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NCAA Wednesday Night Basketball: Georgia/Tennessee Preview

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021

Georgia won their third straight game on Saturday with a 73-70 victory against Vanderbilt as a 4.5-point favorite. Samir Wheeler made eight of ten shots to lead the team with 16 points. The sophomore added nine assists. Wheeler leads the team with a 13.6 points-per-game scoring average while adding 7.4 assists-per-game. Virginia Tech grad transfer P.J. Horne added 14 points after making four of his five shots from 3-point land. Horne’s 9.2 points-per-game scoring average is seventh on the team in what is a balanced scoring attack for third-year head coach Tom Crean. The Bulldogs made 58.7% of their shots against the Commodores. That effort overcame 21 turnovers. Georgia is second-to-last in turnover rate in SEC play and their 22.5% turnover rate overall is 316th in the nation. Crean has his team create additional scoring chances by forcing turnovers in 22.6% of their opponent’s possessions, 36th in the nation. The Bulldogs also crash the glass by pulling down 35.8% of their missed shots, ranking 14th nationally. These second-chance opportunities help Georgia make 52.9% of their shots inside the arc, 66th in the nation. Crean also has his team play aggressively on the fast break off their opponent’s misses but this tactic leaves them vulnerable with these opponents getting second-chance opportunities of their own in 34.3% of their missed shots, 336th in the nation. In conference play, the Bulldogs allow their opponents to rebound 39.1% of their misses, last in the SEC. Georgia ranks 72th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 123rd in adjusted defensive efficiency at kenpom.Crean lost his top-two scorers, including the number one pick in the NBA draft, Anthony Edwards, from a team that finished 16-16. Six other sophomore from a top-15 ranked recruiting class returned including four four-star players. Crean added three grad transfers in Andrew Garcia from Stony Brook, Justin Kier from George Mason along with Horne from Virginia Tech. Georgia enters this game with a 12-6 record along with a 5-6 mark in the SEC. They have victories again Auburn, Kentucky, and twice against Ole Miss. Yet none of their wins are against a team ranked higher than 59th in the kenpom rankings. The Bulldogs’ six losses against South Carolina, Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, LSU, and Mississippi State are all ranked 81st or better at kenpom.Tennessee won their third game in their last four contests with their 82-71 victory at Kentucky as a 3.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Volunteers’ trailed by 10 points with 12 minutes left to go before going on a 12-0 run to take the lead before going on a second 12-0 run to seize a 10-point lead with under four minutes left to cruise to the victory. Keon Johnson scored 17 of his team-high 27 points in the second half with fellow freshman five-star freshman phenom Jaden Springer adding 23 points. Tennessee has five players scoring at least 9.2 points-per-game with Springer leading the way with a 10.5 points-per-game scoring average and Johnson adding 10.1 points-per-game. Senior big man John Springer scores 10.4 points-per-game with Oregon graduate transfer Victor Bailey adding 10.4 points-per-game. The Volunteers rank 16th in the nation in the Associated Press poll with a 13-4 record. They are 6-4 in conference play with losses to Ole Miss, Missouri, Florida, and Alabama. Tennessee has wins against Missouri and Arkansas in the SEC along with impressive non-conference victories from their non-conference schedule. Head coach Rick Barnes returned four starters from the group last year that finished 17-14. He added a top-five recruiting class led by Springer and Johnson. The Volunteers are the top-ranked team in adjusted defensive efficiency at kenpom. They rank 15th in opponent’s effective field goal percentage and they also rank 15th by forcing turnovers in 23.5% of their opponent’s possessions. This team can struggle to score baskets. They rank 163rd nationally an 11th in the SEC in effective field goal percentage. Tennessee is 61st in adjusted offensive efficiency at kenpom.BookMaker lists the Volunteers as a 12.5-point favorite with an over/under of 140.5. 

