NCAA Basketball: Rutgers vs. Princeton Odds & Pick: December 3rd 2009

Rutgers vs. Princeton
Free Pick: Princeton +8.5 (-110 odds)
Thu December 3rd 2009 7:30p
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While we realize that the Big East is infinitely better than the Ivy League, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are a lower tier Big East team while the Princeton Tigers should compete for the Ivy League championship, and they have been toughened by a stronger early seasons schedule.

The Tigers return all five starters from the team that finished second in the Ivy last season, and while they have lost three straight games after a 2-0 start, they were huge underdogs vs. California and George Washington, and they managed to push the 21-point spread vs. a ranked Cal team. They are now facing a team that is more in their element, and they are playing with quadruple revenge after weaker Tiger teams lost to Rutgers each of the last four seasons.

The talent level is much closer this time around, and just as the 2-3 Princeton record is deceptive because of their schedule, the same can be said about the Scarlet Knights 3-2 mark, only for the opposite reason. The Knig8hts have yet to post a true quality win, as their wins came vs. Marist, Drexel and Massachusetts, game in which Rutgers was favored each time.

Despite that soft slate, Rutgers is still just 1-4 against the spread, and they have actually been outscored by -0.8 points per game. That does not exactly instill confidence in a decided favorite like this, so look for Princeton to stay close in this in-state rivalry.

CBB Free Pick: Princeton +8.5 (-110)