The Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Michigan is favored by 9.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -470. The total is set at 154.5 points.
Here are my Rutgers vs. Michigan predictions and college basketball picks for February 27, 2025.
Rutgers vs Michigan Prediction
My Pick: Rutgers +9.5
My Rutgers vs Michigan best bet is on the Scarlet Knights 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 Michigan Odds
| Rutgers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -105 | 154.5 -105 / -115 | +360 |
| Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -115 | 154.5 -105 / -115 | -470 |
- Rutgers vs Michigan spread: Michigan -9.5
- Rutgers vs Michigan over/under: 154.5 points
- Rutgers vs Michigan moneyline: Michigan -470, Rutgers +360
- Rutgers vs Michigan best bet: Rutgers +9.5
Spread
I like Rutgers here.
Moneyline
I have no play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I have no play on the total.
My Pick: Rutgers +9.5
Rutgers vs Michigan College Basketball Betting Preview
The Michigan Wolverines are in position to battle for a Big Ten crown in Dusty May's inaugural season in Ann Arbor.
First, he must evade the dangerous roadblock that is Rutgers.
Michigan is fresh off the ugliest possible win it'll net this year, a 49-46 drool fest over Nebraska. A win is a win, but it's yet another victory by four or fewer points for the Wolverines.
That's eight consecutive wins by four or less points, and it's been six weeks since their last victory by five-plus points.
That's not some coincidence; it's a trend.
But why does Michigan struggle to put teams away? The biggest common denominator is turnovers, which is a season-long struggle. The Wolverines have a 20.8% turnover rate this year (334th nationally).
However, since Jan. 13, the day after Michigan's last five-plus point win, it's turned the ball over 19% of the time.
Regardless, the Wolverines' offense has taken a pretty notable hit, dropping to 106th in offensive efficiency. Their shooting from deep has fallen to just 30%.
Of course, Michigan has a clear interior advantage with Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin. Wolf is one of the more unique players in America, but he has his warts. He's a turnover machine and is a bad foul shooter.
If Rutgers can find a way to enhance his weaknesses, that's a great way to keep Michigan's offense in check.
Goldin will be more challenging to stop. Rutgers held him to just 14 points in the first showdown, and the Scarlet Knights turned up the heat on him, forcing four giveaways.
The Scarlet Knights' interior has been a nightmare since Clifford Omoruyi hit the portal this summer, especially on the glass. Opponents have regularly stung Rutgers by creating second chances, and the Scarlet Knights allow an ugly 31% offensive rebounding rate.
Want an even wilder stat? Rutgers is No. 48 in Bart Torvik's rankings since Jan. 13, while Michigan is 51st. Despite being 6-6 compared to Michigan's 8-3, the numbers indicate Rutgers is performing better during that stretch.
Now, how can Rutgers cover the double-digit spread? It begins with the pair of stud top-five projected NBA draft picks, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper.
Harper is coming off back-to-back 25+ point contests, and Bailey is the most boom-or-bust player in America. I do like the matchup for Bailey, as the fairly unathletic Wolf isn't a matchup for Bailey's skilled scoring.
If they can just get production from Jeremiah Williams, Tyson Acuff or Zach Martini, that would be a huge help.
I don't like to look back at prior matchups since circumstances can change so much from one game to another. Plus, playing in Piscataway is different for Rutgers than playing in Ann Arbor. However, Rutgers nearly beat Michigan without Harper.
What happens with him in the lineup? It should make a very real difference versus a team I think belongs near the top of any potential fraud lists.
As long as Rutgers can avoid Michigan's bigs completely bulling it on the glass, it should manage to stay within single digits.
