Game Time: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, January 4th, 2022

Venue: Jersey Mike’s Arena, Piscataway, New Jersey

Where to Watch:  BTN

 

DraftKings Sportsbook:  NL

Caesars:  Spread: NL

VegasInsider:  Spread: NL

BetOnline: Spread: NL

 

Michigan: 1-1 conf, 7-5 overall (Big Ten)

Rutgers: 1-1 conf, 7-5 overall (Big Ten)

A Big Ten conference matchup between opponents that are deadlocked in the standings.  College football is coming to an end and college basketball is about to kick it in high gear!  As conference play gets hot and heavy the great betting opportunities will begin to fly off the shelf.  Let’s break down the numbers and start using your sportsbook as an ATM!  

Michigan took a big jump into legitimacy this season in football… basketball they seem to still be a shrinking violet. The Wolverines took a beat down in their last game of December from the University of Central Florida 85-71.. It was also a loss ATS… it was also an Over.  Michigan’s defense flew out the window pretty much a minute after the tip-off.  They had two other losses in December against Minnesota and the University of North Carolina… a pattern is beginning to form.  Michigan seems to be lost against top shelf opponents with losses in November to Arizona and Seton Hall.  That’s right when quality takes the court Michigan has trouble putting up a fight… They also are having trouble with really beating the easy teams.  Michigan won but failed to cover the points spread against Buffalo, Texas State (not Texas… Texas State), … and they were favored in the UCF loss.  It’s a rough and tumble road to get to 7-5.  The tournament may be out of the question this season.  A winning record may be tough to get to if that particular trend doesn’t get some relief.  Michigan is 2-2 SU over their last 4 games.. While going 2-2 ATS.  

Rutgers is also at 7-5 on the season.  Rutgers has always struggled in the Big Ten since they are smaller with less history and resources… Rutgers is always behind the eight-ball when it comes to recruiting with local New Jersey products setting their sights on bigger schools out of state and out of state products asking “where is Rutgers?”... The easy comparison is to look at Seton Hall.. whom both schools have already played and both schools lost to… Michigan lost in a razor thin squeaker 67-65.  Rutgers lost 77-63… both schools failed to cover against Seton Hall… The difference is Michigan was favored and Rutgers were underdogs.  Rutgers' big wins have been against Maine, Purdue, and Clemson… all three teams are struggling this season… and Maine isn’t really a big win.  Both these teams look a bit like Crash test dummies in the Big Ten… they can be a gauge for how your program plays when up against an average college basketball team.

 

Ben Burns is 15-5 the past three days overall and that includes a 9-1 RECORD with his "top-rated" (10*) plays, in all sports. Even better, his 10* rated basketball plays are on a longterm heater which has produced $110,870 IN PROFIT. More of the same in store for Monday, as Ben is STEPPING OUT BIG. This is a game he's had circled. Do NOT miss out! Get Ben Burns’ pick!!  It's available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers. All your NCAA basketball needs for the entire college basketball season!

Michigan is 7-5 on the season, but 5-7 ATS.  They have logged 6 Overs and 6 Unders.  They are 1-2 in road games.

Rutgers is 7-5 on the season, but 3-8-1 ATS.  They have notched 8 Overs and 4 Unders.  They are 7-1 in home games… but don’t be deceived, they have taken on a lot of Central Connecticut State type teams at home.

Michigan is 155th in the nation in points while averaging 73.3 ppg, 36th in rebounds with 37 per, 138th in AST/TO ratio with 1.1.  They are shooting 47.2% FG and 34.9% 3PT… the anchor on their necks is the crummy free throw shooting… just 67.5%.  A great strategy for Rutgers would be to employ a hack-a-whoever is the worst because usually one or two terrible shooters drag numbers this low from the charity stripe.

Rutgers is 272nd in the nation with 68.1 ppg, 109th in rebounds with 34.8 per, and 33rd AST/TO ratio with 1.4.  They are below average shooters which is a shame for a starting line-up that labels 4 players as guards… they are shooting 42.3% FG and 30.6% 3PT… they are also lousy at the charity stripe with 67.1%

 

Michigan allows 66.2 ppg for a 129th ranking… that’s actually a pretty good number but it's a number that is held down by big wins over Southern Utah University and Texas State.

Rutgers allows 65.3 ppg… they aren’t terrible on defense with quality numbers defending the 3PT line and holding opponents to 40.1% FG… but again that is against Central Connecticut and Maine and whomever.

Our prediction for Tuesday, January 4th is… Michigan 74 - Rutgers 60

This is finally a team that Michigan can beat up on.  Rutgers plays above their head and scraps for wins while Michigan plays down to competition.  The undeniable size advantage that Michigan has will pay dividends.  Pay very CLOSE ATTENTION to the point spread.  Michigan can not be counted on to cover anything really big.

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Michigan is 7-3 ATS versus Rutgers since 1997.

Michigan is 2-1 ATS versus Rutgers over the last 3 seasons.

Michigan is 1-0 ATS versus Rutgers at Rutgers the last 3 seasons.

Michigan:  No injuries to report

Rutgers: No injuries to report

Mich: C Hunter Dickinson, G Devante Jones, F Moussa Diabate, G Caleb Houston, F Eli Brooks

Rutgers: C Clifford Omoruyi, G Geo Baker, G Paul Mulcahy, G Caleb McConnell, G Ron Harper Jr   (yes, four guys are listed as guards.  It’s an approach that acknowledges Rutgers will put the four best they can find around a center and let the chips fall where they may.  It also puts the Scarlet Knights at a disadvantage on defense)

Michigan

Points: Hunter Dickinson 15.3

Assists: DeVante Jones 4.0

Rebounds: Hunter Dickinson 9.1

Steals: Eli Brooks 1.2

Blocks: Hunter Dickinson 1.1

Rutgers

Points: Ron Harper Jr 14.9

Assists: Paul Mulcahy 4.4

Rebounds: Ron Harper Jr 7.4

Steals: Caleb McConnell 2.4

Blocks: Dean Reiber 0.6

Michigan: Juwan Howard.  Coach Howard is a Michigan Legend and decorated longtime NBA vet.  He is also a good coach, they are just having a bad year.  Recruiting needs to be more of a focus.

Rutgers: Steve Pikiell.  Coach Pikiell has been the head coach of Rutgers since 2016.  The America East Championships he won as the head coach of Stony Brook will be harder to duplicate in the Big Ten.