NCAA March Madness 07 Xbox 360 Game, NCAA March Madness 07
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March Madness
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Popularity: 3% [?]

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Popularity: 5% [?]

The Pacers are 4-3 on the road this season.

The Indiana Pacers try to extend their winning streak when they visit the struggling Seattle SuperSonics tonight at KeyArena. Indiana has won two in a row and plays the third of a four-game road trip. Mike Dunleavy scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Pacers continued their domination of the Portland Trail Blazers with a 95-89 win at the Rose Garden.

Danny Granger scored a team-high 23 points and Jeff Foster hauled in a season-high 17 rebounds for the Pacers, who beat Portland for the eighth straight time. Jamaal Tinsley ended with 15 points and 11 assists for Indiana, which moved back to .500 (8-8) for the first time since early November.

All-Star forward Jermaine O’Neal, who is averaging 13.2 points and 7.1 rebounds for the Pacers this season, has missed five straight games with a sore left knee. Indiana is 4-1 in that span

O’Neal is questionable for tonight’s contest.

The Pacers are 4-3 on the road this season. They will visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday at the Staples Center.

Seattle has dropped six straight games and plays the second of a five-game homestand. On Wednesday, Dwight Howard poured in a career-high 39 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and had five blocked shots to lead the Orlando Magic to a 110-94 win over the SuperSonics at KeyArena.

Rookie Kevin Durant had 22 points on 6-of-21 from the floor for the SuperSonics, who fell to 0-7 at KeyArena this season. Wally Szczerbiak had 20 points for Seattle, which is a dismal 2-14 this season, matching the 1967-68 team for its worst start in franchise history.

The SuperSonics will host the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and the Milwaukee Bucks on December 7th.

Last season, the SuperSonics were 2-0 against Indiana. The Pacers have lost three straight after winning their last two at Seattle.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Friday, November 30th (All times eastern)

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (9-7) AT TORONTO RAPTORS (8-7), 7 P.M.

The Cleveland Cavaliers try to get back in the win column this evening, when they resume a three-game road trip against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.

Cleveland had a four-game winning streak stopped after Wednesday’s 109-74 loss to the Detroit Pistons in the opener of the trek at The Palace of Auburn Hills. LeBron James led Cleveland with 15 points, all coming in the first half after he suffered an injured left index finger.

James did not return to play the second half and X-rays taken were negative. He is listed as questionable for Friday’s game. Sasha Pavlovic tallied 13 points, while Drew Gooden added nine boards and nine points in the loss at Detroit.

The Cavaliers will close out the trip on Sunday afternoon at Boston. They are 5-4 on the road this season.

Toronto, meanwhile, has won two straight and three of four games. It will close out a three-game homestand tonight versus Cleveland and owns a 4-4 record at Air Canada Centre this season.

In Wednesday’s 103-91 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, Anthony Parker scored 19 points and Jose Calderon added 13 points and 10 assists to lead the Raptors. Carlos Delfino and Jason Kapono each scored 14 points in the win.

It was a costly triumph for the Raptors, however, as Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani left with injuries. Bosh exited after straining his right groin in the second quarter and did not return. Bargnani injured his knee in a collision with Memphis’ Stromile Swift in the fourth and did not return.

Bosh is doubtful and Bargnani is questionable for Friday’s game. Raptors guard T.J. Ford (leg, hand) is also questionable for Toronto.

Cleveland posted a 111-108 victory over Toronto on November 24 this season at Quicken Loans Arena, and has won four straight, eight of nine and 10 of the previous 12 meetings.

The Cavs are 4-1 over their last five games at Toronto.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS (7-8) AT PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (4-10), 7 P.M.

The Washington Wizards wrap up a four-game road trip this evening against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wachovia Center.

Washington is 1-2 on the trip and has lost three of the last four games since ripping off six straight wins. In Wednesday’s 109-94 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center, Brendan Haywood led the team with 19 points and Caron Butler netted 16 for Washington.

The Wizards are 4-5 on the road this season and certainly miss All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas, who is expected to miss at least three months after undergoing knee surgery on November 21.

The Sixers have lost four of five games and fell to 4-10 on the season following Wednesday’s 106-95 home setback to the Utah Jazz.

Andre Iguodala scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Sixers, who again failed to win consecutive games for the first time this season. Andre Miller had 16 points and Louis Williams finished with 13 points and six assists in the loss. Philly is now 2-5 at the Wachovia Center this season.

Washington handed the Sixers a 116-101 loss on November 20 this season at the Verizon Center. It has won four straight and six of the last eight meetings.

Philadelphia is 7-3 in the previous 10 matchups with the Wizards in the City of Brotherly Love.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS (7-6) AT NEW YORK KNICKS (4-10), 7:30 P.M.

Maybe some home games will help the hapless New York Knicks, as they welcome the Milwaukee Bucks tonight to historic Madison Square Garden.

New York fell to 0-7 on the road this season after Thursday’s embarrassing 104-59 setback to the mighty Boston Celtics at TD Banknorth Garden. Nate Robinson led the Knicks with 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting. New York shot 30 percent from the floor and made 2-of-10 three-pointers to fall to 4-10 on the season. Jamal Crawford added eight points in the loss.

It was the second-lowest point total in team history for New York. The Knicks scored 58 points on December 15, 2000 in a loss against Utah. They will host Milwaukee and Phoenix on the short stand and own a 4-3 record as the host.

Meanwhile, the Bucks have lost two in a row since a five-game winning streak and were handed a 96-80 loss by the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at Philips Arena.

Michael Redd had 24 points and Mo Williams scored 23 to along with nine assists for the Bucks, who will wrap up a brief two-game road trip tonight in the Big Apple. Milwaukee is just 1-5 as the visitor this season.

New York went 3-1 against Milwaukee last season and has won four of the last six encounters.

The Bucks have lost their last two contests at Madison Square Garden.

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (10-6) AT ATLANTA HAWKS (6-8), 7:30 P.M.

The New Orleans Hornets have been struggling lately, and will try for a win this evening against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena.

The Hornets opened the season with nine wins over their first 11 games, but have since dropped four of five. In Monday’s 103-94 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Arena, Chris Paul poured in a game-high 31 points with 11 assists.

Peja Stojakovic collected 17 points and David West recorded 10 points and a game-best 14 rebounds for the Hornets, who will put a Western Conference-best 7-2 road mark on the line tonight in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, the Hawks have won three of their last four games, including Wednesday’s 96-80 home triumph over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Joe Johnson scored 21 points to lead the Hawks, who are 4-3 as the host this season. Zaza Pachulia added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Josh Childress and Al Horford each contributed 12 points in a winning effort.

On the injury front for Atlanta, forward Marvin Williams is questionable for Friday’s game with strained right hip.

The Hornets won both meetings with Atlanta last season and have won four of six and five of the last eight matchups.

New Orleans has lost five of the last seven trips to Philips Arena.

BOSTON CELTICS (12-2) AT MIAMI HEAT (4-10), 8 P.M.

The Boston Celtics continue to turn heads this season, and will take a trip down south this evening for a showdown with the Miami Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Boston is an impressive 12-2 this season and has won four of its last five games, including a 104-59 pummeling of the New York Knicks on Thursday at TD Banknorth Garden Ray Allen and Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 21 points apiece and Kevin Garnett added eight points and 11 rebounds.

Rookie Glen Davis scored 13 points with six rebounds, while Eddie House scored all 15 of his points on 5-of-6 shooting from three-point range. The Celtics will now try to improve on their 4-2 road record tonight in South Beach.

Miami has won three of its last five games and posted a 110-90 home victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday.

Ricky Davis came off the bench to score 23 points and rookie guard Daequan Cook added 19 points as a reserve for the Heat, who improved to 2-5 as the host this season.

Shaquille O’Neal had 15 points and six rebounds, while Udonis Haslem scored 14 points and Dwyane Wade added 13 in a losing cause. In injury news for Miami, guard Dorell Wright is questionable for Friday’s game with a sprained wrist.

The Celtics defeated Miami, 92-91, on November 16 this season in Beantown and have won two straight in the series. Miami, though, is 9-4 over the last 13 matchups with Boston.

Boston has dropped five of its last six at the Heat.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (13-3) AT MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (2-11), 8 P.M.

The defending world champion San Antonio Spurs travel to Minnesota to battle the Timberwolves tonight at the Target Center.

On Wednesday, All-Star point guard Tony Parker fell shy of a triple-double with 29 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists to lead San Antonio past the Washington Wizards, 109-94, at the AT&T Center. Parker was 12-for-18 from the floor in the victory.

Manu Ginobili finished with 19 points in the win, while Tim Duncan collected 16 points and seven rebounds for the Spurs, who have won 10 of their last 12 games overall.

San Antonio is 4-3 on the road this season. After tonight’s contest, the Spurs are scheduled to return home for a three-game homestand versus Portland, Dallas and Utah.

Minnesota tries to pick up its third win of the campaign. Reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Mavericks to a 109-103 win over the Timberwolves at American Airlines Center.

Al Jefferson scored a season-high 31 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in the loss for the Timberwolves, who again failed to win consecutive games for the first time this season. Rashad McCants scored 21 points and Craig Smith netted a season-high 17 points for Minnesota.

The Timberwolves are 1-6 at home this season. Minnesota is scheduled to visit Rudy Gay and the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday at FedExForum.

San Antonio went 2-1 against the Timberwolves last season and have won six of the last seven contests in the series. The Spurs have won three of their last four games at Minnesota.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (5-10) AT DALLAS MAVERICKS (10-5), 8:30 P.M.

The Portland Trail Blazers open a three-game road trip, as they visit the Dallas Mavericks tonight at American Airlines Center.

This is the second meeting of the campaign between the clubs. On November 10th, Brandon Roy poured in a career-high 32 points and handed out seven assists to lead the Trail Blazers over Dallas, 91-82, at the Rose Garden.

Portland has lost eight straight at Dallas. The last time the Trail Blazers defeated the Mavericks on the road was on January 26, 2003.

