Michigan Wolverines vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Michigan vs Rutgers NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Piscataway.

Michigan vs Rutgers Prediction

Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Wolverines and Scarlet Knights. The game is starting at 3:30 ET on FOX, and it's hosted by the Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, NJ. Get ready to place your bets! Michigan is favored by -3.5 in this Big Ten conference contest against Rutgers. The game's over/under currently sits at 155.5 points.

Michigan vs. Rutgers Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Michigan Wolverines at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Where: Piscataway at Jersey Mike's Arena
Date: Saturday, February 1st
Betting Odds MICH -3.5, MICH -167 | RUTGER +138 O/U 155.5

Wolverines Preview: Can Michigan Pull Off A Win at Jersey Mike's Arena?

Michigan Wolverines Recent Game/Games

Michigan improved to 15-5 on the season with a 76-72 win over Penn State on Monday. The Wolverines were -8.5 favorites at home but didn’t cover the spread.

After a 35-35 tie at halftime, Michigan outscored Penn State 41-37 in the second half. The game’s total points of 148 fell short of the 159.5 O/U line.

Wolverines Offense Breakdown

In their recent game, Michigan's offense put up 76 points, shooting 48.4% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 58.1%. They connected on 42.9% of their three-point attempts, hitting 12 of 28 from deep, while shooting 52.9% on two-point shots. Free-throw shooting was a struggle, as they made just 4 of 9 attempts, hitting 44.4% from the line.

Tre Donaldson led the way with 21 points and 7 assists, shooting 61.5% overall and 42.9% from three. Nick Kern Jr. added 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Ace Baldwin Jr. contributed 15 points and 6 assists. D'Marco Dunn was efficient, hitting 3 of 4 threes and finishing with 13 points, and Danny Wolf chipped in 11 points, making both of his three-point attempts.

Wolverines Team Defense

Michigan's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 72 points on 48% shooting from the field. They allowed the opposing team to hit 52% of their two-point attempts, with 18 makes on 34 tries.

From beyond the arc, Michigan's defense conceded 12 threes on 28 attempts, a 42% success rate. They did manage to limit damage at the free-throw line, where the other team shot just 4/9 (44%).

Scarlet Knights Preview: Do the Scarlet Knights Have a Shot at a Home Win?

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Recent Game/Games

Rutgers improved to 11-10 on the season with a 79-72 road win over Northwestern on Wednesday. Entering the game as +9.5 point underdogs, the Scarlet Knights not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread.

Rutgers led 43-35 at halftime and scored 36 points in the 2nd half while allowing 37. The total points for the game reached 151, surpassing the O/U line of 137.5.

Scarlet Knights Offense Breakdown

Rutgers put up 79 points in their last game, shooting 57.1% from the field and from three-point range, hitting 8 of 14 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 65.3%, though they struggled at the free-throw line, converting just 60% of their 25 attempts.

Ace Bailey led the way with 37 points, shooting 65% overall and 62.5% from deep (5/8). Jalen Leach added 23 points, hitting 66.7% of his shots and 60% from three (3/5), while Nick Martinelli contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds despite shooting just 31.2% from the field.

Scarlet Knights Team Defense

Rutgers gave up 72 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 42% from the field, hitting 25 of their 59 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 48% shooting, with the other team making 18 of 37 two-point shots.

From three-point range, Rutgers' defense held the other team to 31% shooting, as they connected on 7 of 22 attempts. The Scarlet Knights also sent the opposing team to the free-throw line 18 times, where they made 15 shots, an 83% success rate. Rutgers allowed 11 offensive rebounds in the game.

Wolverines vs Scarlet Knights Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Although Michigan has a straight up record of 1-2 in their last three road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 1-2. The team averaged 79 points per game in these games.
When looking at their past three matchups at home, Rutgers has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 78 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.
Looking back on the team's last ten games as the underdog, the Scarlet Knights have a straight up record of 3-7. Their record vs the spread in these games was 5-5.
Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Wolverines have gone 4-6 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 7-3.