Rutgers vs Iowa Basketball Prediction & Picks: Will the Hawkeyes avoid a third straight loss?

Iowa will be looking to wrap up a regular season sweep of Rutgers this afternoon as the Hawkeyes (12-8, 4-5 Big Ten) host the Scarlet Knights (14-6, 6-3 Big Ten).

Today’s matchup at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City is set for 2:00 pm ET (1:00 pm CT), and you can catch all of the action on BTN (Big Ten Network).

An up and down season continues for Iowa, who enters today’s game having lost back-to-back games at Ohio State and Michigan State.

But they have won three straight home games in conference play, and they will be looking to make it four in a row against Rutgers, who will be looking to move into sole possession of second in the Big Ten standings with a win, with themselves and Northwestern (15-5, 6-3 Big Ten) tied entering today.

Will the Hawkeyes get things back on track today at home? Read on for our Rutgers vs Iowa basketball prediction, as well as our picks and analysis for this Big Ten tilt.

Rutgers vs Iowa Odds

Odds are via Bovada Sportsbook as of Sunday, January 29, 2023, at 9:30 am ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Rutgers +4 (-110)
• Iowa -4 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 140.5 (-110)
• Under 140.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Rutgers +158
• Iowa -190

Iowa Likely to Bounce Back Offensively Against Rutgers

In Thursday’s 63-61 loss at Michigan State, Iowa led for a large portion of the game, but they were ultimately hamstrung by struggles from the perimeter and the foul line.

They shot 45.6% (26 of 57) from the field, which is actually a shade higher than their percentage for the season (45.5%).

But while they made 57.5% (23 of 40) of their two-point shots, they were only 3 of 17 (17.6%) from three.

Even more glaring in a two-point loss is the seven misses in 13 attempts from the charity stripe. That is the first time the Hawkeyes had shot below 50% from the foul line in a game since March 6 of last year, when they made 10 of 22 in a two-point loss at Illinois.

It’s unlikely that we will see Iowa struggle similarly offensively against Rutgers, even though the Scarlet Knights are second in the country in defensive efficiency, behind only Tennessee.

Since the start of the 2019-20 season, the Hawkeyes have failed to score 70+ points in back-to-back games only once. That also occurred last season, when they suffered a 48-46 loss at Rutgers then beat Penn State 68-51 at home in their next game.

Even if they fail to reach the 70-point mark, the outlook is positive if they can even manage to just score more than 65 points. Rutgers has allowed more than 65 points only five times this season, but those five games account for five of their six losses.

If the Hawkeyes can keep the Scarlet Knights under 70, it also bodes well for their chances. Iowa is 7-2 this season when they have allowed under 70 points, with a loss at Nebraska in addition to Thursday’s loss at Michigan State.

Rutgers vs Iowa Prediction and Picks

Rutgers vs Iowa Prediction: Iowa to win

Rutgers vs Iowa Picks: Iowa to cover (Best Value: Iowa -3.5 @ BetMGM) & Iowa team total over 72.5 (Best Value: Bovada Sportsbook)

When these two teams met in Piscataway three weeks ago, Iowa won 76-65, thanks to 12 three-pointers and a game-high 22 points by Payton Sandfort.

That points total remain the most anyone has scored against Rutgers this season. And the previous time that the Scarlet Knights allowed 75+ points in regulation also came against Iowa, in an 84-74 loss to the Hawkeyes in the Big Ten tournament last season.

It’s been quite the rollercoaster ride with Iowa this season, so I would recommend exercising caution when it comes to how much you put on them. That said, I feel confident about putting a small amount on my two picks here.