Minnesota vs. Rutgers Predictions, Odds

• February 4, 2021
• By Joe Williams
• VegasInsider.com

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (11-6) hit the road to battle the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-6) on Thursday evening. Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. ET at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, N.J.

BETTING RESOURCES

• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Conference: Big Ten
• Venue: Rutgers Athletic Center
• Location: Piscataway, New Jersey
• Date: Thursday, February 4, 2021
• Time: 9:00 p.m.
• TV: FS1
• Bet: BetMGM | FanDuel | FOXBet |DraftKings | Best Sportsbooks

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Minnesota-Rutgers Betting Odds

• Spread: Rutgers -5.5
• Money-Line: TBD
• Total: 139.5

Odds Subject to Change

The Gophers hit the road as 5.5-point underdogs with a total set at 139.5. Minnesota opened at 6.5-point underdogs, while the total started out at 138.

Minnesota slides in on a two-game losing streak, dropping each of the past two at Purdue and at home against Maryland by an average of 16.5 points per game. They're also in the thros of a 1-4 SU/ATS skid. One of the most consistent things about the Gophers has been their work on totals, hitting the 'under' in seven of the past eight outings.

The last time the Gophers were an underdog of 5.5 points, they won outright against Michigan on Jan. 16, blowing the doors off the Wolverines by a 75-57 score, their only victory in the past five.

The Scarlet Knights are on a three-game heater, and they have covered each of the past three outings, too. The win streak comes on the heels of a five-game losing streak and 0-4 ATS slide, as it is has been a season of ups and downs for Rutgers to date.

Rutgers embarrassed Michigan State on Jan. 28 in their most recent showing at the RAC, winning 67-37 as four-point favorites as the 'under' (141.5) cashed. The 'under' is on a 4-1 run for the Scarlet Knights, and the under is 6-2 across the past eight for Rutgers.

Betting Analysis – Minnesota Golden Gophers

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

• SU: 11-6
• ATS: 7-9-1
• SU - Home: 11-1
• SU - Away: 0-5
• O/U: 8-9

The Golden Gophers are in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten. While they're an impressive 11-1 SU at home, they are 0-5 SU/ATS on the road this season. They were roughed up at Purdue, 81-61, in their most recent away battle. One of the bright spots in that loss was the play of 7-foot center Liam Robbins, who swatted six shots while adding 15 points and seven rebounds.

Robbins is second on the team with 13.4 PPG while leading the way with 6.9 RPG and 2.8 BPG. Guard Marcus Carr leads the way with 20.0 PPG and he has chipped in with 5.2 APG and 4.1 RPG while also adding 1.2 SPG.

Minnesota has been rather middling on offense with 76.1 PPG to rank 83rd nationally. They have really struggled with just a 40.7 field-goal percentage (310th) and 29.9 3-pointer percentage (307th).

Defensively, the Gophers have coughed up 72.9 PPG to rank 243rd in the nation, and they have allowed a field-goal percentage of 42.3 and 3-pointer percentage of 33.2.

Betting Analysis – Rutgers Scarlet Knights

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

• SU: 10-6
• ATS: 7-3
• SU - Home: 7-3
• SU - Away: 3-3
• O/U: 3-3

Rutgers has dropped three of the past four games at home, although setbacks to the likes of Wisconsin, Ohio State and Iowa is nothing to be embarrassed about.

With its win at Northwestern on Jan. 31 last time out, the Scarlet Knights tied a season high with a third consecutive cover. When Rutgers wins, it does it with defense. They have allowed a total of just 93 points across the past two games, including a season-best 37 against Michigan State on Jan. 28.

In the win over the Wildcats, Ron Harper Jr. scored 13 points and Geo Baker registered 12 points, while Jacob Young came off the bench to pace the team with 19 points.

Harper Jr. leads the team with 17.3 PPG, one of three scorers with a double-digit scoring average this season. He is also second on the team with 6.2 RPG, with Myles Johnson leading the way with 8.8 boards per outing. Johnson also leads the way with 2.3 BPG.

Inside the Stats – Minnesota Golden Gophers

• PS/G: 76.1 (83rd)
• PA/G: 72.9 (242nd)
• Off Rtg: 104.9 (117th)
• Def Rtg: 100.5 (216th)

Inside the Stats – Rutgers Scarlet Knights

• PS/G: 72.4 (159th)
• PA/G: 68.1 (122nd)
• Off Rtg: 104.1 (130th)
• Def Rtg: 97.8 (147th)

Key Players to Watch

• MINN - Marcus Carr (20 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.2 APG)
• MINN - Liam Robbins (13.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG)
• RUTG - Ron Harper, Jr. (17.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG)
• RUTG - Jacob Young (14.6 PPG)

Minnesota-Rutgers Predictions

The Golden Gophers have really struggled on the road, and there is no reason to back them and believe a turnaround is in order against a tough team. Minnesota is 0-6 ATS across the past six on the road, and 1-4 ATS in the past five games overall.

The Scarlet Knights have posted a 5-2-1 ATS mark across the past eight games at home, and they're 21-8-1 ATS in the past 30 games overall against teams with a winning straight up record dating back to last season. They're faring much better against the number lately than their counterparts.

The 'under' has hit in seven of the past eight for Minnesota, while going an impressive 25-11-1 in the past 37 on the road. The 'under' is also 4-1 in the previous five for Rutgers, and 4-0 ATS in their past four following a cover. That makes the 'under' look very, very appealing.

• Score Prediction: Rutgers 72, Minnesota 65
• Best Bets: Rutgers -5.5
• Best Bets: Under 139.5

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