Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Michigan Wolverines Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 02/27/25

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (14-14) travel to Ann Arbor riding a 2-game winning streak after their 95-85 victory over USC on Sunday. Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey were instrumental in the win, as the dynamic duo combined for 39 points and 12 assists. Meanwhile, the Michigan Wolverines (21-6) were also victorious their last time out, albeit with a much lower score. The Wolverines defeated Nebraska 49-46 on the road on Monday behind 33 combined points for Roddy Gayle, Danny Wolf and Tre Donaldson, but they now sit behind rival Michigan State atop the Big Ten conference standings after Sparty’s win on Wednesday.

These teams played once already this year and Michigan escaped with a 3-point victory in Piscataway 66-63. However, Dylan Harper didn’t play in that game and Ace Bailey was 0/7 from 3-point range with 3 turnovers. Collectively, the Harper-less Knights scored just 0.91 points per possession, connecting on fewer than 40% of their 2-point attempts and fewer than 30% of their perimeter attempts. This time around, Harper will be back in the lineup. The reigning National Player of the Week has scored at least 25 points in consecutive games and gives the Knights a legitimate scoring threat that they didn’t have in their first game against Michigan. With a healthy duo in Harper and Bailey, the Knights are in the 81st percentile in offensive rating and in the 82nd percentile in effective field goal percentage over their last 5 games. 

Unlike Rutgers, Michigan has struggled offensively of late. The Wolverines are in the 20th percentile in scoring over their last 5 games, averaging fewer than 69 points per game in that span. As such, they rank in the 19th percentile in offensive rating and in the 13th percentile in effective field goal percentage over their last 5. Furthermore, the Wolverines are 273rd in effective field goal percentage and 318th in turnover rate since February 1, connecting on fewer than 29% of their 3-point attempts. Their recent defensive metrics are much better, but a healthy Harper may be a matchup nightmare for this Michigan defense. 

Of Michigan’s 13 conference wins, 10 of them have been by less than double digits. As you could expect, that means the Wolverines have not been very good against the number in the favorite role. For reference, they are 3-9 ATS as a favorite against conference opponents, which is a trend that should continue against a healthy Rutgers squad that is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 conference games as an underdog and can run with the Wolverines. I’m taking the points with Rutgers in this one.

Rutgers vs Michigan prediction: Rutgers Scarlet Knights +10 (-110) at the time of publishing. Playable to +8.

If you’re looking for a new sportsbook, we recommend checking out Fanatics Sportsbook, where new users can sign up now and secure up to $1,000 in no-sweat bets. And if you’re in New York, you can bet $5 and INSTANTLY receive $50 in no-sweat bets! Join Fanatics Sportsbook, where you can bet on our Rutgers vs Michigan predictions.