| MATCHUP | Northwestern Wildcats | Rutgers Scarlet Knights |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 8-7 | 8-8 |
| Where | Jersey Mike’s Arena, Piscataway, NJ | |
| When | Sunday, January 11, 2026 | |
| Time | 05:00 PM EST | |
| TV | Peacock | |
The Northwestern Wildcats and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights meet Sunday in college basketball action from the RAC in Piscataway. Here’s a Northwestern vs Rutgers prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Northwestern vs Rutgers pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.
Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview
Northwestern stormed out of the gate this year with four straight wins, but then took four losses in the next five games versus Virginia, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin and Ohio State. The Wildcats would win three of the next four over Jackson State, Valparaiso and Howard, but they’ve since fallen to Minnesota and Michigan State. In their first 15 games of the year that gives Northwestern an 8-7 record.
Back on Thursday in the Michigan game, the Wildcats entered the second half sporting a 35-28 edge. Northwestern was outscored 48-31 the rest of the way however, and ended up losing a road matchup 76-66. Nick Martinelli was the only player on the team to reach double-figures in the defeat, turning in 28 points and five rebounds over 39 minutes of work on the floor.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Preview
Over on the Rutgers side, they won their first four games this year as well, then lost six of the next seven versus Central Connecticut, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Purdue, Michigan and Seton Hall. Since then it’s been a 3-2 run for the Scarlet Knights, as they’ve beaten Penn, Delaware State and Oregon alongside losses to Ohio State and Illinois for an 8-8 record so far this year in 16 games.
Matched up against Illinois on the road Thursday, the Scarlet Knights were trailing by an ugly 43-16 margin at halftime. Rutgers could only watch as the Illini put things in cruise control from there, and the Knights ended up with a blowout road loss 81-55. Kaden Powers turned in 12 points in 24 minutes while Harun Zrno added 11 points with five rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes during the defeat.
Northwestern Wildcats @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Trends: January 11, 2026
Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win
- Northwestern has lost 12 of its last 13 day games against the Big Ten Conference.
- Rutgers has won nine of its last 11 games at Jersey Mike’s Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Northwestern Wildcats will win
- Rutgers has lost eight of its last nine day games against the Big Ten Conference.
- The road team has won the first half in each of the last four games between Northwestern and Rutgers.
Northwestern vs Rutgers Prediction
I’ll stick with Rutgers, but I’m probably avoiding this one. The Knights were demolished by Illinois this past week, shooting just 36.5 percent from the field with a 41-30 deficit on the boards and a 26-18 disadvantage on points in the paint. Rutgers got to the line just eight times (making three for 37.5 percent) as opposed to the Illini’s 18-of-21 effort (85.7 percent). The Knights had been playing fairly well in the four games prior to that, going 3-1 with a lone seven-point home loss to Ohio State as the blemish.
As for Northwestern, they started hot against a great Michigan State team on the road in their last game but ultimately faded. The Wildcats finished with 37.9 percent shooting and 23.1 percent (6-of-26) from outside along with an ugly 41-22 rebounding deficit. Northwestern has lost consecutive games now, giving up a combined 160 points in that pair.