NORTHCOAST:
Top Opinions
Cincinnati -8 vs San Fran @ 8:00 pm ET Saturday Marquee Play
cokin 3* toledo,chatt hat: wisc wind: akron sy: lville,gasouth nfl: sf pass nba
feist: 5* n.az 4* mont st 3* wkty ic: stl pl: uab,s.alab pb: nmex nba: 5* kings ic: cavs pb: mia nfL 5* cin und
scotty: 5* nmex 4* temp tko: ark,uncc,s.alab ko: n.az nba: 5* mavs tko; suns ko: nets nfl 5* sf
glen mcgrew dog gom arkansas
THE SPORTS REPORTER--
RECOMMENDED
CINCINNATI over *SAN FRANCISCO by 17
The Play for Pride Bowl, with the Bengals’ prospect for a .500 season their proverbial
dangling carrot. The best San Francisco can hope for is to worsen the first round draft
pick they’ll be handing over to New England at season’s end. The rest of the NFL will be
thrilled to know that the Patriots will most likely end up with the #2 pick in the draft –
hello Darren McFadden! Despite a desultory 2007 season so far, the Bengals have been
saddled by a tough schedule that did them no favors. Luckily, the last three weeks represent
very winnable games. Rudi Johnson’s best game in weeks should give the Cincy
offense some hope of consistency after suffering through Carson Palmer’s worst stretch
of his career in recent weeks. The San Francisco defense, which began the season with
such high hopes, has been decimated by injury and overuse and should prove susceptible
to a high-flying Bengals attack that should be able to take advantage of a 49ers
squad that has already given up the ghost. CINCINNATI 30-13
Brandon Lang
SATURDAY
10-DIME - Xavier, Utah and Butler
5-DIME - UNC Charlotte, Pittsburgh and Bengals
10 Dime - Xavier
Uninspiring and lethargic – a pair of adjectives that easily describe Xavier's win over rival Cincinnati. Inside the final four minutes of the Dec. 12 showdown, the Musketeers had been outworked, out-hustled and outmaneuvered for the most of the 75th Crosstown Shootout; and though they won the game, it was the lethargic effort that is giving us the value in this game, an easy low chalk play with the better team. Xavier, 8-1 SU and 4-2 ATS on the year, is outscoring its foes by an average margin of nine points away from Cincy-town, and I honestly don't believe the Sun Devils have a clue what they're about to face after seeing the likes of Coppin State and Delaware State the last two times out. ASU hasn't played the types of teams Xavier has, and that'll play a big part in this blowout for us. Lay the chalk as this will be all Xavier.
10 Dime – Utah
The Missouri State Bears will get a rude awakening in the Huntsman Center today, as the Utes are a feisty team that can play an up-tempo game ignited by a stingy defense that held the 91.3-points-a-game Oregon Ducks to a season-low 75 points last Saturday. Rolling into this clash on a 13-5 all-time mark against foes from the Missouri Valley Conference, the Utes are looking to make their mark on the nation once again – their first since the days of Rick Majerus. And while the defense is has stymied three-of-four guests this season and is helping the Utes outscore folks at Huntsman by an average final of 73-60, the offense currently ranks No. 1 in the Mountain West Conference and fourth in the nation in field-goal percentage, converting at a .523 clip. Play the home team in this one, as Utah continues to look solid in preseason action.
10 Dime - Butler
All of a sudden Butler is the 'next something or another', haven't you heard? Yes, the Bulldogs have attained the label "The Next Gonzaga," which means one of two things – if not both – and that is Gonzaga has arrived, or Butler is about to. The thing is, I've always considered Butler a part of the show, and once again the Dawgs are proving me right. Coming off their second Sweet 16 in the past five Big Dances, the Bulldogs are 8-1, ranked 18th and what's this – oh my! - favored to beat big, nasty Florida State in today's Wooden Tradition. I'll lay the chalk at Conseco Fieldhouse, as the Dawgs are getting it done with an incredible chemistry between players who are playing team basketball - sharp-shooting players who have a keen eye from the arc – and whose selfless ways become contagious up and down the roster. And get this: Butler has won nine of its past 10 games against schools from Bowl Championship Series conferences. Talk about being a big-game hunter, I'll take the Dawgs in this one.
