The Michigan Wolverines are back at home tonight, hosting the Rutgers Scarlet Knights as 9.5-point favorites with a total set at 154.5. The first meeting between these two teams was a defensive battle, with Michigan escaping Rutgers with a 66-63 win. However, tonight’s matchup presents a different challenge: can Michigan finally win convincingly?
Michigan’s Struggles to Dominate
Michigan is coming off one of the ugliest wins you’ll ever see, a 49-46 victory over Nebraska. It marked the first time the Wolverines won a game while scoring under 50 points since 1983. While a win is a win, the performance left a lot to be desired offensively.
The Wolverines have made a habit of barely surviving games, winning their last eight games by four points or fewer. Over the past nine games, their point differential is -18, meaning they’ve actually been outscored by 18 points over that stretch despite winning seven of those contests. They’ve found themselves in tight games all season but still sit just 0.5 games behind the Big Ten lead.
Rutgers: A Disappointing Season
Despite a roster loaded with NBA talent, Rutgers has had a frustrating season, sitting at 14-14 overall and 7-10 in conference play. They’ve won two straight games but have been inconsistent all year. The Scarlet Knights have struggled to put together complete performances, making them a tough team to trust on the road against a team like Michigan.
Betting Breakdown
Now comes the tough decision:
Can we trust Michigan to win by double digits, something they haven’t done since January 12th?
Can we back a total in the 150s after these two teams combined for just 129 points in their first meeting?
Can Michigan bounce back offensively after their brutal shooting night against Nebraska?
The Pick: Michigan -9.5 & Over 154.5
I know what you’re thinking—Michigan hasn’t pulled away from a team in over a month. But as a die-hard Michigan fan, I have a feeling this is the game where they finally break that trend. The Wolverines are due for a big offensive performance, and after back-to-back low-scoring games, I expect them to turn things around.
Rutgers has talent but hasn’t put it all together this season, and Michigan should take advantage of that at home. Expect a fast-paced, high-scoring game that finally results in a comfortable Michigan victory.
Let’s ride with Michigan -9.5 and the Over 154.5. Go Blue!
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