Each of these teams is tremendously strong at home, yet...
Wednesday 25th February 2004
Bonus NCAA Pick on Rutgers -6 -105
By William Foote of Superior Daily
- West Virginia @ Rutgers
- Line available at Pinnacle Sports Book
- Game goes at 3:30 PM PST, 6:30 PM EST.
Each of these teams is tremendously strong at home, yet runs into serious trouble when on the road. For their part, Rutgers enters this contest at 14-9 SU and a wallet stuffing 13-7 ATS overall. The majority of their point spread damage has come at the RAC, where they sit at a near flawless 12-1 SU and 7-2 ATS. Note that their only SU loss at home came in a 75-74 barnburner vs. UCONN. However, they easily covered that game as a whopping 11-point underdog.
The Scarlet Nights are a solid 4-2 ATS hosting teams with a winning record, 3-1 ATS at home vs. conference opposition and a bookie-busting 9-4 ATS in the Big East overall. This team is coming off a blowout road loss to Boston College, but is a resilient 7-1 ATS after a SU loss this season.
West Virginia makes the trip to scenic New Jersey at 14-9 SU and 8-9 ATS. Just like their opponent, WV has protected their home floor but has been extremely poor on the road. That is, the Mountaineers are a paltry 3-6 SU and 2-6 ATS away from the WVU Coliseum this year. For future reference, they are a strong 11-3 SU and 6-3 ATS in Morgantown. In addition, the Mountaineers are a bankrupting 1-5 ATS on the road vs. teams with a winning record and 3-7 ATS as an underdog.
The home/away statistics solidify the overt tendencies of both clubs. Consider that the Scarlet Knights score ten more points at home than the Mountaineers put up on the road. Consider also that Rutgers surrenders eight less points as a host than West Virginia gives up as a visitor. When you add it all up, the number tonight looks curiously low. Lay the points here.
Prediction: Rutgers 77 – West Virginia 61
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