CNOTES 2024 - 2025 COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEWS-BEST BETS-OPINIONS THRU THE CHAMPIONSHIP !

[Udog]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, February 18

5 of Tuesday’s best college basketball games:

Texas A&M @ Mississippi State (-2.5)
Texas A&M (20-5, 19-3)
KenPom rating: 13
Tempo: 240
Experience: 13
Continuity: 7
Texas A&M won five in row, 7 of last 8 games.
Aggies are 4-1 ATS as an SEC road underdog.
Texas A&M is 11-4 vs top 50 opponents.
Aggies have #34 eFG% defense, are forcing turnovers 21.1% of time (#26)
Texas A&M has #292 eFG% offense, but is #1 in country on offensive boards.

Mississippi State (18-7, 6-6)
KenPom rating: 30
Tempo: 173
Experience: 76
Continuity: 127
Miss State split its last four games
Bulldogs are 2-4 SU/1-5 ATS in SEC home games.
Miss State is 6-6 vs top 50 opponents.
Bulldogs are shooting 56% inside the arc (#35)
Opponents are shooting 35.8% on arc (#293)


Texas A&M won four of last six series games.
SEC home favorites are 34-29 ATS this season.


Purdue @ Michigan State (-4.5)
Purdue (19-7, 11-4)
KenPom rating: 10
Tempo: 75
Experience: 189
Continuity: 42
Purdue lost its last two games, giving up 75-94 points.
Boilers are 2-1 ATS as a Big 18 underdog.
Purdue is 6-6 vs top 50 opponents.
Boilers have #11 eFG% offense in country
Opponents are shooting 54.9% inside arc (#316)

Michigan State (20-5, 11-3)
KenPom rating: 17
Tempo: 150
Experience: 214
Continuity: 91
MSU lost three of its last five games.
Spartans are 4-3 ATS as a Big 18 home favorite.
MSU is 6-3 against top 50 opponents.
Spartans are shooting 55% inside arc (#52), 29.1% on arc (#353)
MSU has #17 eFG% defense in country.


Purdue won nine of last ten series games.
Big 18 home favorites are 43-52 ATS in conference games.


Texas Tech (-8.5) @ TCU
Texas Tech (13-12, 7-7)
KenPom rating: 7
Tempo: 260
Experience: 32
Continuity: 138
Texas Tech won nine of its last ten games.
Red Raiders are 3-1 ATS as a Big X road favorite.
Texas Tech is 9-5 vs top 100 opponents.
Red Raiders have #14 eFG% offense in country.
Opponents are shooting 47.3% inside arc (#49)


TCU (14-11, 7-7)
KenPom rating: 84
Tempo: 213
Experience: 128
Continuity: 331
TCU won four of its last five games.
Horned Frogs are 5-4 ATS as a Big X underdog.
TCU is 5-2 SU in Big X home games.
Horned Frogs have #309 eFG% offense in country.
TCU is forcing turnovers 19.8% of time (#62)

Tech (-14.5) beat TCU 71-57 at home January 29
Red Raiders shot 72.2% inside the arc.
Teams split last eight series games
Big X home underdogs are 8-23 ATS in conference games.


Illinois @ Wisconsin (-3.5)
Illinois (17-9, 9-7)
KenPom rating: 20
Tempo: 17
Experience: 300
Continuity: 345
Illinois is 5-6 SU in its last eleven games.
Illini is 4-4 SU on Big 18 road, 2-0 ATS as a road dog.
Illinois is 6-6 vs top 50 opponents.
Illini has #9 eFG% defense in country.
Illinois is shooting 57.1% inside arc (#18)

Wisconsin (20-5, 10-4)
KenPom rating: 9
Tempo: 187
Experience: 36
Continuity: 77
Wisconsin won/covered their last four games.
Badgers are 4-2 ATS as a Big 18 home favorite.
Wisconsin is 4-5 vs top 50 opponents.
Badgers have #34 eFG% offense in country.
Wisconsin is 11-2 ATS in its last 13 games.


Wisconsin (+7) lost 86-80 at Illinois December 18
Illinois won last nine series games.
Big 18 home favorites are 43-52 ATS in conference games.


Kansas @ BYU (-2.5)
Kansas (17-8, 8-6)
KenPom rating: 16
Tempo: 120
Experience: 1
Continuity: 112
Kansas lost four of last seven games SU.
Jayhawks are 0-3 ATS as a Big X underdog.
Kansas lost four of last five road games SU.
Jayhawks have #6 eFG% defense in country.
Kansas is getting only 13.9% of its points on foul line (#356)

BYU (17-8, 8-6)
KenPom rating: 33
Tempo: 206
Experience: 139
Continuity: 140
BYU won six of its last eight games.
Cougars are 5-2 ATS as a Big X home favorite.
BYU is 2-4 vs top 50 opponents.
Cougars are shooting 58.7% inside arc (#7)
BYU is #10 team in country on defensive boards.


