Rutgers vs. Michigan Prediction and Odds (Can You Trust the Wolverines?)

The Michigan Wolverines are playing for their NCAA Tournament lives right now, and they’ll be without head coach Juwan Howard for the rest of the regular season after his altercation with Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard following the team’s loss on Sunday. 

The Wolverines are still favored on Wednesday against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, but Rutgers has been one of the hotter teams in the country, winning four of its last five games. 

Here are the odds for this game via WynnBET: 

Rutgers vs. Michigan Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Rutgers: +5 (-110)
• Michigan: -5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Rutgers: +180
• Michigan: -220

Total:

• 135 (Over -110/Under -110)

Rutgers vs. Michigan Prediction and Pick

I understand the concern about backing the Wolverines in this spot, but let’s not forget how bad the Scarlet Knights have been on the road this season. 

While Rutgers is 13-2 at home, it is just 3-8 on the road and leading scorer Ron Harper Jr. has been dealing with an injury. 

Both of these teams have struggled against the spread this season, but I wonder if Howard’s suspension will rejuvenate this Michigan team heading into the postseason. Moussa Diabate’s absence hurts, but Rutgers is going to need to hang its hat on the defensive end to win this game. 

I like the under in this game because of that, as Rutgers is 63rd in opponent points per game and allows the 34th fewest possessions per game in the country. If I were to take a side it would be Michigan, simply because Rutgers has been awful on the road all year long. 

Lean: Michigan-Rutgers UNDER 135 (-110)

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.