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

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021

The Wednesday sports card features action in NCAA college basketball, the NBA, and the NHL. The college basketball card tips off at 4 PM ET with UConn visiting Providence on FS1 at 4 PM ET. The Huskies, 8-4, have lost three of their last four games after their 80-73 loss to Seton Hall as a 1.5-point underdog on Saturday. The Friars, 9-10, have dropped seven of nine after their 92-81 loss to St. John’s as a 2-point favorite on Saturday. UConn is a 2-point road favorite with the total set at 133 (all odds from BetOnline).UNC-Greensboro plays at home against Furman on ESPNU at 5 PM ET. The Spartans, 13-6, ended their seven-game winning streak on Monday in a 68-49 loss at Furman as a 4-point underdog. The Paladins have won two of three to improve to 12-6. UNC-Greensboro is a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 141.5.Houston travels to South Florida on ESPNU at 7 PM ET. The Cougars are ranked 8th in the Associated Press poll with a 16-2 record. They have won nine of their last ten with their 112-46 win against Our Lady of the Lake on Saturday. The Bulls, 7-5, return to the court for the first time since January 9th, when they won at East Carolina, 69-63, as a 1-point favorite. Houston is an 11.5-point road favorite with the total at 128.5. Drake plays at home against Northern Iowa on the CBS Sports Network at 7 PM ET. The Bulldogs, 18-1, lost their first game of the season on Sunday in their 74-57 upset loss at Valparaiso as a 13-point favorite. The Panthers raised their record to 6-12 on Sunday with a 70-67 win against Indiana State as a 3-point favorite. Drake is a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 143.5.Tennessee is at home against Georgia at 8 PM ET on ESPN2. The Volunteers are ranked 16th by the AP with a 13-4 record. They have won three of four with their 82-71 win at Kentucky as a 3.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Bulldogs, 12-6, won their third straight game on Saturday with their 73-70 win against Vanderbilt as a 4.5-point favorite. Tennessee is a 12.5-point favorite, with the total at 140.5.Villanova hosts Marquette on FS1 at 9 PM ET. The Wildcats are ranked fifth in the nation by the AP with a 12-2 record. They defeated Georgetown, 84-74, as a 13.5-point favorite on Sunday. The Golden Eagles, 9-10, lost their fourth game in their last five on Saturday in a 71-68 loss as a 5-point underdog to Creighton. Villanova is a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 139.5. Saint Louis plays at home against Rhode Island on the CBS Sports Network at 9 PM ET. The Billikens improved to 8-3 with a 70-59 win against St. Bonaventure as a 4.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Rams, 9-11, lost their third straight game on Saturday to UMass, 75-63, as a 10-point favorite. Saint Louis is an 8-point favorite with the total at 138.Mississippi State is at home against LSU on ESPNU at 9 PM ET. The Bulldogs improved to 11-9 on Saturday with their 75-59 upset win at South Carolina as a 3-point underdog. The Tigers, 11-6, lost their fourth game in their last five with their 98-60 loss as an 8.5-point underdog last Wednesday. Mississippi State is a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 146.San Diego State hosts San Jose State on the CBS Sports Network at 11 PM ET. The Aztecs, 14-4, won their fifth in a row with their 85-54 victory against the Spartans as a 27.5-point favorite on Monday. San Jose State dropped to 5-12 with the loss that ended their three-game winning streak. San Diego State is a 28.5-point favorite with the total set at 144.There are nine games on the NBA docket with a doubleheader on ESPN. Dallas is at home against Atlanta on ESPN at 7:30 PM ET. The Mavericks won their third game in their last four on Monday with their 127-122 win against Minnesota as a 10-point favorite. The Hawks snapped their three-game losing streak on Saturday with a 132-121 upset win against Toronto as a 1.5-point underdog. Dallas is a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 233. Milwaukee travels to Phoenix in the nightcap on ESPN at 10 PM ET. The Bucks have won five in a row with their 125-112 win at Denver as a 2-point favorite on Monday. The Suns won their sixth game in their last seven with a 119-113 win against Cleveland as a 5.5-point favorite on Monday. Two games are on the NHL slate, with Boston visiting the New York Rangers on the NBC Sports Network at 7 PM ET. The Bruins won their seventh game in their last eight with their 2-1 win on Friday against Philadelphia. The Rangers had their two-game winning streak end on Monday in a 2-0 loss at home to the New York Islanders.

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NCAA Tuesday Night Basketball: West Virginia/Texas Tech Preview

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2021

A Tuesday ESPN college basketball double-header concludes at 9 PM ET in a battle between two nationally-ranked Big 12 teams.West Virginia won their fourth game in their last five contests on Saturday in a 91-79 victory against Kansas as a 2.5-point favorite. Miles McBride led the way with a career-high 29 points. Tax Sherman added 25 points, which were also a career-high. The Mountaineers also forced 18 turnovers while holding the Jayhawks to 7 of 20 shooting from 3-point range. Head coach Bob Huggins declared that it was his team’s “best defensive performance of the year.”McBride leads the team with a 15.8 points-per-game scoring average. Sherman’s 13.1 points-per-game clip is third on the team. Big man Derek Culver contributes 14.3 points-per-game along with 10.3 rebounds-per-game. West Virginia has won three of their last four games with their 76-72 win at Oklahoma State on Tuesday as an 11-point favorite. Taz Sherman hit both his free throws with 6.4 seconds left in the game to ice the victory. Sherman led the team with 18 points. He is third on the team with a 12.4 points-per-game scoring average. Sean McNeil is the Mountaineer's fourth player scoring in double-digits with a 10.2 points-per-game average.West Virginia went on hiatus for two weeks after a COVID outbreak within their program in mid-January. They returned to the court on January 23rd in a 69-47 win at Kansas State as an 11-point favorite in their first game since January 9th.The Mountaineers are 5-3 since losing two players in their frontline rotation at the beginning of the month. Isaiah Cottrell suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in their game against Northeastern. The four-star freshman was averaging only 5.6 minutes-per-game, but he gave the Mountaineers’ depth at forward with potential upside as their highest-rated freshman. The more significant loss was Oscar Tshiebwe, who stepped away from the program for personal reasons. The sophomore led the team with a 10.2 points-per-game scoring average last season but had taken a step back this year by scoring 8.1 points-per-game while adding 3.8 rebounds-per-game. West Virginia ranks 14th in the current Associated Press poll with a 13-5 record. Their 6-3 conference mark places them second in the Big 12. They have high-profile wins against Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and now Kansas after Saturday. The Mountaineers' five losses were against Gonzaga, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Florida. “Press Virginia” has not been effective this season for Huggins as his team ranks only third in the Big 12 with a 21.2% defensive turnover rate. The Mountaineers’ 20.4% turnover rate overall is 105th in the nation. West Virginia is 50th nationally and seventh in the Big 12 in adjusted defensive efficiency at kenpom. The Mountaineers are 13th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency because of their ability to generate second-chance scoring opportunities. West Virginia ranks 10th nationally with a 36.5% offensive rebounding rate. This group is one of the Huggins’ best 3-point shooting teams in his career as they are making 42.9% of their shots from downtown in Big 12 play.Texas Tech won their third straight game on Saturday with their 73-62 victory at Kansas State as a 15.5-point favorite. The Red Raiders converted 13 of their 24 shots in the second half to cruise to the win. Mac McClung scored a team-high 23 points. Head coach Chris Beard also got 16 points off his bench, which helped to make up for Terrance Shannon scoring only 2 points. The sophomore played only 11 minutes due to an apparent injury. He should be able to take the court tonight. Texas Tech climbed to 7th in the latest AP poll with a 14-5 record. The Red Raiders return home, where they have won only twice in their five games in conference play. This group is likely Beard’s most talented team in his five years as head coach of this program. While he lost three starters from the team that finished 18-13 last season, he was aggressive in attracting some high-level transfers while bringing in a good freshman class to join junior Kyler Edwards and sophomore Terrence Shannon. Some of the depth Beard had established diminished when five-star freshman Nimari Burnett decided to leave the team to transfer to another school. He was averaging 17.7 minutes-per-game but only scoring 5.3 points-per-game. Georgetown transfer Mac McClung has adapted to Beard’s system to lead the team with a 17.5 points-per-game scoring average. Shannon is second on the team by scoring 13.6 points-per-game. Texas Tech is once again an outstanding defensive team under Beard. They are 12th in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to kenpom. The Red Raiders are also seventh in the country by forcing turnovers in 24.9% of their opponent’s possessions. This team thrives in getting second-chance shots. Texas Tech rebounds 34.7% of their missed shots, 24th in the country. They also get to the free-throw line as they rank 14th in free throw rate. The weakness of this team is shooting the basketball. The Red Raiders make only 34.1% of their 3-pointers and 48.2% of their shots inside the arc, ranking 150th and 237th, respectively. Kenpom ranks their adjusted offensive efficiency as 30th nationally. Texas Tech is 6-4 in the rugged Big 12 with losses to Baylor, West Virginia, Kansas, and Oklahoma State. They lost to Houston in non-conference play. Their highest-profile wins are against Texas and Oklahoma twice, along with a non-conference victory against LSU. West Virginia won the first meeting between these two teams on January 25th, 88-87, in Morgantown as a 2.5-point favorite. The Mountaineers made their last ten shots of the game culminating in a McBride jumper with six seconds to win the game. BetAnySports lists West Virginia as a 5.5-point favorite with the total set at 141.

