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Connecticut-Gonzaga Preview

The Connecticut Huskies and the Gonzaga Bulldogs will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at McCarthey Athletic Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Bulldogs listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Huskies, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Current streak:
Connecticut has won 9 straight games.
Team records:
Connecticut: 9-0 SU, 3-2 ATS
Gonzaga: 8-1 SU, 5-2 ATS
Connecticut most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Fairfield are 7-0
After playing Stony Brook are 1-1
After a win are 8-2

Gonzaga most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Portland State are 2-2
After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Connecticut is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Connecticut is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Connecticut is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Gonzaga is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Gonzaga is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Next up:
Connecticut home to Fairfield, Friday, December 26
Gonzaga home to Portland State, Tuesday, December 23

 

Arizona-UNLV Preview

The Arizona Wildcats and the UNLV Rebels will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Thomas & Mack Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rebels listed as 2-point favorites versus the Wildcats, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Arizona defeated Gonzaga 69-64 as a 6.5-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (141).
Jordan Hill scored 22 points for Arizona and Nic Wise chipped in with 21 points in the win.
Wink Adams scored 16 points, as UNLV got past Santa Clara 78-66 on Wednesday night.
UNLV covered as 10-point home favorites as the game played over the 121.5-point total posted by linesmakers.
Current streak:
Arizona has won 2 straight games.
UNLV has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Arizona: 7-2 SU, 5-4 ATS
UNLV: 9-2 SU, 3-6 ATS
Arizona most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Kansas are 7-0
After playing Gonzaga are 2-0
After a win are 4-6

UNLV most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Southern Utah are 3-0
After playing Santa Clara are 1-0
After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Arizona is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
UNLV is 22-2 SU in its last 24 games at home
UNLV is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games
UNLV is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Next up:
Arizona home to Kansas, Tuesday, December 23
UNLV home to Southern Utah, Tuesday, December 23

 

Saturday Best Bets–Literally

Bowl season begins on Saturday, with the first four postseason clashes on the schedule. The experts know who will cover. Here’s a look at all of the day’s action in your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Gridiron Spotlight

The 2008/09 bowl season officially gets underway at 11:00am ET on Saturday morning with Wake Forest vs. Navy in the EagleBank Bowl. The Demon Deacons and Midshipmen have already played once this season, with Navy (8-8-4 SU, 6-5 ATS) coming out on top by a final score of 24-17. Saturday’s game, though, still has Wake Forest (7-5 SU, 5-7 ATS) pegged as the 2.5-point favorite at the sportsbooks.

Colorado State (6-6 SU, 6-5 ATS) and Fresno State (7-5 SU, 2-10 ATS) will then square off in the New Mexico Bowl at 2:30pm ET, with the Bulldogs listed as 3-point favorites. Memphis (6-6 SU, 5-5-1 ATS) and South Florida (7-5 SU, 4-7 ATS) are slated for the St. Petersburg Bowl at 4:30pm ET, with the Bulls pegged as big 11.5-point favorites at BetUs Sportsbook . The night’s bowl action then concludes with the Las Vegas Bowl at 8:00pm ET, with BYU (10-2 SU, 3-8 ATS) vs. Arizona (7-5 SU, 7-5 ATS). The Cougars weren’t a lucrative team this year, and they’re 3-point dogs at NewBodog.

Other Notable Events

Not to be outdone the NFL also has a game on the schedule for Saturday, with the Ravens travelling to Dallas for an inter-conference battle against the Cowboys. Both Baltimore and Dallas are 9-5 SU on the season, but neither of those teams has a playoff berth locked down heading into the weekend. As well, both of those teams are no longer in contention for their respective division crowns, so it’s Wild Card or bust. Kickoff for the matchup is slated for 8:15pm ET.

The Ravens are coming off a disappointing 13-9 loss to the rival Steelers last week in which they could only muster three field goals. Joe Flacco went 11-of-28 for 115 yards and two INTs in the loss. The Cowboys knocked off the Giants 20-8 last time out, with Tony Romo throwing for 244 yards and two scores in that win.

Oddsmakers have the Cowboys listed as 4-point home favorites for Saturday, with the game’s total at 39.5 points. Dallas is 7-7 ATS through the first 14 weeks of the season, and they’re 7-7 on the OVER/UNDER as well. The Ravens have paid off very well at 10-4 ATS so far this season, and they’re at 8-5-1 on the OU.

Breaking NFL injuries and live weather will be at OffshoreInsiders.com Sunday morning. This is ideal for both the fantasy footballer and sports bettor.

The Rest of the Schedule

The Orlando Magic will get another big test on Saturday night when they play host to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Magic got past the Spurs by a final score of 90-78 on Thursday night, with star center Dwight Howard picking up 14 points and 13 rebounds in his return to the lineup. Jameer Nelson poured in 24 points.