Big X home favorites are 42-35 ATS in conference games.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Tuesday, February 18

 

[Udog]

NCAAB

Tuesday, February 18

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Trend Report
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[Cnotes53]

ALL THESE ARE MY BEST BETS SIDES AND TOTAL​

IF WE MATCH GO WITH IT

Tuesday, February 18​

Game	Time(ET)	Pick	Units
PEAY at BELL	06:30 PM	PEAY -4.0 O 145.0	+500 +500
VILL at CONN	06:30 PM	U 137.0	+500
M-OH at EMU	06:30 PM	M-OH -5.0 U 150.5	+500 +500
PUR at MSU	07:00 PM	PUR +3.0 U 148.5	+500 +500
SYR at PITT	07:00 PM	U 145.5	+500
LIP at EKY	07:00 PM	U 155.5	+500
BALL at TOL	07:00 PM	O 156.5	+500
OKLA at FLA	07:00 PM	U 157.5	+500
CMU at OHIO	07:00 PM	OHIO -4.5 U 153.0	+500 +500
WMU at BUFF	07:00 PM	O 152.5	+500
NIU at AKR	07:00 PM	O 158.0	+500
L-IL at DAV	07:00 PM	U 140.0	+500
BUT at XAV	08:00 PM	XAV -7.0 U 154.0	+500 +500
TTU at TCU	08:00 PM	U 140.0	+500
COLO at ISU	08:00 PM	U 141.5	+500
TNST at UTM	08:30 PM	O 152.0	+500
ILL at WIS	08:30 PM	U 161.0	+500
AFA at WYO	08:30 PM	U 128.0	+500
SCAR at LSU	09:00 PM	O 140.0	+500
HOU at ASU	09:00 PM	O 134.5	+500
KU at BYU	09:00 PM	BYU -2.5 U 148.5	+500 +500
HALL at MARQ	09:00 PM	U 133.5	+500
MINN at UCLA	10:30 PM	U 131.0	+500
FRES at SDSU	11:00 PM	O 139.5	+500

 

[Cnotes53]

BEST BETS CBB FEB.

02/18/2025.............17 - 13 - 0...............56.66%.............+ 13.50
02/17/2025...............5 - 5 - 0..................50.00%.............- 2.50
02/16/2025.............16 - 10.- 0...............61.53%.............+ 25.00
02/15/2025.............20 - 18 - 0...............52.63%.............+ 1.00
02/14/2025...............10 - 6 - 0...............62.50%.............+ 17.00
02/13/2025.............29 - 21 - 0...............58.00%..............+ 29.50
02/12/2025.............14 - 12 - 1...............58.84%..............+ 4.00
02/06/2025.............23 - 27 - 0...............46.00%..............- 33.50
02/05/2025.............28 - 17 - 0................62.22%.............+ 46.50
02/04/2025.............18 - 17 - 1................51.42%..............- 3.50
02/03/2025................4 - 8 - 0.................33.00%.............- 24.00
02/02/2025.............11 - 11 - 0................50.00%..............- 5.50
02/01/2025..............22 - 22 -0................50.00%..............- 11.00

TOTALS................217 - 187 - 1...............53.71%...............+ 56.50

SIDES...................2 - 4
TOTALS...............15 - 9
-----------------------
TOTALS.............17 - 13

 

[Cnotes53]

Wednesday’s 6-pack:
Six leading scorers in the country:
23.2— Eric Dixon, Villanova
22.0— Jamal Mashburn Jr, Temple
21.7— Jaron Pierre, Jacksonville State
21.4— Ty Johnson, Cal-Davis
21.2— PJ Haggerty, Memphis
21.2— Trent McLaughlin, Northern Arizona

Quote of the Day
“I’m here. We didn’t get an agreement. Now, they’re going to have to compete with 29 other teams. They had their numbers, I had my numbers. It’s just business, like I always say. Things happen. We’re all good.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr, talking about his failed contract talks with the Blue Jays

Wednesday’s quiz
Which college basketball team is known as the Cyclones?

Tuesday’s quiz
Texas Rangers are the only American League team that has never had a pitcher win the Cy Young award.

Monday’s quiz
In the TV show Ted Lasso, an English soccer team hires a new coach, who used to be the football coach at Wichita State.

*************************************

Wednesday’s Den: Mid-week musings…….​

— Spring training is a week old; the Red Sox already have a lot of drama, as the players are voicing their opinions as to which well-paid star should play third base this year.

Tuesday, 1B Triston Casas chimed in with his opinion:
“I think it’s Raffy Devers’ position. He’s done it for a really long time now and I think he’s only getting better at that position… I think he’s the best third baseman in the league. I wouldn’t take anybody over him.”

Someone needs to tell Cases that since coming to the major leagues, Devers has been the worst defensive third baseman in the big leagues- that includes all 103 players who have played 750+ innings at the hot corner.

— There is an interesting podcast on YouTube for two hours every weekday: Foul Territory, which has former big league catchers AJ Pierzynski, Erik Kratz, with host Scott Braun and an assortment of other people- Todd Frazier is on a decent amount.

Monday, they had agent Scott Boras on for an hour, which is unusual for this show, but Boras had a lot to say and it was interesting to listen to him talk about how teams spend/don’t spend their money.

Boras is basically a scum weasel lawyer who screws over the cheap teams, but I’m bitter because I root for the A’s. He’s the best agent in baseball, for his clients, at least.

Someone said Tuesday that this winter alone, with the new contracts Boras has negotiated for his clients, his company has banked $95M. Thats million, with an M

Tuesday, Foul Territory had Will Carroll on; he is a writer who specializes in the coverage of medical issues. He was interesting to listen to; he suggested that Giancarlo Stanton doesn’t actually have “tennis elbow” in both elbows, he has some other injury in the elbow that was just easier to describe as tennis elbow..
Anyway, the show is worth listening to; lot of stuff to learn.

— Chicago Cubs signed IF/DH Justin Turner to a one-year, $6M deal; Turner will be playing for his 7th major league team- he hit .259 with 11 homers LY in 139 games for Toronto/Seattle.

