Minnesota vs Rutgers Odds, Picks: NCAAB Wednesday Betting Preview

Minnesota vs Rutgers Odds

Wednesday, Feb. 1

8:30 p.m. ET

Big Ten Network

Minnesota Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
+15.5 -110	124.5 -110o / -110u	+800

Rutgers Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
-15.5 -110	124.5 -110o / -110u	-1400

Odds via Caesars. Get up-to-the-minute college basketball odds here.

After Sunday's stunningly poor defensive effort, the Scarlet Knights will look to rebound at the RAC on Wednesday evening as they take on the Golden Gophers of Minnesota.

Minnesota is coming off a poor effort itself, as it suffered a 20-point defeat at Northwestern.

If you're into old school Big Ten basketball, this will be the epitome of a snail's race. Both of these teams rank in the bottom third of the country in pace, so if you're looking for some fireworks, I would probably advise you to look elsewhere.

This might be an ugly watch as a college basketball junkie, but every man's trash is another man's treasure.

Thanks to the porous efforts of both defensive units in their last games, I think there is some real value to be found here.

Let's breakdown this matchup between Minnesota and Rutgers and see what the betting approach will be.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

It seems like it was ages ago when Marcus Carr was lighting up the box score each night for the Golden Gophers. To put it nicely, the basketball program has been nothing short of disappointment since the star guard transferred to Texas.

Minnesota comes into this matchup at 7-13 overall, with a horrendous 1-9 Big Ten record.

The lone bright spot of this season has been Jamison Battle, who is coming off a nice 20-point performance in the loss to Northwestern.

This is such a tough spot for Minnesota, especially given how incredible Rutgers has performed at home (12-2).

If the tough matchup didn't scare you enough, just take a look at the Gophers' underlying team metrics. Per KenPom, they rank 296th in Adjusted Tempo and 192nd in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency.

We all know how good Rutgers has been defensively this season (second in defensive efficiency, only trailing Tennessee), and now the Gophers have to enter arguably the toughest venue to play in the Big Ten.

If Minnesota has any prayer of winning this game, Battle will have to go for 40 and get some help from Ta'lon Cooper, who is closing in on 1,000 career points.

There is no way I can see myself backing the Gophers, unless the number inflates dramatically.

The must-have app for college basketball bettors

The best NCAAB betting scoreboard

Free picks from proven pros

Live win probabilities for your bets

DOWNLOAD NOW

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

After an uncharacteristically poor defensive effort on Sunday, I strongly believe that the Scarlet Knights are going to be fired up to bounce back at the RAC.

Rutgers gave up a season-high 93 points in the loss to Iowa, which was something nobody expected to happen.

Despite this, Rutgers remains the second-highest defensive efficiency team in the country.

We spoke about Minnesota's slow tempo, but Rutgers isn't much faster, as it ranks 220th in the country, per KenPom.

With Minnesota already depleted with injuries, I see no reason as to why Rutgers can't bounce back defensively here.

Fueled by an electric home court, I expect Steve Pikiell's squad to come out on fire.

I always like backing motivated teams with postseason aspirations after an uncharacteristic loss, so I definitely can see myself laying the points with Rutgers here.

Expect a big day from big man Clifford Omoruyi, as I think Minnesota will have a really hard time scoring inside and grabbing offensive rebounds.

Minnesota vs Rutgers Betting Pick

With Minnesota continuing to sputter, I think it's at the point that it's given up. In normal circumstances, I'd definitely look to eat the points with Rutgers here, but considering it's an average team offensively, it could be tough to cover a bigger number — despite how efficient it is defensively.

Not only that, I think the market may not adjust the total as efficiently thanks to the recent performances by both teams.

To me, the play in this game is the under all the way, but I don't blame you if you want to swallow the points with the Scarlet Knights here.

Expect a loud home crowd to juice up Rutgers' defensive effort.

Your family. Your Religion. And Rutgers Basketball.

Pick: Under 124.5 (Play to 122)

Back the Under Instantly at FanDuel with QuickSlip