Month: July 2020

Big 12: Split on schedule options, Presidents to decide Monday

The Big 12 Conference has yet to decide on their schedule for the upcoming season but clarity is coming on Monday.

On Thursday afternoon the Southeastern Conference announced they would be going to a conference only schedule in 2020. This created a domino effect for the Big 12 as they cancelled their media day. It was also reported that an emergency meeting was called to determine how the conference would proceed with the 2020 football season.

Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports reported on Friday that the league was split with what the season would look like.

The Big 12’s athletic directors were split Friday while meeting to recommend which scheduling model the conference should use in a 2020 season that remains in flux amid the coronavirus pandemic. The conference is currently considering two primary options: a complete 12-game season or a 10-game schedule including one nonconference opponent, several league sources tell CBS Sports.

In the 12-game model, the Big 12 would play its nine league opponents in its traditional round-robin format along with three nonconference opponents. In the 10-game model, it is believed the Big 12 would play its conference schedule along with one nonconference game that would take place before the league slate begins, likely on Sept. 19 or Sept. 26.

The other Power Five conferences are set to begin on September 26th, so it would make sense for the Big 12 to follow suit. The question remains now if they will be the only conference to attempt to play a full 12-game schedule amid the pandemic.

The Pac-12 Conference was the latest to announce their schedule starting on September 26th. If the Big 12 decides on a 12-game schedule it would likely start earlier. It remains to be seen what Monday’s meeting could bring for the conference. Oklahoma and Kansas  have already moved up their opening game to week zero in an attempt to jumpstart the season.

If the Big 12 goes with a conference-only schedule, it would play the fewest games (nine) of any Power Five league. That could potentially leave the conference at a competitive disadvantage in regard to the College Football Playoff.

New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes sports betting odds and lines, with MLB betting picks, tips and best bets.

The New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes battle Saturday in Game 1 of the best-of-five Qualifying Series round at noon ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, one of two hub locations for the NHL restart. We analyze the Rangers-Hurricanes NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Rangers vs. Hurricanes: Projected starting goalies

Igor Shesterkin vs. Petr Mrazek

Shesterkin made the start in Wednesday’s exhibition matchup against the New York Islanders. While bench boss David Quinn hasn’t officially named a starting backstop for Game 1, Shesterkin’s start on Wednesday is a strong indication that he will be in between the pipes against Carolina. He posted a stellar 10-2-0 record, 2.52 goals against average and .932 save percentage across 12 starts before the pause button was pressed on the season. That includes a 27-save performance in a 5-2 win in Raleigh back on Feb. 21.

As far as Mrazek is concerned, he is looking for another strong postseason run after his successful initial campaign with the Hurricanes a year ago. Like Shesterkin, Mrazek also started his team’s preseason affair against Washington. While he posted a 21-16-2 mark with a 2.69 GAA and .905 SV% across 40 appearances (38 starts), he was a dismal 0-3-0 with a 3.44 GAA and .872 SV% in three starts against the Blueshirts this season.

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Rangers vs. Hurricanes: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Friday at 2:20 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Rangers 3, Hurricanes 2

Moneyline (ML)

The RANGERS (+110) are a value as underdogs considering the fact they went 4-0 vs. the Hurricanes (-129) in the regular season. In fact, the Rangers have won 41 of the previous 55 meetings between these Metropolitan Division rivals, as the Original Six club just has some sort of power over the ‘Canes that cannot be properly explained.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Rangers to win returns a profit of $11, while a $10 wager on the Hurricanes results in a profit of $7.75.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Rangers (+1.5, -250) are just too expensive on the puck line. Since they’re expected to win as short dogs, you don’t need the insurance anyway. The Hurricanes (-1.5, +200) are a great play on the puck line if you’re feeling they can break out of their funk against New York. A better bet, though a long shot, might be taking Adam Fox (+5000) as either the first goal scorer, or last goal scorer in the match. The Rangers beat Mrazek for nine goals this season, and Fox has two of them, the only multiple goal scorer for New York against the Carolina tendy this season.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 6 (-121) is the play. Defenses likely are going to dominate out of the gate while the offensive players work through some rubbery legs. Goaltenders should have the advantage early on before the players start to get their groove back. Look for plenty of lower-scoring games early on in the qualifiers.

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