— Since 2012, San Diego State has made nine of 12 NCAA Tournaments; they’ve made the finals of the Mountain West tournament 11 times in those 12 seasons, but were only 3-8 SU in those 11 finals- they get at-large bids into the NCAA’s, so not a huge deal, just unusual.
Aztecs are 5-3 in the first round of their last eight NCAA tourneys; they were national runner-up two years ago, but for some reason, the finals of the conference tournament has been a problem.

— When Championship Week starts next month, no team will have more pressure on them than the Toledo Rockets in the MAC.
The last four years, Toledo has won the MAC’s regular season every year, but never won the MAC tournament, which is the only way a MAC team is making the NCAA’s.

This year, Toledo is 8-4 in the MAC, in third place; Akron is 12-0 in the MAC, so for once, the Rockets won’t be favored to win the tournament.
Toledo hasn’t been in the NCAA Tournament since 1980.

— Cincinnati Bengals’ QB Joe Burrow has a $46.3M cap hit next season; now it is up to the Bengals’ front office to re-sign WR Ja’Marr Chase and fortify the team’s offensive line to make sure Burrow has the best chance to earn all that $$$.

— Carolina Panthers re-signed backup QB Andy Dalton for two years, $8M; Dalton was a mentor for young QB Bryce Young last fall. Young played way better in the second half of the season, and Dalton’s contract says he had a lot to do with it.

— Famous birthdays, February 19th:
Jackie Moore, 86
June Jones, 72
Jeff Daniels, 70
Dave Stewart, 68
Dwight Freeney, 45
Josh Reddick, 38
Nikola Jokic, 30
JP Sears, 29

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, February 19

5 of Wednesday’s best college basketball games:

Vanderbilt @ Kentucky (-5.5)
Vanderbilt (17-8, 5-7)
KenPom rating: 41
Tempo: 63
Experience: 67
Continuity: 348
Vandy lost five of its last seven games.
Commodores are 2-3 ATS as an SEC road underdog
Vandy is 3-7 vs top 50 opponents.
Commodores are forcing turnovers 20.9% of time (#29)
Opponents are shooting 37.3% on arc (#345)

Kentucky (18-7, 6-6)
KenPom rating: 30
Tempo: 173
Experience: 76
Continuity: 127
Kentucky is 3-5 SU in its last eight games.
Wildcats are 3-3 ATS as an SEC home favorite.
Kentucky is 8-8 vs top 50 opponents.
Wildcats are shooting 40.7% on arc in SEC games (#1 of 16)
Kentucky is #348 in country at forcing turnovers.


Vandy (+2.5) beat Kentucky 74-69 at home January 25
Vandy was +12 in turnovers (17-5) in that game.
Kentucky won 16 of last 18 series games (3-2 in last five).
SEC home favorites are 37-29 ATS this season.


Arkansas @ Auburn (-16.5)
Arkansas (15-10, 4-8)
KenPom rating: 39
Tempo: 108
Experience: 227
Continuity: 328
Arkansas is 4-3 in its last seven games.
Hogs are 3-2 ATS as SEC road underdogs.
Six of their last seven losses were by 8 or fewer points.
Hogs have a 46.6 eFG% in SEC games (#15 of 16)
Arkansas has #59 eFG% defense in country.

Auburn (23-2, 11-1)
KenPom rating: 1
Tempo: 128
Experience: 26
Continuity: 41
Auburn won 16 of its last 17 games.
Tigers gave up 84-90 points in their two losses.
Auburn is 2-3 ATS as an SEC home favorite.
Tigers have #17 eFG% offense, #8 eFG% defense.
Auburn is #33 team in country on offensive boards.


Arkansas won four of last six series games.
SEC home favorites are 37-29 ATS in conference games.


St John’s (-12.5) @ DePaul
St John’s (22-4, 13-2)
KenPom rating: 17
Tempo: 59
Experience: 69
Continuity: 271
St John’s won 11 of its last 12 games.
Red Storm is 3-2 ATS as a Big East road favorite.
St John’s last four wins were all by 6 or fewer points.
Red Storm is shooting 24.8% on arc in Big East tilts.
St John’s is #11 team in country on offensive boards.


DePaul (11-15, 2-13)
KenPom rating: 129
Tempo: 186
Experience: 92
Continuity: 357
DePaul lost six of its last seven games.
Blue Demons are 1-4 ATS as a Big East home underdog.
DePaul is 5-10 ATS in all their Big East games.
DePaul is turning ball over 18.9% of time in Big East tilts (#10 of 11)
Blue Demons are getting 38.7% of their points on 3’s (#27)

St John’s (-12) whacked DePaul 89-61 at home December 17
Red Storm was +11 in turnovers (20-9) in that game.
St John’s won last five series games
Big East home underdogs are 11-15 ATS in conference games.


Gonzaga (-12.5) @ Washington State
Gonzaga (20-7, 11-3)
KenPom rating: 11
Tempo: 47
Experience: 11
Continuity: 4
Gonzaga won six of its last seven games.
Zags are 2-4 ATS as a WCC road favorite.
Gonzaga is 4-10 ATS in all of its WCC games.
Zags are shooting 57.7% inside arc (#15)
Gonzaga better not look ahead to Saturday’s game vs Saint Mary’s.

