NCAA College Basketball Prediction and Odds: Connecticut at Rutgers
Saturday, January 07, 2012
by Joe Rodriguez
The Connecticut Huskies coach Jim Calhoun returns to the sidelines, after serving a three-game suspension for NCAA recruiting violations, as the Huskies try to rebound from their first Big East loss. Connecticut had its seven-game win streak snapped when it shot a season-low 35.1 percent from the field at Seton Hall Tuesday in a 75-63 defeat.
Calhoun will try to get Connecticut rolling again when it travels to Rutgers on Saturday night. Connecticut has beaten Rutgers 17 of 18 times in Big East play, including the last 10.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights has dropped its last two games, including a 21-point thumping at home against West Virginia Wednesday, since beating nationally-ranked Florida. Rutgers last beat Connecticut in January of 2002.
- Connecticut Huskies @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights
When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 7, 2012
Where: Louis Brown Athletic Center, Piscataway, New Jersey
TV: ET; SNY, ESPN3.com
The Huskies have opened as 6.5-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NCAA Basketball Odds.
Connecticut Huskies (12-2): Connecticut just didn't have it at Seton Hall in associate head coach Geroge Blaney's last game at the helm. The Pirates held guard Shabazz Napier to 2-of-12 shooting and outstanding freshman center Andre Drummond to four points. Napier, averaging 14.1 points and 6.4 assists, had five turnovers and will have to be better against Rutgers' ball-hawking defense. Jeremy Lamb continued his strong season with a team-high 19 points against Seton Hall. He is averaging 18.9 points and shooting 51.6 percent from the field – 41.4 from 3-point range.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-7): Rutgers had been fairly solid defensively before West Virginia shot 56.8 percent against it Wednesday. Rutgers will have to get back to the team that has allowed 41.2 percent shooting overall and averages 9.4 steals and more than 17 turnovers against. Freshman Eli Carter, named Big East rookie of the week Monday, is averaging 24.3 points the last three games. Freshman Myles Mack is averaging 14.2 points and shooting 60.5 percent coming off the bench the last five games.
1. Connecticut is second in field-goal percentage offense and defense in the Big East.
2. Rutgers tied a school record in Big East games with 31 fouls Wednesday.
3. Connecticut's Alex Oriakhi had 17 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in a 67-53 victory over Rutgers last season.
BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Huskies 72, Scarlet Knights 64.
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alex oriakhi - andre drummond - connecticut huskies - eli carter - geroge blaney - jeremy lamb - jim calhoun - louis brown athletic center - myles mack - rutgers scarlet knights
