Rutgers vs. Michigan Preview: Betting Odds and Prediction

Rutgers (18-13 SU 17-14 ATS) vs. Michigan (17-14 SU 16-14 ATS)
When: Thursday, March 9th: 12:00 ET
Where: United Center Chicago, IL
TV: BTN
Point Spread:RU +3.5/UM -3.5
Total: 133.0
Money Line: Rutgers Scarlet Knights +141/Michigan Wolverines -175

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights will face off against the Michigan Wolverines at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The current point spread for the game is RU +3.5/UM -3.5, with a total of 133.0. The game will be televised on BTN.

Line Movement

The Wolverines hit the board as a slight -2.5 favorite, but the early betting action has driven the line up to Michigan -3.5. The total opened at 133 and has fallen to 132.5 at most betting sites.

Last Game Info

Going into their last game, Rutgers was the betting favorite at -5 but fell to Northwestern by a score of 65-53. The combined 118 points did not surpass the 127.5 total line.

Michigan lost to Indiana in their last game by a score of 75-73. But because the Wolverines were +3.5 point underdogs, they finished with an ATS win. The combined 148 points finished above the 145 total line.

Current Form

Rutgers
Over their last five games, Rutgers has a straight-up record of 2-3 while going 2-3 vs. the spread. Over this stretch, the Scarlet Knight’s offense averages 57.8 points per game while hitting 41.1% of their shots from the field. On the defensive end of the floor, they have allowed opponents to shoot 41.2% from the field while allowing 62.2 points per contest.

Michigan
In their previous five contests, Michigan is 3-2 straight-up and 5-0 vs. the spread. In these five games, they have a scoring average of 77.8 points per game on a shooting percentage of 44.9%. Defensively, they allow teams to hit 43.1% of their shots while giving up 72.4 points per game.

Average Power Rating Of Opponents Played

This season, the combined power rating of Rutgers’ opponents comes in at 82.9. On the other side, Michigan’s combined opponent power rating sits at 84.2.

How Does Rutgers Fare On The Road?

For the season, the Scarlet Knights have played 12 road games and have a record of 4-8. In these contests, Rutgers is 5-7 vs. the spread. Offensively, they have averaged 64.4 points per game on a shooting percentage of 42.0%. On defense, the Scarlet Knights allow 68.2 points per contest when playing away from home. So far, opposing teams have a field goal percentage of 43.5% in these games.

How Does Michigan Fare At Home?

In their 16 games at home, Michigan has an 8-7 record vs. the spread while going 12-4 straight-up. On offense, the Wolverines are shooting 46.4% on their home floor, leading to 75.8 points per game. Defensively, opponents are shooting 41.6% in these contests. The Michigan defense is allowing 67.2 points per game at home.

Offense vs. Defense

For the season, Rutgers is averaging 67.9 points per game (302nd) while posting an overall field goal percentage of 44.3%. In today’s game, they will be matched up against a Michigan defense that has allowed an average of 69.6 points per contest. This year, opponents have hit 43.1% of their shots vs. Michigan. On the other side, the Michigan Wolverines are coming into the game averaging 73.0 points per game on a shooting percentage of 46.8%. The Wolverines will be facing a defensive unit allowing an average of 60.4 points per contest. So far, teams have hit 39.4% of their shots vs. the Scarlet Knights.

Three-Point Shooting

From beyond the arc, Rutgers has a shooting percentage of 33.6% while ranking 569th in attempts per game. The Scarlet Knights will be facing a Michigan defense that has a 3-point field goal shooting percentage allowed of 33.2%. Michigan enters the game, having hit 34.0% of their looks from deep while averaging 6.35 made 3’s per game. On the other end, Rutgers has allowed opponents to hit 30.4% of their shots from beyond the arc.

Injuries Of Note

Rutgers

• Mawot Mag (Out) Knee

Michigan

• Jaelin Llewellyn (Out) Knee
• Isaiah Barnes (Out) Undisclosed

Pick Against The Spread

The Wolverines have dropped two straight, and while both were away from Crisler Center, they played well in both, losing by four in overtime to Illinois and by two in OT to Indiana. They won three straight before that, including a 58-45 road beat down of Rutgers. Speaking of the Scarlet Knights. They’ve lost six of their last eight after starting 8-4 in Big Ten play. Rut does play a lot of close games, but I think their lack of offense in recent games – 57.8 PPG L5 on 41.1 shooting will allow Mich to extend the margin. Take Michigan -3.5