The Trail Blazers attempt to halt a two-game losing streak this evening. On Wednesday, Mike Dunleavy scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers continued their domination of Portland with a 95-89 win at the Rose Garden.

Travis Outlaw scored a season-high 26 points off the bench in the setback for Portland, which lost for the seventh time in its last eight games. LaMarcus Aldridge netted 22 points and Roy finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in defeat.

Portland is 0-7 on the road this season. It is scheduled to visit the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday at the AT&T Center and the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at FedExForum.

Dallas wraps up a three-game homestand this evening. It is 1-1 on the current stand, as reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Mavericks to a 109-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Devin Harris finished with 22 points in the win, while Brandon Bass netted 15 for Dallas, which snapped a three-game skid.

The Mavericks are 7-1 at home this season. After tonight’s game, they are scheduled to embark on a three-game road trip at New Orleans, Chicago and San Antonio.

ORLANDO MAGIC (14-3) AT PHOENIX SUNS (11-4), 9 P.M.

The red-hot Orlando Magic continue their five-game road trip when they visit the Phoenix Suns tonight at US Airways Center.

This is the second and final meeting of the campaign between the squads. On November 10th, Leandro Barbosa finished with 39 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lead the Suns to a 106-96 victory over the Magic at Amway Arena in ex-Orlando forward Grant Hill’s first matchup against his former team.

The Magic have lost five straight after winning their last two at Phoenix.

Orlando is 2-0 on its current five-game road trip and has won four in a row overall. All-Star Dwight Howard poured in a career-high 39 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and blocked five shots, as the Magic continued their early season success with a 110-94 win over the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday at KeyArena.

Keith Bogans had 11 of his 14 points during a game-ending 17-2 run for Orlando, which moved to 14-3 on the season, including an impressive 9-1 on the road.

Rashard Lewis, playing his first game in Seattle since the sign-and-trade deal with Orlando during the offseason, struggled against his former team and made just 3-of-19 from the field for nine points. Carlos Arroyo dished out 14 assists in the victory.

The Magic will visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at the Staples Center and the Golden State Warriors on Monday at ORACLE Arena.

Phoenix attempts to halt a season-worst two-game losing streak. On Wednesday, Yao Ming scored 31 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to guide Houston to a 100-94 win over the Suns at US Airways Center.

Steve Nash ended with 29 points in the loss for Phoenix, which suffered a 129-114 setback at Golden State on Monday. Amare Stoudemire finished with 25 points and nine rebounds, while Shawn Marion contributed 18 points, nine rebounds and four blocks against Houston.

The Suns are 5-2 at home this season. After tonight’s contest they will embark on a five-game road trip at New York, Indiana, Toronto, Washington and Minnesota.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS (9-6) AT UTAH JAZZ (11-5), 10:30 P.M.

The Utah Jazz return home from a three-game road trip, as they host the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at EnergySolutions Arena.

This is the second meeting of the season between the clubs. On November 4th, Kobe Bryant scored 33 points to lead the Lakers over the Jazz, 119-109, at the Staples Center.

The Lakers have lost five of seven and seven of their last 11 at Utah.

Utah is fresh off a 2-1 road swing. On Wednesday, Carlos Boozer scored 26 points and pulled down seven rebounds to lead the Jazz to a 106-95 win over the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wachovia Center.

Ronnie Brewer scored 19 points in the win for the Jazz, who have won four of their last five games overall. Deron Williams finished with 15 points and 15 assists, while Mehmet Okur netted 16 for Utah.

The Jazz are 6-1 at home this season. They will host the Miami Heat on Monday at EnergySolutions Arena.

Los Angeles tries to make it three straight victories. Bryant scored a game- high 24 points on the night that Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson received a two-year contract extension, as the Lakers exploded in the second half and crushed the Denver Nuggets, 127-99, at the Staples Center.

The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that Jackson’s deal is worth nearly $12 million per season and will keep him as the highest paid coach in basketball.

Sasha Vujacic scored a career-high 22 points for the Lakers, who have won two straight on the heels of a three-game slide. Andrew Bynum finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Luke Walton scored 14 points and Lamar Odom netted 12 in the win.

The Lakers are 3-3 on the road this season. They are scheduled to host Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic on Sunday at the Staples Center.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (6-7) AT DENVER NUGGETS (9-7), 10:30 P.M.

The slumping Denver Nuggets open a three-game homestand when they host the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at the Pepsi Center.

This is the second meeting of the season between the clubs. On November 21, Chris Kaman scored 17 points, pulled down 21 rebounds and blocked four shots to lead the Clippers over Denver, 101-90, at the Staples Center.

The Clippers have lost three of four and four of their last six at Denver.

Los Angeles has dropped three in a row overall. On Monday, Tracy McGrady scored 36 points and keyed a fourth-quarter surge that put the game away as the Houston Rockets posted an 88-71 victory over LA at the Staples Center.

Kaman scored 22 points and ripped down 13 rebounds in the loss for the Clippers. Corey Maggette netted 21 points and Tim Thomas ended with 15 points for LA, which has lost five of its last six games.

On the injury front for the Clippers, veteran guard Sam Cassell (strained left calf) is doubtful for tonight’s contest.

The Clippers are 2-3 on the road this season. They will host the Indiana Pacers on Sunday and Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday at the Staples Center.

Denver has dropped three in a row. On Thursday, Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 24 points on the night that Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson received a two-year contract extension as the Lakers exploded in the second half for a 127-99 victory at the Staples Center.

Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points before his fourth-quarter ejection and Allen Iverson added 21 points and six assists for the struggling Nuggets, who have dropped four of their last five games. Linas Kleiza added 15 points, while J.R. Smith and Marcus Camby both netted 11 in the loss.

The Nuggets are 6-2 at home this season. They are scheduled to host the Miami Heat on Sunday and the Lakers on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center.

INDIANA PACERS (8-8) AT SEATTLE SUPERSONICS (2-14), 10:30 P.M.

The Indiana Pacers try to extend their winning streak when they visit the struggling Seattle SuperSonics tonight at KeyArena.

Indiana has won two in a row and plays the third of a four-game road trip. Mike Dunleavy scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Pacers continued their domination of the Portland Trail Blazers with a 95-89 win at the Rose Garden.

Danny Granger scored a team-high 23 points and Jeff Foster hauled in a season-high 17 rebounds for the Pacers, who beat Portland for the eighth straight time. Jamaal Tinsley ended with 15 points and 11 assists for Indiana, which moved back to .500 (8-8) for the first time since early November.

All-Star forward Jermaine O’Neal, who is averaging 13.2 points and 7.1 rebounds for the Pacers this season, has missed five straight games with a sore left knee. Indiana is 4-1 in that span

O’Neal is questionable for tonight’s contest.

The Pacers are 4-3 on the road this season. They will visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday at the Staples Center.

Seattle has dropped six straight games and plays the second of a five-game homestand. On Wednesday, Dwight Howard poured in a career-high 39 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and had five blocked shots to lead the Orlando Magic to a 110-94 win over the SuperSonics at KeyArena.

Rookie Kevin Durant had 22 points on 6-of-21 from the floor for the SuperSonics, who fell to 0-7 at KeyArena this season. Wally Szczerbiak had 20 points for Seattle, which is a dismal 2-14 this season, matching the 1967-68 team for its worst start in franchise history.

The SuperSonics will host the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and the Milwaukee Bucks on December 7th.

Last season, the SuperSonics were 2-0 against Indiana. The Pacers have lost three straight after winning their last two at Seattle.

Popularity: 3% [?]

(Thursday, November 29th)

Final Score: Boston 104, New York 59

Boston, MA Boston’s big three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce combined for 50 points — just nine less than the Knicks — as the Celtics pounded New York to an almost historic tune of 104-59 at TD Banknorth Garden. The trio’s point totals even came in limited action. As New York was trying to escape historical lows, Boston’s starters turned to spectators while players like Eddie House, Glen Davis and Leon Powe saw plenty of action. Davis scored 13 points with six rebounds, while House scored all 15 of his points on 5-of-6 shooting from three-point range. Allen and Pierce led Boston with 21 points apiece and Garnett added eight points and 11 rebounds. The Celtics improved to 8-0 at home and dropped the Knicks to 0-7 on the road. New York also saw its two-game winning streak come to an end. An empty Garden saw the Knicks just slip past a distinction of futility. Nate Robinson’s heave from a few steps inside midcourt found the bottom of the net as time expired, giving the Knicks one more point than the club’s franchise low during the shot clock era — 58 points scored against Utah on December 15, 2000. New York’s bench battled against Boston’s backups in a fight against another historical embarrassment, cutting a deficit that reached 52 points to 45 by the horn. The Knicks’ largest defeat was a 162-100 loss at the Syracuse Nationals on December 25, 1960. The second worst defeat, 133-86, came at Portland on March 18, 1972.

Final Score: LA Lakers 127, Denver 99

Los Angeles, CA Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 24 points on the night that Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson received a two-year contract extension, as the Lakers exploded in the second half and torched the Denver Nuggets, 127-99, at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that Jackson has agreed to a deal that is worth nearly $12 million per season and will keep him as the highest paid coach in basketball. Sasha Vujacic scored a career-high 22 points for the Lakers, who have won two straight on the heels of a three-game slide. Andrew Bynum tallied 12 points and 13 rebounds while Luke Walton scored 14 points and Lamar Odom added 12 in the win. The Lakers also received 10 points from both Jordan Farmar and Derek Fisher. Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points before his fourth-quarter ejection and Allen Iverson added 21 points and six assists for the struggling Nuggets, who have dropped three straight and four of their last five games overall. Linas Kleiza added 15 points while J.R. Smith and Marcus Camby both tallied 11 in the loss.

