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

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Mar 15, 2021

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

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The Las Vegas Sands Hotel

by Will Rogers

Sunday, Mar 14, 2021

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

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

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Mar 14, 2021

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

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

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Mar 13, 2021

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

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

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Mar 13, 2021

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

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Big 12 Dark Horse to Win the National Title

by ASA, Inc.

Friday, Mar 12, 2021

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

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

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Mar 12, 2021

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

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

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Mar 12, 2021

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

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

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Mar 11, 2021

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

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NCAA Basketball: TCU/Kansas State Preview, Odds and Prediction - 03/10/2021

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Mar 10, 2021

The Big 12 conference tournament begins at 6:30 PM ET, with Kansas State playing TCU in a battle of the eight and nine seeds. The winner has the unenviable task of attempting to upset top-seed Baylor tomorrow. The T-Mobile Center in Kansas City is the site for this event on ESPN.Kansas State comes into the Big 12 tournament with three wins in their last four games that reversed a 13-game losing streak. The Wildcats upset an Oklahoma team that was ranked seventh in the nation, at the time, on February 23rd. After a loss at West Virginia, Kansas State concluded their regular season with a 61-56 victory against Iowa State as a 5-point favorite last Saturday. Bruce Weber expected this to be a rebuilding season after returning only two starters with two other rotation players from the group that finished 11-22 last year. The Wildcats lost their top three scorers. Weber brought in eight new players to inject energy into the program. A five-member freshman class features Nigel Pack, who leads the team with a 12.0 points-per-game scoring average. The lone senior on the team is returning starter Mike McGuirl, second on the team with an 11.9 points-per-game average.Kansas State ranks 183rd in the nation in the kenpom ratings with an 8-19 record and a 4-14 mark in the conference. They are last in the Big 12 in adjusted offensive efficiency using the kenpom metrics. The Wildcats’ turnover rate of 22.5% in conference play is the highest in the Big 12, while their effective field goal percentage of 44.8% is the lowest. Kansas State is third-to-last in adjusted defensive efficiency. They limit their opponents to rebounding 28.0% of their missed shots which is second-best in the conference. TCU limps into the Big 12 tournament with three straight losses after a 76-64 setback to Texas as a 7.5-point underdog on March 7th. The Horned Frogs' only victory in their last seven games was against an Iowa State team winless in the conference. Jamie Dixon returned two starters and six rotational players from the group that was 16-16 last season. He also brought in former five-star recruit Chuck O’Bannon as a transfer from USC. They rank 127th in the kenpom ratings with a 12-13 record with a 5-11 conference mark. A win or two this week in the Big 12 tournament may be enough to earn an invitation to the NIT. Eleven of their losses are to teams who ranked in the top-48 at kenpom. TCU's highest-profile wins are a pair of upset victories against Oklahoma State.Junior R.J. Nembhard leads the team with a 15.9 points-per-game scoring average. Freshman Mike Miles is a rising star who is second on the team with a 13.8 points-per-game average.These two teams split their two regular-season encounters. TCU won the first meeting on January 2nd, 67-60, as a 3.5-point favorite in Manhattan. Kansas State returned the favor in Fort Worth on February 20th with a 62-54 upset victory as a 7-point underdog that snapped their 13-game slide. BookMaker lists TCU as a 3.5-point favorite with the total set at 127.Computer prediction:  TCU 65 Kansas State 60

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, EPL, NCAA Basketball and UEFA Champions League - Previews and Odds - 03/10/21