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

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Feb 09, 2021

The Tuesday sports card features healthy action in college basketball, the NBA, and the NHL. The college basketball card tips off at 2 PM ET with Georgia State playing at home against South Alabama as a 5.5-point favorite with the total set at 143.5 (all odds from BetOnline).The nationally-televised college basketball card tips off at 7 PM ET. Kentucky hosts Arkansas on ESPN. The Wildcats, 5-12, have lost three in a row after their 82-71 loss to Tennessee as a 3.5-point underdog on Saturday. The Razorbacks, 14-5, have won four of the last five games with their 61-45 victory against Mississippi State as a 7.5-point favorite last Wednesday. Kentucky is a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 142.Michigan State is at home against Penn State at 7 PM ET on ESPN2. The Spartans, 9-7, ended a four-game losing streak on Saturday with a 66-56 win against Nebraska as a 12.5-point favorite. The Nittany Lions improved to 7-8 with their 55-50 win against Maryland as a 3-point favorite on Friday. Michigan State is a 2.5-point favorite with the total at 143.5. Kent State visits Bowling Green at 7 PM ET on the CBS Sports Network. The Golden Flashes dropped to 10-5 on Friday with a 72-61 upset loss against Akron as a 2.5-point favorite. The Falcons, 10-8, have lost five in a row after their 76-70 upset loss to Western Michigan as a 13-point favorite last Wednesday. The game is a pick ‘em with an over/under of 157.Texas Tech hosts West Virginia at 9 PM ET on ESPN. The Red Raiders, 14-5, won their third in a row on Saturday with their 73-62 victory at Kansas State as a 15.5-point favorite. The Mountaineers rank 14th in the Associated Press poll with a 13-5 record. They have won four of their last five games with their 91-79 win against Kansas as a 2.5-point favorite on Saturday. Texas Tech is a 5.5-point favorite, with the total at 140.5.Creighton travels to Georgetown at 9 PM ET on the CBS Sports Network. The Bluejays rank 14th in the nation with a 14-5 record. They have won four of five after their 71-68 win at Marquette as a 5-point favorite on Saturday. The Hoyas dropped to 5-9 on Saturday with an 84-74 loss at home to Villanova as a 13.5-point underdog. Creighton is a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 150.5.Butler plays at home against St. John’s at 9 PM ET on FS1. The Bulldogs, 6-10, ended a three-game losing streak on Saturday with a 60-58 win against DePaul as a 5.5-point favorite. The Red Storm, 13-7, have won six in a row on Saturday with their 92-81 upset win at Providence as a 2-point underdog. Butler is a 3-point favorite with a total of 139.5.TCU is at home against Iowa State on ESPNU at 9 PM ET. The Horned Frogs, 10-7, snapped a five-game losing streak last Wednesday with their 81-78 upset win against Oklahoma State as a 4.5-point underdog. The Cyclones, 2-11, have lost seven straight after their 79-72 setback at Oklahoma as a 14-point underdog on Saturday. TCU is a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 142.5.Colorado State hosts New Mexico on FS1 at 11 PM ET. The Rams, 14-4, have won four of their last five games with their 68-59 victory at Wyoming as a 6.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Lobos, 5-11, have lost three in a row after their 65-55 setback at Fresno State on January 30th as a 6.5-point underdog. Colorado State is an 18-point favorite with the total at 133.Seven games are on the NBA docket, including a double-header on TNT. Houston visits New Orleans in the TNT opener at 7:35 PM ET. The Rockets come off a 119-94 upset loss at Charlotte on Monday as a 1.5-point favorite. The Pelicans have won three in a row after they upset Memphis on Saturday, 118-109, as a 1-point underdog. The nightcap on TNT has Utah hosting Boston. The Jazz have won fifteen of their last sixteen games with their 103-95 win at Indiana as a 4.5-point favorite on Sunday. The Celtics have lost four of six after their 100-91 loss at Phoenix as a 3-point underdog. Eight games are on the NHL schedule with a double-header on the NBC Sports Network. Philadelphia plays at Washington in the opener at 6:08 PM ET. The Flyers have won five of their last seven in a 7-4 victory on Sunday against the Capitals. Washington has lost three in a row. Philadelphia is a -116 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6.Tampa Bay is at Nashville in the nightcap on the NBC Sports Network at 8:38 PM ET. The Lightning defeated the Predators on Monday, 4-1.

