ICYMI with Charlie Bowles - Feb. 10th, 2020 edition

Welcome back to a new week. As the NBA season gets ready to take a pause, baskets in the NCAA continue to be unpredictable. I sat and focused on four specific teams this weekend and came away with as many questions as answers. I cannot remember any season where there was not at least one Goliath heavily favored to win the title. One thing us for sure -aside from pure luck, if you want to do well in your bracket, then you best get educated on some of these mid-major teams. This year (more than most) they have a chance to go deeper into the tournament.

In NBA Action yesterday the Sixers continue to handle their business at home. Furkan Kormaz @FurkanKormaz continues to refuse to let go of that first shooter off the bench role as he poured in a team-high 31 points on 12-17 shooting ( 6-11 from 3 ). Ben Simmons had yet another triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Joel Embiid had 28 points 12 rebounds as the Sixers bested the Bulls 118-111

The Sixers get a test before the break as the Clippers come calling Tuesday at 7 PM. I will be in attendance to watch them ( especially Kormaz) see how this newfound range carries against a team at the top. Check back Wednesday for a full report of the game here at Edge Of Philly for this and all your sports news.

In the game of the day, Bojan Bogdanovic drilled a three-pointer as time expired as the Utah Jazz beat the Houston Rockets 114-113. Jordan Clarkson added 30 points and Donavan Mitchell added 24 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds. Currently, the Jazz is holding the 4th playoff spot in the West as the Rockets with the loss slipped to the 5th seed. If the playoffs opened tomorrow, Houston would be visiting Utah. Just under 40% of the season remains after the league takes a break later this week for all-star festivities.

At just past the midway point Milwaukee has established themselves as the team to beat in the East. The West is a bit more unclear but still seems like the Lakers and Clippers may be fighting it out this spring in the West. The West does have a few teams that are very solid in Denver and Utah, but time will tell if a well-balanced team can outduel a team that has multiple superstars.

Golf: Nick Taylor @ntaylorgolf59 a 100-1 shot went wire to wire with four extremely impressive outings to win the Pebble Beach Pro-Am Event. Phil Mickelson tried to turn back the clock with his incredible wedges but fell short finishing third. Our pre-event pick Patrick Cantlay finished tied for 11th at 8 under par. The California wave of the tour continues net week at Riviera as J B Holmes defends his 2019 title.

XFL: Defense was the theme of the day as two more XFL games were played In the early game The New York Guardians shut down the Tampa Bay Vipers 23-3. The Guardian defense forced three turnovers in front of an energetic crowd at Met Life Stadium. Quarterback Matt McGloin ( Penn State ) @McGloinQB11 led the offense to the end zone on the opening drive which turned out to be enough for the W.

In the second game, the St Louis Battlehawks edged out a 15-9 win over the Dallas Renegades. The Renegades clearly missed their number one quarterback Landry Jones ( Oklahoma ) with a knee injury. Jordan Ta’amu ( Ole Miss) @JTaamu10 was 20-27 for 207 yards and added another 82 yards on the ground on 7 carries. The league was interesting and I am more than willing to give this a chance.

NCAA: #19 Butler was demolished by Marquette 76-57, as being a ranked team remains unlucky for most of the country.
#25 Houston crushed Wichita State 76-43 in a head-scratcher of a game. The Shockers never got off the bus
Tomorrow #8 Florida. State visits #7 Duke

NHL: The Bruins did something they rarely do. They Lost. The lowly Red Wings beat the Bruins 3-1. From a local view, the Flyers ( currently tied for 7th ) have a must-win tomorrow at home against the Florida Panthers.

Edge has begun giving out picks in all the major sports. Check the site or our Twitter feed daily for our selections and they are ALWAYS FREE

Today’s selections :
Butler +4. LOSSWisconsin -1.5. \WINWichita State +5 LOSSWashington State +3 WINNorthWestern +11 WINUnder XFL Under St Louis /Dallas. WIN