St John’s vs. Rutgers
Free Pick: Under 134.0 (-110 odds)
Tue February 2nd 2010 7:30p
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The Under is a wallet filling 11-3, 78.6 percent in all St. John’s Red Storm games this season, and we are looking for more of the same tonight when they visit the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Big East play.

Red Storm road games have been especially low scoring this year, as their offense is not as proficient as when they play in the Big Apple while their defense remains fairly constant home and away. As a result, St. John’s is only averaging 60.8 points per game on the road on a poor 38.9 percent shooting, with those games averaging a combined 128.6 points, more than five points less than this posted total.

We do not expect the Red Storm to suddenly find an offense tonight vs. a Rutgers defense that plays considerably better at home than on the road. The Scarlet Knights are allowing 65.4 points per game on a scant 38.1 percent shooting at home vs. Division I opponents, with the Under going 5-2 in their lined home games. The Under is 3-1 in their four Big East home games.

Looking at the Pomeroy Ratings, St. John’s somewhat surprisingly ranks 35 in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency, allowing only .906 points per possession. Rutgers does not grade out quite that well, but they do have a defensive PPP of under one at .988, and as mentioned earlier, the Scarlet Knights play much tighter defense at home.

Finally, the Under is 3-0 in the last three head-to-head meetings between these schools with none of those games reaching 130 points, and we do not think this game will either.

CBB Free Pick: St. John’s, Rutgers Under 134 (-110)

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