Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish Prediction, Odds & Picks

On By Littum

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. Both teams are coming off ugly losses, with Rutgers losing on the road against Kennesaw State as 14-point favorites and Notre Dame getting stunned at home against Elon as 15-point favorites. Both teams will be looking to right the ship here and there is value to be had in one particular side.

While each of these teams is working through their own issues, it looks like the Scarlet Knights are having a tougher time starting the season. This Steve Pikiell-led defense has taken a bit of a dive so far this year, and that’s a big concern for a program that typically leans on that side of the ball. Rutgers has finished in the top 10 in KenPom’s defensive ratings the last 2 seasons, but they are currently ranked 72nd this season. The offensive side looks improved with the added talent, led by a pair of 5-star Freshmen in Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. While there is optimism for Pikiell’s team on this side of the floor, they haven’t quite figured things out, and the Scarlet Knights are extremely reliant on their transition game (93rd percentile in transition rate, per Synergy). They won’t have an easy time rushing this game, as the Fighting Irish allow turnovers in just the 2nd percentile in the nation.

Notre Dame has the continuity advantage in this contest, and I’m willing to give them a pass for their loss to Elon. The Irish will keep smaller teams in games because of their slow pace (293rd in pace, per KenPom), but it also allows them to compete with almost anyone in the country. Their ability to operate in the half court and the fact that coach Micah Shrewsberry has a great track record as an underdog throughout his career leads me to the Notre Dame side of catching points.

Rutgers vs Notre Dame Prediction: Notre Dame +2 (-110) available at time of release. Playable to choose

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