2024 WNBA GM Survey: Predictions ahead of new season

[Cnotes53]

WNBA.com is bringing back its survey of WNBA general managers to gather predictions for the 2024 season.

The 28th season brings a thrilling mix of veteran stars and raw rookie talent. The arrival of Caitlin Clark and the highly touted 2024 Draft class is a potential turning point for the league, sparking a surge of excitement that could usher in a new era for women’s professional basketball.

Clark’s emergence made an impact on the 2024 WNBA GM Survey, with the rookie phenom receiving 83% of the votes when GMs were asked which rookie would be the best player in five years, and the most votes for the player they’d like to start a franchise with.

The defending champion Las Vegas Aces also star in the Survey, with reigning Finals MVP A’ja Wilson receiving the most votes for this season’s Kia MVP pick, best center and best defensive player. Teammate Chelsea Gray collected the most votes for best point guard, best passer, best leader, best basketball IQ, and the active player who would make the best coach.

The GMs responded to 45 questions about the best teams, players, coaches and offseason moves. General managers were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question, rather than all 12 GMs.

 

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PLAYERS

Who will win the 2024 Kia WNBA MVP?

1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 67%
2. Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut – 25%
3. Breanna Stewart, New York – 8%

If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the WNBA, who would it be?

1. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 50%
2. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 42%
3. Aliyah Boston, Indiana – 8%

Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?

1. Breanna Stewart, New York – 42%
2. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 25%
3. Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut – 17%
T-4. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 8%
T-4. Brittney Griner, Phoenix – 8%

Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2024?

1. Aliyah Boston, Indiana – 18%
T-2. Shakira Austin, Washington – 9%
T-2. Chennedy Carter, Chicago – 9%
T-2. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota – 9%
T-2. Kahleah Copper, Phoenix – 9%
T-2. Skylar Diggins-Smith, Seattle – 9%
T-2. Dana Evans, Chicago – 9%
T-2. Rhyne Howard, Atlanta – 9%
T-2. Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles – 9%
T-2. NaLyssa Smith, Indiana – 9%

Who is the best point guard in the WNBA?

1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 75%
T-2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 8%
T-2. Skylar Diggins-Smith, Seattle – 8%
T-2. Courtney Vandersloot, New York – 8%

Who is the best shooting guard in the WNBA?

1. Jewell Loyd, Seattle – 75%
T-2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 8%
T-2. Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas – 8%
T-2. Jackie Young, Las Vegas – 8%

Who is the best small forward in the WNBA?

1. Satou Sabally, Dallas – 25%
T-2. Rhyne Howard, Atlanta – 17%
T-2. Jackie Young, Las Vegas – 17%
» Also receiving votes: DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut; Napheesa Collier, Minnesota; Kahleah Copper, Phoenix; Betnijah Laney, New York; Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut

Who is the best power forward in the WNBA?

1. Breanna Stewart, New York – 42%
T-2. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 17%
T-2. Satou Sabally, Dallas – 17%%
4. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota – 8%

Who is the best center in the WNBA?

1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 42%
T-2. Jonquel Jones, New York – 25%
T-2. Brittney Griner, Phoenix – 25%
Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut – 8%

 

[Cnotes53]

OFFSEASON
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason? (via free agency & trades)
1. Seattle – 67%
2. Phoenix – 17%
T-3. Connecticut – 8%
T-3. Minnesota – 8%
Which player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
1. Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle – 58%
T-2. Kahleah Copper, Phoenix – 17%
T-2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 17%
4. Skylar Diggins-Smith, Seattle – 8%
What was the most underrated player acquisition?
1. Rebecca Allen, Phoenix – 33%
2. Karlie Samuelson, Washington – 17%
» Also receiving votes: Chennedy Carter, Chicago; Jordin Canada, Atlanta; Megan Gustafson, Las Vegas; Natisha Hiedeman, Minnesota; Aari McDonald, Los Angeles; Courtney Williams, Connecticut
What was the most surprising move of the offseason?
1. Kahleah Copper to Phoenix – 58%
2. Nneka Ogwumike to Seattle – 17%
T-3. Jordin Canada to Atlanta – 9%
T-3. Rebecca Allen to Phoenix – 9%
» Also receiving votes: Elena Delle Donne (Washington) stepping away for 2024.
Which team will be most improved in 2024?
1. Indiana – 58%
2. Seattle – 33%
3. Minnesota – 8%

