Rutgers vs Minnesota Prediction 3/11/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Minnesota Golden Gophers meet Wednesday in Big Ten Tournament college basketball action from United Center in Chicago. Here’s a Rutgers vs Minnesota prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Rutgers vs Minnesota 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.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Preview

Through their first 17 games this year, Rutgers was 9-8 overall back on January 11. The Knights would then lose seven straight, then beat Maryland and Penn State in the next pair. It’s been a 2-3 stretch in the last five with losses to Minnesota, Washington and Michigan State among wins over Maryland and Penn State. That gives the Knights a 13-18 overall record this year.

In the Penn State game on Sunday the Knights were sitting in the locker room at halftime with a commanding lead 43-21. Rutgers was outscored 41-31 the rest of the way but still held on for the double-digit win on their home court in the end 74-62. Tariq Francis was the leading team scorer with 18 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals in 31 minutes of action.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Preview

Over on the Minnesota side, they were looking pretty good at the 15-game mark on a 10-5 run. The Gophers lost to USC, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State, Maryland and Washington over the next 10 games. Since then it’s been a 4-2 run with wins over Oregon, Rutgers, UCLA and Northwestern for a 15-16 record this year over 31 games.

Matched up against Northwestern on Saturday the Gophers were in good shape on a 39-29 lead as the teams filed into the locker room at halftime. Minnesota was outscored 37-28 in a wild second half but still managed to hang on for the tight win at home 67-66. Langston Reynolds put up 21 points with four assists and three rebounds in the winning effort for the Gophers.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights @ Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends: March 11, 2026

Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win

• Rutgers has lost seven of its last eight night games.
• Minnesota has won three of its last four games against Rutgers.

Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win

• Minnesota has lost each of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Matchup/League Facts

• Minnesota ranks T11th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (15.1).
• Minnesota ranks 12th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (11.0).

Rutgers vs Minnesota Prediction

I’ll stick with Minnesota I suppose. The Gophers barely eked one out this past weekend versus Northwestern, no thanks to a bad second half. Minnesota logged 54.5 percent shooting in that one with 81.3 percent (13-of-16) from the line and a 34-24 edge on points in the paint. That gives the Gophers a 4-2 run in the last six games but they’ve only scored a combined 114 points in their last pair.

Back on February 21 when these teams last met up, Minnesota pulled off a nice 80-61 win on their home floor. In that game the Gophers shot a very nice 60 percent from the field with 57.7 percent (15-of-26) from outside and a 29-20 rebounding advantage. Minnesota gave up 44.4 percent shooting on defense and had 11 points off seven Rutgers turnovers. I like the Gophers to take this one as well.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Minnesota Golden Gophers -4.5