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WTOP’s Jason Fraley ranks the best movies of 2023

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:30:02 GMT

This combination of images shows Margot Robbie in a scene from "Barbie," left, and Cillian Murphy in a scene from "Oppenheimer." (Warner Bros Pictures/Universal Pictures via AP) This combination of images shows Margot Robbie in a scene from "Barbie," left, and Cillian Murphy in a scene from "Oppenheimer." (Warner Bros Pictures/Universal Pictures via AP) It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost a year since “Everything Everywhere All at Once” dominated last award season, but the ensuing year turned out to be an impressive time for movies.Blockbuster audiences enjoyed “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” “Guardians of the Galaxy...

Idaho State hosts conference foe Montana

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:30:02 GMT

Montana Grizzlies (7-5, 0-1 Big Sky) at Idaho State Bengals (4-8, 0-1 Big Sky)Pocatello, Idaho; Saturday, 6 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Kiree Huie and the Idaho State Bengals host Laolu Oke and the Montana Grizzlies in Big Sky action.The Bengals have gone 3-1 at home. Idaho State ranks second in the Big Sky in team defense, giving up 66.8 points while holding opponents to 45.6% shooting.The Grizzlies are 0-1 in Big Sky play. Montana averages 75.1 points while outscoring opponents by 3.9 points per game.Idaho State makes 47.3% of its shots from the field this season, which is 4.5 percentage points higher than Montana has allowed to its opponents (42.8%). Montana scores 8.3 more points per game (75.1) than Idaho State gives up to opponents (66.8).The matchup Saturday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play.TOP PERFORMERS: Brayden Parker is averaging 12.8 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Bengals. Huie is averaging 12.6 points over the last 10 games for Idaho Sta...

No. 8 Kentucky plays Illinois State following Reeves’ 30-point game

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:30:02 GMT

Illinois State Redbirds (8-4, 2-0 MVC) at Kentucky Wildcats (9-2)Lexington, Kentucky; Friday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Wildcats -19.5; over/under is 148BOTTOM LINE: No. 8 Kentucky plays the Illinois State Redbirds after Antonio Reeves scored 30 points in Kentucky’s 95-76 victory over the Louisville Cardinals.The Wildcats are 6-1 in home games. Kentucky ranks second in the SEC with 39.3 points per game in the paint led by Tre Mitchell averaging 7.1.The Redbirds are 1-1 on the road. Illinois State ranks third in the MVC allowing 65.4 points while holding opponents to 41.2% shooting.Kentucky averages 10.5 made 3-pointers per game, 3.7 more made shots than the 6.8 per game Illinois State allows. Illinois State averages 6.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.2 fewer made shots on average than the 8.5 per game Kentucky allows.TOP PERFORMERS: Reeves is averaging 18.3 points for the Wildcats. Rob Dillingham is averaging 13.9 points and 4.4 assists over the past 10 games...

Eastern Kentucky visits No. 1 Purdue following Walker’s 20-point showing

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:30:02 GMT

Eastern Kentucky Colonels (4-8) at Purdue Boilermakers (11-1, 1-1 Big Ten)West Lafayette, Indiana; Friday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Boilermakers -29.5; over/under is 156.5BOTTOM LINE: Eastern Kentucky faces the No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers after Leland Walker scored 20 points in Eastern Kentucky’s 111-67 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide.The Boilermakers are 6-0 in home games. Purdue has a 10-1 record against opponents over .500.The Colonels have gone 0-5 away from home. Eastern Kentucky has a 1-1 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.Purdue averages 87.3 points, 7.5 more per game than the 79.8 Eastern Kentucky allows. Eastern Kentucky has shot at a 44.6% clip from the field this season, 4.4 percentage points greater than the 40.2% shooting opponents of Purdue have averaged.TOP PERFORMERS: Zach Edey is averaging 24 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks for the Boilermakers. Braden Smith is averaging 13.7 points over the last 10 games for Purdue.Isaiah Cozart is sco...

Alabama Crimson Tide and the Liberty Flames meet in Birmingham, Alabama

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:30:02 GMT

Liberty Flames (10-3) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-5)Birmingham, Alabama; Saturday, 2 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: The Alabama Crimson Tide face the Liberty Flames in Birmingham, Alabama.The Crimson Tide are 7-5 in non-conference play. Alabama ranks seventh in the SEC with 25.1 defensive rebounds per game led by Grant Nelson averaging 4.4.The Flames have a 10-3 record against non-conference oppponents. Liberty leads the CUSA with 17.5 assists. Colin Porter leads the Flames with 3.7.Alabama scores 92.2 points, 32.7 more per game than the 59.5 Liberty gives up. Liberty has shot at a 49.0% clip from the field this season, 5.1 percentage points above the 43.9% shooting opponents of Alabama have averaged.TOP PERFORMERS: Mark Sears is scoring 19.6 points per game and averaging 4.4 rebounds for the Crimson Tide. Nelson is averaging 12.8 points and 5.4 rebounds over the last 10 games for Alabama.Kyle Rode is scoring 13.5 points per game and averaging 4.5 rebounds for the Flames. Kaden Metheny is ave...

