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College Basketball

Rutgers vs. Michigan Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read

Feb. 18, 2021
David Schwab
NCAA BK Expert
VegasInsider.com

Thursday night’s Big Ten clash between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines is set for 9 p.m. (ET) from Crisler Center. FS1 will carry the game nationally.

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Rutgers-Michigan Betting Odds

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Line Movements

  • Spread: Michigan -6
  • Money-Line: Michigan -500 Rutgers +400
  • Total: 136.5

Odds Subject to Change

The opening betting spread for Thursday night’s tilt listed Michigan as a 10-point home favorite. The total line for the game opened at 136.5 points.

Rutgers has strung together five straight-up victories in its last six games with the lone loss coming against Iowa on the road. It has covered against the spread in four of the six games.

The total has stayed UNDER in four of its last five outings. The Scarlet Knights are looking to snap a SU nine-game losing streak against Michigan while going 2-7 ATS. The total stayed UNDER in six of the nine meetings.

The Wolverines have just one SU loss on the year against 14 victories. They are an equally impressive 12-3 ATS this season. The total has stayed UNDER in five of their last six games.

Michigan has a SU 11-game winning streak at home. It is 8-1 ATS in its last nine Big Ten games.


Michigan enters its home game against conference foe Rutgers winning 14 of 15 games this season, covering 12 times. (AP)

Betting Analysis – Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 12-7
  • ATS: 9-9-1
  • SU - Home: 9-3
  • SU - Away: 3-4
  • O/U: 9-9-1

The duo of guard Ron Harper Jr. and center Myles Johnson combined for 26 points and 25 rebounds in Rutgers’ 65-50 victory against Northwestern on Saturday as an eight-point home favorite.

Harper has been the team’s leading scorer all season long with 16.2 points per game. He is shooting 45.6% from the field but just 32.7% from three-point range. Johnson is adding 8.5 PPG with a team-high 8.8 rebounds.

The Scarlet Knights, as a team, are scoring 71.8 points a game with 36.3 rebounds. They are shooting 46.1% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range.

On defense, Rutgers gave up 79 points on the road in a loss to Iowa after outscoring Minnesota 76-72 on Feb. 4 in a win at home. Its points-allowed average this season is 67.9.

Betting Analysis – Michigan Wolverines

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 14-1
  • ATS: 12-3
  • SU - Home: 10-0
  • SU - Away: 4-1
  • O/U: 7-8

Michigan showed little signs of rust in Sunday’s seven-point road win against Wisconsin in a game that closed as a PICK. The team had been idle for three weeks due to health protocols.

Forward Isaiah Livers (15.0 points) and center Hunter Dickinson (14.9 points) have been the Wolverines’ top two scorers. Livers shot 50% from the field while scoring 20 points in his return against Wisconsin. He has been converting on 49% of his shots from the field this year.

Dickinson ended Saturday’s game with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Michigan scored 67 points against the Badgers which was noticeably lower that its 78.9-point scoring average.

However, it held Wisconsin to 59 points which was also lower than its points-against average of 64.9.


Inside the Stats – Rutgers Scarlet Knights

  • PS/G: 71.8 (170th)
  • PA/G: 67.9 (110th)
  • Off Rtg: 104.4 (132nd)
  • Def Rtg: 98.6 (153rd)

Inside the Stats – Michigan Wolverines

  • PS/G: 78.9 (40th)
  • PA/G: 64.9 (51st)
  • Off Rtg: 113.2 (18th)
  • Def Rtg: 93.2 (41st)

Key Players to Watch

  • RUTG - Ron Harper, Jr. (16.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG)
  • RUTG - Jacob Young (14.1 PPG)
  • MICH - Isaiah Livers (15 PPG, 6.1 RPG)
  • MICH - Hunter Dickinson (14.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG)

Rutgers-Michigan Predictions

Rutgers has been playing better lately. Yet, it will be in a tough spot this Thursday on the road against the best team in the Big Ten this season. The Wolverines proved the three-week layoff did not slow down their momentum. This should keep things rolling with another victory both SU and ATS.

It could take one more game to fully restore Michigan’s scoring potential to open the door to a play on the UNDER in this matchup. Look for the Wolverines to once again rely more heavily on their defense to get the win.

  • Score Prediction: Michigan 71 Rutgers 61
  • Best Bets: Michigan -6
  • Best Bets: UNDER

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