The Michigan Wolverines will be a bit shorthanded in tonight’s game against Rutgers. Head Coach Juwan Howard has been suspended for the rest of the regular season for throwing a punch and starting a brawl after a loss to Wisconsin.
Michigan will also be without Moussa Diabate and Terrance Williams II and will rely on former Saint Joseph’s great Phil Martelli as head coach moving forward.
Meanwhile, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, like Michigan, are currently on the bubble for an NCAA Tournament appearance. Michigan has underachieved this season while Rutgers continues to be hot and cold this year.
Can Michigan pick up a win without Howard on the sidelines? Here are our college basketball picks and predictions for Rutgers vs. Michigan on Wednesday, February 23.
Rutgers vs Michigan odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
Michigan opened as a 5.5-point favorite and hasn’t moved since, despite the Wolverines being shorthanded. The total, however, has moved from 134.5 to 135.5 at most outlets.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until tip-off and be sure to check out the full college basketball odds before placing your bets.
Rutgers vs Michigan predictions
Predictions made on 2/23/2022 at 8:00 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Rutgers vs Michigan game info
• Location: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI
• Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Big Ten Network
Rutgers at Michigan betting preview
Injuries
Rutgers: No injuries to report.
Michigan: Terrance Williams II F (Out), Moussa Diabate F (Out).
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Scarlet Knights are 5-0-1 ATS in their last six games overall. Find more NCAA betting trends for Rutgers vs. Michigan.
Rutgers vs Michigan picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
As of late, things have kind of clicked for Rutgers. When there was a very low probability of making the NCAA Tournament, Rutgers went on to win four straight games against ranked opponents, including a road win against Wisconsin and an 11-point win over Illinois.
The offense isn’t anything special, but has been improving as of late. The Scarlet Knights are shooting a 49.6% effective field goal percentage while hitting 48.9% from inside and 34.1% from outside. At the line, the Scarlet Knights are knocking down 71.1% of shots and offensive rebounding has been solid this year, with Rutgers earning 30.6%.
Turnovers are never a big problem for Rutgers, and with Michigan forcing under 15% per game, it should stay that way. However, the Wolverines have been effective on the defensive glass, holding opponents to 23.7% offensive rebounds this season.
Teams are also shooting just 30.7% from downtown against Michigan but 50.8% inside the arc.
On the other hand, Michigan’s offense has been above-average. The Wolverines are shooting an effective field goal percentage of 52.2% while knocking down 33.3% from inside and 53.3% from outside.
Rutgers will likely earn more turnovers, although, Michigan only turns the ball over 17.4% of the time.
Most offenses also have trouble finding shots early against Rutgers. Opponents are using 18.8 seconds per possession on offense against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights make you work for every point and match up well against Michigan.
I’ll take the points with Rutgers.
Prediction: Rutgers +5.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
Again, teams are struggling to find early success against Rutgers consistently this season. The Scarlet Knights are holding opponents to 34.3% from deep and 46% from inside the arc.
While Michigan is very capable of scoring from long range, the Wolverines would much rather bang around inside. And that’s where Rutgers plays its best defense.
Meanwhile, both teams should be able to win the defensive glass, holding their opponents to low offensive rebounding rates.
I like the Under here.
Prediction: Under 135.5 (-110)
Best bet
I don’t love betting road teams in the Big Ten and we know how fired up the Michigan faithful will be. However, Rutgers has simply been the better team recently.
Michigan just lost to Wisconsin by 16 on the road while Rutgers came away with a win against them, also on the road. Of course, Michigan is capable of beating any Big Ten team, just like Rutgers, but the Scarlet Knights will more than likely stick around in this game.
Pick: Rutgers +5.5 (-110)
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