TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASKETBALL SELECTION FRIDAY, MARCH 25TH
#631 NORTH CAROLINA (+2′) over UCLA at 9:39 PM EST
The Tar Heels apply to a solid 42-20 ATS NCAA Tournament system and they’re in prime position to pull off this upset over the Bruins. Off a loss to Arizona in the Pac-12 Final and a less than impressive 57-53 win over Akron in the First Round, UCLA enters this Sweet 16 battle off a massive 16-point win and cover over St. Mary’s and head coach Mick Cronin’s kids are ripe for a beating. Let’s take a look inside the numbers.
Since 1997, these two college basketball blue bloods have tangled seven times and UNC has posted a proud 6-1 SU and ATS record and has quietly won and covered five straight. Equally impressive, in the Big Dance battling an opponent that enters off an ATS victory, the Tar Heels hold a dependable 27-5 SU and 19-12-1 ATS mark including a powerful 17-5 SU and 14-7-1 ATS provided they are priced as an underdog or a favorite of -10 or less. Also, since 2006, teams from the ACC have posted a solid 14-5 SU and 12-7 ATS in the postseason when matched up against an opponent from the Pac-12.
After facing a team from the MAC and another from the West Coast Conference, UCLA will have a little trouble when it steps up in class and battles an opponent from the ACC. When priced as an underdog or a favorite of -2.5 or less and entering off a blowout win of 15 points or more, the Bruins have been at their financial worst lately posting a stiff 5-9 SU and 3-10 ATS record in their last 14 games. Even worse, in the Sweet 16 of the Big Dance, Coach Cronin’s boys have struggled to cash tickets posting a weak 7-7 SU and 3-11 ATS record in their last 14 tries. In this role carrying a No. 3 seed or higher, UCLA falls to a woeful 1-7 SU and ATS.
Tar Heels leader Hubert Davis has his kids playing with a chip on their shoulder right now and, like their ACC-rival Blue Devils, they’ll advance to the Elite Eight with a strong showing here. Take North Carolina. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM’S 28-8 ATS 4* NCAA SWEET 16 GAME OF THE YEAR
Stryker swept the board in the Big Dance yesterday cashing with Villanova and Houston and looks to improve his 5-1 ATS hardwood run with one Best Bet that will grab the cash. This top-rated 4* is backed by a solid NCAA Tournament system that holds a strong 28-8 ATS record. Grab Tom’s 4* NCAA Sweet 16 Game of the Year for $30.