Final Score: Golden State 113, Houston 94

Oakland, CA Baron Davis poured in 27 points and added eight assists, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 113-94 rout of the Houston Rockets. Stephen Jackson finished with 19 points, seven assists, and six rebounds for the Warriors, who won their fifth straight and their eighth in nine games. Monta Ellis scored 18 points and raked in 10 boards, and Al Harrington also scored 18 points for Golden State. Andris Biedrins had nine points and 10 boards. Mike James scored a season-high 19 points to lead the Rockets, as both Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming had cold nights. McGrady shot 5-of-14 and scored 11 points, while Yao was 4-of-12 and scored a season-low 10 points. Bonzi Wells scored 13 points for Houston, which saw its three-game win streak come to an end.

Popularity: 3% [?]

The Cougars have won all six of their games this season.

Friday, November 30th, 9:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Ferrell Center (10,284) — Waco, Texas. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: Washington St. 5-0, Baylor 2-0. Away Record: Washington St. 1-0, Baylor 0-0. Neutral Record: Washington St. 0-0, Baylor 3-0. Conference Record: Washington St. 0-0, Baylor 0-0. Series Record: Washington State leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The sixth-ranked Washington State Cougars begin a brief two-game road trip this evening, as they take on the Baylor Bears in Waco as part of the inaugural Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series. The Cougars have won all six of their games this season and bring their highest-ever ranking into this contest. With a win in this contest, Tony Bennett’s squad will match the team’s best start since the 1991-92 season. The last time the Cougars were on the court, they captured the Cougar Hispanic College Fund Challenge championship with a 71-62 win over Air Force. The Bears are also undefeated this season, winning their first five games, including last weekend’s 85-62 pasting of Centenary. Scott Drew’s team is off to its best start since the 2001-02 campaign. These two teams have met just once before, with Washington State registering a 65-64 win in Portland back in 1972.

The Cougars have long been a team that relied on stingy defensive play and this year is no different. Washington State is forcing teams under 40 percent shooting from the floor (.378), resulting in a meager 50.2 ppg. WSU is a team that takes great care of the basketball (9.7 turnover per game), while averaging 72.7 ppg on a steady 50.5 percent shooting. Standout guard Derrick Low is hitting on 47.4 percent of his shots and an even better 48.6 percent from behind the arc (17-of-35), leading to a team-high 15.5 ppg. Backcourt mates Kyle Weaver and Taylor Rochestie provide plenty of scoring support with 12.7 and 11.8 ppg, respectively. Rochestie led the way in the win over Air Force last weekend, as he was 5-of-9 from the floor and 9-of-10 from the free- throw line, finishing with 22 points. Low poured in 19 points, while Weaver had a terrific all-around game with 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Freshman LaceDarius Dunn tied his career-high, coming off the bench to score 17 points in last weekend’s win over Centenary. Dunn was 7-of-11 from the floor and hit three three-pointers in 21 minutes of work. Henry Dugat tied Dunn for high-scoring honors, also hitting three treys en route to a 17-point effort. Aaron Bruce and Josh Lomers were also instrumental in the win, adding 13 and 10 points, respectively. Like the Cougars, Baylor is a defensive-minded team. The Bears are holding foes well under 40 percent shooting (.365), including under 30 percent from behind the arc (.284). In addition, the team is forcing 15 turnovers per outing. Offensively, the Bears have thrived on their play from behind the arc, hitting 43.1 percent from long range (47-of-109). Curtis Jerrells currently leads the team in scoring with 14.0 ppg, hitting an impressive 48.3 percent from three-point range (14-of-29). Dunn has made an immediate impact, coming off the bench with 12.4 ppg, followed by Bruce, who chips in 10.6 ppg.

Popularity: 2% [?]

(Thursday, November 29th)

Final Score: (17) Oregon 80, (25) Kansas State 77 (OT)

Manhattan, KS Tajuan Porter hit the go-ahead jumper with 2:38 left in overtime, then tacked on a free throw with 56 seconds remaining to make it a three-point game as 17th-ranked Oregon held off No. 25 Kansas State, 80-77, as part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series. Porter scored 14 points for the Ducks (6-1), who were coming off a 110-79 thrashing of San Francisco on Saturday and have reached at least 80 points in all seven games this season. Bryce Taylor chipped in with 18 points, Joevan Catron added 15 and Maarty Leunen had a double-double with 14 points and 13 boards for Oregon, which shot 42.9 percent in the contest. Freshman Michael Beasley had a game-high 24 points and also hauled in 12 rebounds for Kansas State (5-2), which had a two-game win streak snapped and lost at home for the first time this season. Andre Gilbert donated 16 points, while Jacob Pullen and Clent Stewart added 10 apiece in a losing cause.

Final Score: (19) Gonzaga 70, Saint Joseph’s 65 (OT)

Philadelphia, PA Austin Daye scored 17 points and Matt Bouldin added 16 points and seven rebounds to lead 19th-ranked Gonzaga over Saint Joseph’s, 70-65, in overtime at Alumni Memorial Field House. David Pendergraft added 13 points for the Bulldogs (6-1), who have won two straight after suffering their lone loss of the season. Pat Calathes scored 24 points and grabbed seven boards for the Hawks (3-2), who rallied from a 17-point first half deficit only to blow a six-point lead down the stretch of regulation. Ahmad Nivins added 14 points and seven rebounds for St. Joe’s, which had a two-game win streak end.

Final Score: (22) USC 66, Oklahoma 55

Los Angeles, CA Davon Jefferson scored 23 points with nine rebounds and heralded freshman O.J. Mayo added 18 points and five boards, as No. 22 Southern California played at Oklahoma’s slower pace and downed the Sooners, 66-55, at the Galen Center as part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series. Dwight Lewis donated 11 points for the Trojans (6-1), who were coming off an impressive victory over Southern Illinois in the championship game of the Anaheim Classic. Austin Johnson and Keith Clark each scored 13 points for the Sooners (5-2), who saw their brief two-game winning streak come to an end.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The Edmonton Oilers enter tonight’s tilt with wins in three of its last four on home ice.

Friday, November 30th (All times eastern)

Anaheim Ducks (12-10-4) at Edmonton Oilers (10-14-1), 9 p.m.

The Edmonton Oilers hope to continue their home mastery of the Anaheim Ducks this evening when they play the first leg of a home-and-home against them at Rexall Place.

Since the start of the 1999-2000 campaign, Anaheim has won just once in Edmonton, going a dismal 1-10-3 in that time. The Ducks’ lone win in that span came in a shootout win on November 28, 2006.

Edmonton enters tonight’s tilt with wins in three of its last four on home ice, but was a 4-2 loser in Colorado on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center. Shawn Horcoff and Raffi Torres each scored for the Oilers, which had a two-game win streak stopped.

Dwayne Roloson stopped 32-of-36 shots, but was pulled after two periods for Mathieu Garon, who turned aside all seven shots he faced.

The Oilers did not score a power play goal for the third straight game and are last in the league in that category with just 11 tallies with the extra skater this season.

Following tonight’s contest, the Oilers will head to Anaheim to conclude this set on Sunday before visiting the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.

Anaheim, meanwhile, won for the second time in its last three games on Thursday, as Jean-Sebastien Giguere turned away 38 shots in a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames.

Chris Kunitz’s second-period score was the game-winner for the Ducks, whose recent run comes on the heels of dropping two in a row. Todd Marchant and Corey Perry also scored for Anaheim, and Rob Niedermayer added an empty- netter. Ryan Getzlaf and Chris Pronger each notched two assists for Anaheim.

Getzlaf, who signed a $26.5 million, five-year contract extension on Nov. 20, has six goals and eight assists over his last 10 games.

Anaheim will be concluding a three-game road trip tonight and will begin a brief two-game homestand on Sunday. After starting the season with six straight road losses, the Ducks have won four of six away from home since.

Edmonton defeated the Ducks earlier in the season, beating them in a 3-2 shootout back on October 28 in Anaheim.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Friday, November 30th (All times eastern)

MONTREAL CANADIENS (13-8-3) AT NEW JERSEY DEVILS (12-10-2), 7 P.M.

The sizzling New Jersey Devils will shoot for a sixth consecutive victory tonight, when they welcome the Montreal Canadiens to the Prudential Center.

The Devils began the season with a 7-10-2 mark, but winning their last five games has helped the club get above the .500 mark for the first time this year.

New Jersey’s most recent triumph came Wednesday evening against the visiting Dallas Stars. Dainius Zubrus provided the go-ahead goal and added an assist, as the Devils fought back from two down to upend Dallas, 4-2. The Stars were also red hot coming into the game, but the Devils denied them a seventh straight win.

Zach Parise and Brian Gionta added a goal and a helper, David Clarkson also scored and Martin Brodeur made 19 saves for the Devils. Gionta has recorded a point in five consecutive games and has four goals and four assists during the stretch.

Tonight, the Devils can post their first sixth-game winning streak since ending the 2005-06 campaign with 11 consecutive victories.

New Jersey, which is 4-4-0 as the host this season, is playing the third test of a five-game homestand tonight. The Devils will also welcome Boston and Washington to the Prudential Center during the stand.

Montreal ended a two-game losing streak on Tuesday, as the Habs defeated the rival Maple Leafs in Toronto. Andrei Kostitsyn scored in the fifth round of the shootout as the Canadiens downed the struggling Leafs, 4-3, at Air Canada Centre.

In the fifth round, Kostitsyn skated in on net and snapped a shot between the pads of Vesa Toskala. Jason Blake had the last opportunity for the Maple Leafs, but Carey Price came up with a body save on Blake’s wrist shot to seal the win.

Alexei Kovalev scored twice while Guillaume Latendresse also scored for the Canadiens, who had lost three of four coming in. Price finished the game with 43 saves and stopped four of five skaters in the shootout.

Tonight marks the second of two straight on the road for the Canadiens, who are an impressive 8-4-1 as the host club this year.

The Devils have dominated Montreal recently, winning the last eight meetings in the series. The Canadiens haven’t defeated New Jersey since March 20, 2004 and their last victory in the Garden State came on February 5, 2002.