San Antonio is back in action on Saturday as well, as they’ll get a visit from the Raptors. Also on the slate: Golden State at Charlotte, Indiana at Philadelphia, Houston at Minnesota, Miami at New Jersey, Sacramento at New Orleans, the Clippers at Milwaukee, and Utah at Chicago, with Phoenix playing host to Denver.

Red-hot Phil Kessel and his Boston Bruins will get a visit from the Carolina  Hurricanes in Saturday matinee action in the NHL. Kessel scored twice on Thursday night as the Bruins outgunned the Maple Leafs for an 8-5 victory. David Krejci had a hat trick in the contest, which improved Boston to 22-5-4 on the year.

The Leafs will try to bounce back when they play in Pittsburgh on Saturday. The rest of the busy NHL schedule: Tampa Bay at Atlanta, Dallas at Ottawa, Buffalo at Montreal, Los Angeles at Detroit, the Islanders at Nashville, Minnesota at St. Louis, Columbus at Phoenix, Chicago at Vancouver, and the Rangers at San Jose. As well, the Capitals will be in Philadelphia for the league’s other matinee.

Finally, there are five ranked matchups on the college hardwood on Saturday: No. 2 UConn vs. No. 8 Gonzaga, No. 19 Michigan State vs. No. 5 Texas, No. 6 Duke vs. No. 7 Xavier, No. 22 Davidson vs. No. 13 Purdue, and No. 11 Syracuse vs. No. 23 Memphis. As well, No. 1 North Carolina will meet Valparaiso, No. 4 Oklahoma will take on VCU, and No. 9 Louisville will try to get past Minnesota.

A Peek at the Future

NFL conference top seeds will be on the line on Sunday, with Pittsburgh at Tennessee in the AFC, and Carolina at the Giants in the NFC. The Steelers are sitting as 2-point road favorites in their game against the Titans, while the Giants are favored by 3 points at home against the Panthers . . . there is one bowl game on Sunday night, with Southern Miss versus Troy (-4.5) in the New Orleans Bowl.

Temple-Kansas Preview

The Temple Owls and the Kansas Jayhawks will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Allen Fieldhouse.
Oddsmakers currently have the Jayhawks listed as 9½-point favorites versus the Owls, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Christmas came early for Temple as Dionte Christmas poured in 35 points to help upset Tennessee 88-72 on Saturday afternoon.
The Owls covered the 8-point spread, while the combined score played OVER the day’s posted total of 150.
Sherron Collins led Kansas in scoring with 19 points, while Cole Aldrich was the top rebounder with 13 in a 61-60 loss to Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon.
The Jayhawks failed to cover the 17.5-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the posted total of 150.
Current streak:
Temple has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Temple: 5-3 SU, 5-2 ATS
Kansas: 7-2 SU, 3-2 ATS
Temple most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Long Beach State are 1-0
After playing Tennessee are 0-1
After a win are 7-3

Kansas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
Before playing Arizona are 7-1
After playing Massachusetts are 2-0
After a loss are 10-0

A few trends to consider:
Temple is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games
Temple is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Kansas is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games at home
Kansas is 20-2 SU in its last 22 games
Next up:
Temple at Long Beach State, Monday, December 22
Kansas at Arizona, Tuesday, December 23

 

Minnesota-Louisville Preview

The Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Louisville Cardinals will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Freedom Hall.

Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Earl Clark threw down 25 points with 16 rebounds in a double-double performance as Louisville rolled past Mississippi 77-68 on Thursday. Louisville could not cover the 16-point spread, and the 145 points fell UNDER the posted total of 149.

Current streak:
Minnesota has won 9 straight games.
Louisville has won 5 straight games.

Team records:
Minnesota: 9-0 SU, 4-2 ATS
Louisville: 7-1 SU, 4-4 ATS

Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Southeastern Louisiana are 0-1
After playing South Dakota State are 2-1
After a win are 9-1

Louisville most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
Before playing UAB are 7-3
After playing Mississippi are 2-0
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Louisville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Louisville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Louisville’s last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Louisville’s last 8 games

Next up:
Minnesota home to Southeastern Louisiana, Tuesday, December 23
Louisville home to UAB, Saturday, December 27

Michigan State-Texas Preview

The Michigan State Spartans and the Texas Longhorns will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Frank Erwin Center.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Raymar Morgan went for 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead Michigan State over Citadel 79-65 on Wednesday night.
Michigan State couldn’t cover as 29-point home favorites as the game played over the 134.5-point total posted by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Michigan State has won 3 straight games.
Texas has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Michigan State: 7-2 SU, 3-4 ATS
Texas: 9-1 SU, 4-3 ATS
Michigan State most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Oakland are 4-2
After playing The Citadel are 1-0
After a win are 5-5

