TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASKETBALL SELECTION THURSDAY, JANUARY 20TH
#856 ST. MARY’S (-9) over Santa Clara at 9 PM EST
Off the 15-point road win at Pepperdine and a postponed battle against Pacific, St. Mary’s will be revved up and ready to go when Santa Clara visits on Thursday night. The Broncos enter this WCC war off a 32-point home loss to No. 2 Gonzaga and this will be another tough challenge for head coach Herb Sendek and his men.
In the last meeting between these two schools back on January 9th, 2021, the Gaels were a nine-point favorite on this very same floor and lost outright 66-64. Counting that blemish, St. Mary’s still holds a powerful 20-4 SU record in the last 24 meetings. It is important to note that head coach Randy Bennett’s kids have protected University Credit Union Pavilion well inking a solid 11-0 SU and 7-3 ATS record in their last 11 battles. Equally impressive, when favored and battling an opponent that arrives off the comforts of a home game, the Gaels own a lucrative 36-20 ATS mark including a solid 20-6 ATS if they are laying -10 or less.
This isn’t a very good wagering situation for Santa Clara. For starters, teams coming off a war with mighty Gonzaga have inked a weak 9-13 SU and 7-15 ATS tally in their next game. Also, in the regular season holding a team won/loss percentage greater of .625 or higher, the Broncos own a feeble 38-58-2 ATS mark provided their opponent arrives off a straight up win. In this run priced as an underdog of +1.5 or more, Coach Sendek’s troops fall to a miserable 19-41 ATS including 12-29 ATS provided they are competing on the road.
The Gaels and Broncos come in at No. 5 and No. 6 in the WCC Standings and Coach Bennett’s boys will pick up a little breathing room in the conference with this win and cover. Take St. Mary’s. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
MICK’S 21-5 ATS 4* CBB CONFERENCE GAME OF THE YEAR
TJ got the job done for the TSPC cashing easily with Creighton last night and Mick is back on Thursday with one conference underdog that will win the game straight up on the floor. Solid history supports this money-maker along with one incredible 21-5 ATS angle. Grab Mick’s 4* CBB Conference Game of the Year for $30.