| MATCHUP | Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Wisconsin Badgers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 9-8 | 12-5 |
| Where | Kohl Center, Madison, WI | |
| When | Saturday, January 17, 2026 | |
| Time | 02:00 PM EST | |
| TV | BTN | |
Wisconsin Badgers Preview
Wisconsin Badgers have a 12-5 record this season and are tied in the 6th place of the Big Ten Conference. They have a 9-1 home record and are coming off a 78-75 away win against Minnesota. Their previous three games were a 91-88 away win against Michigan, a 80-72 home win against UCLA and a 89-73 home loss against Purdue.
Offensively, Wisconsin averages 82.8 points per game, while allowing 75 points per game defensively. The Badgers shoot with 45% from the field and grab 37.1 rebounds per game, while dishing out 15.7 assists per game. They average 3.3 blocks per game and 6 steals per game defensively.
Nick Boyd leads Wisconsin in scoring, with an average of 19.2 points per game, while shooting with 47.8% from the field and 80% from the free throw line, and leads the team in assists with 3.4 per game. Nolan Winter is the team’s leading rebounder with 8.9 per game.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Preview
Rutgers Scarlet Knights have a 9-8 record this season and are tied in the 14th place of the Big Ten Conference. They have a 0-3 road record and are coming off a 77-75 home win against Northwestern. Their previous three games were a 81-55 away loss against Illinois, a 88-85 home win against Oregon and a 80-73 home loss against Ohio State.
Offensively, Rutgers averages 69.8 points per game, while allowing 73.2 points per game defensively. The Scarlet Knights shoot with 40% from the field and grab 36.2 rebounds per game, while dishing out 10.7 assists per game. They average 3.7 blocks per game and 6.5 steals per game defensively.
Tariq Francis leads Rutgers in scoring, with an average of 15.3 points per game, while shooting with 44.9% from the field and 87.5% from the free throw line. Emmanuel Ogbole is the team’s leading rebounder with 6.6 per game. Jamichael Davis leads the team in assists with 2.6 per game.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights @ Wisconsin Badgers Betting Trends: January 17, 2026
Why the Wisconsin Badgers will win
- Wisconsin has won each of its last nine games at Kohl Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Rutgers has lost each of its last four road games against Conference opponents.
- Wisconsin has won the first half in each of its last 21 games at Kohl Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win
- Rutgers has won five of its last six games when playing with a rest advantage.
- Wisconsin has lost four of its last five day games against Conference opponents at Kohl Center.
- Wisconsin has lost the first half in four of its last five games against Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the last seven games between Rutgers and Wisconsin have produced a total of 144 or fewer points.
- Five of Rutgers’ last six day games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 145 or fewer points.
Rutgers vs Wisconsin Prediction
In this Rutgers vs Wisconsin Prediction, Wisconsin is coming as -14.5 home favorites. Wisconsin has been the better team this season and have been almost perfect at home, with just one defeat in 10 home games, while Rutgers has been winless on the road. Both teams are coming into this matchup in good form, as they are 5-1 and 4-2 in their last 6 games respectively, so I see no value on either side. They have both been playing some higher-scoring games lately, going for 6-2 to the over in their last 8 games combined, so I expect another high-scoring affair. Take the over 148.5 points in this one.