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ROOKIES & INTERNATIONAL
Who will win the 2024 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year?
1. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 92%
2. Cameron Brink, Los Angeles – 8%
Which rookie will be the best player in five years?
1. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 83%
2. Cameron Brink, Los Angeles – 17%
Which rookie was the biggest steal at where she was selected in the Draft?
1. Angel Reese, Chicago – 27%
2. Dyaisha Fair, Las Vegas – 17%
» Also receiving votes: Isobel Borlase, Atlanta; Marquesha Davis, New York; Liz Kitley, Las Vegas; Leïla Lacan, Connecticut; Nika Mühl, Seattle
Who is the best international player in the WNBA?
1. Jonquel Jones (Bahamas), New York – 27%
T-2. Ezi Magbegor (Australia), Seattle – 18%
T-2. Kamilla Cardoso (Brazil), Chicago – 18%
T-2. Satou Sabally (Germany), Dallas – 18%
» Also receiving votes: Emma Meesseman (Belgium), Chicago; Nyadiew Puoch (Australia), Atlanta

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DEFENSE
Who is the best defensive player in the WNBA?
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 42%
2. Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut – 25%
» Also receiving votes: Natasha Cloud, Phoenix; Natasha Howard, Dallas; Ezi Magbegor, Seattle; Brittney Sykes, Washington
Who is the best interior defender in the WNBA?
1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 58%
2. Brittney Griner, Phoenix – 17%
T-3. Ezi Magbegor, Seattle – 8%
T-3. Elizabeth Williams, Chicago – 8%
T-3. Brianna Turner, Chicago – 8%
Who is the best perimeter defender in the WNBA?
1. Brittney Sykes, Washington – 50%
2. Natasha Cloud, Phoenix – 33%
3. Kahleah Copper, Phoenix – 17%
Who is the most versatile defender in the WNBA?
1. Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut – 33%
T-2. Alysha Clark, Las Vegas – 17%
T-2. Brittney Sykes, Washington – 17%
T-2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 17%
» Also receiving votes: Rebecca Allen, Phoenix; Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle
Which is the best defensive team in the WNBA?
1. Las Vegas – 50%
2. Connecticut – 17%
» Also receiving votes: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix

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COACHES
Who is the best head coach in the WNBA?
1. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 42%
2. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 25%
T-3. Curt Miller, Los Angeles – 17%
T-3. Stephanie White, Connecticut – 17%
Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people?
1. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 45%
2. Tanisha Wright, Atlanta – 27%
T-3. Sandy Brondello, New York – 9%
T-3. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 9%
T-3. Teresa Weatherspoon, Chicago – 9%
Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?
1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 50%
2. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 25%
3. Curt Miller, Los Angeles – 17%
4. Stephanie White, Connecticut – 8%
Which head coach runs the best offense?
1. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 75%
T-2. Curt Miller, Los Angeles – 8%
T-2. Latricia Trammell, Dallas – 8%
T-2. Stephanie White, Connecticut – 8%
Which new or relocated head coach will make the biggest impact on his/her new team?
1. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 58%
2. Teresa Weatherspoon, Chicago – 42%
Who is the best assistant coach in the WNBA?
1. Katie Smith, Minnesota – 33%
2. Olaf Lange, New York – 25%
3. Natalie Nakase, Las Vegas – 17%
» Also receiving votes: Pokey Chatman, Seattle; Briann January, Connecticut; Brandi Poole, Dallas
Which active player will make the best head coach someday?
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 42%
T-2. Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas – 17%
T-2. Courtney Vandersloot, New York – 17%
» Also receiving votes: Rachel Banham, Connecticut; Aliyah Boston, Indiana; Alysha Clark, Las Vegas

