TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASKETBALL SELECTION SUNDAY, MARCH 24TH
#828 DUKE (-7) over James Madison at 5:15 PM EST
Back on track off a solid win and cover over Vermont in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament, Duke will advance to the Sweet 16 with another strong performance over James Madison. The Dukes (32-3 SU) are in the Round of 32 for the first time since 1983 and their magical season will come to an abrupt end against one of college basketball’s elite programs.
In this very same spot last year, Duke (-2′) faced Tennessee and failed to advance suffering a 65-52 loss to the Vols. Motivated by that blemish, head coach Jon Scheyer will make sure his troops are ready to go this time around. In the Second Round of the Big Dance, the Blue Devils have inked a remarkable 13-2 SU and 11-4 ATS record provided they are priced as a favorite between -5.5 and -10.5 points. Also, since 2014, the No. 4 seed has posted a lucrative 10-1 SU and 7-4 ATS tally when matched up against the No. 12 seed. Finally, in the NCAA Tournament priced as an underdog or a reasonable favorite of -9.5 or less, Duke holds a powerful 30-7 SU and 25-12 ATS provided it enters off a pointspread win. In this setting facing a foe off an ATS victory, Coach Scheyer’s boys jump to a rewarding 24-8 ATS.
James Madison is locked into a terrible wagering situation as well. In the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, teams that enter off a straight up underdog win in the First Round hold a soft 70-192 SU and 115-146-1 ATS record. If our “play against” side is priced as an underdog, this angle falls to a woeful 48-183 SU and 96-134-1 ATS including a pitiful 23-96 SU and 46-73 ATS provided they won by six points or more last. The Dukes have never made it to the Sweet 16 and have inked an 0-3 SU record all-time in the NCAA Second Round battles.
Head coach Mark Byington and his boys enjoyed a phenomenal season. However, the Blue Devils are tournament tested and the ACC pedigree will help them prevail. Take Duke. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM’S 33-10 ATS 4* NCAA TOURNAMENT ROUND 2 GAME OF THE YEAR
4* Best Bet Alert! Stryker went 3-0 ATS yesterday cashing with UNC, Illinois, and Creighton, and he looks to improve his 17-7 ATS hardwood run with one top-rated 4* selection that will get the job done. An outstanding 33-10 ATS angle backs this investment along with a solid 12-2 ATS trend. Grab Tom’s 4* NCAA Tournament Round 2 Game of the Year for $30.