Washington State (16-11, 6-8)
KenPom rating: 107
Tempo: 54
Experience: 195
Continuity: 339
Wazzu lost six of its last seven games.
Coogs are 4-2 SU/3-3 ATS in WCC home games.
Last four games, Wazzu gave up 80 ppg.
Coogs are turning ball over 20.7% of time (#343)
Wazzu is #305 team in country on defensive boards.


Gonzaga (-17) beat Wazzu 88-75 at home January 11th.
Game was only 40-37 at halftime.
WCC home underdogs are 15-16 ATS in conference games.


New Mexico @ Boise State (-2.5)
New Mexico (22-4, 14-1)
KenPom rating: 38
Tempo: 6
Experience: 58
Continuity: 72
New Mexico is 8-0 SU/5-3 ATS in its last eight games.
Lobos allowed 85+ points in three of their four losses.
New Mexico is 4-3 ATS in its Mountain West road tilts.
Lobos are forcing turnovers 20.3% of time (#43)
Opponents are shooting 47.2% inside arc (#48)

Boise State (17-8, 9-5)
KenPom rating: 49
Tempo: 242
Experience: 109
Continuity: 190
Boise State won four of its last five games.
Broncos are 6-1 SU in their MW home games.
Boise State is 5-6 against top 100 opponents.
Broncos are #3 team in country on defensive boards.
Boise State is shooting 56.5% inside arc (#26)


New Mexico (-3.5) beat Boise State 84-65 at home January 17
Boise State is 7-4 in last eleven series games.
Mountain West home favorites are 27-24 ATS in conference games.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Wednesday, February 19

 

[Udog]

NCAAB

Wednesday, February 19

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Trend Report
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[Cnotes53]

Wednesday, February 19​

Game	Time(ET)	Pick	Units
TEM at CHAR	03:00 PM	U 149.0	+500
MASS at VCU	06:00 PM	U 148.0	+500
RICH at LAS	06:30 PM	RICH +3.5 U 139.0	+500 +500
NEB at PSU	06:30 PM	NEB -1.0 U 149.0	+500 +500
WCU at CHAT	07:00 PM	CHAT -17.0	+500
SMU at ND	07:00 PM	SMU -1.5 U 143.5	+500 +500
SIU at MURR	07:00 PM	O 137.5	+500
CHSO at HP	07:00 PM	O 152.5	+500
FOR at DUQ	07:00 PM	FOR +7.0 U 141.5	+500 +500
VAN at UK	07:00 PM	O 163.5	+500
NCST at UNC	07:00 PM	NCST +10.0 U 146.0	+500 +500
JOES at GW	07:00 PM	JOES -2.0 O 142.5	+500 +500
CIN at WVU	07:00 PM	U 129.0	+500
MER at CIT	07:00 PM	U 147.5	+500
UIC at DRKE	07:30 PM	DRKE -10.5	+500
UNI at BEL	07:30 PM	O 154.0	+500
FUR at SAM	07:30 PM	SAM -7.0 O 153.5	+500 +500
ECU at TULN	07:30 PM	O 141.0	+500
MOSU at VALP	08:00 PM	O 139.0	+500
UAB at RICE	08:00 PM	UAB -4.5 O 154.5	+500 +500
STT at SDAK	08:00 PM	STT -3.0 O 176.0	+500 +500
BRAD at ILST	08:00 PM	O 144.0	+500
TLSA at UNT	08:00 PM	O 128.5	+500
USA at ARST	08:00 PM	USA +7.5 U 141.5	+500 +500
ULM at TXST	08:30 PM	U 140.5	+500
SJU at DEP	09:00 PM	O 143.5	+500
UCF at OKST	09:00 PM	O 159.0	+500
ARK at AUB	09:00 PM	O 151.5	+500
ALA at MIZZ	09:00 PM	U 171.5	+500
ORU at DEN	09:00 PM	O 149.0	+500
UNM at BSU	10:00 PM	U 152.0	+500
PORT at SMC	10:00 PM	U 139.5	+500
RUTG at WASH	10:30 PM	O 148.5	+500

 

[Cnotes53]

BEST BETS CBB FEB.

02/19/2025...............8- 15 - 0................34.78%.............- 42.50
02/18/2025.............17 - 13 - 0...............56.66%.............+ 13.50
02/17/2025...............5 - 5 - 0..................50.00%.............- 2.50
02/16/2025.............16 - 10.- 0...............61.53%.............+ 25.00
02/15/2025.............20 - 18 - 0...............52.63%.............+ 1.00
02/14/2025...............10 - 6 - 0...............62.50%.............+ 17.00
02/13/2025.............29 - 21 - 0...............58.00%..............+ 29.50
02/12/2025.............14 - 12 - 1...............58.84%..............+ 4.00
02/06/2025.............23 - 27 - 0...............46.00%..............- 33.50
02/05/2025.............28 - 17 - 0................62.22%.............+ 46.50
02/04/2025.............18 - 17 - 1................51.42%..............- 3.50
02/03/2025................4 - 8 - 0.................33.00%.............- 24.00
02/02/2025.............11 - 11 - 0................50.00%..............- 5.50
02/01/2025..............22 - 22 -0................50.00%..............- 11.00

TOTALS................225 - 202 - 1...............52.69%...............+ 14.00

BEST BETS & OPINONS TODAY:

SIDES..................5 - 6
TOTALS............13 - 19
_______________________
TOTALS.............18 - 25..........41.83%...........- 47.50

 

[Cnotes53]

Thursday’s 6-pack:
Six players drafted ahead of Stephen Curry in 2009:
1- Blake Griffin, Clippers
2- Hasheem Thabeet, Grizzlies
3- James Harden, Thunder
4- Tyreke Evans, Kings
5- Ricky Rubio, T’wolves
6- Jonny Flynn, T’Wolves
7- Stephen Curry, Warriors
Minnesota passed twice on Curry………Oy

Quote of the Day
“I think everybody here believes in their abilities. I think all of us believe that if we all put together a good effort this season, we have a really good chance of being a winning baseball team. For me, I can only talk for myself, I’ll play wherever it helps the team win.”
Alex Bregman

Thursday’s quiz
New York Knicks have won only two NBA titles, in 1970, 1973; who was the Knicks’ coach in those years?