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Mar 10, 2021

The Wednesday sports card features action in NCAA basketball, the NBA, NHL, the EPL, and the UEFA Champions League.The college basketball card tips off at 11 AM ET with Northern Colorado playing Sacramento State in the opening game of the Big Sky tournament. The Bears are a 2-point favorite with the total set at 133 (all odds from BetOnline).At 12 Noon, the ACC Tournament tips off with NC State battling Syracuse.  The Orange are 2.5-point favorites, with a total of 146.5.  At 2:30 pm, Miami-Fla tussles with Clemson.  The Tigers are favored by 9, with a total of 126.  Then, the Duke Blue Devils will try to keep their post-season hopes alive when they take on Louisville at 6:30pm.  Mike Kryzyzewski's men are favored by 3, with a total of 140.  The last game on the ACC docket is Notre Dame vs. North Carolina, at 9 pm.  The Tar Heels are 6.5-point favorites, with a total of 150.  All games will be broadcast on the ACC Network.Marquette plays Georgetown in the opening game of the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden at 3 PM ET. The Golden Eagles improved to 13-13 with a 66-59 win against Xavier as a 2-point favorite on Saturday. The Hoyas dropped to 9-12 with a 98-82 loss at UConn as a 13.5-point underdog on Saturday. Marquette is a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 143. FS1 broadcasts the three Big East games on Wednesday.Army hosts Loyola-Maryland in a Patriot League tournament game on the CBS Sports Network at 5:30 PM ET. The Black Knights are a 2-point favorite, with the total at 134.5. Xavier plays Butler in the Big East tournament at 6 PM ET. The Musketeers, 13-7, have lost two in a row with a 66-59 loss at Marquette as a 2-point underdog on Saturday. The Bulldogs dropped to 9-14 with a 93-73 loss at Creighton as a 12.5-point underdog on Saturday. Xavier is a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 133.5. TCU battles Kansas State in the opening game of the Big 12 tournament on ESPN at 6 PM ET. The Horned Frogs fell to 12-13 with a 76-64 loss to Texas as a 7.5-point underdog on Sunday. The Wildcats raised their record to 8-19 with a 61-56 victory against Iowa State as a 5-point favorite on Saturday. TCU is a 4-point favorite with the total at 128.5. The Big 12 tournament is at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Colgate plays at home against Bucknell in a Patriot League tournament game on the CBS Sports Network at 7:30 PM ET. The Raiders are a 14-point favorite at home with an over/under of 155.Providence faces DePaul in the Big East tournament at 9 PM ET. The Friars improved to 13-12 with a 54-52 upset win against Villanova as a 4-point underdog on Saturday. The Blue Demons, 4-13, lost their third in a row in a 77-71 loss to Marquette as a 5.5-point underdog on Saturday. Providence is a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 133.5.Oklahoma takes on Iowa State in the Big 12 tournament on ESPN at 9:30 PM ET. The Sooners, 14-9, lost their fourth in a row after a 69-65 upset loss to Texas as a 2-point favorite last Thursday. The Cyclones fell to 2-21 with a 61-56 loss at Kansas State as a 5-point underdog on Saturday. Oklahoma is an 11-point favorite, with the total at 141.5.The NBA returns after the All-Star Game break with two games. Memphis hosts Washington as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 238 at 8 PM ET. Dallas plays at home against San Antonio as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 222.5 at 8:30 PM ET. Neither game is on national television.Five games are on the NHL docket. Vegas visits Minnesota on the NBC Sports Network at 7 PM ET. The Golden Knights had their six-game winning streak snapped on Monday with their 2-0 loss on the road against the Wild. Minnesota has won two of their last three games. Vegas is a -110 money line road favorite with the total set at 5.5.Los Angeles plays at Anaheim on the NBC Sports Network at 9:38 PM ET. The Kings have lost five of six after a 6-5 loss on the road to the Ducks on Monday. Anaheim has won two in a row. Los Angeles is a -123 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5.Matchweek 27 of the English Premier League concludes with Manchester City playing at home against Southampton on the NBC Sports Network at 1 PM ET. Man City is a -2 goal favorite with the total of 3.The UEFA Champions League continues with two second-leg matches in the Final 16 at 3 PM ET. Liverpool is at home against RB Leipzig after winning the opening match, 2-0. The Reds are a -0.25 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.75. PSG hosts Barcelona after defeating them in the reverse fixture by a 4-1 score. CBS All-Access broadcasts the games.