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MISCELLANEOUS
Which team is the most fun to watch?
1. Las Vegas – 75%
2. Indiana – 25%
Which team has the best home-court advantage?
1. Las Vegas – 42%
2. Seattle – 25%
3. Atlanta – 17%
T-4. Indiana – 8%
T-4. New York – 8%
Which team will have the league’s most efficient offense this season?
1. Las Vegas – 58%
2. Seattle – 17%
T-3. New York – 8%
T-3. Indiana – 8%
T-3. Dallas – 8%
Which team’s level of success this season is the toughest to predict?
1. Phoenix – 33%
T-2. Chicago – 17%
T-2. Dallas – 17%
» Also receiving votes: Atlanta, Indiana, Los Angeles, Minnesota
Which team has the most promising young core?
1. Indiana – 100%
Which player is the most athletic?
1. Brittney Sykes, Washington – 50%
2. Kahleah Copper, Phoenix – 42%
3. Jackie Young, Las Vegas – 8%
Which player is the fastest with the ball?
1. Jordin Canada, Atlanta – 27%
2. Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas – 18%
» Also receiving votes: Caitlin Clark, Indiana; Rhyne Howard, Howard; Aari McDonald, Los Angeles; Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana; Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas; Brittney Sykes, Washington
Which player is the best at moving without the ball?
T-1. DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut – 18%
T-1. Rhyne Howard, Atlanta– 18%
T-1. Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas – 18%
» Also receiving votes: Rebecca Allen, Phoenix; Jackie Young, Las Vegas; Diamond Miller, Minnesota; Kayla McBride, Minnesota; Sami Whitcomb, Seattle
Which player is the best passer?
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 67%
T-2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 8%
T-2. Sabrina Ionescu, New York – 8%
T-2. Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut – 8%
T-2. Courtney Vandersloot, New York – 8%
Which player is the best leader?
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 25%
T-2. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 17%
T-2. Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle – 17%
T-2. Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut – 17%
» Also receiving votes: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota; Natasha Cloud, Phoenix; Courtney Vandersloot, New York
Who is the most versatile player in the WNBA?
1. Breanna Stewart, New York – 58%
2. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota – 17%
T-3. Rebecca Allen, Phoenix – 8%
T-3. Satou Sabally, Dallas – 8%
T-3. Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut – 8%
Which player has the best basketball IQ?
1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 36%
2. Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut – 27%
» Also receiving votes: Jewell Loyd, Seattle; Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle; Diana Taurasi, Phoenix; Courtney Vandersloot, New York
Which player has the greatest hunger to win a championship in 2024?
1. Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut – 40%
2. Skylar Diggins-Smith, Seattle – 30%
T-3. Natasha Cloud, Phoenix – 10%
T-3. Sabrina Ionescu, New York – 10%
T-3. Breanna Stewart, New York – 10%
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
T-1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 25%
T-1. Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas – 25%
» Also receiving votes: Caitlin Clark, Indiana; Rhyne Howard, Atlanta; Sabrina Ionescu, New York; Jewell Loyd, Seattle; Breanna Stewart, New York; Diana Taurasi, Phoenix
Who do you think will be the face of the WNBA in five years?
1. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 82%
T-2. JuJu Watkins, USC – 9%
T-2. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 9%

​

 

[Cnotes53]

Wednesday’s 6-pack:
NFL games already released:
Week 1, Thursday— Ravens @ Chiefs
Week 1, Friday— Packers vs Eagles in Brazil
Week 1, Sunday 4:25— Cowboys @ Browns
Week 1, Monday— Jets @ 49ers
Week 2, Thursday— Bills @ Dolphins
Week 2, Sunday— Bengals @ Chiefs
The entire 2024 NFL schedule is being released at 8:00 tonight.

Quote of the Day
“I’ve got a trig midterm tomorrow and I’m being chased by Guido, the killer pimp.”
Miles, Risky Business

Wednesday’s quiz
A’s have played home games in Oakland since 1968; before that, what two cities did they call home?

Tuesday’s quiz
In the 2021 NFL Draft, QB Trevor Lawrence was the first pick, by Jacksonville; the next two picks were also QB’s, who are still in the NFL. Jets took Zach Wilson, who is now with Denver, and the 49ers drafted Trey Lance, who is now with Dallas.

Monday’s quiz
First time the Marlins won the World Series, Jim Leyland was their manager.

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Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings………​

— Here’s a question; a celebrity like Jerry Seinfeld speaks at a college commencement like he did at Duke last weekend; how much does he get paid for that? Anyone know?

— College sports continue to get stranger:
Wyoming head coach Jeff Linder quit, to become an assistant coach at Texas Tech.
Green Bay coach Sundance Wicks quit after one year there to take the Wyoming job; last year, Green Bay improved from 3-29 to 18-14 under Wicks, but now he is gone.
Replacing Wicks will be former ESPN/CBS TV analyst Doug Gottlieb, who has never coached; his late father was a college head coach, his brother is a college assistant.
Gottlieb currently has a radio talk show on FOX Sports Radio; the weird thing here is that he will keep doing his radio show, even while he is coaching.

— New Mexico is going to play St John’s in Madison Square Garden on November 17; Richard Pitino’s team playing against his father’s team. I’m guessing it’ll be on national TV.

— Quarterback TJ Finley is going to play for Western Kentucky this year; he’s had an interesting college career:
2020- LSU
2021-22- Auburn
2023- Texas State
2024- Western Kentucky

Hilltoppers visit Alabama in their season opener August 31; it’ll be the third time Finley has played against the Crimson Tide, for three different teams:
2020- Alabama 55, LSU 17
2021- Alabama 24, Auburn 22

— Saw an old clip of the great comedian Steve Martin appearing on The Dating Game, which had to be in the late 60’s/early 70’s.
Would be good if they brought back old gameshows like that one and Hollywood Squares, would be a lot better than the contrived talk/yelling shows they have a lot of now.