Wednesday’s quiz
Iowa State’s teams are known as the Cyclones.

Tuesday’s quiz
Texas Rangers are the only American League team that has never had a pitcher win the Cy Young award.

*******************************************

Thursday’s Den: Nobody asked me, but…….​

— Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fired his agent this week, will now represent himself.
Next season, Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to make $38,333,050. Friend of mine told me an agent makes 5%, so that means by firing his agent, Gilgeous-Alexander will save himself an impressive $1,916,652.50, just for one season.

— There is an actual baseball game on TV Thursday; Cubs-Dodgers at 3:00, as Cactus League play begins. Temperatures here in beautiful upstate New York will actually get over freezing this weekend. Spring isn’t far away!!!
Spring training games have an extra twist this year, over 60% of spring training games will have an automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system as MLB continues to move closer to using it during the regular season, which won’t happen this season, if ever.
Each team will be given two challenges per game and will retain successful challenges.
AAA minor league baseball will use the challenge system during the 2025 regular season, giving MLB as much information as possible before a decision is made on 2026.

— ESPN will have the Milwaukee-Bronx game on TV Opening Day; Joe Buck will do play/play, with Joe Girardi, Bill Schroeder doing analysis. Have always thought that Joe Buck is better on baseball than football (he is good at both), but ESPN says this is just a one-time deal.

— Sacramento/Las Vegas A’s gave manager Mark Kotsay a contract extension thru 2028, which is when the A’s are supposed to re-locate to Las Vegas.
Kotsay is a good manager; the A’s played .500 ball after the All-Star break last year.

— Random trivia: When Magic Johnson was the first pick of the 1979 NBA Draft, Larry Bird wasn’t in that draft- the NBA had different rules back then.

2nd pick in the 1979 draft was David Greenwood, a forward from UCLA who played 12 years in the NBA, mostly for the Bulls. He scored 10.2 ppg in his career.

Larry Bird was the 6th player taken in the 1978 draft; somehow he was eligible to be drafted in 1978, but if the Celtics hadn’t signed him before the ’79 draft, he would’ve gone back in the ’79 player pool. Bird had a great season, and the Celtics signed him.

Here are the five players drafted ahead of Bird in 1978:
1- Mychal Thompson, Portland (Klay Thompson’s father)
2- Phil Ford, Kansas City Kings
3- Rick Robey, Indiana
4- Michael Ray Richardson, NYK
5- Purvis Short, Golden State

— NFL salary cap is going to jump between $22-26M for 2025, meaning the league’s salary cap will have jumped roughly $55M over the last two years.

— Philadelphia Eagles started this past NFL season in Brazil, then won the Super Bowl; LA Chargers are going to open next season in San Paolo, on Friday night in Week 1.

— Famous birthdays, February 20th:
Clyde Wright, 84
Charles Barkley, 62
Liván Hernández, 50
Stephon Marbury, 48
Jay Hernandez, 47
Justin Verlander, 42
Brian McCann, 41
Rihanna Fenty, 37
Jurickson Profar, 32
Luis Severino, 31

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, February 20

5 of Thursday’s best college basketball games:

Northwestern @ Ohio State (-10.5)
Northwestern (13-13, 4-11)
KenPom rating: 58
Tempo: 315
Experience: 71
Continuity: 49
Northwestern lost six of its last seven games.
Wildcats are 4-3 ATS as a Big 18 road underdog.
Northwestern’s last seven losses were all by 9 or fewer points.
Wildcats are shooting 48.7% inside arc in Big 18 tilts (#18)
Northwestern is forcing turnovers 19.9% of time (#56)

Ohio State (15-11, 7-8)
KenPom rating: 28
Tempo: 177
Experience: 99
Continuity: 204
Ohio State lost three of its last five games.
Buckeyes are 4-4 ATS as a Big 18 home favorite.
Three of their last four wins were by 17+ points.
Buckeyes are shooting 38.2% on the arc (#19)
Ohio State has #34 eFG% defense in country.


Teams split their last six series games
Big 18 home favorites are 45-53 ATS this season.


USC @ Maryland (-10.5)
USC (15-10, 4-8)
KenPom rating: 56
Tempo: 130
Experience: 48
Continuity: 351
USC lost four of its last six games.
Trojans are 4-2 ATS as Big 18 road dogs.
USC is 2-7 against top 50 opponents.
Trojans have #53 eFG% offense.
Opponents are shooting 53.4% inside arc (#271)

Maryland (23-2, 11-1)
KenPom rating: 1
Tempo: 128
Experience: 26
Continuity: 41
Maryland won seven of its last eight games.
Terps are 4-2 ATS as Big 18 home favorites.
Only 2 of Maryland’s last 8 wins were by double digits.
Terps are forcing turnovers 20.1% of time (#47)
Maryland has #31 eFG% offense, #41 eFG% defense.