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What to Watch For: NHL Week of February 8th

by Sean Murphy

Monday, Feb 08, 2021

Covid has reared its ugly head already this NHL season, wreaking havoc when it comes to the schedule. The show must go on, however, and there’s a busy week of action ahead.  Here’s a look around the league at five teams to keep an eye on this week.  New York Islanders The Isles are coming off a galvanizing 4-3 win over the Penguins on Saturday. They rallied from a 3-2 third period deficit to win that game, snapping a five-game losing streak. A big week lies ahead, starting with Monday’s showdown with the rival Rangers at Madison Square Garden before hosting the Penguins and Bruins on Thursday and Saturday respectively. I see some value with the Isles right now, having won with them on Saturday and likely to see them in an underdog role in two of three games this week. St. Louis Blues In an odd but perhaps not unexpected Covid-tinged scheduling quirk, the Blues have played the Coyotes in each of their last three games and will face them three more times in the next week. They’ll look to even up a four-game set at home on Monday night after dropping back-to-back games against the ‘Yotes last Thursday and Saturday. Note that St. Louis is scheduled to play a sandwich game in Minnesota on Thursday but that’s Covid-pending with the Wild dealing with a number of absences. Edmonton Oilers The Oilers have a tricky stretch up next with a clear letdown spot to kick it off in Ottawa on Monday night after dropping a 6-4 decision in a rivalry game against the Flames on Saturday night. They’ll play again in Ottawa on Tuesday before heading to Montreal for their fourth game in six nights on Thursday. Edmonton will be a big favorite against the Senators after steamrolling them by a combined 12-7 score in consecutive wins on home ice last week. The Sens showed some signs of life in back-to-back games against the high-flying Habs and might offer a bit of value on home ice to start the week. Detroit Red Wings Detroit will have had been in Florida for a full week by the time it wraps up its four-game jaunt against the Lightning and Panthers on Tuesday. The Red Wings upset the Panthers 4-1 on Sunday afternoon but figure to be in tough on Tuesday night. A two-game swing through Florida is usually bad enough for road teams, rarely managing to sweep the trip over the years, but here with the lowly Wings having been in the Florida sun for a week and coming off a win on Sunday, I look for an obvious letdown on Tuesday night. Note that the Panthers remain an undervalued commodity, quietly putting together a 6-1-2 start to the campaign. Calgary Flames Now might be a good time to buy low with the Flames as they looked good in Saturday’s 6-4 win over the Oilers but that marked just their third win in their last eight games. Let’s chalk that win up as a potential turning point as they prepare to host the Jets on Tuesday night before four straight against the struggling Canucks. Keep in mind, the Flames opened the season with three games against the Jets and Canucks, collecting five of a possible six points along the way. Despite its uneven overall record, I do think Calgary has plenty of upside moving forward.

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NCAA Monday Night Basketball: Kansas/Oklahoma State Preview

