Northwestern Wildcats vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Pick & Prediction for Sunday January 11, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Northwestern Wildcats travel to Jersey Mike’s Arena to face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Sunday, January 11, 2026. This 5:00 PM EST matchup, streaming exclusively on Peacock, features two teams looking to climb out of the bottom of the Big Ten standings. Northwestern is searching for its first conference win, while Rutgers hopes to find stability at home. For expert analysis and daily wagering insights on the full slate of Big Ten action, be sure to check out the latest free college basketball picks over at Winners and Whiners.
Northwestern Wildcats: The Martinelli Show
The Wildcats (8-7, 0-4 Big Ten) have faced a brutal early conference schedule but have remained competitive behind the historic scoring of Nick Martinelli. The senior forward leads the Big Ten in scoring at 23.4 PPG and is coming off a 28-point performance against Michigan State. Northwestern plays a disciplined, low-turnover style, currently leading the nation with only 8.6 turnovers per game.
The Wildcats are mostly healthy but will be without freshman Cade Bennerman, who remains OUT with a lower-body injury. The key for Northwestern will be the play of their veteran backcourt; Jalen Leach and Ty Berry must provide secondary scoring to prevent Rutgers from double-teaming Martinelli in the post. While the Wildcats shoot a high percentage (48% FG), their rebounding (33.1 RPG) remains a significant vulnerability that Rutgers will look to exploit.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Freshman Stars and Consistency Issues
Rutgers (8-8, 1-4 Big Ten) has experienced the extreme highs and lows of a young roster. After a thrilling overtime win against Oregon, they were soundly defeated 81-55 by Illinois on Thursday. The Scarlet Knights rely heavily on five-star freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. Harper is the offensive engine, though he has battled minor ankle issues and the flu recently.
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The injury report is a major storyline for the Knights. Forward Dylan Grant is Questionable for Sunday after missing time with a foot injury, and guard Dorian Jones remains OUT. Rutgers struggles with offensive efficiency, shooting just 40% as a team, but they make up for it with a disruptive defense and a strong presence on the offensive glass led by Emmanuel Ogbole (6.8 RPG).
Northwestern vs. Rutgers Prediction
Despite being winless in conference play, Northwestern is favored on the road due to their superior offensive efficiency and the elite play of Martinelli.
Northwestern vs. Rutgers ATS Pick
- Pick: Northwestern -4.5 (-110)
Northwestern is much more disciplined than a Rutgers team that often struggles with shot selection and turnovers. The Wildcats' nation-leading assist-to-turnover ratio (2.12) allows them to maximize possessions, even in a hostile road environment. Martinelli is a matchup nightmare for a Rutgers frontcourt that can be foul-prone. Expect Northwestern to control the tempo and secure their first Big Ten victory by two or more possessions.
Northwestern vs. Rutgers Total Pick
- Pick: Under 144.5 (-115)
While Northwestern can score, Rutgers games at Jersey Mike’s Arena typically devolve into defensive grinds. The Scarlet Knights are shooting poorly from the field, and Northwestern’s lack of depth often leads them to slow the game down in the second half. Ten of Northwestern's games have gone Over this year, but against a Rutgers defense that excels at home, a 71-64 final score feels most likely.
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