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As I See It, by Jimmy Vaccaro 12/5
As I See It, December 5
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As I See It, by Jimmy Vaccaro
December 5, 2001
Before I get into a few early bowl thoughts, I gotta tell you, it was a rough week in more ways than one.
My pocket took a hit Saturday when I was 2-3 and extended myself on Troy State. However, Sunday was real good with only the Steelers going down, which made me a small winner for the week.
So I stayed with my usual Monday morning routine. Made a few early plays, then off to the Sporting House to play some basketball. I have mentioned the club on numerous occasions; it is what passes for a landmark in Las Vegas. Anyone who knows the history of the place realizes it ranks up there with the Dunes and D.I.
The place was built around '76 and has had some colorful owners, including Freddie "Owns Piero's" Glusman, who ran the place during its heyday.
Of course his restaurant, across from the L.V. Convention Center, is frequented by every mustache, movie star, big time sports figure and wannabe who comes to town.
You could do many things at the Sporting House, from playing ball to working out to settling up on Tuesday. Until he left us a few years ago, Ray Wax was headquartered there.
A lot of my offshore friends know about Ray, but for all you newcomers, he probably moved more money than any living human, and was active into his 80s. For what he did for the NFL, they should put him in Canton.
Located behind the Stardust Hotel, almost in the center of town, the Sportinghouse was convenient. You were never more than 15 minutes away no matter what side of town you were on.
I had the same locker for 21 years. Any time of day or night, I could stop in and shower, shave, and use the Jacuzzi or steam room. When you worked on the Strip, as I did, it was great to stop there on the way to work and it was also useful if you were ducking someone.
The people who came in the joint ranged from Sandy Murphy to Michael Jordan. Over the years, I've played hoops with the likes of M.J., Tommy Hearns, Mike Tyson, Howie Long and a million others.
How did I fare? I got my butt lit up many times, but none worse than Ann Meyers who - when I played her straight up - went around me in the blink of an eye, and when I laid off, she stuck in about ten 3's.
Stevie Schirripa (Bobby Bacala of The Sopranos) played a lot and was an excellent player. No, he was not that heavy then.
The court was big and the facilities top notch. There were plenty of phones. The food was fair at best, but nobody really cared.
Like I said at the top, it was a bad week when I found out the place will be closing December 21. For years, there were rumors that the place was on the sales block. But after lots of talk, it wasn't sold and everybody figured we were safe.
Well, as Corso says, "Not so fast." The building with five acres of land it sits on was finally sold for $14 million.
So the question on everyone's mind was, what would our revered sanctuary be turned into? An office complex, a local casino? How about a homeless shelter? None of the above.
Well, Scarlett, how about another topless club?
I have always known there was big money in those mirrors and poles, but $14 million??? Of course, realistically it is in a great spot, just off the Strip. You'd rather have a piece of this joint as opposed to the Bellagio.
I just wish they would have picked on another bulding. It was a great spot for many years for lots of people. But I always envisioned my retirement from baskets to come from arthritis, not from, "Hi, my name is Candy, what's yours?"
Well, bowl numbers will start popping up this week, so here are just a few things to think about.
Remember in most cases the numbers on these games will come from the last set of power ratings sprinkled in with some teams which played good or bad in their last few games.
A lot of situational elements should be used. A lot of these teams will have been idle for quite a while. South Carolina, for instance, played its season finale on November 17. That is a long time ago.
Go through the normal checklist, conference by conference. You will notice that some teams just travel better than others.
If you play early, don't go crazy. If a team suspends a bunch of players for breaking curfew or just no longer going to class and they become ineligible, it could show on the team you bet against. But don't it always affect your side? It happens every year, and will happen again this year.
The good spots show when you get the team that is putting forth a winning effort - as opposed to the team who for all intent and purpose plays as if they wish they were somewhere else.
Finding these spots is easier said than done. But the following is an example of what to look for. If UCLA had accepted a bid to play in the Humanitarian Bowl vs. La. Tech, in my opinion, you would have had a favorite who did not want to be there.
The school declined the bid. But had UCLA elected to go play the Bulldogs, I would have taken my chances against them.
Personally, I am rooting for Tennessee to beat LSU in the SEC Championship game on Saturday, because I would love to bet on Maryland as a dog, as they would figure to play Florida.
So, sniff around in the next few weeks and you might identify a false favorite who will perform like a dog.
This week's play is on the Eagles as everything is starting to catch up with the Chargers. Big favorites are no bargain, but it's a long trip for the road team and a bad spot for San Diego. Philly by 17.
Stay well, Jimmy V.
