Cal-State Bakersfield played at home against Cal-State Fullerton on ESPNU at 11 PM ET. The Roadrunners, 10-5, had their six-game winning streak end on Saturday in a 70-63 loss to UC-Irvine as a 3-point underdog. They dropped to 4-5 with their 76-53 loss to Hawai’i as a 2.5-point underdog on Saturday. Cal-State Bakersfield is an 11-point favorite with an over/under of 130.5.There are ten games on the NBA schedule with a nationally-televised doubleheader on ESPN. Milwaukee visits New Orleans at 7:35 PM ET. The Bucks are 11-6 with two straight wins after their 115-108 win at Toronto as a 6-point favorite on Wednesday. The Pelicans ended their three-game losing streak to improve to 6-10 with their 124-106 win against Washington as an 8-point favorite on Wednesday. Milwaukee is a 7-point road favorite with the total set at 229.Utah plays at home against Dallas in the nightcap on ESPN at 10:05 PM ET. The Jazz, 14-4, won their tenth in a row with their 116-104 win against the Mavericks as a 1.5-point favorite on Wednesday. Dallas has lost three games in a row to drop to 8-10. There is only one game in the NHL on Friday, with Columbus visits Chicago at 8 PM ET. The Blue Jackets have won two of their last three games after they defeated Florida in a shootout, 3-2, on Thursday. The Blackhawks look to rebound from a 2-1 loss at Nashville. Columbus is a -115 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: EPL, NBA, NCAA Basketball and NHL Preview

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Jan 28, 2021

The Thursday sports card features action in college basketball, the NBA, the NHL, and the English Premier League.The college basketball card tips off at 5 PM ET, with USC hosting Oregon State on ESPNU. The Trojans, 12-3, have won seven of their last eight games with their 76-68 victory at California as an 8.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Beavers, 8-5, have won three in a row with their 76-64 upset win at Oregon as a 9-point underdog on Saturday. USC is a 12-point favorite with the total set at 136 (all odds from BetOnline). Winthrop plays at home against UNC-Asheville on ESPNU at 7 PM ET. The Eagles remained unbeaten at 15-0 in their last game on January 20th, with their 78-66 win at Presbyterian as a 16-point favorite. The Bulldogs, 9-8, lost their third in a row after getting upset at Radford, 73-63, as a 3.5-point favorite on Monday. Winthrop is a 12-point favorite with an over/under at 153.Rutgers plays at home against Michigan State on FS1 at 7 PM ET. The Scarlet Knights, 8-6, snapped their five-game losing streak on Sunday with their 74-70 upset win at Indiana as a 6.5-point underdog. The Spartans, 8-4, take the court for the first time since January 8th when they were upset at home to Purdue, 55-54, as a 6-point favorite. Rutgers is a 3-point favorite with a total of 142.Louisiana Tech visits Southern Mississippi on the CBS Sports Network at 7 PM ET. The Bulldogs, 12-5, won their fourth game in their last five contests after their 73-55 victory at UTEP as a 1.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Golden Eagles fell to 7-8 on Saturday with a 78-72 loss at UTSA as a 5.5-point underdog. Louisiana Tech is a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 131.5. SMU is at home against Memphis on ESPN2 at 8 PM ET. The Tigers improved their record to 9-5 on Tuesday when they defeated the Mustangs, 76-72, as a 2.5-point home favorite. SMU, 8-3, is a 3-point favorite with the total at 142 in this rematch.Houston visits Tulane on ESPN at 9 PM ET. The Cougars are 13-1 with six straight wins after their 68-51 victory at Temple as a 12.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Green Wave, 6-4, have lost three of their last four contests after they lost at home to the Owls, 65-57, as a 1-point underdog back on January 16th. Houston is a 17.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 127.San Diego State hosts Wyoming on FS1 at 9 PM ET. The Aztecs improved their record to 11-4 with their 91-59 victory at Air Force as a 16.5-point favorite on Sunday. The Cowboys are 10-5 with three straight wins after their 93-88 victory at Nevada as a 4.5-point underdog on Sunday. San Diego State is a 16-point favorite with the total at 142.Belmont visits Austin Peay on ESPNU at 9 PM ET. The Bruins are 16-1 with thirteen straight victories after their 114-62 win against SIU-Edwardsville as a 17-point favorite on Saturday. The Governors fell to 8-5 with their 76-70 upset loss to Jacksonville State as a 4-point favorite on Saturday. Belmont is a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 152.Arizona is at home against Stanford on ESPN2 at 10 PM ET. The Wildcats, 12-3, won their third straight game on Monday with their 80-67 victory against Arizona State as a 4.5-point favorite. The Cardinal improved to 9-5 when they upset UCLA, 73-72, as a 6-point underdog. Arizona is a 7.5-point favorite, with the total set at 143.5. Arizona State plays at home against California on FS1 at 11 PM ET. The Sun Devils have lost six in a row to fall to 4-8 with their loss at Arizona on Monday. The Golden Bears, 7-10, have lost two in a row after their 76-68 loss to USC as an 8.5-point underdog on Friday. Arizona State is an 8-point favorite with an over/under of 144.Fresno State hosts New Mexico on the CBS Sports Network at 11 PM ET. The Bulldogs fell to 5-6 with their third straight loss last Wednesday in a 73-51 loss at Boise State as an 11.5-point underdog. The Lobos have lost three of four to fall to 5-9 with their 83-71 upset loss to San Jose State as a 9.5-point favorite on Saturday. Fresno State is a 6.5-point favorite, with the total at 135.The NBA has four games on tap, including a doubleheader on TNT. Houston plays at home against Portland at 7:35 PM ET. The Rockets, 7-9, won their third in a row with their 107-88 win against Washington as a 3-point favorite on Tuesday. The Trail Blazers, 9-7, lost their second game in their last three contests on Monday with their 125-122 upset loss to Oklahoma City as a 4.5-point favorite. Houston is a 4-point favorite. The nightcap on TNT has Golden State visiting Phoenix at 10:05 PM ET. The Warriors raised their record to 10-8 with their 123-111 win against Minnesota as a 9-point favorite on Wednesday. The Suns lost their third game in a row to fall to 8-8 with their 102-97 upset loss to Oklahoma City as an 8-point favorite last night. The NHL has 14 games on the Thursday schedule. Seven games begin the card at 7 PM ET, with two games finishing it up at 10 PM ET. None of these games are on national television. Matchweek 20 in the English Premier League concludes at 3 PM ET with Liverpool visiting Tottenham on the NBC Sports Network. The reigning EPL champions are a -0.25 goal line road favorite with the total set at 2.75.