5 Dime – Charlotte
Give me Bobby Lutz's crew in this one, as it's won three in a row and four of their last five entering tonight's contest at Hofstra. Though this represents the 49ers' first true road game of the year, it's hard to ignore the fact Hofstra has lost four in a row, albeit each by four points or less, to Stony Brook, Fordham, UNC Wilmington and St. Francis. Not exactly the blockbuster bunch to brag about losing closely to, is it? Charlotte has held six of its first eight opponents below 40 percent shooting, including each of the last five (4-1), while bolting out to a 6-2 start on the season. Charlotte has also forced more turnovers in five of the first eight games, forcing 17.6 turnovers per game. This is enough for us to side with the Niners here, as they sink the Pride into humility.
5 Dime – Pitt
Pittsburgh won its first six games by an average of 31 points per contest, and in all but one of those outings the Panthers led by double digits at halftime, with the average lead being 20 at the break in those games. So here comes this Oklahoma State team that is threatening to be just that – the Panthers' first real threat – and there are so many intangibles that say the Cowboys will give Pitt a good game. Then I look at the line. If this game is to be so contentious, why is this line so big? Don't let the oddsmakers fool you here, as the Panthers are the much better team, and are proving Aaron Gray is not missed this season. Our edge in this one is that Oklahoma State is a guard-oriented team that tends to stay beyond the arc. The Cowboys are averaging nearly 24 3-point attempts per contest, and though they're draining about 36 percent of those shots, the Panthers have vowed to improve on defense for this one by pressuring the rock at mid-court. Lay the chalk with the Panthers.
5 Dime - Bengals
Welcome to the 2007 season Cincy D, your offensive teammates have missed you all season. As it turns out, you've been here all along and you're final showing your face. This is a defense known for having more holes then Swiss cheese, but most recently, Cincy has won three of its last five by allowing just one team to gain more than 300 yards. And over this stretch, the defense is allowing only 262 yards of offense per game, while roughly 13 points per game the past three outings. Shaun Hill makes his first NFL start tonight, and he'll be introduced to Cincy's rejuvenated stop unit, as will the rushing game, which I expect to take some of the pressure off Hill. In the meantime, balancing things out on the other side will be an offense that we all know is capable of lighting up the scoreboard, and is long overdue for a blowout. Carson Palmer will be taking aim for his 100th career TD pass, and will get a balanced attack from Rudi Johnson, who has picked up his game as well. This is a pure blowout in the making, as we take the Bengals.
