Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Northwestern Wildcats NCAAB Betting Prediction

Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Northwestern Prediction 1/29/2025

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-10) travel to face off against the Northwestern Wildcats (12-8) on Wednesday, January 29th. This game will be played at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston and televised on BTN. Both Rutgers and Northwestern will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 ET.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Northwestern Wildcats

The Scarlet Knights Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Recent Game/Games

Rutgers fell to 10-10 on the season after an 81-74 home loss to Michigan State on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights, who were +7.5 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread.

After trailing 35-32 at halftime, Rutgers scored 42 points in the 2nd half but allowed 46. The game’s total points of 155 went over the pre-game line of 150.5.

The Wildcats Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Northwestern Wildcats Recent Game/Games

Northwestern’s record fell to 12-8 after an 83-74 loss to Illinois on Sunday. The Wildcats, who were +8 point underdogs, didn’t cover the spread in this one.

After trailing 43-21 at halftime, Northwestern put up a fight in the 2nd half, outscoring Illinois 53-40. The total points for the game went over the 152.5 O/U line, with a combined 157 points.

Scarlet Knights Offense Breakdown

Rutgers put up 74 points in their last game, shooting just 33.8% from the field and 30% from three-point range. They connected on 19 of 25 free throws, good for 76%, and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, finishing with 9 assists as a team.

Jordan Derkack and Jase Richardson led the way, with Derkack scoring 26 points on 7 of 11 shooting, including 4 of 7 from three. Richardson added 20 points, hitting 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Ace Bailey struggled, shooting 4 of 17 overall, while Jaden Akins went just 3 of 15 from the field.

Wildcats Offense Breakdown

Northwestern put up 74 points in their last game, shooting 44.1% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc, hitting 10 of 25 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 51.5%, and they connected on 4 of 6 free throws.

Kylan Boswell, Nick Martinelli, and Jalen Leach each scored 17 points, with Morez Johnson adding 15. Kasparas Jakucionis contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds, along with a team-high 7 assists.

Scarlet Knights Team Defense

Even though Rutgers allowed 81 points, they held their opponent to just 33% shooting from the field, with 23 made shots on 68 attempts. Inside the arc, the Scarlet Knights limited their opponent to 36% shooting, with 14 made two-point shots on 38 attempts.

From three-point range, Rutgers gave up 9 made threes on 30 attempts, a 30% shooting rate. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 25 times, where they converted 19 free throws for 76%. Rutgers allowed 15 offensive rebounds in the game.

Wildcats Team Defense

Even though Rutgers gave up 81 points, they held their opponent to just 33% shooting from the field, including 36% on two-point attempts. The Scarlet Knights also limited their opponent’s three-point shooting to 30% on 9 made threes.

From the free-throw line, Rutgers’ opponent shot 76%, converting 19 of 25 attempts. The Scarlet Knights allowed 15 offensive rebounds in the game.

Scarlet Knights vs Wildcats Trends

  • Through their last five road contests, the Scarlet Knights offense has averaged 77 points per game while allowing an average of 84. Rutgers posted an overall record of 1-4 while going 2-3 ATS.
  • In their last five home games, Northwestern has averaged 74 points per game while allowing 81. The team’s record in this stretch was 0-5 while going 3-2.
  • Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Scarlet Knights have gone 3-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 2-3.
  • Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Wildcats have a straight up record of 9-1. Their record vs the spread in these games was 6-4.

Scarlet Knights vs Wildcats Prediction

Not only do we have the Wildcats winning this one by a score of 77-69, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Wildcats at -6.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 140.5 and given that our model is projecting 146 points between the teams, we like the over.


All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!


* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.