The Habs are 0-8-1 (8 losses, 1 tie) in their last nine trips to Jersey, but this will be their first-ever stop at the Devils new facility.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS (8-15-2) AT CAROLINA HURRICANES (13-9-3), 7 P.M.

The Carolina Hurricanes will try to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season tonight when they invite the lowly Washington Capitals to the RBC Center.

The Hurricanes have been handed defeats its last two times on the ice and the first setback came against these same Washington Capitals last Saturday. The Hurricanes haven’t dropped three games in a row since March 27-30 of last season.

Carolina was back in action on Wednesday and was dealt a setback by the visiting Philadelphia Flyers.

Derian Hatcher scored his first goal of the season and the Flyers posted a 3-1 victory over Hurricanes.

Cory Stillman had the lone goal and Cam Ward stopped 31-of-34 shots for the Hurricanes, who have dropped five of their last seven games overall. However, Carolina is still first in the Southeast Division with 29 points.

Stillman has registered a point in five straight games, posting one goal and five assists during the stretch. He leads the Hurricanes with 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) this season.

The Hurricanes, who are 7-5-1 in Raleigh this season, will play the second of two straight at home tonight.

The Capitals, meanwhile, have won just three games in their last 14 contests and were handed a close setback by Florida on Wednesday. Stephen Weiss scored in the 11th round of a shootout to help the visiting Panthers edge the Capitals, 2-1, at the Verizon Center.

Weiss skated toward the left side of the crease, drawing Washington goalkeeper Olaf Kolzig out that way. When Weiss quickly shifted the puck right, the net was left open and he was able to shoot it in.

Washington got a chance to send the shootout to another round, but Tomas Vokoun made a pad save on Brian Pothier’s wrister to seal the win.

Kolzig stopped 28-of-29 shots for Washington, which has lost two straight and seven of nine. Chris Clark scored the lone goal for the Capitals.

Washington is now 2-1-1 since Bruce Boudreau took over coaching duties on an interim basis. The Capitals fired Glen Hanlon after he led the team to a 6-14-1 start to the season.

The Capitals are kicking off a three-game road trip tonight. Washington, which is 5-7-1 on the road, will also visit Florida and New Jersey on the swing.

Washington is 2-1 against the Hurricanes this year, but Carolina has still taken three of five and four of the last seven encounters. The Caps have also dropped three straight and five of their previous six games in Raleigh,

DALLAS STARS (13-8-4) AT PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (10-11-2), 7:30 P.M.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will try for their first three-game winning streak in over a month when they welcome the Dallas Stars for tonight’s battle at Mellon Arena.

The Penguins have posted consecutive wins over Ottawa and Atlanta and this evening can win three in a row for the first time since October 19-23. Pittsburgh is still last in the Atlantic Division with just 22 points on the year.

Pittsburgh’s latest victory came last Saturday in a blowout over the visiting Thrashers. Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves for his second shutout of the season as the Penguins trounced Atlanta, 5-0.

Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist while Sergei Gonchar added three helpers for the Penguins, who have won two straight after dropping six of their previous seven tilts.

Crosby has notched a point in 21 of his club’s 23 games this season and leads the Penguins in goals (12) and points (33).

The Penguins are just 5-6-2 as the home team this season and have won just two of their last eight tests (2-4-2) in the Steel City.

Meanwhile, the Stars will try to get back on the right track after having a six-game win streak halted in Wednesday’s game at New Jersey. Dainius Zubrus provided the go-ahead goal and added an assist, as the Devils fought from two down to upend Dallas, 4-2, at the Prudential Center.

Stu Barnes and Jussi Jokinen had the goals for Dallas, which was aiming to tie a franchise record with a seventh straight win. Marty Turco stopped 22 shots in a losing effort.

The last time Dallas won seven in a row was from November 22 to December 5, 1997.

Tonight marks the fourth segment of a six-game road trip for the Stars, who are 6-5-2 as the visiting team this season. Dallas will close out the swing with stops in Philadelphia and Columbus.

The Penguins and Stars have met just four time since the 2001-02 season and Pittsburgh has taken three of those encounters. Dallas has also been defeated in its last two stops at the Igloo.

ST. LOUIS BLUES (14-8-0) AT MINNESOTA WILD (13-9-2), 8 P.M.

The surging St. Louis Blues will aim for their fourth straight victory when they battle the Minnesota Wild tonight at Xcel Energy Center.

On top of winning three in a row, the Blues have also been victorious in seven of their last eight contests. The only setback during the stretch on November 21 against Western Conference-leading Detroit.

St. Louis was last in action on Wednesday, when it posted a close victory in Buffalo. Brad Boyes scored with 57.5 seconds left in regulation, as the Blues came away with a 4-3 victory over the Sabres.

Martin Rucinsky, Paul Kariya and Mike Johnson also had goals for the Blues, who are unbeaten against the Sabres in the last 12 meetings. St. Louis’ last loss to Buffalo was on October 1, 1997.

Bryce Salvador and Keith Tkachuk each had two assists for St. Louis, while Manny Legace made 20 saves in the win.

The Blues are 5-5-0 as the visiting team this season and are playing the second of two straight on the road tonight.

Meanwhile, the Wild are coming off back-to-back victories and can post their first three-game winning streak since opening the campaign with a 5-0 record.

Minnesota began a four-game homestand Wednesday by defeating the Phoenix Coyotes. James Sheppard had a goal and an assist to help the Wild notch the 3-1 triumph.

Stephane Veilleux and the red-hot Marian Gaborik also scored for the Wild. Aaron Voros had a pair of helpers and Niklas Backstrom made 21 saves in the victory.

Gaborik has scored eight of his team-high nine goals in his last nine games. He’s also scored seven goals during a six-game streak against the Coyotes.

The Wild also benefited from the return of Pavol Demitra, who had been sidelined with a groin injury, but were still missing several key players. as Mikko Koivu (leg), Derek Boogaard (back), Kurtis Foster (face) and Petteri Nummelin all missed the game. Foster is questionable for tonight’s game, but the remainder of those players will miss the contest.

Minnesota is 8-4-0 as the host this season and will complete their current homestand with tilts against Vancouver and Philadelphia.

The Blues and Wild have split a pair of meetings this year with each club winning on the opposition’s ice. Minnesota has won five of the last seven meetings overall and had won six straight home tilts against St. Louis before the Blues notched the 3-2 victory in St. Paul on November 1.

PHOENIX COYOTES (11-11-0) AT CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (13-9-2), 8:30 P.M.

The Chicago Blackhawks try to run their home winning streak to five games this evening when they welcome the Phoenix Coyotes to the United Center.

Chicago kicked their brief two-game homestand off in winning fashion on Wednesday, as Martin Havlat tallied twice in his first game back from a shoulder injury and goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin notched a pair of assists to help the Blackhawks get past the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-1.

Havlat, who led the Hawks in scoring a year ago, returned after missing 22 games and scored just 43 seconds into the contest.

Dustin Byfuglien, Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews also lit the lamp and rookie Patrick Kane had a career-high three assists for Chicago, which halted a two-game skid overall.

A victory tonight would give the Blackhawks their first five-game winning streak at home since a seven-game run from December 27, 2001-January 20, 2002.

Sharp, who leads the team with 12 goals, has scored in four straight games, totaling six goals and two assists in that span.

Khabibulin stopped 21-of-22 shots between the pipes and, while facing a team that he guided to a Stanley Cup title in 2004, assisted on goals by Sharp and Toews to help spark the rout. It was Khabibulin’s first game against the Lightning since he left the club as a free agent in August 2005.

The 34-year-old netminder, who was drafted by the Coyotes franchise when they were known as the Winnipeg Jets back in 1992, is 4-0-2 with a .928 save percentage in his last six starts.

Phoenix, meanwhile, had a four-game winning streak stopped in Minnesota on Wednesday, as it dropped a 3-1 decision to the Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. Radim Vrbata had the lone tally for the Coyotes, while Ilja Bryzgalov suffered his first loss since being acquired off waivers from Anaheim on November 17.

Bryzgalov stopped 25-of-28 shots in defeat.

Vrbata, who netted a career-high 41 points with the Blackhawks last season, has scored four goals in his last three games.

The Coyotes, who are 7-4-0 away from home this season, will conclude a four- game road trip with stops in Detroit and Pittsburgh.

Phoenix beat the Blackhawks three out of the four times they played them last season and is 6-3-3 in the last 12 matchups. The Coyotes have also won three straight in the Windy City and are 5-1-3 in their last nine visits.

ANAHEIM DUCKS (12-10-4) AT EDMONTON OILERS (10-14-1), 9 P.M.

The Edmonton Oilers hope to continue their home mastery of the Anaheim Ducks this evening when they play the first leg of a home-and-home against them at Rexall Place.

Since the start of the 1999-2000 campaign, Anaheim has won just once in Edmonton, going a dismal 1-10-3 in that time. The Ducks’ lone win in that span came in a shootout win on November 28, 2006.

Edmonton enters tonight’s tilt with wins in three of its last four on home ice, but was a 4-2 loser in Colorado on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center. Shawn Horcoff and Raffi Torres each scored for the Oilers, which had a two-game win streak stopped.

Dwayne Roloson stopped 32-of-36 shots, but was pulled after two periods for Mathieu Garon, who turned aside all seven shots he faced.

The Oilers did not score a power play goal for the third straight game and are last in the league in that category with just 11 tallies with the extra skater this season.

Following tonight’s contest, the Oilers will head to Anaheim to conclude this set on Sunday before visiting the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.

Anaheim, meanwhile, won for the second time in its last three games on Thursday, as Jean-Sebastien Giguere turned away 38 shots in a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames.

Chris Kunitz’s second-period score was the game-winner for the Ducks, whose recent run comes on the heels of dropping two in a row. Todd Marchant and Corey Perry also scored for Anaheim, and Rob Niedermayer added an empty- netter. Ryan Getzlaf and Chris Pronger each notched two assists for Anaheim.

Getzlaf, who signed a $26.5 million, five-year contract extension on Nov. 20, has six goals and eight assists over his last 10 games.

