Michigan Wolverines vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Pick & Predictions

Michigan Wolverines (8-20 SU, 7-20 ATS) vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (14-13 SU, 12-15 ATS)

When: Thursday, February 29th, 8:30 PM (ET)

Where: Jersey Mike’s Arena, NJ, Piscataway

TV: FS1

Point Spread: MICH +7/RUTGER -7

Total: 137.5

Money Line: Michigan Wolverines +228/-291

Notable Injuries

Wolverines

• Jaelin Llewellyn (Questionable) Knee
• Olivier Nkamhoua (Out) Wrist
• Ian Burns (Out) Undisclosed
• Cooper Smith (Out) Undisclosed

Scarlet Knights

Recent Form

Michigan is coming off an 84-76 loss to Purdue, and the Wolverines have now lost five straight games. They are 8-20 overall and just 3-14 in Big Ten play.

On the road this season, Michigan is 2-8, and they have lost seven straight games away from home. For the year, the Wolverines are being outscored by an average of 10.4 points per game on the road.

This season, the over/under record for Michigan games is 15-12. On average, their games have finished with 153.5 points, while today’s over/under line is set at 137.5. So far, 23 of their games have finished with more points than today’s OU line. In their last three games, the over/under record is 1-2, and the average scoring total in those games is 144 points.

Against the spread, Michigan’s record this season is a dismal 7-20. On the road, the Wolverines are just 2-8 vs. the spread. Over their last 10 games as the underdog, Michigan has gone 2-8 vs. the spread.

As a favorite, Rutgers has gone 10-4 this season. They are 11-6 at home and 6-4 in their last 10 games at home. On the year, they have a scoring differential of +4.9 points per game at home.

Rutgers has lost three games in a row and is 14-13 overall. They are 6-10 in Big Ten play and 8-3 in non-conference games.

Today’s over/under line of 137.5 is lower than the average over/under line in Rutgers’ games this season (136.8). So far, 19 of their games have finished with fewer points than today’s line. Over their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1, and the average scoring total is 141 points.

As the favorite this season, Rutgers has gone just 6-8 vs. the spread. In their last 10 games as the favorite, the Scarlet Knights have a record of 4-6 vs. the spread. At home, Rutgers is 8-9 vs. the spread this season and just 4-6 vs. the spread in their last 10 home games.

Analysis

The Wolverines’ offense wrapped up their last game with 76 points, aligning closely with their current season average of 74.8 points per contest. The team’s top scorer is Olivier Nkamhoua, who comes into today’s matchup with an average of 14.8, while Dug McDaniel also maintains a PPG average of 16.7 leading up to the game.

Coming into the game, Michigan will be looking to improve their defense, as they are currently giving up 79.0 points per game (302nd). The Michigan defense is coming off a game in which they gave up a total of 84 points and allowed Purdue to connect on 9 threes.

The Rutgers offense is coming off a game in which they scored 46 points vs. Maryland. Overall, their field goal percentage was 37% while connecting on 2 threes. In terms of offense, the Scarlet Knights have a season-long field goal percentage of 39%, putting them 395th in the NCAA. Regarding three-pointers, they are ranked 385th in percentage and 336th in three-pointers made.

Currently, the Scarlet Knights’ defense holds the 43rd rank in the nation, allowing 66.4 points per game. On average, opposing teams are hitting 7.1 threes per game vs. Michigan. This has come on a three-point shooting percentage of 32.1%.

Betting Trends

• Across the Wolverines’ last three road games, the team averaged 63 points per game while allowing 84. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 0-3, while going 0-3 straight-up.
• Across the Scarlet Knights last ten home games, the team averaged 65 points per game while allowing 74. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 4-6, while going 3-7 straight-up.
• Going back to their last three games as the underdog, the Wolverines have a straight up record of 0-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 1-2.
• Going back to their last three games as the favorite, the Scarlet Knights have a straight up record of 1-2. But, their mark vs the spread was just 0-3.

Crew’s Pick To Cover The Spread

The Wolverines havent won a road game since December 10th against Iowa. Theyre shorthanded on offense with F Olivier Nkamhoua who was the teams leading scorer in their previous match-up against the Scarlet Knights out and G Jaelin Llewellyn iffy to play tonight. The spread is a little higher than Id like to lay with an offensively challenged team, but Michigan lost all of its true Big Ten road games by more than todays 6.5-point spread and its last four by 14 or greater points. Take Rutgers -6.5.