Iowa vs. Rutgers Prediction
Will No. 21 Iowa go on the road and struggle with Rutgers when the two meet up tonight in Big Ten action at 6PM ET?
701 Iowa vs. 702 Rutgers
Saturday, February 16, 2019
6PM ET – Rutgers Athletic Center
TV: FS1
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Iowa is the slight favorite on the road, as the Hawkeyes are getting odds of -3 points against Rutgers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 148 points. The public betting currently has 71 percent going on Iowa on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Iowa heating up
Iowa is riding a three-game win streak right now following an 80-79 win at home over Northwestern last weekend. The Hawkeyes have covered the spread in two of the three wins. Iowa is 19-5 on the season, 3-3 on the road, 8-5 in the Big Ten, 12-12 against the spread and 12-12 with the over/under total.
The Hawkeyes have been led this season by offense, averaging 81.6 points per game while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 38 percent from the arc. Defensively, the Hawkeyes are allowing 73.1 points per game. Tyler Cook is leading the team with 16.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while Luka Garza is adding 13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest.
Rutgers ends skid
Rutgers is also coming off a win over Northwestern. The Knights picked up a 59-56 win at Northwestern on Wednesday to snap a three-game losing streak. Rutgers is now 12-12 on the season, 9-5 at home, 5-9 in the Big Ten, 12-12 against the spread and 13-11 with the over.
The Knights are one of the worst offenses in the nation, averaging just 67.6 points per game while shooting just 41.2 percent as a team. Defensively, Rutgers is holding opponents to only 68 points per game. Eugene Omoruyi is leading the team this season with 14.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Geo Baker is adding 13.0 points and 4.0 assists per contest.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Iowa
The Hawkeyes are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 conference games and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games following a win.
Rutgers
The Knights are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven Big Ten games and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Prediction:
Iowa certainly has the better offense, but will the Hawkeyes fall into a trap of playing into Rutgers pace play with this game being on the road? The Knights have managed to slow down other teams at home, but their lack of offense is a real problem. Even in low-scoring games, they have come out on the losing end because of their inability to score. I think that will be the problem today. Iowa doesn’t need much to cover tonight, so its offense should manage to get the job done.
College Basketball Prediction: Iowa -3