Anaheim will be concluding a three-game road trip tonight and will begin a brief two-game homestand on Sunday. After starting the season with six straight road losses, the Ducks have won four of six away from home since.

Edmonton defeated the Ducks earlier in the season, beating them in a 3-2 shootout back on October 28 in Anaheim.

COLORADO AVALANCHE (13-9-1) AT SAN JOSE SHARKS (11-8-4), 10:30 P.M.

The San Jose Sharks try to put the brakes on a three-game losing streak this evening when they wrap up a four-game homestand against the Colorado Avalanche at the HP Pavilion.

San Jose’s latest setback came on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings, who beat them 3-2 in a shootout. Joe Thornton and Craig Rivet both scored for the Sharks, who had won four straight before their current slide.

Evgeni Nabokov turned away 29 shots in defeat.

The Sharks, who have not lost four straight games at home since February 6- March 9, start a stretch of six games in 10 days after only playing twice in the last six. Their next three games are on the road and will make stops in Colorado, Dallas and Phoenix.

Colorado, meanwhile, enters tonight’s tilt on a winning note after Milan Hejduk scored once and added two helpers to lift the Avalanche past the Edmonton Oilers, 4-2, on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center.

Joe Sakic had a goal and an assist, while Brett Clark and Wojtek Wolski each scored for Colorado, which registered a season-high 43 shots to win for the second time in its last three games.

Peter Budaj made 11 saves in the win, as the Avalanche faced a season-low 13 shots on net. Budaj, who has been sharing time with Jose Theodore, will again be in net tonight.

The Avs will visit the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday before returning home to host the Sharks on Monday. Tonight’s game is also the first of 12 in a row for the Avalanche against teams that aren’t in the Northwest Division. Their next division game is December 23 against Vancouver.

Tonight’s contest will also mark the return to San Jose for defenseman Scott Hannan. Hannan spent nine seasons with the Sharks before signing a four-year, $18 million contract with the Avalanche.

Colorado defeated the Sharks earlier in the season and has won two straight and three of the last four matchups. San Jose, though, has won five of the last eight matchups and is 3-1-1 in its last five at home in the series.

Popularity: 2% [?]

(Thursday, November 29th)

Final Score: NY Rangers 4, NY Islanders 2

New York, NY - Jaromir Jagr and linemates Brandon Dubinsky and Martin Straka ignited the Rangers with a first-period goal and also capped the scoring late in the third period, as the New York Rangers defeated the rival Islanders, 4-2, at Madison Square Garden. Jagr scored in the opening period and Dubinsky’s late tally was preceded by goals from Chris Drury and Scott Gomez for the Rangers, who beat their hated cross-town rivals for the first time this season (1-3-0). Henrik Lundqvist made 22 saves for the Rangers, who closed the season’s second month with a strong 10-3-1 record and with this victory moved back into a first-place tie atop the Atlantic Division with Philadelphia. Both are three points ahead of the Islanders. Rick DiPietro allowed four goals on 31 shots for the Islanders, who are now 2-3-1 in their last six games overall. Miroslav Satan and Mike Comrie scored in the losing effort.

Final Score: Toronto 4, Atlanta 2

Atlanta, GA - Mats Sundin’s goal in the second period proved to be the game-winner as the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Atlanta Thrashers, 4-2, at Philips Arena. Andy Wozniewski, Alex Steen and Matt Stajan each lit the lamp for the Maple Leafs, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Vesa Toskala made 18 saves in the win. Ilya Kovalchuk and Tobias Enstrom each scored for the Thrashers, who have dropped three straight after a four-game winning streak. Johan Hedberg made 21 saves in the loss.

Final Score: Nashville 6, Ottawa 5

Ottawa, ON - Martin Erat had a three-point night, scoring the game-winning goal with 22.2 seconds remaining in regulation and also adding a pair of assists, as the Nashville Predators outlasted the Ottawa Senators, 6-5, at Scotiabank Place. The winning goal came just 23 seconds after Ottawa tied it up, as the Predators capitalized on a turnover in front of the net. Erat collected the loose disc and, from the near side, lifted it into the top right corner for the game-winner. J.P. Dumont notched a goal and three helpers, while Dan Ellis made 27 saves for the Predators, who have won two of their last three games. It was also a big day off the ice for Nashville, as the NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the team to a prospective ownership group led by businessman David Freeman. Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson each had a goal and an assist, and Martin Gerber stopped 29-of-35 shots in a losing cause for Ottawa, which has dropped five straight games for the first time since October 28 to November 8, 2006.

Final Score: Boston 4, Florida 3

Sunrise, FL - Zdeno Chara scored twice, and the Boston Bruins survived two late Panthers’ goals to hold on for a 4-3 win over Florida. Glen Metropolit and Phil Kessel also scored for the Bruins, who have won four of five. Marc Savard notched two assists, and Tim Thomas stopped 32 shots for Boston. David Booth and Olli Jokinen scored in the final 2:19 for the Panthers, who saw their four-game win streak come to an end. Steve Montador also scored for Florida, which had won two straight on the shootout, but couldn’t force extra time in this one. Craig Anderson had 34 saves for the Panthers.

Final Score: Detroit 4, Tampa Bay 2

Detroit, MI - Jiri Hudler had a goal and an assist as the Detroit Red Wings defeated the slumping Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-2, at Joe Louis Arena. Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Kopecky and Daniel Cleary each scored a goal for the Red Wings, who have won two straight and four of six. Chris Osgood made 21 saves to improve to 16-0 in his career against Tampa Bay. Brad Richards and Mathieu Darche both lit the lamp for the Lightning, who have lost their last six games. Marc Denis made 35 saves in the loss.

Final Score: Anaheim 4, Calgary 1

Calgary, AB - Jean-Sebastien Giguere turned away 38 shots, ruining a landmark day for Calgary’s Jarome Iginla as the Anaheim Ducks stopped the Flames, 4-1. Iginla played in his 804th career game — all with the Flames — becoming the all-time leader in regular-season games played with the club. He passed Al MacInnis, who logged 803 games in a Calgary sweater. Chris Kunitz’s second-period score was the game-winner for the Ducks, who have won two of three after dropping two in a row. Todd Marchant and Corey Perry also scored for Anaheim, and Rob Niedermayer added an empty- netter. Ryan Getzlaf and Chris Pronger each notched two assists for Anaheim. On the night that Iginla moved into Calgary’s record books, he assisted on the only Flames score, Alex Tanguay’s first-period goal. Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 22 shots for Calgary, which has dropped three straight and five of seven.

Final Score: Vancouver 2, Columbus 0

Vancouver, BC - Roberto Luongo used 25 saves to record his third consecutive shutout and in the process set a new Vancouver record for consecutive shutout minutes, as the Canucks blanked the Columbus Blue Jackets, 2-0, in a chippy contest at GM Place. Luongo, who shut out the Chicago Blackhawks on November 25 and followed that with a 26-save effort in Vancouver’s 4-0 win over Anaheim on Tuesday, has not allowed a goal in his last 195 minutes, 19 seconds. The last player to score against Luongo was St. Louis Blues forward Martin Rucinsky, who tallied late in the third period in the Canucks-Blues game on Black Friday. Lukas Krajicek scored a goal with help from the Sedin brothers and Mattias Ohlund was also credited with a goal for the Canucks, who have won six of their last eight games overall. Fredrick Norrena allowed two goals on 21 shots for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped two straight following a two-game win streak. Norrena is playing in place of starter Pascal Leclaire, who left Monday’s 3-1 loss to Edmonton in the second period with a hamstring injury.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Tom Brandstater has managed to convert 61.8 percent of his pass attempts for 196.7 ypg and 14 touchdowns so far this season.

DATE & TIME: Friday, November 30th, 8:00 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Aggie Memorial Stadium (30,343) — Las Cruces, New Mexico. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: FSU 5-1, NMSU 4-2. Away Record: FSU 2-3, NMSU 0-6. Neutral Record: FSU 0-0, NMSU 0-0. Conference Record: FSU 5-2, NMSU 1-6. Series Record: Fresno State leads, 13-0.

GAME NOTES: Undefeated in 13 previous meetings against New Mexico State, the Fresno State Bulldogs try to maintain perfection in Las Cruces Friday night, as the squads collide in the regular-season finale for both Western Athletic Conference programs. The Bulldogs, who finished a disappointing 4-8 a year ago and failed to make it to the postseason, are back on track for coach Pat Hill in 2007. The squad is 5-2 in WAC play, losing only to undefeated Hawaii and nationally-ranked Boise State, and has won two of the last three games. Last Saturday, the Bulldogs entertained Kansas State at home and easily knocked off the Wildcats in a 45-29 decision to make their case for a postseason bowl bid that much stronger. As for the Aggies, they’ve had to endure countless injuries to key players this season, resulting in unfavorable results to say the least. The team opened the campaign with two wins in three tries, but then the roof began to cave in on Hal Mumme and his troops. NMSU has fallen in four straight and six of the last seven games, the most recent of those setbacks being a 35-17 loss to Utah State on November 17th at home, a game that snapped USU’s 16-game losing streak. Dating back to 1972 when the Bulldogs posted a 49-17 victory here in Las Cruces, FSN has never lost to the Aggies, adding a 23-18 triumph at home last year to the list.

Coming out of obscurity, Tom Brandstater put together one of his strongest games for the Bulldogs last Saturday as he threw for a career-high 313 yards and logged a pair of TD passes in the win over Kansas State at home. Brandstater, who has been rather pedestrian in his efforts this season, missed on just six of his 29 pass attempts in the victory, didn’t throw an interception and escaped being sacked. Marlon Moore proved to be the QB’s favorite target, reeling in nine balls for 134 yards and both scores. Will Harding stepped up and carried the ball 22 times for 115 yards and a score as he carried the load to allow Ryan Mathews to rest a sprained ankle. Listed as probable for this week’s game, Mathews leads the team with his 767 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground and with tight end Bear Pascoe looking more and more like a spectator for this contest with an ankle injury of his own, Brandstater will need players like Mathews to take some of the heat. The signal-caller has managed to convert 61.8 percent of his pass attempts for 196.7 ypg and 14 touchdowns so far this season.

