NCAA Basketball Indiana Hoosiers vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Odds, Tips and Predictions 01/09/24

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4.5/5

Prediction: Bet Indiana to cover

• Over/Under: Indiana vs Rutgers (139.5)
• Spread: Rutgers -3.5
• Pick: Bet Indiana to cover

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This is a massive game for both teams. Indiana is coming off a great performance in a home win over the Ohio State Buckeyes, while Rutgers is 0-3 in Big Ten play and will travel to Michigan State on the weekend. The Scarlet Knights cannot afford to lose this game if they want to be a factor in Bug Ten play. Indiana must win to show that their improvements against the Buckeyes are real.

Offensively, the Scarlet Knights have been an absolute nightmare – shooting 29.1% from 3-point range and 45.3% from 2-point distance.

Indiana rarely fouls, yet Rutgers regularly access the free-throw line and shoot 67%, so scoring points won’t come easily for the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers does not take the right shots, ranking 285th nationally in Rim and 3 Rate; Indiana ranks 63rd for Rim-and-3 rate allowed; The Knights rank 341st offensively while Indiana sits at 80th defensively for Open 3 Rate.

Unlike last season, Rutgers has lost some of its ability to rebound the ball. Indiana currently ranks 237th for offensive rebounding and 200th on defense; these rankings suggest that each team might only get one shot per possession; hence, it may only allow for one shot on average per possession from either team. Don’t expect many put-back attempts unless Clifford Omoruyi scores some baskets!

Rutgers is a slower-paced team than Indiana, ranking 185th overall in Adjusted Tempo and 357th for the average defensive time of possession with 18.8 seconds per possession on average.

Indiana ranks 94th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and 98th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. They rank 110th for Adjusted Tempo, though their 17.5 seconds per possession defense average ranks 215th.

Indiana Hoosiers stand out on offense with 34% from 3-point land and 54.2% inside the perimeter shooting, ranking them 355th for 3-point attempt rate but 14th in free throw attempt rate; they don’t shoot a lot of threes, but as of late, the number has ticked up a little bit.

According to Shot Quality, Indiana ranks 97th in points per possession at the rim, while Rutgers ranks 21st defensively. Indiana may not shoot many 3-pointers but still ranks 219th for Open 3-Rate Rate and 38th in Open 3-Rate Allowance Rate compared with Rutgers, who ranks 38th overall in Open 3-Rate allowed.

Check out the Indiana Basketball Weekly show W/Steve Risley

Indiana Basketball Weekly W/Steve Risley: IU/Ohio State recap and IU?Rutgers Preview

Rutgers is the favorite, and most of that is because of the home-court advantage. This game should be like taking candy from a baby if the Hoosiers can avoid foul trouble. Look for Xavier Johnson to have a huge game and Malik Reneau and Ware to dominate the game inside the paint. Take the Hoosiers +3.5.

Tip:

Indiana to Cover

Best Odd

+3.5

Brand

Max. Bonus

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