Daily Sports Roundup
Saturday, November 14
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Spurs host the Thunder, the Gators take on the Gamecocks, and the Horned Frogs strive for a victory over the rival Utes.
Colliding on the gridiron . . .
No. 1 Florida will look to stay undefeated in the conference on Saturday afternoon when they play in South Carolina in marquee college football action. The Gators (9-0 SU, 3-4-1 ATS) stifled Vanderbilt in their last contest, getting a TD pass and a TD run from Tim Tebow in a 27-3 victory. The Gamecocks (6-4 SU, 5-4 ATS) fell 33-16 to Arkansas on the road last time out. Oddsmakers have Florida pegged as the 17.5-point favorite for Saturday, with a total at 42.5 points.
There are also three ranked matchups on the Saturday slate, with No. 25 Stanford at No. 11 USC (-10.5), No. 15 Iowa at No. 10 Ohio State (-16.5), and No. 16 Utah at No. 4 TCU (-20). The Horned Frogs (9-0 SU, 6-2 ATS) need to pick up a win on Saturday to keep their BCS title game hopes alive. Then-No. 6 TCU had no trouble with San Diego State last time out, rolling to a 55-12 road victory. Andy Dalton threw for 239 yards and a pair of touchdowns in that contest.
In other Top-10 action on Saturday it's No. 2 Texas (-23.5) at Baylor, No. 3 Alabama (-12.5) at Mississippi State, Idaho at No. 6 Boise State (-31.5), No. 7 Georgia Tech (-13) at Duke, and Notre Dame at No. 8 Pittsburgh (-6.5). As well, No. 9 LSU is a 22.5-point home favorite for their matchup with Louisiana Tech.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA has a busy night on Saturday with 10 games on the schedule, including New Orleans at Atlanta, Detroit at Washington, Portland at Charlotte, Boston at Indiana, New Jersey at Miami, Utah at Cleveland, Philadelphia at Chicago, Minnesota at Memphis, Golden State at Milwaukee, and Oklahoma City at San Antonio. The Spurs beat the Mavericks 92-83 on Wednesday night with both Tim Duncan and Tony Parker out of the lineup; they're both questionable for Saturday.
As well, college hoops hits the hardwood again on Saturday with six ranked teams in action, including Davidson vs. No. 11 Butler, Belmont vs. No. 14 Washington, Northern Michigan vs. No. 15 Michigan, Mount St. Mary's vs. No. 17 Oklahoma, and Creighton vs. No. 21 Dayton. Also, No. 22 Georgia Tech will attempt to keep their spot in the Top 25 with a convincing win over Florida A&M.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, the National Hockey League offers up a dozen games on Saturday, including a matinee matchup between the Rangers and Senators in Ottawa. New York fell to 10-8-1 on the season with a 5-3 loss to the Thrashers on Thursday night; Marian Gaborik potted his 13th goal of the year in that losing cause. The Senators are now 8-6-2 after getting beat 5-1 in Philadelphia on Thursday night. Mike Fisher had the lone Ottawa goal, and Pascal Leclaire made only 22 saves.
Also on the ice on Saturday: Anaheim at Detroit, Washington at New Jersey, Buffalo at Philadelphia, the Islanders at Florida, Calgary at Toronto, Los Angeles at Tampa Bay, Dallas at Phoenix, San Jose at St. Louis, Montreal at Nashville, Vancouver at Colorado, and Boston at Pittsburgh. The Bruins fell 1-0 in a shootout to the Panthers last time out, with Tim Thomas making 23 saves. The Penguins fell 4-1 to the Devils on Thursday; it was their fourth consecutive loss.
Today's Helpful Tips
Saturday, November 14
Shot of Jamison
The Wizards have been getting beat around so far this season, but their luck may be changing Saturday. The team has an extra few rest after a loss in Miami Tuesday night, but expects injured Antwan Jamison back for the first time this year during the regular season when the team hosts Detroit Saturday night. The offensive force is a huge addition to the Wizards, who are a surprising 11th in field goal percentage defense (43.7), but a wretched 23rd in offensive field goal percentage (43.5). Washington also has seen seven of its eight games fail to go over this season. The Wizards are listed at -5, with a total of 185.
MASH unit
The New Jersey Nets are giving a new definition to the term “injury riddled.” The team’s cov.com homepage features just two players listed under “bench.” Under injuries, let us introduce you to the Missing in Action: Chris Douglas-Roberts (Swine flu), Courtney Lee (groin), Yi Jianlian (knee), Devin Harris (groin), Tony Battie (knee), Jarvis Hayes (hamstring), Keyon Dooling (hip). Seriously, how do these guys even scrimmage? It’s no wonder they are 0-8 SU and 2-6 ATS. Expect the team to get a beat down in Orlando on Friday night, followed by more of the same in Miami Saturday. There is no line posted yet for Saturday’s game against the Heat.
Empty net
So can Roberto Luongo’s return spark the Canucks? The team has lost three straight and closes out a five-game road trip on Saturday night in Colorado. Against the Red Wings on Thursday, the goalie made 26 saves on 28 shots in a 3-1 loss to the Red Wings in his first start since aggravating a broken rib on Oct. 27.
"I felt like my timing was good and I was able to read the play," he told TSN.
Combine the return of one of the league’s top goalies with the fact the teams past five matchups have all gone under, it looks like a solid play to say this game will be a defensive struggle. The Canucks are listed at +115 with a total of 5.5 goals.
Devil of a time
The New Jersey Devils are on a hell of a run. The team has won nine of 10, is a perfect 9-0 on the road and leads the Eastern Conference with 26 points. The team has excelled with a strong defense (35 goals allowed, second-fewest in the league) and a timely power play (20 percent). And, the Devils already beat the visiting Capitals twice this season, and it remains unknown if superstar Alex Ovechkin will return from injury for the Caps. Washington has to face Minnesota the night before. The line for this game is not set yet.
Toothless Tigers
LSU will have to find a way around its quarterback position once again. With an injury to Jordan Jefferson, the Tigers likely will start Jarrett Lee against Louisiana Tech Saturday. The squad also may work freshman Russell Shepard into the lineup in specialty packages. Lee has 14 career touchdown passes against 17 interceptions. The Tigers are listed at -22.5 with a total of 47.
Broken Trojans
Southern Cal’s leading receiver Damian Williams will miss the team’s game Saturday afternoon against Stanford with a sprained right ankle. Williams has 45 catches for 688 yards with five touchdowns, followed by Joe McKnight, who is second on the squad with a meager 17 grabs. The Trojans are listed at -10.5 with a total of 57.
T.O. back in swing
The Buffalo Bills offense should have a fully healthy Terrell Owens this week. The team expects Owens to be totally recovered from a nagging injury when the team visits the Tennessee Titans Sunday. Owens, who has 28 touches for 339 yards and two scores, has been bothered by a strained hip he hurt when he fell asleep on his couch. The Bills are listed at +7 with a total of 41 points.
Caged Panthers
Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams missed his second straight day of practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Falcons with a knee injury. Williams, who has rushed for 768 yards and seven scores, would be replaced by Jonathan Stewart if he is unable to go against Atlanta. The Panthers are listed at +1.5 with a total of 44 points.