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NCAA Basketball: Gonzaga/BYU Preview, Odds and Prediction - 03/09/2021

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Mar 09, 2021

The championship game in the West Coast Conference tournament features the number one team in the nation on ESPN at 9 PM ET.Gonzaga reached the championship game with a 78-55 victory against Saint Mary’s as an 18.5-point favorite yesterday. Drew Timme paved the way with 18 points. The sophomore scores 18.9 points-per-game and averages 7.1 rebounds-per-game. Joey Ayayi added 16 points to improve his 11.5 points-per-game scoring average.  The Bulldogs are the last remaining undefeated team in the nation with a 25-0 record to accompany their number one ranking. They have rattled off 29 straight victories going back to last season, and they have won 22 in a row by double-digits. Gonzaga played a rigorous non-conference schedule that included powerhouses in Kansas, West Virginia, Virginia, and Iowa. The Bulldogs have the country's top adjusted offensive efficiency number according to metrics at kenpom. They are third nationally, with an effective field goal percentage of 57.5%. The Zags are 45th nationally and tops in the West Coast Conference in adjusted defensive efficiency at kenpom. They limit their opponents to rebound 22.7% of their missed shots, 16th best in the nation. They also have the seventh-lowest opponent free throw rate nationally. If there is a crack in the armor, it might start with their half-court defense. Their opponents have an effective field goal percentage of 47.6%, which is only 108th nationally. Mark Few returned three players from his seven-man rotation that finished 31-2 last season and looked poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament as a number one seed. Senior Corey Kispert leads the team this year with a 19.3 points-per-game after contributing 13.9 points-per-game last season. Kispert is also averaging 4.9 rebounds-per-game and 1.8 assists-per-game. Jalen Suggs is a five-star freshman who is averaging 14.0 points-per-game, 5.5 rebounds-per-game, and 4.5 assists-per-game. This group may be Few’s most talented roster in his 22 seasons as the Gonzaga head coach. BYU joined the Zags in the championship game late last night with an 82-77 victory in overtime against Pepperdine as an 8-point favorite. Alex Barcello scored 23 points to lead his team to the win. The senior is scoring 15.7 points-per-game while adding 4.5 rebounds-per-game and 4.6 assists-per-game. Matt Harms contributed 18 points. The 7’3 transfer from Purdue is scoring 11.0 points-per-game. Senior Brandon Averette poured in 16 points to improve his 11.4 points-per-game scoring average.Mark Pope lost five important pieces from the team that finished 24-8 in his first year with the program. He relied on the transfer market by bringing in six new players, including Haarms and Everette, who came over with him from Utah Valley, where he previously served as the head coach. Barcello and junior forward Kolby Lee were in the Cougars’ rotation last season. BYU ranks 24th in the kenpom rankings with a 20-5 record. They have quality wins against San Diego State, Utah State, St. John’s, and Utah. Their five losses are against USC, Boise State, Pepperdine, and these Zags twice. They take a 10-3 conference record into this game.The Cougars rank 30th in adjusted offensive efficiency at kenpom. They are an excellent shooting team with an effective field goal percentage of 55.0%, ranking 25th nationally. BYU makes 37.2% of their 3-pointers, 36th in the nation. They are 25th using the kenpom metrics in adjusted defensive efficiency. Their opponents make 45.2% of their shots inside the arc, 23rd nationally, and 31.7% of their 3-pointers, 67th nationally. Their opponent’s effective field goal percentage of 46.1% is 24th best. They also limit their opponents to rebounding 23.4% of their missed shots, ranking 24th nationally.Gonzaga swept the two regular-season meetings. The Bulldogs won at home, 86-69, on January 7th before defeating the Cougars in Provo, 82-71. BookMaker lists BYU as a 14-point favorite with the total set at 155.5.Computer prediction:  Gonzaga 87 BYU 71

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