Ncaa Basketball Pool Picks - March 01, 2009

A few close frustrating losses last night led to a slighly losing day as Virginia Tech couldn't hold on and two of our 2.5 to 1 underdogs lost after going to OT. But, we keep our heads up and bounce back today with 4 picks. We're 79-64 over the past seven weeks...

Today's NCAA Basketball Picks:

Game: Loyola Maryland at Iona (2:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Loyola Maryland +7.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)

The regular season finale for both of these teams features the Gaels favored by 7.5 points. Are they worthy of that? Given their 7-10 mark in conference play, and 3-5 ATS record at home, I don't think so. This team has lost seven of their last night games and is 1-4 in their last five games, scoring just 56 points per game. Yes, the Greyhounds are also playing quite badly, but they are not being asked to cover a large number here - they are getting the points. Loyola is 14-2 ATS the past three seasons on the road vs. a losing opponent. Iona is just 1-7 ATS this seeason vs. teams with a record of .400 or worse. Only one way to go in this one.

The Bearcats need a win here to keep hope alive for an NCAA Tournament bid. But I don't think they get it. They are just 3-4 on the road this season vs. conference opponents and 4-6 overall. The Orange are 15-3 at home this season and they are averaging 14 points per game more at home than does Cincy on the road. I expect the Bearcats to again struggle to score here. They are 7-3 UNDER on the road this season. I like Cuse and the UNDER here. 

Providence hasn't played since thier huge win over #1 Pittsburgh. How can this game not be a let down after that? And letdowns usually affect offense more than defense. Their offense takes a huge hit on the road as it is, averaging about 10 points fewer than at home. Rutgers can play defense, especially at home where they allow just 64.2 ppg on the season. In conference games, the Scarlet Knights are getting just 63.3 points per game. I like this game to go UNDER the total.

Results: 3-1

NCAA Basketball Picks Resources:

• Here we show our 2008 NCAA basketball gambling preview.
• Here we show our NCAA basketball sports book.
• Take a look at our 2008 NCAA basketball prior picks season results here.
• Take a look at our NCAA basketball gambling philosophy here.
• Take a look at our NCAA basketball Game-of-Day Analysis here.
• Don't forget to visit our NCAA basketball blog.
• View our updated NCAA basketball picks.
• View college basketball odds here.
• Read our ncaa tournament picks here.
• Don't forget to read our college basketball against-the-spread records here.
• Read our ncaa march madness pick here.
• Hop over to our NCAA basketball previous picks here.

Check out the last five NCAA Basketball Picks Newsletters:

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-28-2009
Notre Dame has certainly displayed the firepower to put up a lot of points, but the Huskies have one of the top defenses in the country, and that has been personified at home. The Huskies have played ...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-27-2009
Brown opened the season with promise as they dropped a two-point decision on the road at 21-8 Rhode Island, and it has been a battle ever since. They currently sit at 1-9 in the Ivy League. That may s...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-26-2009
This is a most difficult spot for Pepperdine as they will face a very good St. Mary's team that is fighting for their NCAA Tournament lives. The Waves just have no talent and have lost their last ...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-25-2009
Arkansas is another one of those young teams that has talent, but it is so difficult for them to learn how to win on the road where they have managed just one win all season. That came very early and ...

NCAA-Basketball-Picks-February-24-2009
The Bayou Bengals have been almost impossible to take down at home this year, as they bring in an 18-1 mark. The lone setback came against a red-hot Xavier team that was in the midst of an 11-0 run. N...