In the first quarter the defense for the Bulldogs looked rather frazzled, allowing scoring runs of 67 and 45 yards to Kansas State, but eventually the unit settled in and played a solid game. In fact, the run defense allowed a total of just 126 yards on 17 attempts, which is quite impressive considering the Wildcats covered 112 of those yards on just two plays. KSU was held to 382 yards of total offense on 59 plays, 21 fewer snaps than Fresno State. Registering a rare interception for the Bulldogs was Moses Harris, while Damion Owens was credited with a team-best eight tackles. Because of the secondary’s inability to pick off passes, Fresno State is currently ranked eighth in the conference and 107th in the nation in turnover margin with a minus-.82 per game. However, not all is lost for the Bulldogs on this side of the ball because the group is second in the WAC in both sacks and tackles for loss with 2.9 sacks per contest and 7.6 TFLs per outing, the latter ranking them 14th in the nation this week.

In line for another huge season, quarterback Chase Holbrook has been slowed by a number of issues, not the least of which has been his own health. He’s missed time under center due to bruised ribs, and yet he’s still completed 71.3 percent of his pass attempts for 322.1 ypg and 25 touchdowns. However, having to bring his team back from deficits so often has forced Holbrook to make rash decisions and attempt to squeeze passes in where they don’t fit, resulting in 18 interceptions. All of those picks have dropped the Aggies to last in the conference and 113th in the nation in turnover margin with a minus-1.25 turnovers per contest. Losing wideout Chris Williams to a broken collarbone has meant that Holbrook has had to abandon his comfort zone and seek out alternate options, the most popular of those being A.J. Harris who has a team-best 73 catches for 525 yards but has just two touchdowns to his credit. Taking a back seat week after week is the running game for the Aggies, one that is averaging a mere 91.2 ypg to rank seventh in the conference and 109th in the nation.

It used to be that NMSU was okay with allowing a boatload of points because the offense was right there to respond, but that isn’t the case nowadays. Averaging only 24.1 ppg this season, Holbrook and the offense simply cannot bail out the defense all of the time. The pass defense for New Mexico State has been especially weak, giving up 266.7 ypg to rank second-to-last in the WAC and 104th in the country this week. As far as the pass efficiency defense is concerned, a number that takes into account everything conceivable from a passing perspective, the Aggies have a ranking of 149.49 which places them eighth in the conference and 115th in the nation at the moment. Part of the problem is that the big boys up front are not getting enough penetration and are averaging a mere 4.6 TFLs per game (115th nationally). With his 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage, Dante Floyd (115 tackles) has twice as many TFLs as anyone else on the roster and is also first with four sacks. Floyd is also sixth in the conference with just over nine and a half tackles per game.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Point-Spreads.com Announces College Football Conference Previews
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Goldsheet.com is the best College football handicapping resource. Get tips on College point spreads, sports betting, power rankings, odds, predictions.

Popularity: 2% [?]

For Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys, their ascendancy into the NFC’s elite was almost expected. For Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers, their stunning resurgence to get there was not.

The two quarterbacks lead their respective 10-1 teams into a highly anticipated showdown Thursday at Texas Stadium, with the winner gaining the inside track to home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

It marks the first time two teams with records of 10-1 or better will face off since the 10-1 New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers played on Dec. 3, 1990, and just the eighth time in NFL history. The team that wins will clinch a playoff berth, and could secure a division title by the end of the weekend.

The Cowboys can end the NFC East race if they win this game while the New York Giants lose Sunday, and the Packers would wrap up the NFC North with a victory along with a Sunday loss by the Detroit Lions.

Even with a coaching change, the Cowboys have lived up to the expectations placed upon them even after a devastating first-round loss in last year’s playoffs, when Romo failed to hold a clean snap for a potential game-winning field goal against Seattle.

Coach Wade Phillips, whose demeanor is in stark contrast to demanding taskmaster and predecessor Bill Parcells, has helped Romo and wide receiver Terrell Owens flourish in an offense which has Dallas leading the NFC with 358 points.

While Favre returned to Green Bay after contemplating retirement for the second straight offseason, few imagined the three-time NFL MVP could lead the Packers to the top of the NFC after they went 8-8 last year and 4-12 in 2005. He has thrown only eight interceptions, completed passes at a career-high 68.5-percent clip and is on target for his fifth 4,000-yard season while becoming the NFL’s all-time leader in numerous categories over the course of the season.

The Cowboys are coming off arguably their most complete performance in a 34-3 rout of the New York Jets on Thanksgiving Day for their fifth consecutive victory. Romo threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Owens, and Marion Barber rushed for a season-high 103 yards and a score as Dallas controlled the ball for nearly 38 minutes.

Terence Newman returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown and Greg Ellis had two sacks, highlighting a performance that saw the Cowboys limit the Jets to nine first downs and 180 total yards.

“We have focused at the game at hand, and I think we will continue to do that,” Phillips said. “We will certainly focus on this one. … If we play our best, we are going to do well.”

Romo enters this game already tied for the single-season team record for touchdown passes with 29, established by Danny White in 1983. He also seems a near-lock to better White’s single-season club record of 3,980 passing yards set that season.

A native of Burlington, Wisc., Romo grew up rooting for Favre and the Packers and is excited to start against them for the first time.

“I just think it’s going to be fun,” said Romo, who has completed 75.0 percent of his passes for 1,336 yards and 14 touchdowns during the winning streak. “Any time you play in a big game it’s enjoyable. The fact it’s the Packers is exciting for me.”

Owens has 13 TD catches - matching his total from 2006 - and is one shy of the 1962 team record held by Frank Clarke. Nine of those touchdowns have come during the win streak, in which he has 37 receptions for 640 yards.

Romo likely will have his other top receiving target in Patrick Crayton, who missed last week’s game due to a sprained ankle. Crayton has 33 receptions for 482 yards, close to his career highs of 36 and 516, respectively, set last season.

“He practiced full speed, so I’m comfortable as long as he didn’t have any setbacks,” Phillips said of Crayton on Tuesday.

Barber’s best game of the season came after he rushed for only 133 yards in his prior three contests, and he has surpassed his 2006 total of 654 yards.

Favre threw for three touchdowns and a season-high 381 yards as the Packers all but secured the NFC North title with a 37-26 victory at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, opening a four-game lead on the Lions with five to play. It was the third straight game Favre has thrown three touchdown passes and his seventh 300-yard game of 2007.

Besides Favre cutting down on his interceptions - he had as many as 29 in 2005 - his offensive line also has played a key role. Favre has been sacked only eight times this year while throwing 425 times, a figure not lost on Ellis, who enters this game with 8 1/2 sacks.

“I think he’s playing the best right now that I’ve ever seen him play, even better than when they had their Super Bowl runs,” said Ellis, whose switch to linebacker has complemented DeMarcus Ware, who leads Dallas with nine sacks.

“Completions and yards are just really outstanding. … He’s not getting sacked a whole lot for the amount of passes he throws. That says a whole lot. He’s getting the ball out on time.”

But Favre has a long, empty history at Texas Stadium, where he is 0-8 lifetime and 0-5 in the regular season. The Cowboys eliminated Favre and the Packers in the playoffs three straight seasons from 1993-95, twice going on to win the Super Bowl.

Defensively, the Packers are holding out hope cornerback Charles Woodson and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila will be able to play. Woodson, the anchor of the secondary, hurt the big toe on his right foot on a punt return at Detroit and is currently listed as questionable, but coach Mike McCarthy thinks the 10-year-veteran will be on the field.

“I am going to give him every opportunity to play,” McCarthy said. “He’s pretty much around-the-clock in the training room. He’s improving. He’s dealt with this injury before. He’s making progress.”

Gbaja-Biamila is questionable with an ankle injury.

The Packers have won seven consecutive road games, one shy of the franchise record last accomplished in the 1966 and 1967 seasons.

While this is one of the most eagerly anticipated games of the season, much of the nation may not be able to watch it. The game is being televised by the NFL Network, and the league is still negotiating with cable companies - most notably Comcast and Time Warner - over whether the network will be available on a basic tier or a premium sports tier.

The NFL wants the channel available on the basic tier while the cable companies prefer to make it a premium channel. Comcast, which successfully sued to have the NFL Network moved to an “a la carte” sports tier, recently sent a cease-and-desist letter to the NFL Network, claiming it was encouraging subscribers to drop Comcast.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones voiced his displeasure, encouraging subscribers to cancel their service with Time Warner - the primary cable provider in the Dallas area - and other companies that do not carry the NFL Network or make it available among basic tier offerings.

FREE NFL Pick:

I’m on the UNDER 52

Good Luck,

Tommy Mac

Popularity: 10% [?]

The Houston Rockets have won three straight games following a six-game skid.

Thursday, November 29th (All times eastern)

Houston Rockets (9-7) at Golden State Warriors (7-7), 10:30 p.m.

The streaking Houston Rockets play the third of a four-game road trip when they visit the surging Golden State Warriors tonight at ORACLE Arena.

Golden State has won two in a row over Houston. The Rockets have won three of their last five on the road against the Warriors.

Houston is 2-0 on the swing, and has won three in a row overall. Yao Ming scored 31 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lift the Rockets to a 100-94 win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday at US Airways Center.

Tracy McGrady tallied 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Rockets, who have won three straight following a six-game skid. Rafer Alston ended with 15 points and Steve Francis hit a big driving layup in the final minute for Houston, which beat the Suns for just the second time in the last nine meetings.

The Rockets are 5-4 on the road this season. They will visit the Sacramento Kings on Saturday at ARCO Arena.

Golden State attempts to extend its winning streak to five games. On Wednesday, Monta Ellis ended with 22 points and Stephen Jackson netted 21, including two three-pointers late in the fourth quarter, as the Warriors beat the Sacramento Kings, 103-96, at ARCO Arena.

