Daily Sports Roundup
Tuesday, November 24
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Habs host the Blue Jackets, the Nets seek a win in Denver, and Ball State and Western Michigan meet on the gridiron.
Colliding on the gridiron . . .
There's one college football game on the schedule for Tuesday, with Ball State at Western Michigan. The Cardinals (1-10 SU, 5-5 ATS) were trounced 35-3 by Central Michigan in their last game, while the Broncos (5-6 SU, 3-7 ATS) are coming off a 35-14 win over Eastern Michigan. Oddsmakers like Western Michigan to roll to a win on Tuesday, as they've been pegged as 10-point faves.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
There are six games on the NBA schedule for Tuesday, with Philadelphia at Washington, Indiana at Toronto, Golden State at Dallas, Oklahoma City at Utah, New York at the Lakers, and New Jersey at Denver. The Nets (0-13 SU, 4-8-1 ATS) came up short once again last time out, falling 98-91 to New York on Saturday. The Nuggets (9-4 SU, 7-6 ATS) got past Chicago 112-93 at home on Saturday; Carmelo Anthony had 30 points and 11 rebounds for Denver that day.
College basketball preseason tourneys on Tuesday include the Maui Invitational, CBE Classic, and Cancun Challenge, with ranked Kentucky hosting Cleveland State in one of the matchups at the Moon Palace Resort in Mexico. The Wildcats improved to 4-0 (1-2 ATS) on the season with a convincing 92-63 win over Rider on Saturday. John Wall led the way for Kentucky on offense with 21 points and 11 assists in that win, while Patrick Patterson picked up 19 points and 18 boards.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, there's just one National Hockey League game on the Tuesday schedule, with Columbus at Montreal. The 11-11-1 Canadiens were defeated 3-2 in a shootout by the Red Wings on Saturday night, with Michael Cammalleri scoring both Habs goals. Andrei Kostitsyn picked up a pair of assists for Montreal in that loss, while Carey Price made 32 saves. Canadiens forwards Brian Gionta (foot, out indefinitely) and Scott Gomez (lower body, day-to-day) both sat out Saturday.
Today's Helpful Tips
Tuesday, November 24
Ball to the wall
Ball State has lost three in a row and is 1-10 on the forgettable season. The Cardinals rank No. 115 in the nation in passing – having eclipsed the 200-yard mark only three times this season – and are on their second-string quarterback, Tanner Justice, who took over in Week 8. Ball State has been competitive this year, losing six games by a touchdown or less and going 5-6 against the number.
Western Michigan desperately needs a win on senior night to meet the minimum of bowl eligibility requirements with a .500 record. Gunslinger Tim Hiller and the Broncos boast the No. 25 aerial attack in the country so expect to see plenty of fireworks through the air. Home attendance for Western Michigan has been poor all season, and even with the game being televised on ESPN2 there may not be much of a homefield advantage at Waldo Stadium.
"It's an awesome opportunity for our program to be showcased,” said quarterback Tim Hiller. “I'm hoping that a lot of people in Kalamazoo and our faculty and students come out and support us.”
The spread opened at 10 in favor of Western Michigan and has moved to 11 at most shops. The weather is expected to be mild for a November game in Kalamazoo and the total sits at 51.5.
Injured lines
As of Monday night, a total of three NBA pointspreads have not been posted due to key injuries in the lineups.
The Wizards could be without forward Caron Butler in Tuesday’s game against the 76ers. Butler did not practice with the team on Monday and is considered to be a game-time decision with an ankle injury. After returning from a shoulder injury for three games, guard Mike Miller will be out 3-6 weeks for Washington with a strained calf.
The Mavericks Shawn Marion has missed the last two games with an ankle injury and is questionable for the game against the Warriors. He went through portions of practice on Monday, but was unable to participate in full.
"I tried to get through as much as I could,” Marion said. “I can't push off the way I want to. We want to get it back as close to 100 percent as we can."
For the Warriors, head coach Don Nelson will not be with the team due to an illness and forward Anthony Randolph, who is coming off a double-double on Friday, is questionable for the game after suffering a knee injury.
The Thunder and Jazz game is off the board due to the playing status of Mehmet Okur. The 6-11, 263-pound center from Turkey participated in a full practice on Monday after missing three games with the flu. Utah went 3-0 and 2-1 ATS in Okur’s absence.
Sunshine State showdown
The Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles collide in an intrastate football rivalry on Saturday, but will first meet on the hardcourt Tuesday evening.
Two starting forwards are questionable for the Gators heading into the game.
Junior Chandler Parsons is the team’s leading rebounder (8.3 rpg) and second-leading scorer (14.7 ppg), but has a hip injury that could sideline him for the game.
Alex Tyus averages 8.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg, but sustained an ankle injury in Florida’s last game against Troy.
The Gators are 3-0 on the young season (1-1 ATS) while holding opponents to 51.0 ppg. Florida State is also 3-0, but has yet to play in a lined gamed this year.
The spread is set at 4 in favor of the home team, Florida.
Notable quotable
"I don't know if you guys have arguments at your respectful workplaces, if you do, just understand that it's just business if you know the guy. Camps knows New and New knows Camps, and whenever those types of things happen we'll let [the media] blow it out of proportion."
-- Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears, referring to the physical altercation between cornerback Terrance Newman and secondary coach Dave Campo on Sunday.