Multiple times each week, The Gaming Juice’s resident action seeker, Brad Evans, will attempt to blast the ‘books with his favorite selections on sides, totals, props, teasers or parlays. As always, fade or follow Brad’s picks — fading is encouraged — but that’s up to you.
Pick: Rutgers -3.5 vs. Northwestern (-110, MGM)
A bolt from the blue jolted Northwestern on Wednesday when it learned that key starting guard Ty Berry, the team’s top 3-point shooter at 43.3 percent, will miss the remainder of the season with a torn meniscus.
With March on the immediate horizon, it’s a devastating setback for head coach Chris Collins, whose squad currently sports a single-digit seed resume. Berry’s marksmanship and active hands on defense will be sorely missed. Do-it-all guard Ryan Langborg provides needed nourishment, but freshman Jordan Clayton, who hasn’t scored a single point since November, has to break from his prepubescent ways.
Collins’ Wildcats, once blessed with more than adequate depth, will be tested on Thursday against the Scarlet Knights. Good luck with the trial and error inside The RAC (aka Jersey Mike’s Arena) because Rutgers is starting to show signs of ascension.
Over the past month, the Scarlet Knights rank a respectable No. 60 overall, according to BartTorvik. Yes, they can’t throw a golf ball through a Hula-Hoop (No. 357 in eFG offense since Jan. 15), but they’re smothering opponents defensively (No. 64 in eFG D).
Cliff Omoruyi is one of college basketball’s premier rim protectors. His surrounding cohorts — Aundre Hyatt, Jamichael Davis and Derek Simpson — clamp down along the perimeter, as Rutgers allows just 30.3 percent from distance. And with the Scarlet Knights’ turnover-triggering ball pressure (21.7 TO% D), it’s easy to see why they slot No. 2 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency.
At home, Northwestern, which knocked off Purdue and Illinois earlier this season, is an entirely different animal. On the road, the Wildcats are only 2-5 straight up, exhibiting a No. 340 ranking in eFG defense. Barf.
As splash-happy as Boo Buie (40.3 3PT%), Brooks Barnhizer (35.6%) and Langborg (40.2%) are, the absence of Berry sting, especially with how visiting teams have struggled to get buckets in Piscataway.
Scoring the basketball, which I hear is fundamental to the game, has also often proven problematic for Steve Pikiell’s bunch. Still, Rutgers — with a 10-3 record in front of the red-clad faithful this season, including a 78-56 mauling of Wisconsin last Saturday — will notch its fourth straight win.
I'm laying the 3.5 inside The Sub (yeah, The RAC is way better).
Season record: 0-0, 0.00 units
BONUS TIME: Colorado -1.5 at UCLA (-110, MGM)