Big Al 5*
At 7 pm, our selection is on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish minus the points over Marquette. The Golden Eagles have won nine straight games, while Notre Dame has dropped its last three, including Saturday's defeat at the hands of UConn which snapped Notre Dame's 45-game home win streak (then, the longest active streak in the country). But Marquette has played the MUCH EASIER schedule, and that's played a large part in the teams' records. Consider that, of its 19 games, Marquette has only been an underdog once before, and it lost that game, 80-68, at Tennessee. Overall, Marquette has played just four true road games this season, but its two road games in Big East conference play, to date, have been against Rutgers and Providence, and neither will make the NCAA Tournament this season. In contrast, Notre Dame has had a tough slate in both conference and non-conference play. Earlier this season, the Irish played back-to-back games against then-No. 1-ranked North Carolina, and then-No. 6-ranked Texas, and Notre Dame fared well, with an 81-80 victory over the Longhorns, and a 102-87 loss to UNC. In Big East action, the Fighting Irish are 3-4 but its last three games (all losses) were at then-No. 23-ranked Louisville, at then-No. 8-ranked Syracuse, and at home vs. then-No. 3-ranked Connecticut. In each of those games, Notre Dame was an underdog, so it's not completely surprising it came away with three losses. But the Irish are an incredible 41-14 ATS since 1990 when not laying more than 4 points against .930 (or worse) foes, if Notre Dame is off back to back losses. And since 2000, Notre Dame is 9-0-1 ATS off three straight losses, and has covered the spread by an average of 12 points per game! The Irish are led by the 2008 Big East Player of the Year, Luke Harangody who, at 6'8", will be able to exploit the lack of size on Marquette's front line. In his four career games vs. the Golden Eagles, Harangody has averaged 20.5 ppg, and 10.8 rebounds. In Saturday's game against UConn, Harangody recorded his 8th straight "double-double" with 24 points, and 15 rebounds, so he's in fine form. Finally, Notre Dame falls into a super 71-26 ATS system of mine which plays on certain .350 (or better) teams off back-to-back losses, which are matched up against .850 (or better) foes off back-to-back wins. 5* College Basketball Game of the Month on Notre Dame. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.