TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASKETBALL SELECTION TUESDAY, MARCH 14TH
#680 RUTGERS (-6) over Hofstra at 7 PM EST
Even though the Scarlet Knights stumbled down the stretch posting a dismal 3-7 SU and ATS record in their final 10 games, head coach Steve Pikiell will lean on a defense that was ranked seventh in scoring (allows an avg of 60.4 ppg) and ninth in field goal percentage (39.3 percent) to help his team make some noise in the Little Dance. Hofstra enters this NIT battle on a 16-2 SU and 15-3 ATS run in its last 18 battles, but this will prove to be a very difficult venue for the Pride.
In case you haven’t been paying attention, Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway is one of the toughest homecourts in college basketball. Even though Rutgers has dropped three straight on this floor to Nebraska, Michigan, and Northwestern, the Knights hold a respectable 88-35 SU and 57-39-4 ATS tally at home dating back to the start of the 2016-17 regular season. In this run battling a foe that arrives off a pointspread loss, RU improves to a solid 26-12 SU and 26-11 ATS. Additionally, in the First Round of the NIT Tournament, Big 10 hosts hold an outstanding 34-7 SU and 25-16 ATS mark including an elite 25-6 SU and 21-10 ATS provided their opponent holds a team won/loss percentage of .560 or better.
Kudos to head coach Speedy Claxton and the Pride on an exceptional season. However, this is not the best wagering spot for Hofstra. Since 2007, CAA teams competing in the First Round of the NIT Tournament hold a soft 1-12 SU (7-6 ATS) record. Even worse, since 2012, Coach Claxton and his kids have faced five teams from the Big 10 Conference and posted a horrible 0-5 SU mark falling by an average of 15.0 points per game. Finally, when priced as an underdog of +6 or more and matched up against an opponent that enters off a straight up loss, the Pride own a miserable 2-23 SU and 8-15-2 ATS tally including a shocking 1-17 SU and 3-13-2 ATS provided their opponent holds a team won/loss percentage of .600 or less.
Defensively, the Scarlet Knights have held all of their home opponents under their scoring average and they’ll advance with a solid performance in their own backyard. Take Rutgers. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
DAN’S 45-16 ATS 5* NIT TOURNAMENT GAME OF THE YEAR
Off Trey’s tough loss on Purdue Sunday, the TSPC passed yesterday to prepare for this incredible investment opportunity from Dan. A powerful 45-16 ATS “Little Dance” situation supports this power play along with a profitable 21-9 ATS angle. Grab Dan’s 5* NIT Tournament Game of the Year for $30.