— Angels haven’t played a divisional game yet; their first 44 games will be non-division games, which will be the 2nd-latest in a season ever that a team didn’t play a divisional rival.

— Last two years, with Buck Showalter as manager, the Mets were 17-5 in extra inning games; so far this year, with a new manager, they’re 2-4 in extra innings.

— Famous birthdays for May 15th:
Don Nelson, 84
George Brett, 71
Dan Patrick, 67
John Smoltz, 57
AJ Hinch, 50
Ray Lewis, 49
Justin Morneau, 43
Michael Brantley, 37
Cole Anthony, 24

— Astros 2, A’s 1 (10)
Houston pitcher Blanco was tossed after three innings for having a foreign (sticky) substance inside his glove. He is likely to get a 10-game suspension.

— Phillies 4, Mets 0
Aaron Nola threw a 4-hit shutout, on 109 pitches.
Phillies are 20-6 vs righty pitchers, 10-7 vs lefties.

— Cardinals 7, Angels 6
St Louis blew a 5-0 lead, but Alec Burleson’s 2-run homer in the 7th inning was a game-winner.
Pedro Pages hit a bases loaded double, his first major league hit.

— Marlins 1, Tigers 0
Both teams had only four hits.
Reese Olson has started eight games; Detroit scored total of 17 runs for him.

— Rockies 6, Padres 2
Colorado had won six games in a row, after starting the season 8-28.
San Diego is 10-15 at home, 12-8 on the road.

— There have only been games this season where both starting pitchers threw 100+ pitches.

— Ronald Acuna got picked off first base three times in Sunday/Monday games; maybe the Braves need to send their first base coach to AAA.

— Reds’ CF TJ Friedl broke his wrist in spring training; he recently came back, played six games, but now he’s broken his left thumb after being hit by a pitch Sunday.

— Monday night in Seattle, with Mariners’ leadoff hitter Josh Rojas at the plate, he hit a foul ball down the left field line- a younger fan caught the ball.
Next pitch, Rojas hit another foul ball, to the same area; no one caught the ball, but the same fan emerged from the scrum with the ball.
Two pitches, two foul balls; what are the odds of that???

 

[Cnotes53]

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15​

Game	Time(ET)	Pick	Units
CHI at DAL	08:00 PM	CHI +8.5 U 161.5	+500 +500
ATL at LA	10:00 PM	LA +5.0 O 161.0	+500 +500

 

[Cnotes53]

Thursday’s 6-pack:
Some Week 1 NFL spreads:
— Ravens @ Kansas City (-2.5)
— Packers vs Eagles (-1.5) (@ Brazil)
— Steelers @ Atlanta (-2.5)
— Cardinals @ Buffalo (-7)
— Titans @ Chicago (-4.5)
— Patriots @ Cincinnati (-8.5)
— Texans (-1.5) @ Indianapolis

Quote of the Day
“We are not missing on them (Houston Texans) again. They are in for primetime games: two Sunday nights, a Monday night and a Thursday night. And they are part of the Christmas round robin. So they’re in the Saturday and Wednesday national windows down there in week 16 and 17. So six nationally televised games for a team that last year, as you mentioned, was scheduled for zero.”
Mike North, NFL’s VP of broadcast planning

Thursday’s quiz
In the classic TV show The Odd Couple, what did Felix Unger do for a job?

Wednesday’s quiz
A’s have played home games in Oakland since 1968; before that, they called Kansas City and Philadelphia home.

Tuesday’s quiz
In the 2021 NFL Draft, QB Trevor Lawrence was the first pick, by Jacksonville; the next two picks were also QB’s, who are still in the NFL. Jets took Zach Wilson, who is now with Denver, and the 49ers drafted Trey Lance, who is now with Dallas.

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Thursday’s Den: Quick thoughts on the NFL schedule​

NFC
— Arizona
Arizona opens in Buffalo; Cardinals are 3-2 SU/5-0 ATS in last five road openers.
Cardinals have Week 7 Monday night home game, then Week 8 they’ve got a cross-country trip to play the Dolphins in Miami.
Arizona’s two games with Seattle are in Weeks 12/14.

— Atlanta
Kirk Cousins visits his old team, the Vikings, in Week 14 (December 8)
Falcons are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 road openers, 5-2 ATS in last seven home openers.
Four of their first five games are at home (3 in row at home, weeks 3-5)

— Carolina
Rookie coach Caneles faces Tampa Bay, his old team, in Weeks 13/17.
Panthers lost four of last five home openers SU (1-3-1 ATS)
Carolina visits Denver in Week 8; Panthers’ DC Ejiro Evero was Denver’s DC two years ago.