Wright State visits Green Bay on 3-game road skid

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:30:02 GMT

Wright State Raiders (6-6, 1-0 Horizon League) at Green Bay Phoenix (6-7, 1-1 Horizon League)Green Bay, Wisconsin; Friday, 1 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Raiders -7.5; over/under is 147.5BOTTOM LINE: Wright State will attempt to stop its three-game road skid when the Raiders visit Green Bay.The Phoenix are 4-1 in home games. Green Bay is 2-0 in one-possession games.The Raiders are 1-0 against Horizon League opponents. Wright State averages 84.1 points while outscoring opponents by 6.1 points per game.Green Bay is shooting 44.3% from the field this season, 2.8 percentage points lower than the 47.1% Wright State allows to opponents. Wright State averages 5.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 fewer makes per game than Green Bay gives up.The Phoenix and Raiders match up Friday for the first time in Horizon League play this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Foster Wonders averages 1.9 made 3-pointers per game for the Phoenix, scoring 6.7 points while shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc....

Seymour leads East Tennessee State against East Carolina after 30-point performance

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:30:02 GMT

East Tennessee State Buccaneers (7-5) at East Carolina Pirates (7-5)Greenville, North Carolina; Friday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Pirates -8.5; over/under is 138BOTTOM LINE: East Tennessee State visits the East Carolina Pirates after Jaden Seymour scored 30 points in East Tennessee State’s 80-65 loss to the Utah State Aggies.The Pirates are 7-3 in home games. East Carolina has a 1-1 record in games decided by less than 4 points.The Buccaneers have gone 1-5 away from home. East Tennessee State has a 3-2 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.East Carolina scores 74.5 points, 7.0 more per game than the 67.5 East Tennessee State gives up. East Tennessee State averages 7.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.5 more makes per game than East Carolina gives up.TOP PERFORMERS: RJ Felton is shooting 40.0% from beyond the arc with 2.0 made 3-pointers per game for the Pirates, while averaging 16.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals. Ezra Ausar is shooting 54.8% and a...

Milwaukee hosts Corbin and Robert Morris

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:30:02 GMT

Robert Morris Colonials (4-9, 0-2 Horizon League) at Milwaukee Panthers (5-7, 0-1 Horizon League)Milwaukee; Friday, 8 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Panthers -3.5; over/under is 153.5BOTTOM LINE: Robert Morris visits the Milwaukee Panthers after Josh Corbin scored 22 points in Robert Morris’ 90-85 loss to the Cornell Big Red.The Panthers have gone 3-2 in home games. Milwaukee has a 2-5 record in games decided by 10 points or more.The Colonials are 0-2 in Horizon League play. Robert Morris averages 14.2 turnovers per game and is 0-5 when winning the turnover battle.Milwaukee averages 74.8 points per game, 1.4 more points than the 73.4 Robert Morris gives up. Robert Morris averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.6 fewer made shots on average than the 8.8 per game Milwaukee allows.The Panthers and Colonials square off Friday for the first time in conference play this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Erik Pratt is scoring 10.7 points per game and averaging 2.5 rebounds for th...

Vanderbilt hosts Dartmouth after Manjon’s 22-point game

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:30:02 GMT

Dartmouth Big Green (4-8) at Vanderbilt Commodores (4-8)Nashville, Tennessee; Saturday, 5 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Vanderbilt hosts the Dartmouth Big Green after Ezra Manjon scored 22 points in Vanderbilt’s 77-75 loss to the Memphis Tigers.The Commodores are 4-4 on their home court. Vanderbilt has a 1-8 record against opponents over .500.The Big Green are 0-6 on the road. Dartmouth is 3-6 in games decided by at least 10 points.Vanderbilt is shooting 39.9% from the field this season, 3.7 percentage points lower than the 43.6% Dartmouth allows to opponents. Dartmouth averages 62.3 points per game, 10.2 fewer points than the 72.5 Vanderbilt allows.TOP PERFORMERS: Carter Lang is averaging 3.1 points for the Commodores. Manjon is averaging 12.4 points over the last 10 games for Vanderbilt.Jaren Johnson is averaging 7.6 points and six rebounds for the Big Green. Jayden Williams is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Dartmouth.LAST 10 GAMES: Commodores: 3-7, averagin...

Evansville visits Cincinnati after Skillings’ 29-point outing

Published Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:30:02 GMT

Evansville Purple Aces (10-2, 1-1 MVC) at Cincinnati Bearcats (10-2)Cincinnati; Friday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bearcats -17.5; over/under is 150.5BOTTOM LINE: Cincinnati faces the Evansville Purple Aces after Dan Skillings Jr. scored 29 points in Cincinnati’s 83-75 win against the Stetson Hatters.The Bearcats have gone 9-0 in home games. Cincinnati is second in the Big 12 in rebounding with 43.3 rebounds. Viktor Lakhin leads the Bearcats with 8.5 boards.The Purple Aces have gone 3-2 away from home. Evansville leads the MVC scoring 14.9 fast break points per game.Cincinnati makes 46.3% of its shots from the field this season, which is 4.9 percentage points higher than Evansville has allowed to its opponents (41.4%). Evansville has shot at a 48.0% rate from the field this season, 7.5 percentage points higher than the 40.5% shooting opponents of Cincinnati have averaged.TOP PERFORMERS: Simas Lukosius is averaging 8.6 points and 3.2 assists for the Bearcats. Lakhin is ...