The Central Connecticut Blue Devils (0-6) are in Piscataway to take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-1) Saturday. Tip-off from Jersey Mike’s Arena is at 3 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Central Connecticut vs. Rutgers odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Blue Devils come into this matchup winless but staying competitive in most of their early season games. The only games not decided by single digits were a 91-74 loss at St. John’s (Nov. 15) and a 94-67 defeat in their season opener at UMass (Nov. 7). While Rutgers should be another double-digit result, Central Connecticut is getting plenty of experience in the early slate which it can take into the conference schedule.
Rutgers beat Rider 76-46 Tuesday and will attempt to win another early season layup over the Blue Devils. The Scarlet Knights only loss has been a 72-66 loss to Temple in the Mohegan Sun Arena on Nov. 18. Despite playing 2 other solid teams in UMass and Seton Hall, Rutgers has been able to get hard-fought wins to buoy its resume for an at-large selection to the tournament. While this game will not add to that resume, it will be a confidence booster if Rutgers can pummel the Blue Devils.
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Central Connecticut at Rutgers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Central Connecticut +1200 (bet $100 to win $1,200) | Rutgers -7000 (bet $7,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Central Connecticut State +24.5 (-110) | Rutgers -24.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 130.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Central Connecticut at Rutgers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rutgers 75, Central Connecticut State 47
Moneyline
PASS.
Rutgers (-7000) is not a wager I am willing to make ever, and while Central Connecticut (+1200) would be a great payout, it won’t happen.
Against the spread
BET RUTGERS -24.5 (-110).
Rutgers will look to beat an equal team to Rider — who it bested by 30 points in its last game — by a similar margin.
The Blue Devils could keep this close for most of the first half, but that is where things will end and the Knights will pull away. Garbage points might make this game close to the spread, but not close enough to be a loser.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 130.5 (-110).
The Blue Devils are 3-3 Over/Under this season while Rutgers is 3-2 Under. In this game where the Devils will find it difficult to score, I do not see a high-scoring affair.
Rutgers will be happy in getting to the mid-70 point range and getting out with a comfortable win. Central Connecticut will be lucky to get to 50. I do not see this game going Over by any means. UNDER 130.5 (-110) is therefore my favorite play in this game.
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