1/29/11 Big XII Basketball Play of the Day

The Texas Longhorns

Many a college basketball expert missed the boat that week when a determined Texas Longhorn basketball team went into Allen Fieldhouse and took down the undefeated Jayhawks.

I'm not going to sleep on Texas this week.  They play a ranked Missouri team at home, but to say a few trends are going Texas' way is an understatement.

Look at this :

Longhorns are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite.

Longhorns are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. win.

Longhorns are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.

Longhorns are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Longhorns are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 vs. Big 12.

Longhorns are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600

Let's just take Texas and give the 7 to Missouri.  And while we are at it, the total is sitting at 145.5.  Let's get crazy and take the OVER.

This game can be found on ESPNU tonight at 8 eastern time.

2011 Australian Open Women's Singles Final Prediction

One player who most thought would be here in Kim Clijsters and one surprise in Na Li of China.

The head to head here shows Clijsters with a 4-2 edge, but Li won a coupe weeks ago in Sydney.  Let me remind you, this isn't Sydney and Clijsters has more Grand Slam finals experience that just about anyone this side of Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova.

Give Clijsters the big edge in that, but give Li the edge for playing inspired tennis to get to this point.

Clijsters knows she won't have many more opportunities for Slam victories, so I expect her to come out on fire and dominate Li.  Still a good showing for Li, but the title goes to Kim.  Bring on the Todd Woodbridge interview.

Day 12: Australian Open Match of the Day

Today's big match is to no surprise the semi between David Ferrer and Andy Murray.

I don't know how many experts would've predicted this semi, but here we are.  Both of these players are dying for a chance to play for this title.

Ferrer actually leads the career head to head 3-2.  If you look closer at the career mark you will notice all of Ferrer's victories are on clay, and all of Murray's are on hard courts.

I have a feeling something might give tonight.  Both are playing very well, but I really like Ferrer is going about his business.

I say the Spaniard Ferrer takes it in 4 sets.

NBA Thursday Play of the Night: Heat

The Heat play the Knicks in Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. New York lost the previous two meetings.  A big snowstorm has crippled New York, but he game is expected to be played.

The Heat are only giving 4 and the Knicks are a much improved team.

I say you have to go with the Heat here.

The Heat are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games as a road favorite, while the New York Knicks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog of 0.5-4.5 points.  I actually like the Heat in a blowout, they usually play well in situations like this.

I can feel the Heat!

NFC and AFC Championship Game Plays of the Day

The Packers vs. Bears and Jets at Steelers.

Two huge games today.  The four teams playing the best at the end of the season meet in cold weather in Chicago and Pittsburgh to decide who will be playing in this years Super Bowl.

NFC Pick: Packers and Over

The game is in Chicago, but it doesn't matter.  These two teams haven't played a game this big since the 1940's.  What the Packers have is the hottest quarterback in the land and the best team defense.  Those two factors will win you a championship.  

The Packers are 3.5 point favorites heading into the game, they also are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.

The Pack is also 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall, and I've been impressed, but I'm not totally sold on Bear's quarterback Jay Cutler yet. 

The Bears also are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0. 

This game could be real close heading to the 4th quarter, but that's when I love Aaron Rodgers.  Take Green Bay, give the 3.5.

The total in this game is 42.5.  Conventional wisdom may say with the weather being cold and good defenses, take the under.  I think both of these teams and move the ball, and at least one of them will score a lot.  Take the OVER.

AFC Pick: Steelers and Under

Oh those Steelers and Jets.  It is a even matchup through and through.  Except for one thing, many Steelers have been here before and experience matters in a game like this.

The line currently has the Steelers giving 4.  I think that is about right, but I like Pittsburgh by a razor thin margin. 

Both teams have trends in their favor, but here are two to chew on. The Steelers are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 games in January and are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 playoff home games.  Strong trends and a strong team.  I like Big Ben, Hines Ward and the Steelers D.  Take the Steelers, give the 4.

The total here is 38.  Kind of low, but you should expect low with these teams.  In this series, the under is the play, with the under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings between these teams.  Take the UNDER and enjoy the football today.