The Northwestern Wildcats (20-10, 11-8 Big Ten) meet the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (18-12, 10-9) Sunday in Jersey Mike’s Arena at 7:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Northwestern vs. Rutgers odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
After an ugly last-second 75-74 loss at Minnesota after leading by 10 with 80 seconds left, Rutgers will return home to do battle with a Northwestern team which has exceeded all expectations this season.
This will be a defensive battle between 2 of the best defenses in the Big Ten as both look to head into the conference tournament with a win after both suffered losses in their previous outings.
While Rutgers was taking a terrible loss to last place Minnesota, Northwestern was losing to fellow bubble team Penn State 68-65 in overtime. A win for either team would certainly go a long way in the eyes of the committee in a Big Ten Conference looking to get 9 teams into the NCAA Tournament.
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Northwestern 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 8:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Northwestern +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Rutgers -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Northwestern +4.5 (-105) | Rutgers -4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 126.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Northwestern at Rutgers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rutgers 59, Northwestern 56
Moneyline
PASS.
Coming off the loss to last-place Minnesota, Rutgers needs this win to make the Big Dance. Northwestern would obviously like this win, but it is comfortably in the tournament and this game does not affect that position.
Rutgers and its defense will do just enough against the Wildcats to pull off the much-needed victor, but -210 is too rich to wager.
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Against the spread
NORTHWESTERN -4.5 (-105).
With both defenses taking control of this game, a shootout is not likely to happen. With that said, either of these squads covering a large number is also not likely.
While 4.5 is not excessive, with the way both teams will look to slow down the game and take methodical shots, it is still a point too high for my liking. Northwestern has covered the spread in 6 of its last 8 games overall and have covered in 5 of their last 7 against a team with a winning record. This will be another cover for the Wildcats to finish the regular season.
Over/Under
UNDER 126.5 (-105)
Do not expect points to be plentiful for the Scarlet Knights or the Wildcats. Northwestern ranks 281st in the nation at 67.8 points per game while Rutgers allows 60.2 (9th). Rutgers’ offense averages just 68.7 points (262nd) while the Northwestern defense ranks 23rd at 62.6.
The Under has hit in 7 of the Wildcats last 9 overall games and has also hit in 5 of the Wildcats last 8 games following an ATS loss.
Rutgers has played Under the total in 13 of its last 16 against a team with a win percentage over .600 and have also gone Under in 6 of 8 overall.
This will be a typical Big Ten technical, grind it out game. Neither team will be explosive and the game will remain Under the low total of 126.5.
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