The Indiana Hoosiers are set to face off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Friday at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey, with the game starting at 6 p.m. ET and broadcasted on FS1. Both teams have faced challenges lately, with Indiana holding a record of 12-7 and 3-5 in the Big Ten, while Rutgers comes in at 9-10 and 2-6 in conference play.
Indiana is currently on a four-game losing streak, recently falling 86-72 to the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines. The Hoosiers have struggled with shooting and rebounding; they managed only 42.1% shooting from the floor over their last four games, while opponents shot 50% against them. In contrast, Rutgers also faced defeat in their last outing, losing 68-62 to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
In their previous encounter last season, Indiana secured a victory over Rutgers with a score of 84-74. Historically, the rivalry has been competitive, with both teams winning two of the last four matchups straight up and against the spread.
As for the odds, BetMGM Sportsbook has Indiana as a favorite at -295 on the moneyline, whereas Rutgers is listed at +230. The point spread favors Indiana by 7.5 points, with the over/under set at 147.5.
Analysts are predicting a score of 77-66 in favor of Indiana. The Hoosiers have a favorable record against the spread in their recent series, going 2-1 over the past three meetings. With their recent performances, particularly against teams outside the top rankings, Indiana has shown strength, winning decisively in games against lower-tier opponents.
Given their proficient offense and strong defense, particularly against a Rutgers team struggling with perimeter defense, the Hoosiers are positioned for a potential bounce-back in this matchup. Bettors are advised to consider Indiana -7.5 as a viable bet.
The matchup also leans toward a lower-scoring affair, with past results indicating a tendency toward the Under. This trend of scoring suggests that while Indiana aims to reclaim their form, the game may not yield high point totals.