Northwestern Wildcats vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Prediction – Feb 15, 2024
The college basketball season continues to deliver some great matchups every single night, and that is going to be the case in the Big Ten Conference again on Thursday night. The Northwestern Wildcats are set to visit the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in what should be a terrific game.
Northwestern has been a tough team to figure out this season as they are coming into this game with a record of 17-7. The Wildcats have some momentum after winning two straight games, but they have struggled to win on the road.
Rutgers has had a disappointing season up to this point as they have gone just 13-10 to begin the year. Momentum is something that the Scarlet Knights have as well as they have rattled off three straight wins.
The betting spread for this game is tight as well, but it is Rutgers that is coming into this game as a 3.5-point betting favorite.
Wildcats Have Some Stars
The Northwestern Wildcats might not be as deep as some of the other teams in the Big Ten Conference, but they do have some of the best players in the league. Boo Bouie is one of those players, and he is scoring 18.8 points per game to lead the Wildcats this season.
Northwestern is scoring nearly 75 points per game so far this season, and they are capable of making enough shots to spread a game out. The Wildcats will have to find some interior scoring at some point as well, but that’s not one of their strengths.
This team has a big advantage when it comes to offense on Thursday night, but they can also win a defensive battle. Northwestern is allowing just 70 points per game, and they will make things difficult for the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers Struggling to Shoot
The shooting numbers for Rutgers this season have been tough to look at as this team is making less than 40 percent of their field goal attempts. That is a big reason for their struggles, and they just don’t have any real weapons from the perimeter.
Forward Aundre Hyatt is leading the team with 11.3 points per game, but he is someone that still needs to work on finishing around the rim. Rutgers does have a size advantage in the paint in this game, and that is something that they must take advantage of.
The Scarlet Knights have been a solid defensive team this season as they are allowing just 65 points per game. Rutgers will slow down the tempo in this one, but at some point they have to put the ball in the basket.
Wildcats Win Huge Road Game
Both of these teams have been playing some good basketball of late, but neither team is at the top of the Big Ten Conference standings. This should be a low-scoring affair on Thursday night, and that will keep the game tight.
Rutgers just hasn’t been able to make enough shots from the perimeter this season, and that is going to be an issue in this game as well. Northwestern does have some players capable of scoring points in a hurry, and that will be the difference.
Take the Northwestern Wildcats at +140 on the moneyline as they will come up with a big win in this game.
