Daily Sports Roundup
Wednesday, December 23
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Utah meets Cal in the Poinsettia Bowl, while the Nets host the T-Wolves, and the Blackhawks and Wings hit the ice in Detroit.
Colliding on the gridiron . . .
There's one bowl game on the schedule for Wednesday, with Utah (9-3 SU, 5-7 ATS) vs. California (8-4 SU, 5-6 ATS) in the Poinsettia Bowl at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium. The Utes were beaten 26-23 by BYU in their last regular season game, with Jordan Wynn throwing for just 198 yards and an INT. The Golden Bears were thumped 42-10 by Washington last time out. California is set as the 3-point favorite for this bowl game, with the total for the game at 52 points.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA has 10 games on tap for Wednesday, including a battle of bottom-feeders between the Timberwolves and Nets in New Jersey. The Nets head into Wednesday's contest with a league-worst 2-26 SU record, and they've also failed to pay off for their supporters at just 8-19-1 ATS through 28 games. New Jersey was blasted 103-84 by the Lakers in their last game on Saturday night; Devin Harris had 21 points for the Nets in that defeat, while Brook Lopez had 18 points.
Also on the NBA hardwood on Wednesday: Houston at Orlando, Toronto at Detroit, Utah at Miami, Golden State at New Orleans, Washington at Milwaukee, Portland at San Antonio, Oklahoma City at Phoenix, Cleveland at Sacramento, and Atlanta at Denver. The Nuggets (19-9 SU, 14-14 ATS) will be looking to bounce back from a 102-96 loss in Memphis in their last game on Sunday; Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets' attack with a game-high 41 points in the loss.
As well, there's a ranked matchup on the college basketball schedule for Wednesday, with No. 15 Mississippi at No. 6 West Virginia. Other games involving ranked teams; Harvard at No. 14 Georgetown, Long Beach State at No. 3 Kentucky, N.C. A&T at No. 16 Tennessee, Delaware at No. 8 Villanova, and No. 13 New Mexico at Oral Roberts. The Lobos are still perfect at 12-0 (9-3 ATS) on the season; New Mexico got past Creighton 66-61 in their most recent game.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, there are a dozen games on the National Hockey League's schedule for Wednesday, including a rematch between the Blackhawks and Red Wings in Detroit. Chicago beat Detroit 3-0 at home on Sunday night, with Chris Osgood giving up three goals on 35 shots between the pipes for the Red Wings. Duncan Keith, Brian Campbell, and Dustin Byfuglien scored for the Hawks, and Cristobal Huet picked up the shutout. Detroit enters Wednesday night on a two-game skid.
Also on the busy NHL schedule before the Christmas break: Atlanta at Boston, Buffalo at Washington, Ottawa at Pittsburgh, Florida at the Rangers, Toronto at the Islanders, Montreal at Carolina, Edmonton at Minnesota, Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, Columbus at Dallas, Anaheim at Phoenix, and St. Louis at Calgary. The Flames fell to 20-11-4 on the season with a 5-3 loss to the Predators in their last game on Saturday; Jarome Iginla potted two goals for Calgary in that defeat.
Today's Helpful Tips
Wednesday, December 23
2001: A Wildcat Odyssey
The University of Kentucky basketball program won its 2,000th game Monday night with an 88-44 victory over visiting Drexel.
Just like old times in Rupp Arena, where there's no such thing as calling off the 'Cats. Even the bench-warmers get cheered for chucking up 3s in trash time.
Freshman guard John Wall, averaging 18.1 points and 7.0 assists per game, is drawing rave reviews, even from King James himself. LeBron recently said Wall is a lock to be the No. 1 pick of the NBA draft no matter what year he decides to enter.
The Wildcats also appear to be rallying around renowned players-coach John Calipari, who was the target of criticism from Bobby Knight earlier this week. That was after the Wildcats cake-walked past his former Indiana team, and they've also beaten Connecticut, North Carolina and Stanford.
Long Beach State is no cream-puff, but they have been blown out by Notre Dame, Texas and West Virginia by 20 points or more. And injuries have sidelined three players, no major scorers but depth could be a concern against a team like Kentucky.
The Wildcats are favored by 21 with a total of 153.5.
Magic Show
What Christmas present do you give the NBA team that already has everything? How about a healthy Jameer Nelson?
As if Dwight Howard, Vince Carter and Jason Williams weren't enough talent for one team, the Magic now get Nelson back on point.
Nelson struggled in his return Monday night with only two points and one assist in limited action, but he should quickly find his rhythm.
The Magic have been hot at home even without Nelson. They have won five in a row and are 11-2 SU in Orlando this season.
The Rockets have had Orlando's number lately, winning six of the last seven matchups. But now the Magic have all their tricks.
Orlando is -8.5 with a total of 200.5.
Woes of the Wild
As if having their equipment burned in a bus fire wasn't bad enough, now the Wild appear to be dealing with a flu outbreak in their ranks.
Right-wingers Guillaume Latendresse and Martin Havalt are both listed as questionable for tonight's game with flu-like symptoms. The players must have been sharing more than sticks and pads.
Enter the Edmonton Oilers, who may be the only team happy not to be home for the holidays. They are coming off a miserable homestand in which they went 0-4 SU after winning five straight on the road.
Minnesota is -160 with a total of 5.5.
Notable quotable
"I wanted to (coach in 2010), but that was out. I'm disappointed, but that wears off. ... You're never satisfied. I think that's one reason you stay in it as long as you do. I always think there's one more chance, one more chance to have the big year."
Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden, leading the Seminoles onto the practice field for the final time Tuesday, on being forced into early retirement by the school. His current team faces his former program, West Virginia, in the Jan. 1 Gator Bowl. An FSU victory would send Bowden out with his 33rd consecutive winning season.