GOLD SHEET HOOPS
New Jersey 96 - NEW YORK 84—Dynamics ought to be much different for
rematch of New York’s 7-point win at Meadowlands ten nights ago. That’s
mainly because Jason Kidd almost assuredly back in Nets’ lineup after missing
that one with a migraine, and we know New Jersey definitely not the same team
if it’s Eddie Gill running the show from the point. Series trends still point toward
Nets, who have won 10 of last 12 vs. troubled Knicks, who have fallen into
Atlantic basement. 07-NY +6' 100-93 (185); 06-Nj -3 101-100 (194), NJ -4' 101-
92 (197), NJ -9' 100-86 (190), Nj -6 104-95 (193) TV—NBA NETWORK
NEW MEXICO 82 - Texas Tech 67—With popular new HC Steve Alford
now filling up the “The Pit,” favor ball-sharing (20 apg), deep Lobos (10 playing
15+ mpg), who are excelling on both ends (hitting 50% FGs, yielding just 60
ppg). NM’s gifted, defensively-tenacious 6-5 sr. G J.R Giddens (12 ppg, teambest
8 rpg) will pester Texas Tech’s slashing G Martin Zeno (17 ppg) or
marksmen G Alan Voskuil (14 ppg, 3 treys pg at nation-leading 69%!). And Red
Raiders ever-controversial HC Bob Knight (check out the hunting video on
YouTube), who says his squad must play smarter, is just 9-19 as a road dog since
‘03-‘04. 06-TECH -9’ 70-68
***SOUTH ALABAMA 79 - Mississippi St. 69—After pair of frustrating, but
highly-combative 3-pt. losses at Ole Miss & Vandy (OT) in November, athletic,
uptempo USA ready to notch SEC “hump win” in highly-anticipated revenge
game with MSU, which totally embarrassed Jags 84-46 in Starkville LY. USA’s
3-G attack—composed of Demetric Bennett (19 ppg, 3 treys pg at 38%),
Domonic Tilford (15 ppg, 44% from arc) & Daon Merrit (12 ppg, 5 apg)—can
handle Bulldogs pressure defense in rematch. And Rick Stansbury’s
potentially-fatigued squad (off Miami-Florida tilt fewer than 48 hours prior), is a
poor 4-17 SU away vs. TGS-rated squads last 2+Ys. 06-MSU -12 84-46
Kiki Sports
2 units Bengals -8
1 unit Wizards UNDER 198.5
1 unit Mavericks +3.5
1 unit Kentucky -5.5
1 unit Butler -4
docs
3 Unit Play. #8 Take Cleveland -5 ½ over Buffalo (Sunday 1:00 pm CBS)
4 Unit Play. #16 Take New Orleans -3 ½ over Arizona (Sunday 1:00 pm Fox)
3 Unit Play. #28 Take San Diego -10 over Detroit (Sunday 4:15 pm Fox)
MIKE LINEBACK
Selection 1: NBA Basketball (517-518)
4* Dallas Mavericks/Houston Rockets 15-December-2007 5:35 PM PST Total Points UNDER 189 for Game -110
Selection 2: NCAA Basketball (538)
4* Oklahoma 15-December-2007 12:00 PM PST Spread -3.5 for Game -110
Small opinions on Texas Tech +5.5, Pepperdine +20.5 & Purdue Pk.
Passing on Saturday football.
If I had to play I would tease Cincinnati & the OVER. However, don’t feel comfortable with the total with 49ers starting a 3rd string QB combined with season long O problems vs. a porous Cincinnati D.
Marco D'Angelo | CBB Sides Triple-Dime Bet
544 New Mexico -5.0 (-110) BetUS vs 543 Texas Tech
Analysis: New Mexico owns one of the Toughest Home Courts in all of College Basketball and today they play host to Bob Knight's Texas Tech team. Texas Tech hasn't played since December 5th and will be rusty today. Factor in that Tech's last game was a 86-31 Laugher against louisiana Tech and we will have bunch a kids feeling pretty good about themselves and won't be mentally prepared for what New Mexico is going to bring at them today. Texas Tech will come out flat which will give New Mexico a early lead on their strong home floor which will turn into a comfortable Double Digit Win in the second half. I expect New Mexico to by 11-14 Points. TAKE NEW MEXICO as MARCO'S 7* COLLEGE HIGH ROLLER PLAY and make them a TRIPLE DIME PLAY.
WAYNE ROOT
Chairman - Bengals
Millionaire - Purdue
Money Maker - New Mexico
No Limit - Central Mich
Insider Circle - UAB
Black Magic Sports
NCAA Basketball:
5 Unit Black Magic Non-Conference Beatdown on Southern Illinois -4.5
The Southern Illinois Salukis are back after 6 straight trips to the NCAA Tournament. It was a shaky start to the season for SIU but they got their act together with a 15-point blowout win over previously unbeaten St. Mary’s. Southern Illinois is 25-8 ATS in road games after failing to cover 3 of their last 4 against the spread. Saint Louis is 0-6 ATS after scoring 55 points or less over the last 2 seasons. Saint Louis is 1-10 ATS after scoring 30 points or less in the first half in 2 straight games over the last 2 seasons. Saint Louis lacks in the scoring department obviously. Cash in with Southern Illinois as the favorite.
