The Michigan Wolverines take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Piscataway, New Jersey. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Michigan is favored by 5.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -230. The total is set at 154 points.
Here are my Michigan vs. Rutgers predictions and college basketball picks for February 1, 2025.
Michigan vs Rutgers Prediction
My Pick: Rutgers +5.5 (Play to +3.5)
My Michigan vs Rutgers best bet is on the Scarlet Knights spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, find the best lines using our live NCAAB odds page.
Michigan vs Rutgers Odds
| Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -108 | 154 -110 / -110 | -230 |
| Rutgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -112 | 154 -110 / -110 | +190 |
- Michigan vs Rutgers spread: Michigan -5.5
- Michigan vs Rutgers over/under: 154 points
- Michigan vs Rutgers moneyline: Michigan -230, Rutgers +190
- Michigan vs Rutgers best bet: Rutgers +5.5 (Play to +3.5)
Spread
I'm backing the Scarlet Knights as home 'dogs.
Moneyline
I'm passing on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm passing on the over/under.
My Pick: Rutgers +5.5 (Play to +3.5)
Michigan vs Rutgers College Basketball Betting Preview
I’m looking to fade Michigan here.
I’m particularly concerned about Vlad Goldin. He hasn’t looked like himself since the Purdue game. He played 17 minutes against Penn State on Monday and scored only four points while grabbing just two rebounds — that’s not what we’re used to seeing from him.
Honestly, betting on Rutgers or being involved in any Rutgers game is nerve-wracking. You never know who will play or how the Scarlet Knights are doing injury-wise. I really can't stand how this program keeps everything so secret.
Regardless of who's been in or out, Rutgers is playing better lately, primarily thanks to Ace Bailey being on fire. The Scarlet Knights are 3-2 in their past five games, ranking in the top 50 nationally in BartTorvik’s adjusted efficiency metric during the stretch.
We’re not sure what's up with Dylan Harper. But as long as Bailey keeps playing this well, this will be a tough matchup for Michigan.
Specifically, covering Bailey will be a nightmare. The Wolverines will likely try to put Danny Wolf on him, which could work, but it might be so exhausting that it messes with his offensive play. That would be awful news for Michigan if Goldin isn't at full strength.
While Rutgers is trending up, Michigan is trending down. The Wolverines rank outside the top 100 nationally in adjusted efficiency over their past four games, winning two and losing two.
Opponents have finally adjusted and figured out how to defend Michigan’s big men. Purdue switched relentlessly against them, and the Wolverines couldn’t handle it — Wolf has always struggled as a one-on-one scoring threat, including with Yale.
Michigan doesn’t have much of an interior threat, especially if Goldin isn’t healthy. The Wolverine guards aren’t cutting it, and Tre Donaldson has looked uneasy in ball screens.
Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell knows his defense. He and the Scarlet Knights will be well prepared, especially because Michigan is such an easy scout right now.
I’ll happily take the points with Rutgers at home. I think the Scarlet Knights can pull off the outright upset.
