Prediction, betting odds and preview for Wisconsin basketball vs. Rutgers

Wisconsin basketball (11-3, 1-2 Big Ten) returns to the hardwood for a road matchup against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-6, 1-2 Big Ten) on Monday.

The Badgers enter the contest fresh off a record-setting 116-85 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday. That triumph marked the first Big Ten victory of the 2024-25 slate for Greg Gard’s crew.

Sophomore guard John Blackwell led the way with a career-best 32 points off 11-of-18 from the field and 6-of-10 from distance. Wisconsin big men Steven Crowl and Nolan Winter also led the win, combining for 32 points and 15 rebounds.

Rutgers hasn’t experienced the same success as Wisconsin through its first 14 games. It is 8-6 entering Monday, plus 1-2 in Big Ten play. The Scarlet Knights have fallen to unranked Indiana, Princeton, Ohio State and Kennesaw State, alongside defeats to No. 5 Alabama and No. 13 Texas A&M. The team is positioned at No. 83 in the latest NCAA NET Rankings and boasts an 0-4 mark in Quadrant 1 games.

Captained by an electric true freshman combo of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, the Scarlet Knights are raw but talented. Harper leads his crew with 22.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, and Bailey is responsible for 19.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and over a block a game. Outside of the duo, Rutgers does not roster any other player that accounts for more then 10 points per game.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET, 6:00 p.m. CT on Fox Sports 1. Before then, here are the betting odds and a full preview of how the Badgers and Scarlet Knights match up.

Wisconsin vs Rutgers game odds

All College Basketball Odds via BetMGM.

• Point spread: Wisconsin favored by 1 1/2
• Money line: Wisconsin minus-120, Rutgers plus-100
• Over-under: 156 1/2

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Statistical Preview

KenPom:

• Wisconsin: No. 26 overall (No. 12 offense, No. 80 defense)
• Rutgers: No. 75 overall (No. 70 offense, No. 99 defense)

ESPN BPI:

• Wisconsin: No. 36 overall (13.4) — No. 9 in the Big Ten
• Rutgers No. 70 overall (8.2) — No. 16 in the Big Ten

2024-25 Averages:

• Wisconsin: 83.9 points per game (46.3% shooting, 35.3% from three), 71.9 points allowed per game (41.8% shooting allowed, 30.7% from three)
• Rutgers: 79.3 points per game (46.2% shooting, 33.2% from three), 75.0 points allowed per game (43.7% shooting allowed, 34.9% from three)

ESPN Matchup Predictor:

• Wisconsin 58.6% chance to win, Rutgers 41.4%

Wisconsin Key Players

• G John Blackwell (15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists on 49.7% shooting)
• G Max Klesmit (11.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3 assists on 33.6% shooting)
• Wing John Tonje (18.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2 assists on 45.7% shooting)
• C Steven Crowl (9.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists on 51% shooting)
• F Nolan Winter (11.6 points, 6.1 rebounds on 61.8% shooting)

Rutgers Key Players

• G Dylan Harper (22.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists on 52.3% shooting)
• G/F Ace Bailey (19.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks on 48.5% shooting)
• G Jeremiah Williams (7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists on 45.7% shooting)
• G Jordan Derkack (7.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 on 36.0% shooting)
• C Lathan Sommerville (7.8 points, 4.1 rebounds on 56.7% shooting)

Wisconsin vs Rutgers prediction, pick

The reason for the narrow spread revolves around Rutgers being at home for this contest. To put it flatly — the Scarlet Knights do not have enough depth or production to contend in the Big Ten. Harper and Bailey will be the two best players on the floor, but Wisconsin’s depth, poise and experience will shine bright in this matchup.

Both Harper and Bailey possess size on the perimeter, so Wisconsin should continue to funnel the ball inside to Steven Crowl and Nolan Winter. The interior pressure will open shots for dynamic scorers John Blackwell and John Tonje, who will have their hands full with Harper and Bailey.

Still, Wisconsin will win to move to 12-3 on the season.

Prediction: Wisconsin 83, Rutgers 70

Wisconsin vs Rutgers channel, start time, streaming:

Wisconsin vs Rutgers starts at 7 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. CT and can be seen on Fox Sports 1.

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