Big 18 home favorites are 45-53 ATS this season.


Wichita State @ Florida Atlantic (-7.5)
Wichita State (15-10, 5-7)
KenPom rating: 136
Tempo: 93
Experience: 18
Continuity: 58
Wichita won its last four games, after a 1-7 skid.
Shockers are 2-1 ATS as an AAC road underdog.
Wichita is 10-7 vs teams ranked outside top 100.
Shockers are shooting 29.7% on the arc (#346)
Wichita is turning ball over 18.5% of time in AAC play (#12 of 13)


Florida Atlantic (15-10, 8-4)
KenPom rating: 101
Tempo: 57
Experience: 119
Continuity: 346
FAU won its last five games.
Owls are 2-3 ATS as AAC home favorites.
FAU is 13-5 vs teams ranked outside top 100.
Opponents are shooting 46.3% inside arc (#25)
Opponents are shooting 38.4% on arc (#358)

FQU beat Wichita twice last year, 86-77/95-82 OT
AAC home favorites are 22-35 ATS in conference games.


Cal-Northridge @ Cal-Irvine (-6.5)
Northridge (18-7, 10-4)
KenPom rating: 119
Tempo: 5
Experience: 157
Continuity: 219
CSUN won five in row, seven of last eight games.
Matadors are 5-2 SU on Big West road, 2-1 ATS as a road dog.
CSUN is 0-4 vs top 100 teams (best win, 78-71 at #141 UCSB)
Matadors are forcing turnovers 21.7% of time (#19)
CSUN is #4 team in country on defensive boards.

Cal-Irvine (22-4, 12-2)
KenPom rating: 66
Tempo: 76
Experience: 171
Continuity: 110
Irvine won 12 of its last 14 games.
Anteaters are 5-2 ATS as Big West home favorites.
Irvine 3-2 vs teams ranked in top 125.
Anteaters have #7 eFG% defense in country.
Irvine is shooting 80.5% on foul line (#6)


Irvine (-4) won 77-67 at Northridge January 9th.
Irvine won seven of last eight series games.
Big West home favorites are 27-25 ATS in conference games.


Loyola Marymount @ Santa Clara (-12.5)
LMU (15-12, 7-8)
KenPom rating: 165
Tempo: 191
Experience: 49
Continuity: 155
LMU lost four of its last five games.
Lions are 2-5 SU/1-3 ATS as a WCC road underdog.
Seven of LMU’s eight WCC losses were by 11+ points.
Lions have #254 eFG% offense in country.
LMU has #54 eFG% defense in country.

Santa Clara (17-10, 9-5)
KenPom rating: 57
Tempo: 126
Experience: 104
Continuity: 5
Santa Clara won three of its last four games.
Broncos are 4-2 ATS as a WCC home favorite.
Santa Clara’s last four wins were all by 23+ points.
Broncos have #38 eFG% offense in country.
Santa Clara is getting 38.3% of its points on arc (#35)


LMU (+4) upset Santa Clara 57-54 at home January 16th.
Teams shot a combined 7-44 on arc in that game.
Santa Clara won six of last eight series games.
WCC home favorites are 24-23 ATS in conference games.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB

Thursday, February 20

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Trend Report
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[Udog]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Thursday, February 20

 

[Cnotes53]

TODAY'S BEST BETS AND OPINIONS !​

BEST BETS HIGHLIGHTED

​

Thursday, February 20​

Game	Time(ET)	Pick	Units
GASO at APP	06:30 PM	GASO +8.5 O 138.0	+500 +500
EKY at BELL	06:30 PM	O 154.0	+500
DREX at DEL	06:30 PM	U 143.0	+500
NW at OSU	06:30 PM	O 142.5	+500
UTEP at KENN	07:00 PM	UTEP +4.0 O 148.0	+500 +500
PEAY at QNC	07:00 PM	O 149.0	+500
TOWS at ELON	07:00 PM	U 133.5	+500
NMSU at JVST	07:00 PM	U 135.5	+500
SIUE at MORE	07:30 PM	SIUE -1.5 U 132.0	+500 +500
LINW at UALR	08:00 PM	U 135.0	+500
SUU at AC	08:00 PM	U 142.5	+500
WIU at SEMO	08:30 PM	O 138.0	+500
USC at MD	08:30 PM	O 154.0	+500
LT at MTU	09:00 PM	U 139.5	+500
WICH at FAU	09:00 PM	U 156.0	+500
UVU at DSU	09:00 PM	UVU -6.5	+500
CSF at UCSB	10:00 PM	O 143.5	+500
LMU at SCU	11:00 PM	U 148.0	+500

 

[Cnotes53]

BEST BETS CBB FEB.

