The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-3, 1-1 Big 10) will be at Pinnacle Bank Arena to meet the Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-7, 1-1 Big 10) in a Big 10 matchup. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, January 3, 2020.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Odds
Both teams won big over their last opponent. The Cornhuskers defeated the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders 73-52, while the Scarlet Knights beat the Caldwell Cougars 94-49.
Rutgers played a nearly perfect game. They had a solid effective field goal percentage of 0.594 (above their season average of 0.509) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 44.4 (above their season average of 34.4). For those same stats, Caldwell was 0.327 and 25.0, respectively. The Cornhuskers, meanwhile, knocked down 20 of their 28 free throws (71.4 percent), while the Islanders had a turnover percentage of 23.4 (above the 15.9 mark opponents have averaged against Nebraska this season). Nebraska received a boost from Yvan Ouedraogo, who put up 11 points and 14 rebounds. Meanwhile, Jacob Young played a key role for Rutgers with 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
This series was highly contested last year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. The Cornhuskers won the last game 68-61. Nebraska had a much better turnover percentage (12.0 vs. 29.0). Rutgers, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.0 vs. 17.6). This will be the first meeting of the year between these two teams.
It will be a battle of conflicting styles as the up-tempo Cornhuskers (ranked 25th in the country in possessions per game) will look to push the more grind-it-out Scarlet Knights (254th in possessions per game). Also, the Scarlet Knights are among the nation’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 46th in offensive rebounding percentage (35.2 percent). The Cornhuskers, meanwhile, rank 339th at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 64.9 percent.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Nebraska, ATS Winner – Nebraska, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Rutgers ranks 38th in rebounds per game (41.0) while Nebraska ranks 269th in rebounds allowed per game (47.0).
- The Cornhuskers average 14.3 assists per game, which ranks 85th in the nation. The Scarlet Knights rank 105th in assists allowed per game (11.8).
- The Scarlet Knights rank 127th in three pointers allowed per game (22.2) while the Cornhuskers rank 241st (26.4).
- Rutgers averages 5.0 blocks per game, which ranks 52nd in the nation. Nebraska ranks 153rd in blocks allowed per game (4.8).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Cornhuskers have scored an average of 76.6 points per game (2.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 74.8 points per game (0.1 below their season average).
- The Scarlet Knights’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 15.8, up from 13.8 for the season.
