The Merrimack Warriors and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights meet Saturday in college basketball action from Jersey Mike’s Arena. Merrimack is 2-0 on the young season, following wins over Emerson and NJIT this week. As for Rutgers, they managed an OT win over Lehigh in their first outing this year. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Merrimack didn’t have any trouble with Emerson College in their opener this week, scoring 39 points in the first half on the way to a 77-48 blowout win. The Warriors held Emerson to just 19 first-half points. Jordan Minor led the team on 21 points and seven boards.
Game two went well for Merrimack also, though this one was a little closer. The Warriors pulled out a 61-54 win over NJIT after getting outscored 31-26 in the second half. Ziggy Reid was the high man there, doubling up on 18 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
Over on the Rutgers side, they’re coming off a 16-12 record in 2020-21, going 10-10 in a difficult Big Ten Conference. The Knights lost in their second game of the conference tourney, then took out Clemson in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament prior to a loss to Houston.
Rutgers carried a 36-31 deficit into the break during their opener game versus Lehigh this week, but managed to force overtime and eventually take the win 73-70. The Knights’ top scorer in that one was Marques Wilson with 21 points, two rebounds and three assists.
Rutgers is 5-1 ATS in their last six Saturday games and 4-0 ATS in their last four after an ATS loss. The under is 5-1 in their last six after a straight-up win.
Meanwhile, the Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last six Saturday games and 5-1 ATS in their last six after a straight-up win. The under is 8-3 in Merrimack’s last 11 overall.
PICK: I’m going to try Merrimack. The Warriors are coming off something of a tepid game versus NJIT, but still shot 43.2 percent from the field and 40.9 percent (9-of-22) from 3-point range. Trouble is, Merrimack was bad on the boards with a 40-23 rebound deficit that kept NJIT in the game.
As for Rutgers, they stumbled out of the gate with 37.5 percent from the field and just 1-of-13 from 3-point range in the Lehigh game but still found a way to win. The Knights should be in control of this game also, but I think Merrimack can sneak in there if they’re shooting well.