Northwestern vs. Rutgers Odds
| Northwestern Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 126.5 -110o / -110u | +180 |
| Rutgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 126.5 -110o / -110u | -220 |
We've suddenly got a very important game on Sunday evening as the Northwestern Wildcats look to get back on track against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Wildcats have dropped their past three games and it seems like the offensive regression that was looming has finally come to fruition.
As for Rutgers, it will look to rebound after a stunning loss at Minnesota where it lead by 10 points with just 1:15 remaining. This will be a golden opportunity for the Scarlet Knights, as they have the opportunity to pass the Wildcats in the Big Ten standings.
Neither team is playing its best basketball, so this will be an interesting handicap.
Northwestern Wildcats
Things are starting to get dicey for the Wildcats. They haven't played their best basketball in the past couple of weeks, and it seems like their offense has finally returned back to Earth.
The backcourt tandem of Boo Buie and Chase Audige is capable of carrying the load, but it hasn't been enough lately. The Wildcats are 317th in the country in 3-point percentage, and they'll desperately need to figure out how to make more shots fall from beyond the arc.
Northwestern's style of play is prone to cold offensive performances. The Wildcats were due for some shooting regression, and it's certainly come to fruition.
However, the Wildcats still have one of the best defensive units in the country. They rank inside the top 35 in both defensive efficiency and opponent turnover percentage.
The issue in this matchup is Rutgers is one of the best defensive teams in the country, so Northwestern's offensive woes could definitely continue.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
It was stunning to see the meltdown that took place in Minnesota on Thursday evening. Rutgers had full control throughout the evening, but with 1:15 remaining it seemingly decided to hop on the bus early and head home.
It will be interesting to see how the Knights respond, but I think this is a matchup where they can really exploit the Wildcats. The RAC is always a tough environment to play in and Rutgers' 13-4 home record represents that.
Although they are similarly slow on offense like the Wildcats, Rutgers' outstanding defense has been sensational all season. The Knights have the third-best defense overall, per adjusted defensive efficiency. They also find themselves inside the top 20 in almost every single defensive category, which is truly jaw dropping. They should outclass Northwestern's solid defensive unit here.
The Knights front court should also be able to find some success as leading scorer Clifford Omoruyi should be primed for a big game. He's been extremely important to his team's success and is averaging roughly 14 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Northwestern vs. Rutgers Betting Pick
I expect a nice bounce back from Rutgers and think the added motivation of improving its Big Ten tournament seed will provide some extra juice. The Knights have been a team to beat at home, and this is a great opportunity to take advantage of a reeling Northwestern squad.
Northwestern should be able to contain Rutgers' struggling offense, but the things it does well on defense will be outclassed here. Give me the Knights to bounce back after that catastrophic loss on Thursday night.
I think Rutgers enters the Big Ten tournament with momentum.
Pick: Rutgers -4.5 | Play to -6 |
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