— Chicago
Bears open their season at home vs Tennessee; since 2003, QB’s drafted first in a draft are 0-14-1 SU/1-14 ATS in their first start.
Weeks 13-15, Chicago has three straight road games (Lions-49ers-Vikings)
Last 20 years, under is 15-5 in Bears’ road openers. Last seven years, under is 6-1 in Chicago’s home openers.

— Dallas
Three of their first four road games (Giants-Steelers-49ers) are night games.
Over is 4-1 in their last five home openers.
Washington coach Dan Quinn was Dallas’ DC the last three years; Cowboy-Commander games are in Weeks 12/18.

— Detroit
Detroit doesn’t play a game outdoors until Week 9 at Green Bay.
Over is 7-2 in their last nine road openers.
Lions lost NFC title game 34-31 to San Francisco LY, blowing a 24-7 third quarter lead; they visit the 49ers on Monday night in Week 17.

— Green Bay
Packers open season against the Eagles in Brazil; Green Bay hasn’t started a season at Lambeau since 2018, but they’ve also won their last 11 home openers (8-3 ATS)
Over is 8-3 in their last 11 road openers.
Play consecutive Thursday games in Weeks 13-14: they host Miami on Thanksgiving night, then visit Detroit the next Thursday.

— LA Rams
Rams lost in playoffs at Detroit LY; they open this year on Sunday night, also at Detroit, which will revive the Stafford-Goff trade drama.
Rams are in Chicago in Week 4; their next road game isn’t until Week 9, at Seattle.
Under Sean McVay, Rams are 7-0 SU/5-2 ATS in road openers.

— Minnesota
Weeks 10-12, Vikings have 3 straight road games (Jaguars-Titans-Bears)
Under is 9-1 in Minnesota’s last ten home openers.
Vikings are 0-6-1 SU/0-7 ATS in their last seven road openers.

— NJ Giants
Last 12 years, Giants are 1-11 ATS in their home opener.
Both their games with Dallas are on Thursdays, including a Thanksgiving game.
Eagles’ new RB Saquon Barkley plays against his old team in Weeks 7/18.

— New Orleans
Visit Giants/Packers in December, two cold-weather games for a dome team.
Last nine years, Saints are 3-6 SU/1-8 ATS in home openers.
Dennis Allen/Derek Carr’s old team (Raiders) visit New Orleans in Week 17.

— Philadelphia
Open season against the Packers in Brazil; in Week 3, they go to Tampa, Week 4, they go to New Orleans, then they have an early bye in Week 5.
Last 15 years, Eagles are 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 home openers.
New OC Kellen Moore got run out of Dallas couple years ago; Eagles’ games with the Cowboys are in Weeks 10/17.

— San Francisco
Over last 21 years, teams that lost Super Bowl are 5-16 ATS in Week 1 the next year; 49ers host the Jets in Week 1.
Under is 8-2 in their last ten home openers.
Weeks 12-13, they visit Packers/Bills, two cold weather games; the game in Buffalo is at night.

— Seattle
Seahawks won four of their last five road openers.
Week 17 Thursday night road game is long travel/short week, plus a cold weather game.
Their two games with the Cardinals are in Weeks 12/14.

— Washington
Commanders play three of first four games on the road.
Washington is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 home openers.
Kliff Kingsbury is the new OC; Washington visits his old team (Arizona) in Week 4.

AFC
— Baltimore
Ravens visit Arrowhead in Week 1; they lost AFC title game at home to the Chiefs last year.
Harbaugh brothers face each other in Week 12, on a Monday night at SoFi.
Baltimore won/covered seven of last eight Week 1 games.

— Buffalo
Bills visit old friend, WR Stefon Diggs, in Week 5 at Houston.
Under is 6-2 in their last eight road openers.
Bills’ games with Dolphins are early in season; they visit Miami on a Thursday nite in Week 2; Dolphins come to Buffalo in Week 9.

— Cincinnati
Bengals’ games with Baltimore are fairly early (weeks 5/10); their games with Pittsburgh are later on (weeks 13/18)
Cincinnati is 2-6 ATS in its last eight home openers.
Bengals have five night games, three of them on the road.

— Cleveland
Four of their first six games are against NFC East opponents.
Since 2010, Browns are 5-1 ATS as an underdog in their home opener.
Browns visit Philadelphia in Week 6; Cleveland DC Schwartz was DC of the Eagles from 2016-20.

— Denver
Sean Payton’s Broncos visit Payton’s old team in New Orleans in Week 7.
Week 4, Broncos visit the Jets; will Zach Wilson be playing QB against his old team? At what point does rookie QB Bo Nix get the nod?
Denver’s last five home openers stayed under the total.