Comments are appreciated at [email protected], or offshore report (legalwagerreport.com). Free pick 1-800-299-1122.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I See It, by Jimmy Vaccaro
December 5, 2001
Before I get into a few early bowl thoughts, I gotta tell you, it was a rough week in more ways than one.
My pocket took a hit Saturday when I was 2-3 and extended myself on Troy State. However, Sunday was real good with only the Steelers going down, which made me a small winner for the week.
So I stayed with my usual Monday morning routine. Made a few early plays, then off to the Sporting House to play some basketball. I have mentioned the club on numerous occasions; it is what passes for a landmark in Las Vegas. Anyone who knows the history of the place realizes it ranks up there with the Dunes and D.I.
The place was built around '76 and has had some colorful owners, including Freddie "Owns Piero's" Glusman, who ran the place during its heyday.
Of course his restaurant, across from the L.V. Convention Center, is frequented by every mustache, movie star, big time sports figure and wannabe who comes to town.
You could do many things at the Sporting House, from playing ball to working out to settling up on Tuesday. Until he left us a few years ago, Ray Wax was headquartered there.
A lot of my offshore friends know about Ray, but for all you newcomers, he probably moved more money than any living human, and was active into his 80s. For what he did for the NFL, they should put him in Canton.
Located behind the Stardust Hotel, almost in the center of town, the Sportinghouse was convenient. You were never more than 15 minutes away no matter what side of town you were on.
I had the same locker for 21 years. Any time of day or night, I could stop in and shower, shave, and use the Jacuzzi or steam room. When you worked on the Strip, as I did, it was great to stop there on the way to work and it was also useful if you were ducking someone.
The people who came in the joint ranged from Sandy Murphy to Michael Jordan. Over the years, I've played hoops with the likes of M.J., Tommy Hearns, Mike Tyson, Howie Long and a million others.
How did I fare? I got my butt lit up many times, but none worse than Ann Meyers who - when I played her straight up - went around me in the blink of an eye, and when I laid off, she stuck in about ten 3's.
Stevie Schirripa (Bobby Bacala of The Sopranos) played a lot and was an excellent player. No, he was not that heavy then.
The court was big and the facilities top notch. There were plenty of phones. The food was fair at best, but nobody really cared.
Like I said at the top, it was a bad week when I found out the place will be closing December 21. For years, there were rumors that the place was on the sales block. But after lots of talk, it wasn't sold and everybody figured we were safe.
Well, as Corso says, "Not so fast." The building with five acres of land it sits on was finally sold for $14 million.
So the question on everyone's mind was, what would our revered sanctuary be turned into? An office complex, a local casino? How about a homeless shelter? None of the above.
Well, Scarlett, how about another topless club?
I have always known there was big money in those mirrors and poles, but $14 million??? Of course, realistically it is in a great spot, just off the Strip. You'd rather have a piece of this joint as opposed to the Bellagio.
I just wish they would have picked on another bulding. It was a great spot for many years for lots of people. But I always envisioned my retirement from baskets to come from arthritis, not from, "Hi, my name is Candy, what's yours?"
Well, bowl numbers will start popping up this week, so here are just a few things to think about.
Remember in most cases the numbers on these games will come from the last set of power ratings sprinkled in with some teams which played good or bad in their last few games.
A lot of situational elements should be used. A lot of these teams will have been idle for quite a while. South Carolina, for instance, played its season finale on November 17. That is a long time ago.
Go through the normal checklist, conference by conference. You will notice that some teams just travel better than others.
If you play early, don't go crazy. If a team suspends a bunch of players for breaking curfew or just no longer going to class and they become ineligible, it could show on the team you bet against. But don't it always affect your side? It happens every year, and will happen again this year.
The good spots show when you get the team that is putting forth a winning effort - as opposed to the team who for all intent and purpose plays as if they wish they were somewhere else.
Finding these spots is easier said than done. But the following is an example of what to look for. If UCLA had accepted a bid to play in the Humanitarian Bowl vs. La. Tech, in my opinion, you would have had a favorite who did not want to be there.
The school declined the bid. But had UCLA elected to go play the Bulldogs, I would have taken my chances against them.
Personally, I am rooting for Tennessee to beat LSU in the SEC Championship game on Saturday, because I would love to bet on Maryland as a dog, as they would figure to play Florida.
So, sniff around in the next few weeks and you might identify a false favorite who will perform like a dog.
This week's play is on the Eagles as everything is starting to catch up with the Chargers. Big favorites are no bargain, but it's a long trip for the road team and a bad spot for San Diego. Philly by 17.
Stay well, Jimmy V.
Comments are appreciated at [email protected], or offshore report (legalwagerreport.com). Free pick 1-800-299-1122.