Baron Davis finished with 19 points and six assists for the Warriors, who have won seven of eight after starting the season with six straight losses. Andris Biedrins contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Al Harrington ended with 12 points for Golden State.

The Warriors are 2-4 at home this season. They will visit rookie phenom Kevin Durant and the Seattle SuperSonics on Sunday at KeyArena.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Thursday, November 29th (All times eastern)

NEW YORK KNICKS (4-9) AT BOSTON CELTICS (11-2), 8 P.M.

The Boston Celtics attempt to get back on the winning track when they host Atlantic Division-rival New York tonight at TD Banknorth Garden.

On Tuesday, LeBron James scored 38 points, including 11 in the overtime period, to propel the Cleveland Cavaliers to a tough 109-104 victory over the Celtics in overtime at Quicken Loans Arena.

Ray Allen finished with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the loss to the Cavaliers for Boston, which lost for just the second time this season and had a three-game winning streak halted. Kevin Garnett poured in 19 points and Paul Pierce netted 16 for the Celtics, who were just 20-of-29 (69 percent) from the charity stripe.

Boston is a perfect 7-0 at home this season. The Celtics will visit the Miami Heat on Friday at AmericanAirlines Arena.

New York tries to extend its winning streak to a season-best three in a row. On Monday, Stephon Marbury scored a season-high 28 points and dished out six assists to lead the Knicks over the Utah Jazz, 113-109, at Madison Square Garden.

Zach Randolph contributed a season-high 25 points and 14 rebounds in the win over Utah for the Knicks, who have won two straight after losing eight in a row. Jamal Crawford ended with 22 points for New York, which has won consecutive games for only the second time this season.

The Knicks are 0-6 on the road this season. New York returns home to host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday and the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

Boston was 3-1 against the Knicks last season. New York has dropped four of its last six on the road to the Celtics.

DENVER NUGGETS (9-6) AT LOS ANGELES LAKERS (8-6), 10:30 P.M.

The Denver Nuggets try to halt a two-game losing streak when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at the Staples Center.

On Tuesday, Shawne Williams scored 21 points, hitting six free throws down the stretch, as the Indiana Pacers held off a furious Nuggets rally to earn a 112-110 victory at the Pepsi Center.

Allen Iverson finished with 26 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in the loss to Indiana for the Nuggets, while Carmelo Anthony collected 25 points and seven boards. J.R. Smith added 13 points and Anthony Carter ended with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Denver, which lost for the third time in its last four games overall.

Forward Kenyon Martin has bone bruise of his right tibia and is questionable for tonight’s contest. Martin is averaging 8.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in 13 contests this season for Denver. He did not play against the Pacers.

Denver is 3-4 on the road this season. The Nuggets will host the Clippers on Friday at the Pepsi Center.

The Lakers wrap up a three-game homestand. They are 1-1 on the current stand. On Tuesday, superstar Kobe Bryant scored 35 points to help bring the Lakers out of their recent slump and beat the Seattle SuperSonics, 106-99, at the Staples Center.

Lamar Odom added 20 points in the victory, and Andrew Bynum finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Derek Fisher chipped in 14 points and dished out a game-high eight assists in the win.

Odom(torn tendon in finger) is probable for tonight’s contest. He is averaging 13.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game this season.

The Lakers are 5-3 at home this season. They will visit Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz on Friday at EnergySolutions Arena.

Denver has won three in a row over the Lakers. The Nuggets have dropped 18 of their last 20 at the Lakers.

HOUSTON ROCKETS (9-7) AT GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (7-7), 10:30 P.M.

The streaking Houston Rockets play the third of a four-game road trip when they visit the surging Golden State Warriors tonight at ORACLE Arena.

Golden State has won two in a row over Houston. The Rockets have won three of their last five on the road against the Warriors.

Houston is 2-0 on the swing, and has won three in a row overall. Yao Ming scored 31 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lift the Rockets to a 100-94 win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday at US Airways Center.

Tracy McGrady tallied 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Rockets, who have won three straight following a six-game skid. Rafer Alston ended with 15 points and Steve Francis hit a big driving layup in the final minute for Houston, which beat the Suns for just the second time in the last nine meetings.

The Rockets are 5-4 on the road this season. They will visit the Sacramento Kings on Saturday at ARCO Arena.

Golden State attempts to extend its winning streak to five games. On Wednesday, Monta Ellis ended with 22 points and Stephen Jackson netted 21, including two three-pointers late in the fourth quarter, as the Warriors beat the Sacramento Kings, 103-96, at ARCO Arena.

Baron Davis finished with 19 points and six assists for the Warriors, who have seven of eight after starting the season with six straight losses. Andris Biedrins contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Al Harrington ended with 12 points for Golden State.

The Warriors are 2-4 at home this season. They will visit rookie phenom Kevin Durant and the Seattle SuperSonics on Sunday at KeyArena.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Malik Hairston leads Oregon with 19.7 ppg this season.

Thursday, November 29th, 9:00 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: Bramlage Coliseum (13,340) — Manhattan, Kansas. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Oregon 4-0, Kansas State 3-0. Away Record: Oregon 1-1, Kansas State 0-0. Neutral Record: Oregon 0-0, Kansas State 2-1. Conference Record: Oregon 0-0, Kansas State 0-0. Series Record: Kansas State leads, 2-0.

GAME NOTES: In what promises to be an outstanding matchup, the 17th-ranked Oregon Ducks have traveled to Manhattan, Kansas that is, to do battle with the 25th-ranked Kansas State Wildcats as part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series. Oregon has been among the nationally ranked for 18 consecutive weeks dating back to last season, and that streak ties a program record. This game marks the first time in school history that a ranked Oregon team will go on the road to play at a ranked non-conference opponent. The Ducks are 5-1 this season and are coming off a 110-79 thrashing of San Francisco on Saturday. Clearly, however, tonight’s contest marks the stiffest test for Oregon to date. Kansas State has won its last two games to improve to 5-1 overall, and the squad has won all three of its home games by double figures. The Wildcats recently participated in the Old Spice Classic, and after losing to George Mason in the first game, rallied for back-to-back victories over UCF (73-71) and Rider (82-69). Kansas State has won both of its previous meetings with Oregon, but the teams have not squared off in more than four decades.

Oregon is racking up 93.2 ppg this season on 52.1 percent shooting from the floor, including 43.0 percent efficiency from three-point range. Defensively, the club is yielding 76.8 ppg on 41.1 percent overall shooting. There are five double-digit scorers in the fold for the Ducks, and Malik Hairston leads the way with 19.7 ppg. Maarty Leunen adds 16.0 ppg and 10.5 rpg, while Tajuan Porter checks in with 16.0 ppg as well. Bryce Taylor contributes 14.3 ppg, and Joevan Catron rounds out the double-digit scorers with 10.3 ppg and 9.5 rpg. The Ducks shot 55.6 percent from the floor in the victory over San Francisco last time out, and all five starters scored in double figures. Seven players in all tallied at least 11 points for the Ducks, who earned a 45-32 rebounding advantage as well.

It can certainly be argued that the majority of star players at the collegiate level right now are freshmen. Kansas State has one of the best first-year players in Micheal Beasley, who has the game and the body to play in the NBA right now. Beasley has already scored 30 or more points four times and is averaging a stellar 27.2 ppg on 61.2 percent shooting from the floor. He has tremendous shooting range and can score consistently from the interior as well. In addition to his scoring ability, Beasley is pulling down 15.5 rpg. In the recent win over Rider, Beasley was held in check for the first time in his brief collegiate career, as he scored 13 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Fortunately, teammate Andre Gilbert was able to tally 22 points, and Jacob Pullen netted 19 points.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Brett Favre and the Packers are 5-0 on the road this season.

Inside position in the race for homefield playoff advantage will be the chief enticement at Texas Stadium on Thursday night, when the Dallas Cowboys welcome the Green Bay Packers to town in a pivotal battle between 10-1 teams. The Cowboys and Packers share the second-best record in the NFL, behind only 11-0 New England, and don’t have another NFC team within three games of them as Week 13 begins.

Homestanding Dallas, which has won five in a row since sustaining its only loss of the year to the Patriots, is three games ahead of the New York Giants in the NFC East. Wade Phillips’ squad swept a home-and-home with the Giants earlier this season, meaning their magic number to win the division currently stands at two games. A win for the Cowboys on Thursday and a loss for New York on Sunday in Chicago would hand Dallas its first division crown since 1998.

But a victory over the Packers, which would also give America’s Team its first 11-win season since 1995, hardly figures to come easy for Phillips and company.

Green Bay makes its way to the Lone Star state having won six in a row following its only loss of the year against Chicago, and moved to 5-0 on the road this season with a 37-26 takedown of Detroit on Thanksgiving Day.

That triumph extended the Packers’ lead to four games in the NFC North, and a win over Dallas coupled with a Lions loss at Minnesota on Sunday would spell Green Bay’s first division title since the 2004 campaign.

Mike McCarthy’s team, which has won 14 of its last 15 games dating back to last year, will also be vying for its first 11-win season since 2002 on Thursday night.

SERIES HISTORY

The all-time regular season series between Dallas and Green Bay is knotted, 10-10, with the Packers evening the series by virtue of a 41-20 win when the teams last met, at Lambeau Field in 2004. The Cowboys won the previous matchup, scoring a 27-13 win at Texas Stadium in 1999. Green Bay is 0-5 in regular season games played in Dallas since last winning there in 1989.

In addition to their regular season history, the clubs have met six times in the postseason, with Dallas holding a 4-2 edge. The Cowboys have won four straight playoff games against Green Bay since the 1967 NFL Championship, better known as the “Ice Bowl.” Dallas’ most recent playoff win over Green Bay was a 38-27 triumph for the 1995 NFC Championship.