02/20/2025...............5 - 5 - 0.................50.00%............- 2.50
02/19/2025...............8- 15 - 0................34.78%.............- 42.50
02/18/2025.............17 - 13 - 0...............56.66%.............+ 13.50
02/17/2025...............5 - 5 - 0..................50.00%.............- 2.50
02/16/2025.............16 - 10.- 0...............61.53%.............+ 25.00
02/15/2025.............20 - 18 - 0...............52.63%.............+ 1.00
02/14/2025...............10 - 6 - 0...............62.50%.............+ 17.00
02/13/2025.............29 - 21 - 0...............58.00%..............+ 29.50
02/12/2025.............14 - 12 - 1...............58.84%..............+ 4.00
02/06/2025.............23 - 27 - 0...............46.00%..............- 33.50
02/05/2025.............28 - 17 - 0................62.22%.............+ 46.50
02/04/2025.............18 - 17 - 1................51.42%..............- 3.50
02/03/2025................4 - 8 - 0.................33.00%.............- 24.00
02/02/2025.............11 - 11 - 0................50.00%..............- 5.50
02/01/2025..............22 - 22 -0................50.00%..............- 11.00

TOTALS................230 - 207 - 1...............52.63%...............+ 11.50

BEST BETS & OPINONS TODAY:

SIDES.............2 - 1 - 0
TOTALS.........11 - 7 - 0

 

[Cnotes53]

Friday’s 6-pack:
VCU has had 24 straight winning years, under seven different coaches:
— Mack McCarthy 65-55, 35-32 in CAA games (0-0 NCAAs)
— Jeff Capel 79-41, 50-22 in CAA (0-1 NCAAs)
— Anthony Grant 76-25, 45-9 CAA (1-2 NCAAs)
— Shaka Smart 163-56; 38-16 CAA/36-14 A-10 (6-5 NCAAs)
— Will Wade 51-20, 28-8 A-10 (1-2 NCAAs)
— Mike Rhoades 129-61, 72-32 A-10 (0-3 NCAAs)
— Ryan Odom 45-19, 22-9 A-10 (0-0 NCAAs)

Quote of the Day
“Unfortunately in recent years, we have seen ESPN scale back their baseball coverage and investment in a way that is not consistent with the sport’s appeal or performance on their platform.
Given that MLB provides strong viewership, valuable demographics, and the exclusive right to cover unique events like the Home Run Derby, ESPN’s demand to reduce rights fees is simply unacceptable. As a result, we have mutually agreed to terminate our agreement.”

Major League Baseball, in a statement; ESPN/MLB are done after this season

Friday’s quiz
In Kevin Costner’s baseball movie For Love of the Game, what veteran actor plays the catcher for the Detroit Tigers?

Thursday’s quiz
New York Knicks have won only two NBA titles, in 1970, 1973; Red Holzman was the Knicks’ coach in those years.

Wednesday’s quiz
Iowa State’s teams are known as the Cyclones.

**************************************

Friday’s Den: Random stuff with the weekend here…….​

— Since I watch too much TV, I have two TV recommendations today:

1) Red Storm Rising- A Hard Knocks-type show about Rick Pitino/St John’s basketball, which airs on Vice TV. I found it on YouTube, since I don’t think I get Vice TV. Saw the first couple episodes; very well done. If you like college basketball, it is worth your time.

2) Underrated- Apple TV has a 90-minute show about Steph Curry, which focuses more on his college days at Davidson than his NBA career, but it shows both.
Curry is one of the best 10-15 players ever; he is the best shooter ever. It is interesting that he seems to be a fairly normal person. Wish they had shown the time he made 90+ 3-pointers in a row after a practice, but this was a really good show that I enjoyed watching.
Trivia; In his first college game ever, Curry had 13 turnovers, against Eastern Michigan; team had 30 turnovers overall, in an 81-77 win. There were skeptics that Curry would ever be a good Division I guard; those skeptics shut up a long time ago.

— Curry’s father Dell played 16 years in the NBA; he made 40.2% of his 3’s in his career. Dell Curry went to Virginia Tech; so did Curry’s mother.
Steph Curry wanted to play college ball at Virginia Tech, which had gone 19-29 in conference games the previous three seasons, but Curry was a pretty skinny kid, so the coach passed on giving him a scholarship.
That coach was Seth Greenberg, now one of ESPN’s college basketball studio guys.

— 9-time Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin has retired from the Cowboys/NFL after a great career. He will be get inducted into the Hall of Fame five years from now, that’s how good he was.

— Last year, Brett Baty wore number 22 for the Mets; this winter, Mets signed OF Juan Soto for $51M a year. Soto also wears number 22; Baty gave up number 22 to Soto and Thursday, Soto gifted Baty with a black Chevy SUV, which apparently cost $92,000, pocket change for Soto.

— LaSalle basketball coach Fran Dunphy is going to retire at the end of the season; the 76-year old Dunphy has made the NCAA Tournament 17 times in his career- he has a 623-376 record at Penn, Temple, La Salle— one of the three best coaches in Ivy League history.

— Famous birthdays, February 21st:
Tyne Daly, 79
William Petersen, 72
Kelsey Grammar, 70
Alan Trammell, 67
Steve Francis, 48
Jennifer Love Hewitt, 46
Andre Barrett, 43
Bo Naylor, 25

— Texas/USC cancelled their spring football games this year, like Nebraska/Florida State did. Texas/USC made up BS reasons for cancelling the games; Nebraska coach Matt Rhule was honest, citing teams watching the Cornhuskers’ spring game, then enticing players to enter the transfer portal and bolt Lincoln.

Florida State coach Mike Norvell: ”I would assume that you’re going to see less and less spring games just because of that part of it.”
— San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is out for the year, with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The condition is typically treated with blood-thinning medication, which usually prevents a player from playing a contact sport like basketball.
Spurs are optimistic that Wembanyama will make a full recovery for the start of next season.

— Bronx Bombers gave manager Bret Boone a 2-year contract extension, through the 2027 season; Boone is 603-429 in the regular season, making the playoffs six of seven years. He is 22-23 in playoff games, getting to the World Series last year, for the first time.
In his seven years as manager, New York has paid out a total of $1,744,951,625 in salaries to their players, an average of $249,278,934/year.