— Houston
They don’t play an outdoor game until Week 6 at New England.
Under is 7-2 in their last nine road openers.
It is conceivable that their first three games could be against very young QB’s:
Colts- Richardson, Bears- Williams, Vikings- McCarthy

— Indianapolis
Three of their first four games are at home.
Colts are 2-6-1 ATS in last nine road openers.
Their two games with Houston are before Halloween (weeks 1/8).

— Jacksonville
Jaguars visit Philadelphia in Week 9; Doug Pederson won a Super Bowl coaching the Eagles.
Jacksonville is 5-2 ATS in last seven road openers, last four of which went over the total.
Jaguars are playing Bears/Patriots in England in Weeks 6-7; the games are in different stadiums.

— Kansas City
Over last 21 years, Super Bowl champs are 11-7-3 ATS in Week 1 the next year, although they’re 0-3 ATS the last three years.
Last 7 years, Chiefs are 6-1 SU/5-2 ATS in road openers.
Chiefs have cold weather games in Cleveland (Week 15), Pittsburgh (Week 17), Denver (Week 18).

— Las Vegas
Two of their first seven games are on road at SoFi: Week 1 @ Chargers, Week 7 @ Rams.
Raiders are 7-2 ATS in last nine road openers.
Weeks 11-14, Raiders have three games in four weeks east of the Mississippi, visiting Miami, Chiefs and Tampa Bay.

— LA Chargers
Host the Raiders in Week 1; the rematch is in the season finale at Las Vegas.
Chargers are 8-3-1 ATS in last dozen road openers.
Chargers have an early (Week 5) bye, which isn’t ideal.

— Miami
Thanksgiving night in Green Bay should be fun, then they finish the season with a couple more cold weather games in Cleveland, New Jersey (Jets) in Weeks 17-18.
Dolphins are 6-2 ATS in last eight road openers.
Play three of first four games at home, with two of the home games at night.

— New England
Three of their first four games are on the road.
Games with Buffalo are very late, Weeks 16/18.
Their over/under win total is 4.5 wins, tied with Carolina for lowest in league.

— NJ Jets
First seven weeks, they have four night games, and a morning game from England.
Jets are 1-5 SU/ATS in last six home openers.
TV people like Aaron Rodgers; Jets have six night games scheduled, which is a lot for a team that hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2010.

— Pittsburgh
Weeks 12-16, they play 4 road games in 5 weeks; 3 of the 4 games are divisional games.
Russell Wilson visits his old team/coach in Denver in Week 2.
Visit the Ravens in Week 16 on a Saturday, host Chiefs on Christmas four days later.

— Tennessee
Titans host Cincinnati in Week 15; Tennessee coach Callahan was the Bengals’ OC the last five years (head coach Zac Taylor is really the OC).
Titans are 3-9 ATS in last 12 home openers.
Play only one divisional game in first 11 weeks of the season; 5 of their last 7 games are against AFC South rivals.

— ESPN’s schedule release show was so much better than NFL Network’s; memo to Rich Eisen: no one gives a BLEEP!!! where you went to college. Jim Harbaugh coaches the Chargers now; talk about the Chargers, not his last job.

— Christmas is on a Wednesday this year; despite that, there will be two NFL games on Christmas, with Chiefs @ Pittsburgh and Ravens @ Houston- those games are on Netflix.

— Lowest win totals:
Carolina, New England both have 4.5 win totals
1991 was last time New England’s win total was that low.

— Week 1 thoughts:
Steelers (Russell Wilson) @ Falcons (Kirk Cousins)— battle of veteran QB’s who changed teams.
Jets @ 49ers- Hopefully Aaron Rodgers will last more than four plays this year, but he is on Monday Night Football in Week 1 for second year in a row.
Rams @ Lions- Rematch of a playoff game from last year; the two QB’s were obviously traded for each other, a trade that has helped both teams.
When do the rookie QB’s start?
Packers vs Eagles, in Brazil- Two teams are playing in a soccer stadium where the home team’s arch-rival wears green uniforms. Because of that, it is an unwritten rule that you never wear green in that stadium. Whoops.

 

[Cnotes53]

THURSDAY, MAY 16​

Game	Time(ET)	Pick	Units
NY at IND	07:00 PM	NY -7.0 O 170.0	+500 +500

 

[Cnotes53]

Friday’s 6-pack:
More Week 1 NFL spreads:
— Titans @ Chicago (-4.5)
— LA Rams @ Detroit (-3.5)
— Raiders @ LA Chargers (-3.5)
— Broncos @ Seattle (-5)
— Cowboys (-1) @ Cleveland
— Commanders @ Tampa Bay (-4)

Quote of the Day
“People don’t want to say it, but part of playoffs is trying to hurt every player on the other team. The more guys you take out, the more advantage your team has.”
Boston Bruins’ captain Brad Marchand

Friday’s quiz
In the TV show CSI, Ted Danson’s character becomes head of the Las Vegas crime lab, after moving from which city?