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Feb 08, 2021

The Big Monday ESPN doubleheader concludes at 9 PM ET in a battle between two Big 12 teams, with Oklahoma State traveling to Lawrence to play Kansas.Oklahoma State won their third game in four contests on Saturday in a 75-67 upset win in double-overtime at home against Texas as a 1.5-point underdog. Cade Cunningham scored five of his 19 points in the second overtime to lead the Cowboys to the victory. The freshman phenom leads the team with an 18.2 points-per-game scoring average. The 6’8 freshman point guard might be the number one pick in the NBA draft in June. Kalib Boone scored 22 points while adding 15 rebounds and five blocks on Saturday against the Longhorns. He is scoring 9.1 points-per-game and pulling down 5.3 rebounds-per-game. Last year’s leading scorer, Isaac Likekely, only scored 2 points, but he did contribute with 8 rebounds. He is the second-leading scorer on the team with a 10.2 points-per-game average while adding 7.1 rebounds-per-game and 3.8 assists-per-game. Oklahoma State, 12-5, earned their highest-profile victory of the season with their triumph against Texas. They have also registered resume-building wins against Arkansas, Texas Tech, and the Jayhawks. The Cowboys have a 5-5 record in the Big 12 with losses to Baylor, West Virginia, Texas, and two losses to TCU. The Cowboys rank 58th in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency by kenpom. Their 51.7% shooting mark inside the arc is 97th nationally. They rank 24th at kenpom in adjusted defensive efficiency. Their opponent's effective field goal percentage of 46.5% in the Big 12 is the best in the conference.Kansas has five of their last seven games after their 91-79 loss at West Virginia as a 2.5-point underdog on Saturday. The Jayhawks trailed by 10 points at halftime but forced several turners early in the second half to tie the game. But Kansas could not sustain that energy as the Mountaineers pulled away for the 12-point victory. Marcus Garrett led the Jayhawks with 18 points. He is one of four Kansas players averaging double-digits in scoring with a 10.2 points-per-per game mark. David McCormack added 17 points with nine rebounds. The 6’10 forward is the second-leading scorer with a 12.6 points-per-game average while pulling down 5.8 rebounds-per-game. Jalen Wilson scored 16 points with 14 rebounds. The 6’8 freshman is scoring 12.3 points-per-game and averaging 7.4 rebounds-per-game. Ochai Agbaji leads the team with a 14.1 points-per-game average after netting 13 points against the Mountaineers. The Jayhawks can struggle to score baskets. Their 49.1% shooting percentage inside the arc this season is 200th in the nation. The kenpom adjusted offensive efficiency numbers still rank the Jayhawks 34th in the nation. They pull down 32.0% of their misses, 64th in the country. They rank 29th in adjusted defensive efficiency, with their interior defense leading the way. Kansas leads the Big 12 by holding their opponents to just 45.1% shooting inside the arc.The Jayhawks rank 23rd in the Associated Press poll with a 12-7 record. They are fifth in the Big 12 standings with a 6-5 record. They have quality victories against Creighton, West Virginia, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma. Their five losses in conference play were against Texas,  Oklahoma, Baylor, West Virginia, and these Cowboys. The Jayhawks have also lost to two non-conference opponents, Gonzaga and Tennessee.This contest is a rematch of Oklahoma State’s 75-70 upset win at home in Stillwater against the Jayhawks on January 12th as a 3.5-point underdog. 3-point shooting was the difference in that contest, with the Cowboys making 9 of their 21 shots from distance, 42.9%, while Kansas made only 5 of their 21 shots from 3-point land, 23.8%. BookMaker lists Kansas as a 6-point favorite with the total set at 139.5.

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

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Feb 08, 2021

The Monday sports card features college basketball and games in the NBA, NHL, and the English Premier League. The college basketball card tips off at 1 PM ET with Maryland-Baltimore County visiting Stony Brook as a 2.5-point road favorite with the total set at 133. Furman hosts UNC-Asheville at 5 PM ET on ESPNU as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 144. SMU visits East Carolina on ESPN2 as a 6-point road favorite with an over/under of 140.North Carolina plays at home against Miami (FL) at 7 PM ET on ESPN. The Hurricanes have lost five of their last six games after falling to Virginia Tech, 80-76, as a 5-point underdog. The Tar Heels have won four of their last five with their 91-87 upset victory at Duke as a 2.5-point underdog on Saturday. North Carolina is a 10-point favorite with the total at 141. Norfolk State is at home against Coppin State on ESPNU as an 8-point favorite with an over/under of 153.Ohio State visits Maryland at 9 PM ET on FS1. The Buckeyes are ranked seventh in the Associated Press poll with a 15-4 record. They have won seven of their last eight games with their 89-85 upset win at Iowa on Thursday as a 4.5-point underdog. The Terrapins, 10-9, have lost two of three with their 55-50 loss at Penn State as a 3-point favorite. Ohio State is a 4-point road favorite with an over/under of 139.5. Kansas hosts Oklahoma State on ESPN at 9 PM ET. The Jayhawks are ranked 23rd in the AP poll with a 12-7 record. They lost to West Virginia on Saturday, 91-79, as a 2.5-point underdog. The Cowboys, 12-5, were upset on Saturday at home against Texas, 75-67, as a 1.5-point underdog. Kansas is a 4.5-point favorite with the total at 146.5. Southern University plays at home against Jackson State as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 133. Gonzaga visits BYU at 11 PM ET on ESPN. The number-one ranked Bulldogs are a 12-point road favorite with a total set at 156.5. San Diego State hosts San Jose State on FS1 as a 27.5-point favorite with an over/under of 145.5.Eight games are on the NBA schedule. The card tips off at 7 PM ET with Charlotte hosting Houston. The slate concludes with the Los Angeles Lakers hosting Oklahoma City at 10 PM ET as a 12-point favorite with the total at 217.5. Six games are on tap in the NHL. The New York Rangers host the New York Islanders on the NBC Sports Network at 7 PM ET. The Islanders snapped a five-game losing streak on Saturday with a 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh. The Rangers won their third game in their last four with a 4-2 victory against Washington. The Rangers are a -109 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5.Matchweek 23 of the English Premier League concludes at 3 PM ET with Leeds United hosting Crystal Palace as a -0.5 goal line favorite with the total set at 3.

