Rutgers vs. Miami Odds
| Rutgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 135.5 -110o / -110u | +122 |
| Miami Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 135.5 -110o / -110u | +146 |
The ACC/Big Ten Challenge rolls into Wednesday with a matchup between Rutgers and Miami (FL), who are a combined 11-2 on the season.
Rutgers is led by 6-foot-11 junior center Clifford Omoruyi, who is averaging a double-double with 16.8 points and 10.0 boards through six games.
This season has been billed as a rebuilding year for the Scarlet Knights, as they rank 222nd in D-I experience and 200th in minutes continuity from last season (40.2%).
On the other side, Miami has a plethora of D-I experience in the form of returnees from last year's team and transfers. The Hurricanes rank 28th in D-I experience (2.86 years on average).
Miami has one of the most balanced attacks in college basketball, with four different players averaging 13 points per game.
The leader for this Miami team is Isaiah Wong, who leads the Hurricanes in points, assists and steals so far this season.
This contrast in experience will be a major storyline between two teams looking to keep their early success going.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
In his seventh season as head coach of the Scarlet Knights, Steve Pikiell has his work cut out for him after losing his sensational senior duo of Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr. to graduation.
Additionally, injuries to Caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy (two major contributors from a year ago) have hindered the cohesiveness for Rutgers to start the 2022-23 campaign.
Rutgers will look to get both McConnell and Mulcahy back in the rotation Wednesday against Miami.
McConnell made his season debut on Saturday (25 minutes) against Central Connecticut State. Mulcahy, on the other hand, has missed three games in a row, but is rumored to return to action on Wednesday.
Source says @RutgersMBB PG @paulmulcahy_4 will 'most likely' return Wednesday for the Miami game
More on @njdotcomhttps://t.co/rR2SlYReL0
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) November 27, 2022
The faster Rutgers can get these two back in the lineup, the quicker it will be able to build a consistent attack on the offensive end.
Due to this lack of continuity, the Scarlet Knights fell to Temple, 72-66, in what was their first and only matchup with a team inside the top 100 this season.
However, a bright spot for this unit has been Omoruyi.
A returning starter from a season ago, Omoruyi has been the MVP for Rutgers so far this season. The Scarlet Knights go to him on more than 28% of their total offensive possessions.
Clifford Omoruyi stood out yesterday. Shows nice mobility. His length is noticeable. Really quick getting off the ground. Led the nation in dunks last year if I recall correctly. Has shown some passing flashes. Still raw as a rim protector. Will have a bigger role this year. pic.twitter.com/pBOGTLPUYt
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) November 11, 2022
Although it's still looking to find its stride on the offensive end, Rutgers has been more than impressive defensively.
The Scarlet Knights rank 10th nationally in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency (88.9), third in effective FG% allowed (37.7%) and first in defending the 3-point line, allowing an astounding 18% shooting from beyond the arc.
This defensive prowess will be heavily relied on against an experienced Miami unit whose strength is on the offensive end.
Miami Hurricanes
Jim Larranaga enters his 12th season as the head coach of Miami with a team that has plenty of college experience.
Wong, Wooga Poplar and Jordan Miller all return from a squad that finished 26-11 in 2021-22 and reached the Elite Eight.
To add even more collegiate experience, Larranaga turned to the transfer portal to add a pair of sophomores in Nijel Pack (Kansas State) and Norchad Omier (Arkansas State). Both Pack and Omier were used in over 25% of their respective teams' possessions a year ago.
This experienced unit has come together to produce an offense that ranks 27th in the country in Adjusted Efficiency (111.2). The Hurricanes have found this level of success on offense by ranking inside the top-50 nationally in offensive rebounding% (34.9%) and 2P% (55.3%).
The heart of this offense has been Wong, who has played over 84% of Miami's total minutes this season. With an offensive rating of 106.3 and a 3.8% steal percentage, Wong effects the game on both ends for Miami.
ISAIAH WONG[! @zaywong21
Watch on ESPNews: https://t.co/ekk4dHC3cbpic.twitter.com/BxK9h0TcGR
— Canes Hoops (@CanesHoops) November 19, 2022
In addition to Wong and the offense, Miami has shown competence on the defensive end so far this season.
Although Rutgers may be better statistically, the Hurricanes have had far tougher tests against Providence and UCF, who both rank just outside the top-70 nationally.
In those two contests Miami was able to hold both teams to just 64 total points on its way to a pair of victories. Most notable is Miami's ability to create turnovers (24.2%) through its 12.8% steal percentage, which is 37th in the country.
Look for Miami's superior early schedule to help it against a Rutgers team searching for offensive balance.
Rutgers vs. Miami Betting Pick
In what will be Rutgers' first true road game of the season, I find value on Miami to come away with a win on Wednesday night.
Although Rutgers has played lights-out defensively, its poor strength of schedule and injury history will be too much to overcome on the road against a well-coached, experienced Miami unit.
Look for Miami's offense to give Rutgers' defense its most difficult test since it lost to Temple on November 18.
Pick: Miami -2 (Play to 3.5) |
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