— Kansas City Royals signed P Ross Stripling to a minor league deal; Stripling has pitched in the majors for nine years, for four different teams- he is 40-54, 4.17 in 248 games (129 starts).

— Term of the Day: robber baron- a person who becomes rich through ruthless and often unscrupulous business practices.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, February 21

5 of Friday’s best college basketball games:

Marquette (-1.5) @ Villanova
Marquette (20-6, 11-4)
KenPom rating: 26
Tempo: 168
Experience: 118
Continuity: 12
Marquette won its last two games, giving up 58-56 points.
Eagles are 5-2 SU/3-2 ATS as Big East road favorites.
Marquette is 15-2 vs teams ranked outside top 50.
Eagles are forcing turnovers 22.9% of time (#7)
45.7% of Marquette’s shots are 3’s (#48) (made 32.4%, #250)

Villanova (15-12, 8-8)
KenPom rating: 56
Tempo: 353
Experience: 22
Continuity: 247
Villanova is 4-7 in its last eleven games.
Wildcats are 6-2 SU/1-0 ATS as a Big East home dog.
Villanova is 2-6 vs top 50 opponents.
Wildcats are shooting 39.6% on the arc (#4)
Villanova is 3-7 when they score less than 70 points.


Marquette (-9.5) beat Villanova 87-74 at home January 24.
Marquette shot 63.3% inside the arc.
Marquette won last eight series games


Dayton (-2.5) @ Loyola Chi
Dayton (18-8, 8-5)
KenPom rating: 77
Tempo: 273
Experience: 14
Continuity: 73
Dayton won seven of its last nine games.
Flyers 3-3 SU/2-3 ATS as A-15 road favorites.
Dayton is 7-7 vs teams ranked in top 125.
Flyers are forcing turnovers 20.6% of time in A-15 tilts (#1)
Dayton is shooting 36.2% on the arc (#58)

Loyola (17-9, 8-5)
KenPom rating: 122
Tempo: 190
Experience: 57
Continuity: 96
Loyola won five of its last six games.
Ramblers are 5-1 SU/1-1 ATS as an A-15 home dog.
Loyola is 2-5 vs top 100 opponents.
Ramblers are shooting 36.2% on arc in A-15 tilts (#3 of 15)
Loyola is 7-4 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.


Dayton (-9.5) beat Loyola 83-81 in OT at home January 18
Dayton was 21-27 on foul line, Ramblers 9-14
Dayton won three of last four meetings.


Michigan State @ Michigan (-2.5)
Michigan State (21-5, 12-3)
KenPom rating: 15
Tempo: 161
Experience: 214
Continuity: 92
MSU won three of its last four games.
Spartans are 5-2 SU/3-0 ATS as Big 18 road dogs.
MSU is 7-3 vs top 50 opponents.
Spartans have #20 eFG% defense in country.
MSU is #16 team in country on offensive boards.


Michigan (20-5, 12-2)
KenPom rating: 19
Tempo: 52
Experience: 82
Continuity: 268
Michigan won its last six games, all by 4 or fewer points.
Wolverines are 6-0 SU/1-5 ATS as a Big 18 home favorite.
Michigan is 5-3 vs top 50 opponents.
Wolverines have #27 eFG% defense in country.
Michigan is turning ball over 20.2% of time (#331)

Michigan State is 5-2 in last seven series games.


Kent State @ Miami (-1.5)
Kent State (18-8, 8-5)
KenPom rating: 131
Tempo: 268
Experience: 92
Continuity: 94
Kent State won its last five games.
Flashes are 5-1 SU/1-1 ATS as a MAC road underdog.
Kent State is 6-6 vs top 200 teams.
Flashes have #47 eFG% defense in country.
Kent State is shooting 29.5% on the arc (#351)

Miami (19-7, 10-3)
KenPom rating: 170
Tempo: 87
Experience: 264
Continuity: 144
Miami lost its last two games, after a 12-1 run.
RedHawks are 3-4 SU/2-5 ATS as a MAC home favorite.
Miami is 3-3 vs teams ranked in top 150
RedHawks are shooting 36.9% on the arc (#40)
Miami allowed 75+ points in all their losses.


Miami (+4.5) won 70-61 at Kent State January 18th.
Kent led that game 41-32 at halftime.
Kent won six of last eight series games.


Milwaukee @ Youngstown State (-1.5)
Milwaukee (18-9, 11-5)
KenPom rating: 136
Tempo: 108
Experience: 114
Continuity: 142
Milwaukee won seven of its last ten games.
Panthers are 5-3 SU/1-2 ATS as a Horizon road dog.
Milwaukee is 6-8 vs teams ranked in top 200
Panthers are #2 team in country on offensive boards.
Milwaukee is turning ball over 20.2% of time (#332)

Youngstown State (18-10, 12-5)
KenPom rating: 187
Tempo: 66
Experience: 150
Continuity: 300
Youngstown won last four games, scoring 83 ppg.
Penguins are 5-3 SU/2-4-1 ATS as a Horizon home favorite.
Youngstown is 5-6 vs teams ranked in top 200
Penguins have #58 eFG% defense in country.
Youngstown is shooting 55.3% inside arc in Horizon games (#1)


Milwaukee (-5.5) beat Youngstown 79-64 at home January 17
Milwaukee won, but was 0-5 on arc, 13-28 on foul line.
Youngstown won seven of last nine series games.

 

[Udog]

NCAAB
Dunkel

Friday, February 21