Is this the Scarlet Knights last stand? Eckel picks Maryland vs Rutgers

Maryland at Rutgers (-1.5), 7 p.m.

Explain to me how the No. 9 team in the country is an underdog to a team that has lost three straight, four out of five and six of their last eight games?

You can’t.

So, I’ll say this is Rutgers Last Stand and maybe the oddsmakers are going with that.

A win tonight at the RAC where they are a more than impressive 17-1 this season could get the Scarlet Knights (18-11, 9-9) off the bubble and back in the good graces of the NCAA Tournament committee.

When Rutgers was 16-5 and cruising along in the Big 10 that didn’t appear to be a problem but going 2-6 after that has caused a lot of concern from New Brunswick to Piscataway.

Maryland (23-6, 13-5) sits atop the conference, but is just one game ahead of the trio of Michigan State, Illinois and Wisconsin. The Terps are also a one-point win over Minnesota at home away from being on a three-game losing streak.

The Pick: I’m not exactly sure why but I’m going with Rutgers at home where it is 10-3-1 ATS in its last 14 games and 8-3-1 as a favorite in its last 12.