Big Noise Tipico CBB parlay of the day (Jan. 15)

Multiple times each week, FTN Bets’ resident college basketball junkie, Brad Evans, will attempt to posterize the ‘books with his favorite selections, whether sides, totals, teasers or parlays. As always, fade or follow Brad’s picks — fading is encouraged — that’s up to you.

2-leg alternative line parlay play: Wisconsin +2, Western Kentucky ML (Tipico Sportsbook)

Odds: +140

Leg 1: Wisconsin (+2) at Rutgers

Both teams are in the throes of desperation. After a promising start, Rutgers has hit the skids, dropping a pair of matchups versus Iowa and Ohio State along with a head-handing 23-point beatdown issued by Michigan State. Standing at a crossroads at 7-4 (3-4 in league action), the Scarlet Knights need to reverse course and quickly. Injuries, shoddy free-throw shooting (58.0%), terrible rebounding and an unhinged defense (1.101 pts/poss allowed in B1G) are primarily to blame. Additionally, key guard Geo Baker hasn’t exactly lived up to his “Shotmaker” moniker as he’s an abysmal 4-of-17 from the floor over his past two games. Wisconsin is equally distressed. Michigan suplexed then tossed their lifeless bodies out of the ring and, adding insult to injury, applied one last elbow from the top rope before calling it a game. The 23-point smashing was one of the most lopsided losses in the Greg Gard era. Perimeter shots and free-throw performance will ultimately decide whose despair is remedied. It will most likely be the Badgers. Wisconsin not only nets 40.5% from distance, it converts 75.5% at the line. D’Mitrik Trice (43.8% 3PT%), Brad Davison (40.4%) and Micha Potter (42.9%) should draw abundant cotton. Rutgers’ documented struggles on freebies and erratic guarding are sure to lead to its undoing yet again.

Leg 2: Marshall at Western Kentucky (ML)

After playing a rigorous nonconference schedule, scoring key victories over Memphis and Alabama, Rick Stansbury’s club entered the Conference USA slate as a clear-cut frontrunner. Four games in, however, they’ve split down the middle showcasing an unexciting 2-2 mark, dropping contests to the likes of Charlotte and LA Tech. Dreadful from three in league action (29.7%) and mostly inept at close range (48.3%), the Hilltoppers have left much to be desired. Relatively injury free and blessed with a legit NBA prospect in big man Charles Bassey, their downturn is puzzling. Have the checks suddenly not cleared, $tan$bury? Under Dan D’Antoni, Marshall showcases a run-’n-gun, NBA-style offense. Similar to WKU, the three-happy Thundering Herd builds skyscrapers from distance, shooting a miserable 29.5%. Marginal defensively, particularly around the basket, they will have their hands full containing Bassey and 6-foot-6 tweener Josh Anderson. Protect the basketball — WKU player hands are rather buttery — pound the rock inside and continue to demoralize teams at the free-throw line (85.9% in C-USA) and the Hilltoppers promptly reenter the conference title conversation.

Season record: 6-11

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