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NCAA Wednesday Night Basketball: Utah State/UNLV Preview

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Jan 27, 2021

A college basketball triple-header on FS1 concludes at 11 PM ET in the rematch of UNLV’s 59-56 upset victory at home against Utah State on Monday.The Runnin’ Rebels were 6.5-point underdogs in that game but held the Aggies to 32.8% shooting to pull off the victory. UNLV only made 32.8% of their shots themselves, but they made 13 of their 30 shots from 3-point land to eke out the win. Second-year head coach T.J. Otzelberger only returned three rotation players from last year’s team that finished 17-15. The former South Dakota State head coach had his team on a five of six winning streak to end the season, headlined by them handing San Diego State their first loss of the year. Otzelberger relied on transfers and freshmen to fill-out this year’s team. Bryce Hamilton was an All-Mountain West Conference player last season. This year, the junior leads the Runnin’ Rebels with a 19.7 points-per-game scoring average while adding 5.4 rebounds-per-game and 4.0 assists-per-game. David Jenkins followed Otzelberger to Las Vegas in the offseason as a transfer from South Dakota State to be the team’s second-leading scorer with a 14.4 points-per-game clip. Jenkins is hitting 39.8% of his 3-pointers.UNLV opened the season with an upset loss at home to Montana State before embarking to Maui Invitational relocated to Asheville, North Carolina, this year. They got crushed against North Carolina by 27 points before losing to Alabama by eight points and then Davidson by four points. Otzelberger’s team earned their first win of the season with a 10-point win against Kansas State before getting swept on the road against Colorado State. A four-game winning streak started with a win against Division II St. Katherine before a sweep at home against a struggling New Mexico and then a win against Division II Benedictine, AZ, before their upset win against the Aggies. The Runnin’ Rebels rank third in the Mountain West Conference in adjusted defensive efficiency. Their opponent’s effective field goal percentage of 47.0 is also third in the conference. They are forcing turnovers at a 21.7% rate, which is third-best in the Mountain West.Utah State was upset by Colorado State, 84-76, as a 7.5-point underdog before getting upset again by UNLV on Monday. Those are the only two losses the Aggies have suffered in their 11 Mountain West Conference games. They have won two games this season against San Diego State, which gives their 12-5 record plenty of caches.Head coach Craig Smith’s team defeated the Aztecs in the MWC Tournament en route to winning that automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament before the season was canceled. The Aggies lost leading scorer, Sam Merrill, from that 26-8 team. Plenty of talent returned.Seven-footer Neemias Queta is scoring 12.4 points-per-game while pulling down 9.4 rebounds-per-game. Justin Bean is adding 10.2 points-per-gam along with another 7.4 rebounds-per-game. Virginia transfer, Marco Anthony, adds 11.4 points-per-game. Utah State ranks 19th in the nation by rebounding 35.2% of their missed shots. They rank sixth in the country by limiting their opponents to rebounding 20.0 of their misses. The Aggies also rank sixth in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency according to the metrics by kenpom. Their opponents make only 41.5% of their shots inside the arc, 6th in the nation. Yet the weakness of this Utah State team could be their lack of a traditional point guard. That is the role Merrill embraced while scoring 19.7 points-per-game. Queta is second on the team with a 3.0 assists-per-game mark. Anthony leads the team with 3.2 assists-per-game despite being more of a traditional shooting guard. BetAnySports lists Utah State as a 7-point road favorite with a total of 136.5 in this rematch from Monday.