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Super Bowl 55: Game Day Update

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Feb 07, 2021

The odds remain stagnant, with Kansas City a 3-point favorite at BetAnySports, BookMaker, and BetOnline. The total has dropped to 55.5 at BetOnline, with BetAnySports and BookMaker still listing the over/under at 56.It appears that weather will not be a factor in the game. The weather reports early in the week indicated there was a chance of thunderstorms and high winds that could impact the game. The indications are now that any thunderstorms will clear out of the Tampa area in the morning. The game-time temperature expects to be in the mid-60s. At 7 PM ET, the temperature projects to be 64 degrees with just a 5% chance of rain with moderate five miles-per-hour wind. At 9 PM ET, the temperate will likely stop to 61 degrees with a 6% chance of rain with the winds at four miles-per-hour. If these assessments hold up, the weather will have little impact on the game.Tampa Bay should be close to 100% healthy for this game. The player with the most risk to not be available is Cameron Brate. The tight end was a surprise addition to the injury report midweek with a back injury that had not previously placed him on the injury list this postseason. He did not participate in Friday’s practice, and he is listed as questionable. If he cannot play, look for the Buccaneers to deploy more “11 personnel” with one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers as a replacement of the “12 personnel” that often involved Brate on the field with one running back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers.Antonio Brown will likely be the third wide receiver on the field to replace Brate. Brown is listed as questionable with the knee injury that kept him out of the NFC Championship Game, but he did take part in full practice on Friday. No other Tampa Bay player is on their final injury list. Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh did not participate in Friday’s practice, but that was precautionary. The following Buccaneers players all participated in Friday’s full practice and did not appear on their final injury list despite having issues this postseason: Lavonte David (hamstring), Jordan Whitehead (shoulder), Antoine Winfield (ankle), Chris Godwin (elbow), Mike Evans (knee).The Kansas City COVID scare has passed without incident, with both Demarcus Robinson and Daniel Kilgore cleared to play today. Both players entered the quarantine protocols after being in close contact with the barber that later tested positive. The Chiefs will be without left tackle Eric Fisher (Achilles) and linebacker Willie Gay (knee/ankle). Running back Darwin Thompson was their third player to not participate in Friday’s practice due to an illness. He expects to be available today. The following Kansas City players all participated in Friday’s full practice and did not appear on their final injury list despite having issues this postseason: Patrick Mahomes (toe), Mike Remmers (groin), L’Jarius Sneed (concussion), Andrew Wylie (ankle), Le’Veon Bell (ankle), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle/knee), Rashod Fenton (foot), Sammy Watkins (calf).The Chiefs' right tackle, Mitchell Schwartz, remains on their Injured Reserve. With both starting tackles out, the coaching staff will do some shuffling on their offensive line. Andrew Wylie and Mike Remmers move from their starting guard positions to tackle. Kansas City offensive line coach Andy Heck rotates his guards and tackles between positions in practice to ensure they are familiar with the different responsibilities. Wylie started 14 games and allowed only two sacks. Remmers made 10 starts and did not allow a sack.

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

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Feb 07, 2021

The main event for Sunday is the Super Bowl. Plenty of action in college basketball, the NBA, the NHL, and the English Premier League takes place before the big game in the evening.Matchweek 23 in the English Premier League features four matches beginning at 7 AM ET with Tottenham hosting West Brom Albion on the NBC Sports Network. The Hotspurs are a -1 goal line favorite with the total set at 2.5 (all odds from BetOnline). Leicester City visits Wolverhampton at 9 AM ET on the NBC Sports Network as a -0.25 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.25. Manchester City visits Liverpool at 11:30 AM ET in a showdown of the last two champions of the English Premier League. Man City is a -0.25 goal line road favorite with the total at 2.75. The NBC Sports Network has the broadcast. Chelsea travels to Sheffield United at 2:15 PM ET on Peacock as a -1 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5.The college basketball card tips off at noon ET with Iowa playing at Indiana on Fox. The Hawkeyes are ranked eighth in the Associated Press poll with a 13-5 record. They have lost three of their last four games after getting upset at home, 89-85, against Ohio State as a 4.5-point favorite on Thursday. The Hoosiers, 9-8, have lost three of four after their 75-71 loss to Illinois as a 3-point underdog on Tuesday. Iowa is a 3-point road favorite with the total at 152.Wichita State plays at home against Temple on ESPNU at 3 PM ET. The Shockers, 10-4, have won four of five after their 75-67 win against Tulane as an 11.5-point favorite on Wednesday. The Owls, 4-6, have lost two in a row after a 63-60 loss to Cincinnati on Thursday as a 3.5-point favorite. Wichita State is an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 140.5.Boise State plays at Nevada at 4 PM ET on FS1. The Broncos, 13-3, look to avenge a 74-72 upset loss in Reno on Friday as a 5-point favorite. The Wolf Pack have won three in a row to improve to 12-7. Boise State is a 4.5-point road favorite with the total set at 144. After the Super Bowl at 10 PM ET, Stanford plays at home against California on FS1. The Cardinal, 11-7, snapped a two-game losing streak on Thursday with a 70-55 victory at Cal as a 5.5-point favorite. The Golden Bears have lost fall in a row to drop to 7-13. Stanford is an 11-point favorite with an over/under of 131.5.The NBA has five games on the docket, with three games beginning the card at 1 PM ET. The Los Angeles Clippers host Sacramento at 3:05 PM ET to conclude the NBA slate as an 8.5-point favorite. The NHL has five games on the slate starting at noon ET, with Philadelphia playing at Washington as a -113 money line favorite with the total at 6 on NBC. Four games close out the card at 3 PM ET. Super Bowl 55 features Kansas City playing in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers. The Chiefs are 3-point road favorites with the over/under at 55.5 going into game day.