Thursday’s quiz
In the classic TV show The Odd Couple, Felix Unger was a photographer (portraits a specialty)

Wednesday’s quiz
A’s have played home games in Oakland since 1968; before that, they called Kansas City and Philadelphia home.

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Friday’s Den: Baseball trends, with regular season 25% over​

Trends for all 30 MLB teams…….

— Arizona is 7-3 in its last ten games.
Under is 9-5 in their last 14 home games.

— Braves are 6-1 in home series openers.
Under is 19-1 in their last 20 games.

— Cubs are 22-15 vs righty starting pitchers, 3-5 vs lefties.
Under is 9-4 in their last 13 home games.

— Cincinnati is 1-10 in one-run games.
Overall, Reds lost 13 of their last 17 games.

— Rockies started season 8-28; they’ve won seven in a row since then.
3B Ryan McMahon is hitting .384, with an .856 OPS.

— Dodgers won seven of their last eight home games.
LA leads NL West by seven games; next biggest divisional lead is three games.

— Marlins are 1-15 against lefty starting pitchers, 12-17 vs righties.
Over is 8-1 in their last nine home games.

— Brewers won seven of their last nine home games.
C William Contreras is hitting .359, with a .987 OPS.

— Mets are 4-8 in their last 12 games.
Last year, Mets had a $346M payroll, they went 75-87.
This year, Mets have a $323M payroll, they’re 20-23.

— Phillies won 16 of their last 20 games.
Phillies are 29-5 when they score 4+ runs, 2-9 when they don’t.

— Pirates lost six of their last nine games.
Pirates are 14-12 when Keller-Jones-Falter start, 6-13 in all the other games.

— Cardinals are 7-14 in day games, 11-11 in night games.
St Louis hasn’t scored in first inning in its last 11 road games.

— Padres lost four of their last five games.
San Diego is 10-16 at home, 12-8 on road.

— Giants are 6-14 in their last 20 road games.
San Francisco is 12-8 in day games, 9-17 in night games.

— Nationals lost four of their last five games.
C Keibert Ruiz is batting .141 in his first 92 at-bats this season; he hit .260 LY, .251 the year before.

— Famous birthdays for May 17th:
Paige Turco, 59
Danny Manning, 58
Sasha Alexander, 51
Carlos Pena, 46
Tony Parker, 42
Matt Cassel, 42
Matt Ryan, 39
Austin Ekeler, 29
Brayan Bello, 25

— Orioles are 8-3 in their last eleven games.
C Adley Rutschman is hitting .314, with an .859 OPS.

— Under is 13-2 in Red Sox’ last 15 games.
Boston is 1-6 in home series openers.

— White Sox started season 3-22; they’re 11-8 since then.
Tommy Pham is hitting .319 in 18 games, with an .829 OPS.

— Guardians are 10-3 in their last 13 home games.
Cleveland is 7-2 vs lefty starting pitchers, 20-15 vs righties.

— Tigers lost nine of their last 12 games.
Detroit is 10-6 in divisional games, 11-16 vs everyone else.

— Astros won seven of their last eight games.
Houston has a hole at 1B; Abreu is in minors, Singleton is hitting .213.

— Royals are off to a 26-19 start; their last winning season was 2015, when they won the World Series.
Under is 15-6 in their last 21 games.

— Angels lost 11 of their last 14 home games.
Over is 9-3 in their last 12 home games.

— Twins are 44-119 in their last 163 games against New York.
Under is 5-1 in their last six games overall.

— New York won 10 of its last 12 games.
Under is 11-3 in their series openers.

— A’s are 2-10 in their last 12 games.
Over is 5-1 in their last six home games.

— Mariners are 7-1 in home series openers, 2-4 in road series openers.
Seattle is 11-4 in its last 15 home games, overall.

— Rays are 4-7 in their last eleven road games.
Under is 6-2 in their last eight road games.

— Texas lost five of its last six games.
Under is 14-4 in Rangers’ last 18 home games.

— Blue Jays SS Bichette is batting .221; last three years, he hit .298/.290/.301
Under is 8-2 in their last ten road games.

 

[Cnotes53]

Sunday’s 6-pack:
NFL over/under win totals for this fall:
11.5— Chiefs, 49ers
11— Ravens
10.5— Bills, Browns, Cowboys, Lions, Eagles
10— Packers
9.5— Falcons, Texans, Dolphins, Jets
9— Bears, Chargers

Quote of the Day
“(Zach) Edey showed some real touch here this week which left scouts wondering if he had more long-term shooting potential than we saw at Purdue.”
Adam Finkelstein, CBSSports.com

Sunday’s quiz
Which pitcher has the most wins in Arizona Diamondbacks’ history?

