Big Al McMordie Sports Picks & Handicapper Review

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes over the Detroit Red Wings.  The Red Wings and Hurricanes went into the Christmas break tied atop the Eastern Conference -- each with 47 points.  Detroit has two more losses in regulation than Carolina does (13 to 11) otherwise it's very hard to separate these two teams as they prepare to meet for the first time this season.  As the League gets back to regular play tonight, the Wings have won three in a row while the 'Canes have dropped that same number straight prior to getting the three days off.  All three of Carolina's losses came to teams from the Sunshine State -- two to the Panthers and one to the Lightning - so no doubt the 'Canes are happy to be playing a club from the opposite end of the country tonight.  And this has been a lopsided series in recent seasons with the 'Canes having won six of the last seven meetings going back to April of 2023.  Carolina is also 4-0 against Detroit in the last four of those meetings here at the Lenovo Center (formerly PNC Arena) in Raleigh.  Take the Hurricanes.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 5:45 pm, our selection is on the San Diego St. Aztecs + the points over North Texas.  The Aztecs' defense is giving up just 12.58 ppg, which is 12.33 ppg less than the Mean Green's defense.  I like playing on underdogs in Bowl games with a scoring defense at least 7.5 ppg better than their foe.  Since 1990, they've cashed 60%.  Take the Aztecs + the points.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Virginia Cavaliers plus the points over Missouri.  The Cavaliers stumbled in the ACC Championship game, as they were upset by Duke, 27-20, as a 3.5-point favorite.  We'll take UVA to bounce back, as it's 76-55-2 ATS as an underdog off a SU loss, including 20-9-1 ATS if off an upset loss.  And SEC Conference teams are a soft 5-13-1 ATS in the Bowls off a SU win, if priced from -3 to -7 points.  Take Virginia.

At 9:15 pm, our selection is on the Houston Cougars over LSU.  The Tigers have a poor ground game, and only average 3.4 ypr.  I don't mind playing on such teams in Bowl games if they're getting 5+ points.  But when not getting 5+ points, Bowl teams with poor ground games cover just 38.5%.  Take Houston.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:10 pm, our selection is on the New Orleans Pelicans + the points over Phoenix.  This is the 2nd game in as many nights between these two teams (both played in New Orleans).  Phoenix won Round 1 last night, 115-108.  We'll take the Pelicans in the re-match, as home dogs have cashed 57% since 1990 when playing the same opponent in back to back regular season games, if it lost to that opponent in the previous game.

At 8:10 pm, our selection is on the Cleveland Cavaliers + the points over Houston.  The Cavaliers lost a heart-breaker to the Knicks on Thursday, while the Rockets blew out the Lakers.  Cleveland is a solid 47-33 ATS off a SU loss vs. foes off a SU win, including 17-7 ATS when getting 4+ points.  Take Cleveland.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:10 pm, our selection is on the Orlando Magic + the points over Denver.  The Nuggets survived in Overtime to knock off Minnesota on Christmas night.  Off that win, we'll fade Denver on the road vs. the Magic.  Denver is 36-60 ATS on the road, if favored off a point spread win.  Grab the points with Orlando.

At 12 Noon, on Saturday, our selection is on the Penn State Nittany Lions + the points over Clemson.  This Pinstripe Bowl game will be played at Yankee Stadium, in the Bronx, New York.  This is the 15th Pinstripe Bowl game, and favorites have gone 5-9 in the first 14.  The Tigers have also struggled as a Bowl favorite, including 2-9 ATS when priced from -1 to -6 points.  Likewise, ACC Conference teams have been subpar in the Bowls vs. Big 10 foes, including 3-15 SU and 4-14 ATS their last 18.  The Nittany Lions never lived up to their preseason #1 ranking, but righted themselves after losing QB Drew Allar to injury in their loss to Northwestern on October 11.  Since that game, they went 4-2 ATS (after going 0-5 ATS in their five FBS games to start the season).  Clemson falls into a negative 105-158 ATS Bowl system of mine, and we'll fade the Tigers on this Saturday.  Grab the points with Penn State.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.