Phillips is 1-1 in his career against the Packers, scoring a win against them while with the Bills in 2000 and a loss while with the Broncos in 1993. The Packers’ McCarthy will be meeting both Phillips and the Cowboys for the first time as a head coach.

WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL

Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre (3356 passing yards, 22 TD, 8 INT) has experienced a personal renaissance in 2007, but will face fewer questions about that this week than about his career-long struggles at Texas Stadium. Favre is 0-8 in Dallas since first appearing there in 1993, including 0-3 in playoff games between 1993 and 1995, and has lost all eight Irving appearances by double-digits. On Thursday, the future Hall-of-Famer will look to a strong receiving corps headed by veteran Donald Driver (63 receptions, 2 TD) and youngsters Greg Jennings (39 receptions, 9 TD) and James Jones (40 receptions, 2 TD), along with tight end Donald Lee (39 receptions, 4 TD), to help him end his drought in Big D. Driver turned in a 10-catch, 147-yard outing against the Lions on Thanksgiving, and Jennings scored two touchdowns in the victory. A running game that once ranked last in the league has come along nicely since Ryan Grant (494 rushing yards, 2 TD, 24 receptions) entered the lineup. The first-year player out of Notre Dame has gone over 100 yards in three of his last five appearances, and has also been a capable pass-catching threat out of the backfield. A young offensive line has allowed Favre to be sacked just 14 times all year.

Favre and his receivers will want to take some shots downfield against a Dallas defense that counts deep coverage as perhaps its greatest liability. Cornerbacks Terence Newman (31 tackles, 3 INT) and Anthony Henry (17 tackles, 5 INT) have both made their share of plays this year, but safeties Roy Williams (66 tackles, 2 INT) and Ken Hamlin (43 tackles, 4 INT) have not been of the greatest assistance to the team’s pass-defending efforts. Newman had a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Jets last week. The Cowboys are just 21st in the league against the pass (217 yards per game) despite the solid work of a pass rush that has managed 30 sacks through 11 games. Outside linebacker Greg Ellis (19 tackles, 8.5 sacks) posted two sacks of New York’s Kellen Clemens last week, growing closer to fellow LB Demarcus Ware (63 tackles, 9 sacks) on the team list in that category. Dallas has been stronger against the run in 2007, ranking fourth in the league versus ground attacks (82.1 yards per game) and surrendering just two rushes of 20 yards or longer. Linebackers Bradie James (69 tackles, 2 sacks), Akin Ayodele (39 tackles), and the safety Williams are among the team’s top run-stuffers, with ends Marcus Spears (19 tackles, 1 sack) and Chris Canty (29 tackles, 3 INT) among those controlling things at the point of attack.

WHEN THE COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (3043 passing yards, 29 TD, 13 INT), a native of Burlington, WI, will face the somewhat unique task of trying to defeat his boyhood idol Favre. Given the way Romo has tackled his other tough assignments this season, you wouldn’t expect the blossoming signal-caller to cower in the face of the challenge. Romo has thrown multiple touchdown passes in all but one game this season, and his 29 TDs rank second in the league behind only Tom Brady. Against the Jets, the Eastern Illinois product found favorite targets Terrell Owens (64 receptions, 13 TD) and tight end Jason Witten (59 receptions, 6 TD) for scoring plays, though he also threw an interception for a fourth consecutive game and was sacked three times. Wideout Patrick Crayton (33 receptions, 5 TD), who sat out last Thursday’s contest with an ankle injury, is expected to return against the Packers. In the running game, Marion Barber (715 rushing yards, 29 receptions, 8 TD) will be trying to build on an 18-carry, 103-yard outing against the Jets, a performance that marked his best rushing performance since the 2005 season. Dallas is 11th in the league in rushing offense (122.9 yards per game) as Week 13 commences.

Green Bay’s main concern entering Thursday’s game is the state of a banged-up defense, one that could be without starters such as cornerback Charles Woodson (toe), safety Nick Collins (knee), and tackle Johnny Jolly (shoulder), as well as sack artist Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (ankle/knee) and key safety backup Aaron Rouse (knee). Of that group, Woodson (48 tackles, 4 INT) and Collins (29 tackles) appear most likely to play, with Collins hoping to re-join the lineup after missing three games. Statistically, the Packers come into Dallas ranked 13th against the run (100.1 yards per game) and 18th against the pass (215.3 yards per game). The strongest element of Green Bay’s defensive game against the Lions was pressure, with end Aaron Kampman (51 tackles, 11 sacks) notching two of the team’s four sacks of Jon Kitna. A linebacking corps led by Nick Barnett (91 tackles, 2 INT, 1.5 sacks) in the middle and A.J. Hawk (72 tackles, 1 INT) on the outside has done a good job controlling the run this year, but allowed Detroit’s nondescript ground attack to churn out 134 yards last week. The absence of Jolly (21 tackles, 1 sack), who is likely to replaced this week by rookie and first-round draft choice Justin Harrell (2 tackles), could have had an impact on that somewhat lackluster showing.

FANTASY FOCUS

With two of the most prolific offenses in the league going Thursday night, many fantasy owners will be expecting to start their Week 13 with a bang. Both quarterbacks have been among the most reliable signal-callers in the league this year, and should come up with a healthy amount of fantasy points. For Dallas, the must-start targets have been Owens and Witten, with Crayton a possibility as a No. 2 or flex in certain leagues. Green Bay’s best fantasy targets have been Driver, who has averaged 98 yards per game over his last four, and Jennings, who has scored in seven of his last nine games. Packers tight end Lee isn’t a sure thing as far as fantasy production goes, but is worth considering thanks to three touchdowns in his last three games. In a game that could be high-scoring, you might want to deliberate over whether starting the Dallas or Green Bay defenses is a prudent move. Rookie kickers Nick Folk (Dallas) and Mason Crosby (Green Bay) can be counted on for production, however.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Ray Rice leads the Big East with 1,612 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns this season.

DATE & TIME: Thursday, November 29th, 7:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium (42,000) — Louisville, Kentucky. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Rutgers 5-3, Louisville 3-2. Away Record: Rutgers 2-1, Louisville 2-4. Neutral Record: Rutgers 0-0, Louisville 0-0. Conference Record: Rutgers 3-3, Louisville 2-4. Series Record: Rutgers leads, 5-1.

GAME NOTES: The Louisville Cardinals will try to become bowl eligible this Thursday, as they take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Big East play at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. The Cardinals enter their regular season finale with just a 5-6 mark and need a win in this game to become bowl eligible for the 10th straight season. While a win will give the program the minimum amount of wins to be considered for a bowl game, a spot in the postseason is by no means a lock considering Louisville is guaranteed a losing Big East (2-4) campaign. Not matter what happens, the Cardinals’ 2007 campaign will be regarded as disappointing, as they were nationally-ranked and considered a national title contender at the beginning of the season. The team has been knocked off repeatedly and it has dropped its last two games, including a 55-17 beating at the hands of South Florida on November 17th. As for Rutgers, it has already clinched bowl eligibility and is now searching for another winning campaign in the Big East. The team most recently defeated Pittsburgh, 20-16, on November 17th to pull to an even 3-3 in conference play. It was the second victory in a row for the Knights, who have now won at least seven games for the third straight season. The last time the program accomplished that feat was from 1978-80. Rutgers leads the all-time series with Louisville, 5-1, and that includes a 28-25 triumph last season in what is being considering the biggest win in the program’s history. The two teams were both highly ranked and undefeated in 2006 and the Knights came out on top at home and handed the Cardinals their only loss of the season.

Rutgers’ offense revolves around its ground attack, which is averaging 193.5 ypg behind the powerful running of Ray Rice. One of three finalists for the 2007 Doak Walker Award, Rice leads the Big East with 1,612 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns for the season. He has rushed for 100 yards or more in six straight games and he has totaled over 100 yards on eight occasions this season. In the team’s last game, Rice rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, leading the Knights to a 20-16 victory over Pittsburgh. It was a gritty performance by Rice, as he had to pick up the slack for quarterback Mike Teel, who has been playing with a thumb injury. Teel was obviously bothered by the injury in the Pittsburgh game, as he completed just 3-of-9 tosses for 98 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. On a positive note, Teel had an extra week to rest and he should be ready for this game. That is obviously good news, considering he has thrown for 2,579 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Tiquan Underwood will certainly be happy to see a healthy Teel under center, as he has been his main target this season, leading the squad with 58 catches, 965 receiving yards and six scores.

Defensively, the Knights have done a solid job slowing down their opponents this season, as they are giving up just 20.1 ppg and only 305.2 total ypg. The unit has been especially strong against the pass, yielding just 153.6 ypg and only 10 touchdowns through the air. Getting to opposing quarterbacks is another strength of this unit, which has 30 sacks to its credit. In the club’s most recent outing, Rutgers put forth a tremendous effort on defense, as it limited Pittsburgh to a mere 219 total yards, including only 108 via the pass. The Knights also forced four turnovers, in addition to recording three sacks in the win. Kevin Malast led the charge with 11 tackles and a sack, and he leads the team with 84 stops for the year.

For Louisville, its strength on offense resides on its passing game and that is accounting for 351.5 of the team’s 489.0 total ypg. Quarterback Brian Brohm is in the midst of another tremendous campaign and he leads the Big East with an average of 344.3 passing ypg. Brohm has also thrown for a school-record tying 29 touchdowns passes, which also leads the league. Brohm however, is coming off his worst performance of the season, as he threw for just 213 yards and a touchdown against three interceptions in a lopsided loss to USF. It was an uncharacteristic performance from Brohm, who completed just 18-of-37 tosses in the setback. Harry Douglas though, had another big game, as he pulled down eight balls that went for 136 yards and a score. In just nine games this season, Douglas leads the Cardinals with 70 catches and 1,113 receiving yards and he is tied for the team-lead with seven receiving touchdowns. Tight end Gary Barnidge is another weapon Brohm has utilized and he ranks second with 48 catches and 590 yards. He is also tied with Douglas for touchdown catches.

The big problem for Louisville this season has been its defense, which