NBA Christmas Games Nearly Erase Season-Long Ratings Deficit

For the last two weeks, the sports-media cognoscenti have gotten themselves all worked up about the NBA’s TV ratings, divining disaster from a few desultory sniffs through the early-season results. For some, the declines were symptomatic of a greater disorder originating from within the league itself, something egregious enough to effectively drive a fifth of …

Bucknell takes on Syracuse on 6-game losing streak

Bucknell Bison (4-8) at Syracuse Orange (5-6, 0-1 ACC) Syracuse, New York; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Orange -12.5; over/under is 148.5 BOTTOM LINE: Bucknell looks to end its six-game losing streak with a win over Syracuse. The Orange have gone 5-1 in home games.

Louisville hosts Eastern Kentucky after Blanton’s 36-point game

Eastern Kentucky Colonels (6-6) at Louisville Cardinals (7-5, 1-1 ACC) Louisville, Kentucky; Saturday, 12 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cardinals -19.5; over/under is 155.5 BOTTOM LINE: Eastern Kentucky faces Louisville after Devontae Blanton scored 36 points in Eastern Kentucky's 91-80 loss to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The Cardinals have gone 4-3 at home.

Dent leads New Mexico against Colorado State

New Mexico Lobos (9-3, 1-0 MWC) at Colorado State Rams (7-5, 1-0 MWC) Fort Collins, Colorado; Saturday, 3 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lobos -1.5; over/under is 151.5 BOTTOM LINE: New Mexico visits Colorado State after Donovan Dent scored 40 points in New Mexico's 78-71 victory over the VCU Rams. The Rams are 5-1 in home games.

Durkin and Davidson host Eastern Michigan

Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-5) at Davidson Wildcats (9-3) Davidson, North Carolina; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Wildcats -15.5; over/under is 144.5 BOTTOM LINE: Davidson faces Eastern Michigan after Bobby Durkin scored 23 points in Davidson's 76-63 win against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. The Wildcats are 7-0 in home games.

Purdue Fort Wayne visits Wright State after Ross’ 27-point game

Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons (8-5, 3-0 Horizon) at Wright State Raiders (2-11, 0-3 Horizon) Fairborn, Ohio; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Purdue Fort Wayne visits Wright State after Lauren Ross scored 27 points in Purdue Fort Wayne's 83-75 win against the Western Michigan Broncos. The Raiders have gone 2-3 at home.