NCAAB Pick from Eckel: Rutgers vs Wisconsin in a revenge match for the Badgers

Rutgers at Wisconsin (-4.5), 1 p.m.

Rutgers’ NCAA bid, which looked like a lock a few weeks ago, is now firmly on the bubble. The Scarlet Knights (18-9, 9-7) can impress the deciders with a road win at Wisconsin (16-10, 9-6), Sunday.

This is a revenge match for the Badgers, which suffered a 72-65 setback at the RAC way back on December 11.

The trends, however, seem to favor Rutgers in this one. The Knights are 12-5-1 against the spread in their last 18 games and an even more impressive 10-4-2 ATS as an underdog.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, despite an impressive 12-1 mark in Madison, is just 11-12-3 ATS this season and only 6-5-2 at home ATS.

Rutgers lost for the first time at home Wednesday night to Michigan when it missed its last 10 3-point attempts. Look for a better shooting effort Sunday afternoon as the Knights attempt to get back on track.

The Pick: Rutgers + 4.5 (and if you’re daring take the Knights on the money line). I also like the over 121 even more than the game itself.