Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Louis Brown Athletic Center – Piscataway, New Jersey
Monday, January 16, 2012, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPNU
Opening Line: Rutgers -3
Current Line: Rutgers -3 1/2
Opening Total: 128
Current Total: 129
Opening Money Line: Rutgers -145 / Notre Dame +125
Current Money Line: Rutgers -165 / Notre Dame +145
Neither Notre Dame nor Rutgers will compete for the Big East title, but both teams could get at large bids to the NCAA tournament coming from such a deep league. Notre Dame is 11-7 overall and 3-2 in conference as they travel to New Jersey to take on 10-8 Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are 2-3 in conference play. Notre Dame leads the series 17-12 against Rutgers, and has won 6 of the last 7meetings with the Knights. Notre Dame won 76-69 last season in South Bend in the only meeting between the schools.
Notre Dame is coached by Mike Brey. The Fighting Irish have losses to Missouri, Georgia, Gonzaga, Maryland, Indiana, Cincinnati, and last Saturday at home against UConn 67-53. The loss snapped a 29 game home winning streak for Notre Dame. The Irish have wins over Detroit, Dartmouth, Pitt, Louisville, and South Florida.
Rutgers is coached by Mike Rice. The Scarlet Knights have losses to Miami-(FL), Illinois St, Richmond, LSU, Princeton, South Florida, and West Virginia twice including 84-60 Saturday in Morgantown. Rutgers has wins over Dartmouth, Florida, UConn, and Pitt.
Notre Dame is outscoring opponents 70-64 this season. The Fighting Irish are shooting 43.1% from the field including 32.0% from 3 point range. Notre Dame makes 71.5% of their free throws. The Irish average 34.4 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of -1.2. Notre Dame averages 12.3 assists, 11.6 turnovers, 5.6 steals, and 2.7 blocks a game. Notre Dame opponents are shooting 41.7% from the field and 32.3% from 3 point range. The Fighting Irish force 11.6 turnovers a game.
Notre Dame forward Tim Abromaitis is out for the season with a knee injury after playing in only 2 games. Last year he averaged 15.4 points and 6.1 rebounds a game. Eric Atkins averages 13.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.3 steals a game to tie for the team lead. He makes 44.4% of his 3 point attempts. Jerian Grant averages 13 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists to lead the team, and 1.3 steals a game. Jack Cooley averages 10.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks a game. Cooley leads the team in rebounds and blocks. Scott Martin, Alex Dragicevich, and Pat Connaughton also contribute to the scoring.
Rutgers is outscoring opponents 68-64 this season. The Scarlet Knights are shooting 44.1% from the field including 32.7% from 3 point range. Rutgers makes 69.7% of their free throws. The Knights average 35.9 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +2.9. Rutgers averages 12.7 assists, 15.4 turnovers, 8.9 steals, and 4.2 blocks a game. Rutgers opponents are shooting 40.1% from the field and 32% from 3 point range. Rutgers forces 16.9 turnovers a game.
Rutgers guard Eli Carter averages 13.7 points, 3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Myles Mack averages 10.4 points, 2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals a game to lead the team. Forward Gilvydas Biruta averages 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Jerome Seagears averages 7.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists a game to lead the team. Dane Miller leads the the team in blocks with 1.8 a game and rebounds with 6.1 a game. Guard Austin Carroll is questionable with a knee injury.
Rutgers is 4-8 against the spread and the total is 5-7 this season. Notre Dame is 3-7-2 ATS and the total is 3-9 this season. The Scarlet Knights are 11-2 ATS in the last 13 against Notre Dame, including 6-0 at home. Four of the last five meetings have gone under the total. The Fighting Irish are 7-3 ATS against Big East teams, 2-5 as an underdog of 6.5 points or less, 3-8 as a road underdog, 3-9-1 against teams with winning records, 3-10-2 in Monday games, and overall, 2-8 after a straight up loss, 1-4 after failing to cover, 1-4 in road games against teams with winning home records, 1-5 as a road underdog of 6.5 points or less, and on the road. The Scarlet Knights are 4-0 ATS in Monday games, 6-2-1 in Big East games, 2-5-1 after a straight up loss, 1-4-1 after failing to cover, 2-9 at home, 1-8 at home against teams with losing road records, 1-9-2 as a favorite, 0-6 as a home favorite, 0-5-1 as a favorite of 6.5 points or less, including 0-5 at home.
These two teams are very inconsistent. They both have some big wins and head scratching losses. I think it will be a close game, but I like Rutgers playing at home.
