Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Picks and Predictions for Wednesday March 11 2026
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Minnesota Golden Gophers meet in the Big Ten Tournament 2nd Round on Wednesday at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET with television coverage on BTN. Both teams enter the Big Ten Tournament looking to gain momentum after uneven regular seasons. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more betting insight and daily selections.
Rutgers Hoping to Continue Competitive Play
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights enter the tournament with a 13-18 overall record and have had difficulty away from home throughout the season. Rutgers has recently won over Penn State and Maryland while recently losing to Michigan State, Washington, and Minnesota. That stretch shows a team capable of competing with conference opponents but still struggling to maintain consistent offense.
The Scarlet Knights average 70.9 points per game while allowing 75.5 points per contest. Rutgers shoots 42% from the field, averages 33.0 rebounds per game, and produces 11.9 assists per contest. Defensively, the Scarlet Knights record 3.3 blocks and 6.1 steals per game, showing a defensive effort that can occasionally disrupt opposing offenses.
One challenge for Rutgers in this matchup is its offensive efficiency. The Scarlet Knights have had difficulty generating consistent scoring runs, and their shooting percentage is among the lower marks in the conference. If Rutgers hopes to reverse its recent loss to Minnesota, it will need to improve shot selection and capitalize on defensive stops.
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Minnesota Entering with a Defensive Edge
The Minnesota Golden Gophers come into the tournament with a 15-16 overall record and have been competitive away from home this season. Minnesota has recently won over Northwestern, UCLA, and Rutgers while recently losing to Indiana and Michigan. That recent stretch suggests a team that can compete defensively and close out games when playing efficiently.
The Golden Gophers average 70.1 points per game while allowing 68.4 points per contest, giving them one of the stronger defensive profiles among the teams in this matchup. Minnesota shoots 46% from the field, averages 31.2 rebounds per game, and produces 17.2 assists per contest, which is a strong ball-movement number compared to many teams in the conference.
Minnesota’s biggest strength entering this matchup is its defensive efficiency. The Golden Gophers allow significantly fewer points per game than Rutgers and already defeated the Scarlet Knights recently. If Minnesota controls the pace and forces Rutgers into difficult shots, the Gophers should be able to dictate the flow of the game.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Pick
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Pick
- Pick: Minnesota Golden Gophers Moneyline
Minnesota already defeated Rutgers recently and holds the defensive advantage in this matchup. The Golden Gophers also shoot the ball more efficiently and move the ball better offensively. If Minnesota controls the pace and limits Rutgers’ scoring opportunities, it should have the edge in this tournament matchup.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Total Pick
- Pick: Under if the total is set at 138.5
I like the under in this matchup because both teams average around 70 points per game and Minnesota plays a defensive style that tends to slow the tempo. Rutgers has struggled offensively in several recent games, and if Minnesota dictates the pace defensively, this game could stay below the projected total.
Final Score Prediction: Minnesota Golden Gophers 70, Rutgers Scarlet Knights 64
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