PREMIUM
RUTGERS ML: NCAAB BEST BET
(NCAAB) Boilermakers (PUR) vs. Scarlet Knights (RUTG),
Money Line: 110.00 Scarlet Knights (RUTG) (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: 110.00 Scarlet Knights (RUTG) (Home)
Result: Loss
This is a must-win game for Rutgers after an 8-7 start that has it in danger of falling out of the NCAA Tournament picture. The Scarlet Knights are no pushovers, though, and with two top-5 future NBA lottery picks, they shouldn't be overlooked, especially at the RAC, a small, old-school venue that gets extremely loud. Purdue has been on the wrong end of upsets in Piscataway, most notably when the Boilermakers lost 70-68 as the #1 team in the country in December 2021.
While the results haven't been great for Rutgers this season, there have been encouraging signs. The future pros, F Ace Bailey (19.1 PPG and 7.6 RPG) and G Dylan Harper (21.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 4.5 APG), have both had eyebrow-raising performances, with Bailey dropping 39 points vs. Indiana two games ago and Harper notching consecutive 30-plus point performances vs. Notre Dame and Alabama in late November. While the latter has been dealing with the flu, sidelining him completely vs. the Hoosiers and limiting him to zero points in 15 minutes on Monday vs. Wisconsin, he should be rested and ready to compete on Thursday.
Purdue isn't a threat to win the national title, as it was a season ago. It really struggled in its two biggest road tests, losing by 18 at Marquette and by 11 at Penn State. Its only other road win came against Minnesota, and while it won that game easily, it was a one-point game at the half. The Gophers aren't nearly as talented as the Scarlet Knights, who will put the Boilermakers to the test. Purdue ranks 311th in the nation in Haslametrics.com's consistency metric, while Rutgers ranks 3rd. The Boilermakers are also 314th nationally in the website's Paper Tiger Factor, which essentially means that Purdue plays better against inferior competition and comes up short in big spots.
I believe Rutgers can and should win this game. The Knights should fare well on the offensive boards and they rank 31st in second-chance scoring conversion rate. I expect them to shoot a high percentage at the rim and push the tempo (52nd in tempo) against slow-paced Purdue (292nd in tempo). Bailey and Harper should play well, as they'll be motivated to "save the season" against a big-time opponent. As long as the Knights don't allow the Boilermakers to rain three-pointers all game, they have enough offensive juice to put pressure on Purdue to score with them.
Bet on the Rutgers ML at plus odds on Thursday!
While the results haven't been great for Rutgers this season, there have been encouraging signs. The future pros, F Ace Bailey (19.1 PPG and 7.6 RPG) and G Dylan Harper (21.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 4.5 APG), have both had eyebrow-raising performances, with Bailey dropping 39 points vs. Indiana two games ago and Harper notching consecutive 30-plus point performances vs. Notre Dame and Alabama in late November. While the latter has been dealing with the flu, sidelining him completely vs. the Hoosiers and limiting him to zero points in 15 minutes on Monday vs. Wisconsin, he should be rested and ready to compete on Thursday.
Purdue isn't a threat to win the national title, as it was a season ago. It really struggled in its two biggest road tests, losing by 18 at Marquette and by 11 at Penn State. Its only other road win came against Minnesota, and while it won that game easily, it was a one-point game at the half. The Gophers aren't nearly as talented as the Scarlet Knights, who will put the Boilermakers to the test. Purdue ranks 311th in the nation in Haslametrics.com's consistency metric, while Rutgers ranks 3rd. The Boilermakers are also 314th nationally in the website's Paper Tiger Factor, which essentially means that Purdue plays better against inferior competition and comes up short in big spots.
I believe Rutgers can and should win this game. The Knights should fare well on the offensive boards and they rank 31st in second-chance scoring conversion rate. I expect them to shoot a high percentage at the rim and push the tempo (52nd in tempo) against slow-paced Purdue (292nd in tempo). Bailey and Harper should play well, as they'll be motivated to "save the season" against a big-time opponent. As long as the Knights don't allow the Boilermakers to rain three-pointers all game, they have enough offensive juice to put pressure on Purdue to score with them.
Bet on the Rutgers ML at plus odds on Thursday!