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Ness Notes: Wednesday Jan 27

by Larry Ness

Wednesday, Jan 27, 2021

This column will be available Monday through Friday (posted no later than 1:00 ET), EXCLUSIVELY at BigAl.com. I like to call it my daily 'random thoughts' on the sports betting world, although I'll pass along that my therapist refers to it as "thoughtful commentary."Handicapping is a 365 day a year job. Sometimes, one just needs a break.  I'll be back with the next edition of Ness Notes on Monday Feb 1.Good luck...Larry

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NFL Super Bowl LV: Chiefs/Buccaneers Preview

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Jan 27, 2021

Tampa Bay will be the first team in NFL history to play at home as the host of the Super Bowl. Their Raymond James Stadium is the site of Super Bowl 55. The Buccaneers earned this honor by defeating Green Bay in Lambeau Field in the NFC Championship Game, 31-26, as a 2.5-point underdog. Tampa Bay won all three games in the playoffs on the road while pulling off upsets in their last two games after they defeated New Orleans, 30-20, as a 2.5-point dog. They are 14-5 this season.Tom Brady completed 20 of 36 passes for 280 yards against the Packers with three touchdown passes but three interceptions. In three games this postseason, Brady completed 60 of 109 passes for a 55.0% completion percentage for 860 yards with seven touchdown passes and three interceptions. In his first regular-season away from New England, the 43-year old completed 65.7% of his passes of 4633 yards with 40 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. The Buccaneers are 5-3 at home with a +4.6 net point differential. They scored 28.5 points-per-game while averaging 349.6 yards-per-game in those eight home games. Their defense gave up 23.9 points-per-game along with 381.0 yards-per-game. The Bucs' three losses at home were against New Orleans, the Los Angeles Rams, and these Kansas City Chiefs. Tampa Bay's 38-3 loss to the Saints was the low-point of their season. They later avenged that setback in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs. Kansas City followed up their Super Bowl campaign last year with a 16-2 record to earn the opportunity to defend their championship. After defeating Cleveland in the AFC Divisional Round, the Chiefs dominated Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game by a 38-24 score. Kansas City rebounded from a Week 5 loss at home to the Las Vegas Raiders by winning 12 of their next 13 games to reach this pinnacle. Their lone loss was to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17, with Patrick Mahomes and other starters taking the game off for rest.Mahomes completed 29 of 38 passes for 325 yards with three touchdown passes and no interceptions against the Bills with no setbacks from the head injury that knocked him out the previous week against the Browns. He did not appear to be 100% with his injured left toe. He ran the ball five times for only five yards. Mahomes completed 66.3% of his passes in the regular season for 4740 yards with 38 touchdown passes and six interceptions. He added 308 rushing yards with another two touchdowns. Mahomes completed 50 of his 68 passes for a 73.5% completion percentage with four touchdown passes and no interceptions in his two playoff games. He also ran the ball eight times of 19 yards with a touchdown. The Chiefs are 8-0 when playing away from Arrowhead Stadium this season. They scored 31.6 points-per-game while averaging 443.1 yards-per-game. Their defense allowed 23.0 points-per-game and 344.6 yards-per-game. These two teams played on November 29th in Tampa Bay. Kansas City won, 27-24, as a 5-point favorite with a total of 59. The Chiefs went into the fourth quarter with a 27-10 lead before holding off the Bucs’ late rally. Tampa Bay pulled within a field goal with just over four minutes remaining in the game, but those were the final points scored in the game. Kansas City was on offense for almost 37 minutes. Mahomes completed 37 of 49 passes for 462 yards with three touchdown passes. Brady countered with 27 of 41 completions for 345 yards with three touchdown passes and two interceptions. The Chiefs expect to have wide receiver Sammie Watkins and running back Le’Veon Bell available for the Super Bowl. Watkins missed both playoff games with a calf injury and a nagging hamstring issue. Bell did not play in the AFC Championship Game due to a knee injury. However, Kansas City does not expect to have either of their starting tackles on their offensive line. Left tackle Eric Fisher suffered an Achilles’ injury late in the Buffalo game. Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz is on the Injured Reserve with a back injury that head coach Andy Reid does not think will heal enough in two weeks.The Buccaneers anticipate that both wide receiver Antonio Brown and safety Antoine Winfield will be healthy to play in the Super Bowl after missing the Green Bay game. Safety Jordan Whitehead underwent an MRI on his shoulder the day after the NFC Championship Game with head coach Bruce Arians saying it is too early to determine if he can take the field after suffering that injury against the Packers. BookMaker lists Kansas City as a 3-point road favorite, with the total set at 56. CBS has the broadcast on Sunday, February 7th, with the kickoff at 6:30 PM ET.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: EPL, NBA, NHL, and NCAA Basketball Preview