Texas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Wisconsin are 1-3
After playing Texas Southern are 1-1
After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Michigan State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Michigan State is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Michigan State at Oakland, Saturday, December 27
Texas at Wisconsin, Tuesday, December 23

 

Xavier-Duke Preview

The Xavier Musketeers and the Duke Blue Devils will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
C.J. Anderson netted 17 points with 12 rebounds for a double-double on Saturday, as Xavier defeated Cincinnati 76-66. Xavier covered the 2.5-point spread, while the 142 points made it OVER the posted total of 131.
Derrick Brown had 20 points with 10 rebounds for a double-double in that game.
Current streak:
Xavier has won 9 straight games.
Team records:
Xavier: 9-0 SU, 3-4-1 ATS
Duke: 9-1 SU, 5-4 ATS
Xavier most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Butler are 1-0
After playing Cincinnati are 7-3
After a win are 9-1

Duke most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Xavier is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Xavier is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Xavier is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Duke is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Duke is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Next up:
Xavier home to Butler, Tuesday, December 23
Duke home to Loyola, Wednesday, December 31

 

Pacers-76ers Preview

The Indiana Pacers and the Philadelphia 76ers will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Wachovia Center.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Pacers fell 117-109 to the Clippers in double OT last time out, as 3-point underdogs at home. The combined score made it OVER the posted total of 204.
Jarrett Jack netted 27 points with four rebounds and seven assists in the loss.
The 76ers pulled ahead for good in the fourth quarter and came away with a 109-103 victory over the Wizards on Friday. The 76ers covered the 1.5-point spread, while the combined 212 points sailed OVER the posted total of 194.
Louis Williams tossed in a game-high 26 points to lead the way, while Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young had 18 points apiece in that win.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Indiana: 9-17 SU, 13-12-1 ATS
Philadelphia: 12-14 SU, 11-15 ATS
Indiana most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing New Jersey are 2-8
After playing LA Clippers are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Washington are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana’s last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Indiana is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Indiana is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana’s last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia’s last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Philadelphia’s last 19 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games when playing at home against Indiana
Philadelphia is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Indiana
Next up:
Indiana home to New Jersey, Tuesday, December 23
Philadelphia at Boston, Tuesday, December 23

 

Lakers-Magic Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Amway Arena.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Lakers lost 89-87 to the Heat last time out, as 8-point favorites on the road. The game’s 176 points fell UNDER the posted total of 203.
Kobe Bryant shot 12-for-24 from the field with 28 points.
Orlando held San Antonio to just 29 points in the first half as they ran away with a 90-78 victory over on Thursday. Orlando easily covered the slight 2.5-point spread, while the 168 points fell UNDER the posted total of 192.
Jameer Nelson led the way with 24 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Rashard Lewis chipped in with 15 points in this contest.
Current streak:
Orlando has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 21-4 SU, 11-14 ATS
Orlando: 20-6 SU, 16-9-1 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Memphis are 7-3
After playing Miami are 4-6
After a loss are 8-2

Orlando most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Golden State are 7-3
After playing San Antonio are 4-6
After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing Orlando
LA Lakers are 21-4 SU in their last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 6 games when playing on the road against Orlando
LA Lakers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Orlando is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Orlando is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando’s last 6 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Next up:
LA Lakers at Memphis, Monday, December 22
Orlando home to Golden State, Monday, December 22

 

Warriors-Bobcats Preview

The Golden State Warriors and the Charlotte Bobcats will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Warriors were crushed 115-99 by the Hawks last time out, as 10.5-point road underdogs. The 214 points went UNDER the posted total of 217.
Marco Belinelli dropped a game-high 27 points in the loss.
The Bobcats controlled the game from start-to-finish as they tore apart the Grizzlies 112-83 on Friday. The Bobcats won the game as a 3.5-point underdog, while the 195 points made it OVER the posted total of 182.5.
Boris Diaw had a double-double for the Bobcats with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Emeka Okafor added 25 points in the win.
Current streak:
Golden State has lost 5 straight games.
Charlotte has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Golden State: 7-20 SU, 10-17 ATS
Charlotte: 9-18 SU, 16-11 ATS
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Orlando are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 3-7
After a loss are 1-9

Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-4
Before playing Washington are 3-7
After playing Memphis are 5-3
After a win are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State’s last 6 games when playing Charlotte
Golden State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Charlotte
Golden State is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Golden State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Charlotte’s last 6 games when playing Golden State
Charlotte is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Golden State
Charlotte is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
Next up:
Golden State at Orlando, Monday, December 22
Charlotte home to Washington, Tuesday, December 23