Wednesday Best Bets: One College Basketball Side, Two NBA Props

On Monday, we mentioned how our metaphorical betting oven was preheating ahead of March Madness. After Tuesday’s Best Bets went a clean 2-0, we’ve cranked it up to broil mode.

After cashing Indiana -4 over Wyoming on Tuesday, The Bostonian vs. The Book found another side to consider in Wednesday’s First Four NCAA Tournament contests.

Per usual, we have BetPrep’s Prop of the Day alongside an NBA Prop recommendation from our Props.com team. The latter checks in at 7-2 on the season, but it’s not too late to hitch your wagon to this gravy train!

With that, let’s dive into Tuesday’s Best Bets!

Best Bets Track Record

Tuesday: 2-0
Year-To-Date: 21-14-1

Bostonian vs. The Book: 7-3-1
BetPrep Prop of the Day: 4-7
NBA Props: 7-2
NHL Props: 3-2

College Basketball Side: Rutgers Scarlet Knights Vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The bet: Rutgers +1.5 (vs. Notre Dame)
The odds: -115
Where to bet: BetMGM
From: Matt Perrault via The Bostonian Vs. The Book Podcast

Matt Perrault of The Bostonian vs. The Book Podcast moved to 2-0 this week as Indiana (-4) outlasted Wyoming 66-58 in NCAA Tournament First Four action Tuesday. He has another First Four March Madness pick on tap Wednesday, riding with Rutgers +1.5 over Notre Dame.

Here’s what Perrault had to say about Wednesday’s best bet:

“Rutgers is the better defensive team, and defense travels in these situations,” Perrault said. “As we’ve seen [with Tuesday’s games], hitting shots in Dayton, Ohio, is not easy.”

Dave Sharapan, co-host of the podcast, didn’t express confidence in the Rutgers pick, pointing to the Scarlet Knights’ poor performances on the road this year.

“Rutgers away from home is a little nerve-wracking,” Sharapan said. “This is a complete toss-up.”

Technically, both teams are on the road in this neutral-site NCAA Tourney game, and Notre Dame dropped its last three games away from South Bend, Indiana (including a loss to Virginia Tech in last week’s ACC tournament). It all comes down to which team hits more shots in this elimination game, and Perrault believes Rutgers can limit the Fighting Irish’s scoring.

If you’re on board with this one, you can find Rutgers +1.5 on BetMGM’s odds board at -115 juice.

Perrault listed three other bets he likes during Wednesday’s Bostonian vs. The Book podcast — another college basketball side, one college basketball total, and one NBA side. You can listen to the replay on Youtube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

NBA Prop: New York Knicks PF Julius Randle

The bet: Over 26.5 points (vs. Portland)
The odds: -105
Where to bet: DraftKings
From: Jay Clemons via Wednesday NBA Props

Randle hasn’t played at home since Feb. 27, when he scored only 16 points against the Sixers. And yet, there’s still optimism for the Kentucky product eclipsing Wednesday’s points prop. Here’s why:

Randle has averaged 33.5 points in his last four games (all on the road), rolling for 46, 36 26, and 26 points. Also, Randle posted 30-plus points in consecutive home outings last month (30 vs. Oklahoma City, 31 vs. Brooklyn), while cumulatively shooting 43.8 percent from the field (21 of 48).

On Feb. 12, Randle scored 28 points versus Portland, thanks to hitting 12 of 13 free throws. Randle’s outburst that night wasn’t much of a surprise, seeing that the rebuilding Blazers rank 26th in scoring defense, allowing 113.6 points per game.

Another plus for Randle: Fresh legs, as the Knicks — who open a four-game homestand tonight — have been idle since Sunday.

NBA Prop: Utah Jazz C Rudy Gobert

The bet: Over 12.5 rebounds (vs. Chicago)
The odds: -115
Where to bet: BetMGM
From: BetPrep Prop of the day via BetPrep.com

The BetPrep crew got back on track with Tuesday’s play of Andre Drummond Under 11.5 rebounds. They’re sticking with another high-rebound total Wednesday, but going the opposite direction. This time, BetPrep is rolling with Over 12.5 rebounds for Jazz center (and NBA rebounding leader) Rudy Gobert in Wednesday’s matchup against Chicago.

Here’s the rationale behind this BetPrep best bet:

• Gobert has corraled 13-plus rebounds in 10 of his last 14 home games
• Gobert has piled up 13-plus boards in 13 of his last 16 games after a loss. (The Jazz are coming off Monday’s home loss to Milwaukee)
• Utah’s big man has claimed 13-plus rebounds in eight straight games against an opponent that sports a winning record

Still not convinced? Consider this: Gobert grabbed 19 rebounds in his only other matchup with the Bulls this season.

You can find Gobert Over 12.5 rebounds at -115 odds at BetMGM.