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Jan 27, 2021

The Wednesday sports card features action in college basketball, the NBA, the NHL, and the English Premier League.The college basketball card tips off at 3 PM ET, with BYU visiting Pepperdine as a 6-point road favorite with the total set at 147.5 (all odds from BetOnline).The nationally-televised college basketball card begins at 7 PM ET. Creighton travels to Seton Hall on FS1. The Bluejays rank 17th in the nation by the Associated Press poll with an 11-4 record. They have won seven of their last nine games with their 74-66 win against UConn as a 3.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Pirates are 9-6 after they lost at Villanova, 76-74, as a 9-point underdog back on January 19th. Creighton is a 1-point road favorite with an over/under of 147.5.Providence hosts Marquette at 7 PM ET on the CBS Sports Network. The Friars fell to 8-7 with four losses in their last five games after their 71-56 loss at Villanova as an 11-point underdog on Saturday. Marquette dropped to 8-7 with their 68-61 upset loss to DePaul as an 8.5-point favorite on Saturday. Providence is a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 138.5.South Carolina plays at home against Georgia on ESPN2 at 7 PM ET. The Gamecocks fell to 3-5 with their third straight defeat in an upset loss to Auburn, 109-86,  as a 1.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Bulldogs are 9-5 after they lost to Florida, 92-84, as a 4.5-point underdog on Saturday. South Carolina is a 5-point favorite with an over/under of 160.Baylor is at home against Kansas State on ESPN2 at 9 PM ET. The Bears remain second in the nation with a 14-0 record. They last played on Saturday when they won at Oklahoma State, 81-66, as an 11.5-point favorite. The Wildcats are 5-11 with their sixth straight loss in a 69-47 setback to West Virginia on Saturday as an 11-point underdog. Baylor is a 24.5-point favorite with the total at 136.5.DePaul hosts St. John’s on FS1 at 9 PM ET. The Blue Demons are 3-5 with two wins in their last three games after they upset Marquette, 68-61, on Saturday. The Red Storm won their third game in four to raise their record to a 9-7 mark with their 96-78 victory against Utah Valley State as a 14.5-point favorite. DePaul is a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 151.5. Colorado plays at home against Washington State on ESPNU at 9 PM ET. The Buffaloes are 12-4 with five wins in their last six games after they defeated the Cougars on the road, 70-59, as a 6.5-point road favorite on Saturday. Washington State has lost five in a row to fall to 9-5. Colorado is a 14.5-point favorite with a total of 137 in tonight’s rematch.Boise State visits Colorado State on the CBS Sports Network at 9 PM ET. The Broncos rose to 12-1 after their 73-51 win against Fresno State as an 11.5-point favorite last Wednesday. The Rams have won five of their last six games to improve their record to 11-3 with their 84-76 upset victory at Utah State as a 7.5-point underdog last Thursday. Boise State is a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 148.Utah State plays at UNLV on FS1 at 11 PM ET. The Runnin’ Rebels pulled off a 59-56 upset on Monday between these two teams as a 6.5-point underdog. The Aggies have lost two in a row to fall to 12-5 with that setback. UNLV has won five in a row to raise their record to 6-6. Utah State is a 6-point road favorite with the total at 136.The NBA has 12 games on the docket. An ESPN doubleheader tips off at 7:35 PM ET with the Los Angeles Lakers playing at Philadelphia. The Lakers are 14-4 after they defeated Cleveland on the road by a 115-108 score as a 12-point favorite on Monday. The reigning NBA champions are 10-0 on the road. The 76ers fell to 12-6 with a 119-104 upset loss at Detroit as a 4.5-point favorite on Monday.The nightcap on ESPN has Golden State hosting Minnesota in a rematch of the Warriors’ 130-108 victory as an 8.5-point favorite on Monday. Golden State is now 9-8. The Timberwolves have lost five of their last six games with a 4-12 record. Minnesota will likely still be without Karl Anthony-Towns, who is out indefinitely after his positive COVID test. Two games are on the NHL schedule. Nashville hosts Chicago on the NBC Sports Network at 7:30 PM ET.Matchweek 20 in the English Premier League continues with five matches. Manchester United hosts Sheffield United on the NBC Sports Network at 3:15 PM ET as a -1.5 goal line favorite with the total set at 2.75.

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