Iowa vs Rutgers Prediction Basketball Picks 1-6-24

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Iowa Hawkeyes face off on Saturday in a college basketball showdown at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  Let’s look at the betting matchup and give a free Rutgers vs Iowa prediction.

Rutgers Really Needs this Win

Rutgers needs to pick up wins to help their resume and this is one of the games they need to win. In the last game against Ohio State, Rutgers scored 72 points but it wasn’t enough as they ended up losing by four points. Guard Derek Simpson was the top player for Rutgers putting up 23 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Rutgers on the season is averaging 67.8 points while their defense is giving up 62.5 points per game. The defense is ranked 16th in the league and they are going to need the defense to step up here. Aundre Hyatt is averaging 12.1 points while shooting 39.2 percent from the field. 

Iowa Can’t Keep Losing Games

Iowa now has an uphill battle to make the NCAA Tournament and if they were to lose this game, that would hurt their chances even more. In the last game against Wisconsin, Iowa scored 72 points but it wasn’t enough as they ended up losing by 11 points. This is a team that still refuses to play any sort of defense, and that will need to change in this game. Iowa on the season is averaging 86.7 points while their defense is giving up 77.6 points per game. The offense is ranked 11th but this game is going to come down to the defense. Ben Krikke has been the top player for Iowa averaging 16.5 points while shooting 60.3 percent from the field. 

Rutgers vs Iowa Betting Prediction

Iowa is a good offensive team but they still refuse to play any sort of defense and that is going to be the case again here. Rutgers is averaging only 67.8 points per game and they are going to go well over that number here. Iowa is going to have no answer with the defense and it will be Rutgers that is going to keep this game close. Back Rutgers to cover the spread. I wouldn’t be shocked if Rutgers won this game outright.