Rutgers at Nebraska 3/1/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights travel on the road to Pinnacle Bank Arena to take on the Nebraska Corn Huskers. Rutgers snapped a two-game losing streak with a 74-63 home win over Indiana, improving to 13-9 (9-9 conference). Nebraska is at the bottom of the Big Ten, they had lost five straight games before pulling off the upset win at home over Minnesota, moving to 6-17 (2-14 conference).

Rutgers is very much a defensive-minded team and has had their inconsistencies on the offensive end. The Scarlet Knights are scoring 71 points per game ranking 194th in the country in scoring offense but are shooting a solid 45.6% from the field, 94th in teh nation in field-goal percentage. The Scarlet Knights are one of the worst free-throw teams in the country knocking down 62.3% of their “free-ones”, 338th in the nation.

Junior guard Ron Harper continues to be a force and one of the best players in the Big Ten, he’s averaging 15.7 points and is second on the team in rebounding with 6 per game. Senior guard Geo Baker has missed time this season and has struggled at times, yet is averaging 10.5 points and 3.2 assists per game. 

Nebraska is one of the worst Power-6 teams in the country, they’re averaging 70 points per game ranking 218th in the country in scoring offense. The Cornhuskers are shooting 41.7% from the field, 289th in the nation, and 33.2% from beyond the arc, 210th nationally. Nebraska is 209th in KenPom adjusted offense.

Junior forward Timmy Allen has led the way for the Cornhuskers averaging a team-high 16.4 points on 44.7% shooting and is second on the team in rebounding with 4.7 per contest. Sophomore small-forward Delano Banton leads the team with 6.1 rebounds per game and is adding 9.9 points per game and is dishing out a team-high 4.1 assists per game. 

Nebraska struggles haven’t stopped there allowing 73.9 points per game ranking 266th in the country in scoring defense. But they have been efficient holding opponents to 41.6% from the field and 31.1% from beyond the arc, 94th, and 53rd respectively. The Cornhuskers are 40th in KenPom adjusted defense.

Rutgers is a defensive-minded team that comes in allowing 67.8 points per game ranking 108th in the country in scoring defense. The Scarlet Knights have held opponents to 41.8% from the field, 103rd nationally, and 33.4% from beyond the arc, 165th in the country. Rutgers is 14th in KenPom defensive efficiency.