3 Unit Sharp Play on Butler -4.5
The Butler Bulldogs being a small home favorite is as deadly as they come. Butler is 8-1 on the season and a perfect 6-0 ATS in home games after allowing 55 points or less over the last 2 seasons. Butler is 18-7 ATS after allowing 30 points or less in the first half in 2 straight games over the last 2 seasons. Florida State is 12-27 ATS after having won 5 or 6 of their last 7 games. FSU is 22-39 ATS after 2 or more consecutive wins. Cash in with Butler as the favorite.
3 Unit Sharp Play on Texas Tech +5
The Texas Tech Red Raiders will put a beating on New Mexico Saturday. New Mexico is from a smaller conference and cannot compete with this big conference foe from the Big 12. Bobby Knight has plenty of talent on this year’s squad to get back to the tournament. New Mexico is 3-11 ATS off 1 or more consecutive Unders. This will be New Mexico’s toughest opponent of the season and their true colors will show when Knight’s squad hands them a beating. Cash in with Texas Tech as the underdog.
NFL:
4 Unit Bengals/49ers BEST BET on San Francisco +9
The 49ers will look like the Patriots against this terrible Cincinnati defense. The Bengals are giving up 28 points a game on the road as well as 132 yards rushing per game away from home. San Francisco will rely heavily on their running with Frank Gore going for a big number against the Bengals Saturday. This will open up the play-action for San Francisco to allow Shaun Hill to make big plays in the passing game. The 49ers are only giving up 20 points a game at home this season. The Bengals won’t eclipse that number, allowing for an easy cover ATS by the 49ers. The Bengals are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. win and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0 points. This combined 10-1 System goes strongly against the Bengals Saturday. Cash in with the 49ers as the underdog.
Frank Rosenthal...
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2007
NFL WEEK # 15
BENGALS VS 49ERS
253 BENGALS-9 SB
?
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL
DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP
294 VALDOSTA ST+10.5 SB
OVER 56 SB
295 UW-WHITEWATER+21 SB
OVER 51 SB
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NBA
508 CAVS-7 SB+
511 JERSEY-2.5 SB
513 SUNS-6 SB+
515 NUGGETS+7.5 SB+
517 MAVS UNDER 219 SB+
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COLLEGE HOOPS
526 PITT-13 SB
529 UAB+5 SB
534 MICHIGAN-7 SB
536 NEBRASKA UNDER 139 SB+
540 PURDUE+1 SB
UNDER 128 SB
547 OHIO+18.5 SB
551 FSU+4.5 SB
SO BAMA-1.5 SB
572 BYU-20.5 SB+
600 PACIFIC-6 SB+
GOOD LUCK!
The Lock Line
NCAABB
Denver (Reg. play)
Xavier (Reg. play)
Butler (Reg. play)
St, John's (Reg. play)
Wyoming (Reg. play)
NFL
San Francisco (opinion only)
Russ Culver college basketball Part I
530) Kentucky -4 1/2
539) Louisville Pick
544) New Mexico -5 1/2
545) Xavier -1 1/2
549) Wisconsin-Green Bay +18 1/2
551) Florida State +4
568) South Alabama -1 1/2
569) Illinois-Chicago +8 1/2
581) Georgia Southern +15 1/2
583) Niagra +7
589) Wofford +4 1/2
595) Idaho State +33 1/2
601) Northern Arizona -2
Private Players of Pitt: 5* UTAH, 4*'s on Ohio U and South Alabama. 3*'s on Oregon, Charlotte, Western Ky, and Pacific