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Michigan basketball vs Rutgers: Odds, prediction, and how to watch

Michigan basketball is back on the road Thursday night and here are the odds, a prediction, and how to watch.

By Chris Peterson

Feb 25, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Dug McDaniel (0) dribbles in the
Feb 25, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Dug McDaniel (0) dribbles in the / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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Road games have been ugly for Michigan basketball of late but that's understandable when the Wolverines have been without their point guard for the last six due to suspension.

Dug McDaniel will be back for Michigan basketball on Thursday night as the Wolverines travel to Rutgers. There are three games left and the Wolverines don't have anything to play for except for pride. They will play on the first day of the Big Ten tournament and would need to win five games in five days there to advance to the NCAA tournament.

The idea of that is funny because they are 3-14 in Big Ten play. One of those 14 losses came to Rutgers at home. The Scarlet Knights are 6-10 in the conference and 14-13 overall. They are alive for an NIT berth but this is a must-win game.

Michigan basketball lost by an average of 20 points per game without McDaniel on the road. Things should be closer tonight, but U-M hasn't won a road game since Iowa and while it's hard to see it happening tonight, here are the odds, a prediction, and how to watch.

Michigan basketball vs. Rutgers odds

Michigan is a seven-point underdog against Rutgers tonight according to DraftKings. The over/under is 138 and the money line is +245 for Michigan and -305 for the Scarlet Knights.

Michigan basketball vs. Rutgers how to watch

Date: Feb. 29 Game Time: 8:30 PM EST Venue: Jersey Mike's Arena. How to Watch: Fox Sports 1/Fubo TV

Michigan basketball vs. Rutgers prediction

I do think Michigan basketball will win another game this season and it could be tonight. The Scarlet Knights aren't a great offensive team and score just 0.93 points per possession. That bodes well for Michigan which is a terrible defensive team.

It would help if Olivier Nkamhoua was still in the lineup. But Tarris Reed, Terrance Williams, and Will Tschetter should be able to handle things inside. Dug will give Michigan basketball a boost and call me crazy, but I think they get Big Ten win No. 4 tonight.

I at least think the Wolverines cover the spread, but they showed a lot of heart on Sunday and Rutgers just isn't that talented.

Michigan 69, Rutgers 65

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