The Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington, IN. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Indiana is favored by -5.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -245. The total is set at 157 points.
Here’s my Rutgers vs. Indiana predictions and college basketball picks for January 2, 2025.
Rutgers vs Indiana Odds
| Rutgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Total Points | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 157 -110o / -110u | +200 |
| Indiana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Total Points | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 157 -110o / -110u | -245 |
- Rutgers vs Indiana spread: Indiana -5.5
- Rutgers vs Indiana over/under: 157 points
- Rutgers vs Indiana moneyline: Indiana -245, Rutgers +200
- Rutgers vs Indiana best bet: Indiana -5.5 (Play to -6)
My Rutgers vs Indiana best bet is on the Hoosiers spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Rutgers vs Indiana NCAAB Betting Preview
Both Rutgers and Indiana came into the season with sky high expectations.
The Scarlet Knights added two potential lottery picks in the offseason in freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, and the Hoosiers added massive transfers like Oumar Ballo, Myles Rice and Kanaan Carlyle, among others.
Instead of ranking in the top-25, both teams have been disappointing, even though they've shown some flashes of greatness.
Rutgers lost to Kennesaw State and Princeton and failed to earn a quality win in a stacked Players Era Festival Feast Week tournament.
Meanwhile, Indiana looked disinterested in the Battle 4 Atlantis, getting pummeled by Louisville and Gonzaga. The Hoosiers were also rocked by Nebraska on the road.
So, this is a great opportunity for one of these teams to get right, and I like Indiana in this spot.
Why? Well, first of all, the Scarlet Knights have played just one true road game this season, and that didn't go particularly well. Rutgers was beaten by 14 by Ohio State, which didn't even have Aaron Bradshaw in the lineup.
Remember, the Scarlet Knights are relying heavily on two freshmen, and now Harper and Bailey (as good as they are) are playing in just their second Big Ten road game of their careers.
Rutgers is also not getting enough out of its role players, which is key to winning on the road, especially in the Big Ten. After Harper and Bailey, the Scarlet Knight's second-leading scorers are Jeremiah Williams and Lathan Sommerville at 7.8 points per game.
I'm a bit concerned about Ballo, who didn't play against Winthrop due to an injury. However, Indiana's frontcourt is deep, and not having Ballo may actually open up lanes, shots and the interior for Malik Reneau and Mackenzie Mgbako. Ballo doesn't stretch the floor and sometimes playing him alongside Reneau can be a shaky fit.
I know it seems like a lot of points against a talented Rutgers team, but Big Ten home teams are money, and Indiana is the more experienced and deep squad in this spot.
Pick: Indiana -5.5 (Play to -6)