Saturday’s quiz
The great basketball player David Thompson came out of NC State and played for the Denver Nuggets in the ABA, before they joined the NBA in 1976. Atlanta Hawks drafted Thompson, but he chose the Nuggets instead.

Friday’s quiz
In the TV show CSI, Ted Danson’s character becomes head of the Las Vegas crime lab, after moving from Seattle; the actress who played also Danson’s wife (Peri Gilpin) also played Frasier Crane’s producer in Frasier, which was set in Seattle.

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Sunday’s Den: Wrapping up a sports Saturday​

— Cubs 1, Pirates 0
Shota Imanaga threw 7 scoreless innings; thru his first nine MLB starts, he is 5-0, 0.84, the lowest ERA in the last 100 years for ANYONE in their first nine MLB starts.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is 4-1, 3.21 in his first nine starts for the Dodgers, so he’s done well too, but he was expected to be good. NO ONE thought Imanaga would do well; all these geniuses who get paid to analyze fantasy baseball, they all dismissed Imanaga, which was a mistake.

— Pirates are weird; April 16, they took out rookie P Jared Jones after five IP/59 pitches because they wanted to limit his workload, but since then, he’s thrown at least 83 pitches in his five starts. Friday, they let highly-touted rookie Paul Skenes throw 100 pitches in his six innings.
If Pittsburgh can keep its starting rotation intact, they should become a good team fairly soon.

— Saturday was the 45th anniversary of the 1979 game where the Phillies beat the Cubs 23-22 in 10 innings, with the wind blowing out at Wrigley Field.
Phillies scored 23 runs despite light-hitting Larry Bowa batting 2nd in the order, ahead of Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt. Bowa was 5-8 with four runs scored in that game, which the Phillies led 15-6 in the third inning.
Dave Kingman hit three homers for the Cubs, Bill Buckner knocked in seven runs in a losing cause.

— Aaron Nola had a 3-pitch inning against the Mets this week, with the third batter hitting into a double play on the first pitch he saw. It was the third 3-pitch inning in the majors this season.
You pretty much would never see three batters all retired in a 3-pitch inning, since the third batter would almost always get the take sign on the first pitch he saw.

— New York 6, White Sox 1
Juan Soto hit two more home runs, was 4-4 with a walk; he turned down a 15-year, $440M contract offer from Washington before they traded him to San Diego. Soto is only 25; how much $$$ is he going to make this winter?

— Giants 14, Rockies 4- Giants are last team this season to win three games in a row.

— In case you were wondering, there are 72 players who have played for both the Miami Marlins and Detroit Tigers, with Miguel Cabrera the best of those players.

Famous birthdays for May 19th:
Archie Manning, 75
Luis Salazar, 68
Eric Show, 68
Jack Thompson, 68
Bill Laimbeer, 67
Paul Justin, 56
London Fletcher, 49
Kevin Garnett, 48
Brandon Inge, 47

— Good day/night of baseball Saturday; there were eight games where the winning run scored from the 7th inning on.

— Rangers 3, Angels 2 (13)
This game tied for longest game in the majors this season.
Angels were 0-18 with runners in scoring position; Texas was 2-12.
Game-winning run scored when Lowe got hit by a pitch with bases loaded.

— Rays 5, Blue Jays 4
Toronto led 4-0 after five innings.
Tampa Bay is 11-4 in its last 15 games.

— Marlins 10, Mets 9
Mets led 7-2 in the 7th inning.
Josh Bell’s 3-run homer tied the game in 9th inning.
Mets lost seven of their last nine games.

— Guardians 11, Twins 4
Minnesota has lost five games in a row, outscored 28-7.

— Phillies 4, Nationals 3
Kody Clemens tied game with a 9th inning home run.
Bryce Harper hit a walk-off sac fly in 10th inning.

— Was kind of sad to see that the Mirage hotel/casino in Las Vegas is closing July 17; they’re going to re-model/re-brand as Hard Rock Las Vegas- it won’t re-open until 2027.
I stayed at the Mirage once, think it was 2012; they had the best food choices, with Carnegie Deli having the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten- they were so big, I’d ask for extra bread and make two sandwiches, bringing the second one up to my room to put in the refrigerator. They also had Dr Brown’s cream soda, my all-time favorite soda.

— HBO’s Hard Knocks is going to feature the New Jersey Giants in their off-season process, with the shows airing in July. Giants have never been on Hard Knocks; this year is the 100th anniversary of their franchise.
HBO hasn’t said which team will be on Hard Knocks during training camp; the show is really well done, if you like the NFL, it is a must-watch.