What's a lazy angle? The Zig-Zag is one of them. Michigan State should bounce back after losing, Rutgers should be in line for a let down after going to Miami and winning as 11 pt dogs.
The dude with tapped glasses, sweat pants and his Circle K coffee who sits at the sports book all day will think this. I understand the simple theory, sure it's the right way to think sometimes, but not in this situation(s).
Let's start with the team's history:
Rutgers is 0-6 vs Sparty since 2015. Last year Rutgers gave Sparty fits in two games. The later game was in East Lansing where the game went into OT. Rutgers eventually fell 72-76, however they were +21.5 dogs, and took em the distance. They've been itching to get a W vs this team for 3 years, and have gotten closer each year. The "revenge" factor, is starting to boil over.
The spot for Michigan State:
-4th game in 9 days, vs Rutgers 4th game in 12 days.
-They were just in Vegas for a tourney where they won b2b games. They beat UCLA relatively easily. Then vs the Longhorns, they got a fight they weren't expecting. The Horns blew them out in the 1H. Sparty then had to fight back in the 2H and they did. A great effort.
-3 days later they travel to Louisville. Deja Vu, Louisville gives them a fight in the 1H. Sparty has to roar back(again) in the 2H but not quite enough to win. We go into OT. They eventually lose.
-2 days later, gotta fly out again, this time to Rutgers. Against a team who has momentum, has revenge on their minds, and has a sold out gym for the first time since 1997.
-Iowa is on deck, who is ranked. The resume all ready has losses to KU and Louisville on it...Rutgers is a game that you are "supposed" to win. Maybe a look ahead? Maybe, Izzo knows that his guys will need to be focused now. Can they be?
Matchup:
What is up with all the Spartans turnovers? To me, it looks like they are sped up way too often in their sets. While trying to crank out as many possessions as possible they get sloppy. This is not any way to be vs the surprise defense of the year. Rutgers is averaging 7 steals pg(#99) and 16.8 opp turnovers pg(#31). They are ranked #9 by KP in defensive efficiency.
Rutgers is tall:
Center 7'0, PF 6'10, SF 6"7, SG 6'5, PG 6'4.
They rank #8 in the country in opponent 2 pt%. And they do it clean by not fouling. Allowing only 12.5 opponent FTA's per game, good for #7. As opposed to the Spartans who foul a bunch, allowing 26 FTA's pg, good for #318.
Questionable depth for Sparty:
Matt McQuaid is not a starter, but logs significant minutes, is a senior captain and their best defender at guard. He missed the last game and is questionable.
Kenny Goins is not a starter, but also logs significant minutes pg. He had 17 rebounds vs Louisville. He got poked in the eye and is also questionable.
This is going to be a rowdy sold out event. The Spartans are ranked and doing b2b true road games where the bullseye sits on their backs. Coming off of overtime, coming off of 2 consecutive second half runs, with a ranked team on deck.
Sign me up
1. Rutgers +8.5(-110) *7.50/6.82
2. Under 137(-120) *2.50/2.08
My #'s come up with a score of Sparty 66.30, Rutgers 65.69
A money line sprinkle is in order when I wake up in the morning.
Best of Luck
GL
circle k coffee
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