Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-10) vs. Michigan Wolverines (7-14)
February 3, 2024 4:00 pm EDT
The Line: Michigan Wolverines -3.5 ; Over/Under: -
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The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Michigan Wolverines meet Saturday in college basketball action from Crisler Center. Rutgers is coming off a Wednesday matchup with Penn State. In that one the Scarlet Knights fell to 10-10 with a loss. As for Michigan, they’re sitting at 7-14 overall following a loss to Michigan State. Let’s get into our Rutgers vs. Michigan prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Scarlet Knights managed an 8-4 run over their first 12 games this year, losing to Princeton, Illinois, Wake Forest and Mississippi State in that time. Rutgers went 2-5 in the next seven outings with losses to Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan State, Illinois and Purdue (with wins over Indiana and Nebraska).
On Wednesday versus Penn State, the Knights were able to keep pace in the first half but fell apart after halftime on a 35-22 deficit in a 61-46 defeat. Leading the team off the bench were Gavin Griffiths with 11 points and Jamichael Davis with 10 points and four rebounds.
Michigan Wolverines
Over on the Wolverines’ side, they were only able to go 6-5 over their first 11 games, then hit a losing streak versus Florida, McNeese, Minnesota, Penn State and Maryland. After a win over Ohio State, Michigan lost to Illinois, Purdue, Iowa and Michigan State in their next four outings.
Matched up against Michigan State back on Tuesday, the Wolverines were able to post a 35-33 edge going into the second half. Michigan was drilled 48-27 the rest of the way however and lost 81-62 in the end. Top scorer Jaelin Llewellyn posted 18 points with three rebounds and one assist.
ANDREW’S FREE RUTGERS VS MICHIGAN PREDICTION
I’m staying with Rutgers. The Knights absolutely have to get their offense going, though. Rutgers posted another dud on the scoreboard on Wednesday versus Penn State, shooting 34 percent from the field and an abysmal 1-of-17 (5.9 percent) from outside. Making matters worse, the Knights missed half their free throws (11-of-22), posted 20 turnovers and got out-rebounded 40-32. It was a truly ugly game.
As for Michigan, they faded in the second half of their latest loss but didn’t rebound too badly (34) along the way. The Wolverines have given up a ton of points lately—81 or more in four straight games—but to be fair they’ve also taken on some tough teams. Still, if Rutgers wakes up offensively I think the Knights can keep the cover pace. I’m not touching this one, though.