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NCAA Saturday Afternoon Basketball: Kansas/West Virginia Preview

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Feb 06, 2021

CBS broadcasts a battle between two nationally-ranked Big 12 teams at 2 PM ET.Kansas has won two of their last three games after they defeated Kansas State on Tuesday, 74-51, as a 17.5-point favorite. The Jayhawks pulled away with an 18-3 run in the second half fueled by two 3-pointers from Christian Braun, who led the team with 18 points. The sophomore is fourth on the team with a 9.8 points-per-game scoring average. David McCormack scored 18 points, with Ochai Agbaji adding 15 points. Agbaji leads the team with a 14.1 points-per-game average. David McCormack is the second-leading scorer with a 12.3 points-per-game average while pulling down 5.7 rebounds-per-game. The Jayhawks can struggle to score baskets. Their 49.0% shooting percentage inside the arc this season is 210th in the nation. The kenpom adjusted offensive efficiency numbers still rank the Jayhawks 35th in the nation. They pull down 31.4% of their misses, 74th in the country. They rank 22nd in adjusted defensive efficiency, with their interior defense leading the way. Kansas leads the Big 12 by holding their opponents to just 44.6% shooting inside the arc.Kansas had lost four of five games before their 23-point win against the Wildcats. With a 12-6 record, the Jayhawks rank 23rd in the Associated Press poll. Kansas, 6-4, is fourth in the Big 12. They have quality victories against Creighton, West Virginia, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma. Their four losses in conference play were against Texas, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and Baylor. The Jayhawks have also lost to Gonzaga and Tennessee in non-conference action.West Virginia has won three of their last four games with their 76-72 win at Oklahoma State on Tuesday as an 11-point favorite. Taz Sherman hit both his free throws with 6.4 seconds left in the game to ice the victory. Sherman led the team with 18 points. He is third on the team with a 12.4 points-per-game scoring average.  Sophomore Miles McBride leads the team with a 15.1 points-per-game scoring average, and junior forward Derek Culver is adding 14.0 PPG with 10.4 rebounds-per-game. Sean McNeil is the fourth player for head coach Bob Huggins scoring in double-digits as he averages 10.6 points-per-game.West Virginia went on hiatus for two weeks after a COVID outbreak within their program in mid-January. They returned to the court on January 23rd in a 69-47 win at Kansas State as an 11-point favorite in their first game since January 9th.The Mountaineers are 4-3 since losing two players in their frontline rotation at the beginning of the month. Isaiah Cottrell suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in their game against Northeastern. The four-star freshman was averaging only 5.6 minutes-per-game, but he gave the Mountaineers’ depth at forward with potential upside as their highest-rated freshman. The more significant loss was Oscar Tshiebwe, who stepped away from the program for personal reasons. The sophomore led the team with a 10.2 points-per-game scoring average last season but had taken a step back this year by scoring 8.1 points-per-game while adding 3.8 rebounds-per-game. West Virginia ranks 17th in the current Associated Press poll with a 12-5 record. They are tied for second in the Big 12 with a 5-3 mark. They have resume-building wins against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. The Mountaineers' five losses were against Gonzaga, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Florida. “Press Virginia” has not been effective this season for Huggins as his team ranks only fourth in the Big 12 with a 20.7% defensive turnover rate. West Virginia is 44th in the nation and seventh in the Big 12 in adjusted defensive efficiency at kenpom. The Mountaineers are 15th adjusted offensive efficiency because of their ability to generate second-chance scoring opportunities. West Virginia ranks 10th with a 36.5% offensive rebounding rate. Kansas won the first meeting between these two teams in Lawrence on December 20th in a 79-65 victory as a 1-point favorite. For this rematch in Morgantown, BookMaker lists West Virginia as a 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 142.

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

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Feb 06, 2021

The Saturday sports card features a busy college basketball card with additional action in the NBA, the NHL, and the English Premier League.The college basketball card tips off at noon ET. ESPN has an SEC showdown between two nationally-ranked teams, with Alabama playing at Missouri. The Crimson Tide are ranked 10th in the nation in the Associated Press poll, with the Tigers ranked 18th. Alabama is a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 152.5 (all odds from BetOnline). Oklahoma hosts Iowa State on ESPN2 with the ninth-ranked Sooners a 14-point favorite with the total set at 141. UConn plays at home against Seton Hall on Fox as a 1-point favorite with the over/under at 134. Toledo visits Ball State on the CBS Sports Network as an 8.5-point road favorite with the total at 149. LaSalle travels to Fordham on the NBC Sports Network at 12:30 PM ET as a 4-point road favorite with an over/under of 123.5.West Virginia hosts Kansas in a battle of two nationally-ranked Big 12 teams on CBS at 2 PM ET. The Mountaineers are ranked 17th, while the Jayhawks rank 23rd. West Virginia is a 2.5-point favorite with the total at 142. St. John’s visits Providence on FS1 as a 1-point road favorite with an over/under of 146.5. Memphis plays at home against East Carolina on ESPN as a 12.5-point favorite with a total of 135.Texas travels to Oklahoma State on ABC at 3 PM ET. The sixth-ranked Longhorns are a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 145.5. Virginia plays at home against Pittsburgh on ESPN at 4 PM ET. The 14th-ranked Cavaliers are a 10-point favorite with the total at 128. Oregon hosts Washington on CBS. UNLV hosts the Air Force on the CBS Sports Network as a 12-point favorite with an over/under of 131. Auburn is at home against Mississippi on ESPN2 as a 5-point favorite with the total at 139.5. Duke hosts North Carolina on ESPN at 6 PM ET with the Blue Devils 3.5-point favorites with an over/under of 145.5. Tulsa is at home against Central Florida on ESPN2 as a 5-point favorite, with the total at 132.5. Northern Iowa plays at home against Indiana State on ESPNU as a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 141. Colorado State travels to Wyoming as a 7.5-point favorite, with the total set at 152.5 on the CBS Sports Network Tennessee travels to Kentucky on ESPN at 8 PM ET. The 11th-ranked Volunteers are a 4-point road favorite with an over/under of 125.5. Colorado hosts Arizona on FS1 as a 5-point favorite with the total at 143. UMass plays at Rhode Island on ESPN2. Southern is at home against Grambling on ESPNU as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 136.5. USC hosts 21st-ranked UCLA on ESPN at 10 PM ET. The Trojans are laying 3.5-points with the total at 135. Utah State visits Fresno State on FS1 as a 12-point road favorite with an over/under of 129.5. UC-Irvine plays at home against Cal-State Bakersfield on ESPNU in a rematch of their Friday night contest. The NBA has 11 games on the Saturday docket. Portland plays at New York at 1 PM ET to tip off the schedule. The Los Angeles Clippers play at home against Detroit at 10 PM ET to conclude the card.Dallas hosts Golden State on ABC at 8:30 PM ET in a rematch of the Warriors' 147-116 victory as a 3.5-point underdog on Thursday. Dallas is a 4-point favorite with the total set at 231.Six games are on the NHL schedule. Montreal visits Ottawa at 1 PM ET as a -245 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Two games conclude the card at 10 PM ET, with Anaheim hosting San Jose and Calgary at home against Edmonton. The Flames are a -115 money line favorite with the total at 6.5.Matchweek 23 of the English Premier League begins on Saturday with five matches. At 7:30 AM ET, Arsenal travels to Aston Villa in a pick ‘em matchup with the total set at 2.75 on the NBC Sports Network. Southampton visits Newcastle United on the NBC Sports Network at 10 AM ET as a -0.25 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. West Ham United plays at Fulham on NBC at 12:30 PM ET as a -0.50 goal line road favorite with the total at 2.25. Manchester United plays at home against Everton on the NBC Sports Network at 3 PM ET as a -1 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.75.

