Rutgers vs Michigan Basketball Prediction & Picks (2023 Big Ten Tournament)

Today’s first Big Ten Tournament game is more or less a March Madness bubble elimination game, as ninth-seeded Rutgers will face off with ninth-seeded Michigan (12:00 pm ET, BTN).

Following Wednesday’s conference tournament action, ESPN’s latest Bracketology update has the Scarlet Knights as the second of the last four teams in the field of 68. The Wolverines are the fifth team out of the field behind Arizona State, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.

A win for Michigan might not put them into the field, but a loss will ensure they won’t be dancing. And for Rutgers, if they fall at this hurdle, they may be left to rely on help elsewhere to get in.

Who will take the win in today’s opener at the United Center? Read on for our Rutgers vs Michigan prediction and picks.

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Rutgers vs Michigan Odds

Odds are via Bovada Sportsbook as of Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Spread

• Rutgers +3.5 (-110)
• Michigan -3.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 133.5 (-110)
• Under 133.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Rutgers +140
• Michigan -165

Will Michigan Shut Down Rutgers Again?

The only regular season matchup between the Scarlet Knights and Wolverines took place on February 23. In that contest, the Wolverines claiming a 58-45 win in Piscataway.

The loss was part of a rough stretch to close out the regular season for Rutgers, who went 2-6 SU (1-6-1 ATS) from being in a strong position in the March Madness field to squarely on the bubble.

Offensive struggles played a big part of that skid, as they were held to 60 or fewer points six times. When the Scarlet Knights have been held to 60 or fewer points this season, they are 2-6 SU and 1-6-1 ATS.

The bigger concern, however, might be on the defensive end. In the two games in which they scored more than 60 points, they lost at home to Nebraska and at Minnesota, two of the bottom four teams in the Big Ten, by virtue of giving up 82 and 75 points, respectively.

If the Wolverines can reach the 65-point mark, which they did in 22 of 31 games in the regular season, it could be a magic number for them. When they have scored 65 or more points this season, they are 15-7 SU and 15-6-1 ATS.

When Rutgers has allowed 65 or more points, which they did five times in their last eight games and 12 times overall in the regular season, they have gone 1-11 SU and ATS.

The lone SU win was a 73-65 non-conference win over UMass, while the lone ATS win saw them cover as a 5.5-point underdog in a one-point loss at Ohio State.

Rutgers vs Michigan Prediction and Picks

Scarlet Knights vs Wolverines Prediction: Michigan to win

Scarlet Knights vs Wolverines Picks: Michigan -3.5 (Best Value: BetMGM)

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