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NCAA Friday Night Basketball: Maryland/Penn State Preview

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Feb 05, 2021

An FS1 college basketball doubleheader tips off at 7 PM ET between two Big Ten teams looking to take advantage of the small break in their conference schedule with the rare opportunity of not playing a nationally-ranked opponent. Maryland has won four of their last six games despite playing six-straight ranked opponents. The Terrapins scored the final six points on Tuesday to eke out a 61-60 victory against Purdue in College Park as a 3.5-point favorite. Eric Ayala’s two free throws iced the game for Maryland. His 13.6 points-per-game scoring average is tops on the team. Aaron Wiggins led the way with 18 points while adding 11 rebounds. His 12.8 points-per-game scoring average is second-best on the club. Head coach Mark Turgeon lost his top two players from last year in Anthony Cowan and Jalen Smith from a team that finished 24-7 and was poised to make a final four run in the NCAA Tournament before the season got canceled. Their next top-four scorers from that group form the core of this team led by Ayala and Wiggins. Maryland is 10-8 on the season with a 4-7 mark in the Big Ten. They have registered quality wins against Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and the Boilermakers earlier this week. Their losses are against Purdue, Rutgers, Indiana, Iowa, the Badgers, and twice to Michigan. Their non-conference loss to Clemson is their worst loss on paper despite the Tigers ranked 56th in the nation in the current kenpom rankings. The Terrapins rank 33rd in adjusted offensive efficiency at kenpom. The offense operates at a slow pace while protecting the basketball and taking high percentage shots inside the arc. Maryland plays at the 306th slowest tempo in the nation. They only turn the ball over 16.2% of the time, 44th. They make 53.0% of their 2-pointers, 66th, which boosts their effective field goal percentage to 52.8%, 66th. Turgeon has his team get back on defense instead of going after second-chance scoring opportunities. The Terrapins only pull down 18.4% of their missed shots in conference play, 13th in the Big Ten. Yet they limit conference opponents to rebounding 25.2% of their misses, 4th best in the Big Ten. Maryland ranks 56th in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency at kenpom. They do not give their opponents many freebies as they rank 29th in the country in opponent free throw rate. Penn State has lost two of their last three games after losing at Wisconsin, 72-56, as an 8.5-point underdog on Tuesday. Myreon Jones led the team with 14 points in a losing effort. His 15.6 points-per-game scoring average is the best on the team. John Haram added 10 points with five rebounds. The 6’9 senior center had been averaging 10.3 rebounds-per-game over his last seven contests before that game.Head coach Jim Ferry has three starters and an additional three contributors (including Jones and Haram) from the 21-10 last season that was likely to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time for this program since 2011. Losing two impact seniors in Lamar Stevens and Mike Watkins was always going to be a challenge. The Nittany Lions are 6-8 this season with a 3-7 mark in the Big Ten. Their “worst” loss was in non-conference play against a Seton Hall team that kenpom ranks at 37th in the country. Penn State has lost two Illinois twice, along with Michigan, Indiana, Purdue, Ohio State, and the Badgers earlier this week. The Nittany Lions have also defeated Wisconsin once this year, along with Rutgers and Virginia Tech. Penn State ranks 17th in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency at kenpom. They make 35.8% of their 3-pointers, 80th in the country. The Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten with a 33.6% offensive rebound rate. Ferry’s team is 86th in adjusted defensive efficiency at kenpom. They are second in the conference with a 10.6% steal rate which helps them force turnovers in 19.2% of their opponent’s possessions with both marks second-best in the Big Ten.BetAnySports lists Penn State as a 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 143.5.

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