The Lafayette Leopards (7-2) head to Louis Brown Athletic Center to meet the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-3). The Leopards are a 13-point underdog and will attempt to lengthen their five-game winning streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 139.5 points and it can be seen on ESPNU at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 22, 2019.
Lafayette Leopards vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Odds
Both teams easily got past their last opponent. The Scarlet Knights defeated the 22nd-ranked Seton Hall Pirates 68-48, while the Leopards beat the Widener Pride 96-56.
Lafayette dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an absurd effective field goal percentage of 0.719 (above their season average of 0.595) and a free throw rate of 0.246 (above their season average of 0.176). For those same stats, Widener was 0.326 and 0.159, respectively. Rutgers, meanwhile, played a nearly flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.103 (below their season average of 0.234) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (below their season average of 34.1). For those same stats, Seton Hall was 0.034 and 16.7, respectively. Rutgers was lifted by Myles Johnson, who put up eight points and 13 rebounds. Justin Jaworski led the way for Lafayette, contributing 28 points.
Of the Leopards’ eight games with betting action, five have finished over the total. Lafayette comes into the game with records of 7-2 straight up (SU) and 6-2 against the spread (ATS).
Scarlet Knights games also have typically finished over the projected point total (63.6 percent). Moreover, Rutgers is 8-3 SU and 6-5 ATS.
Second-chance opportunities might be rare for Lafayette in this contest. Dating back to last season, the Leopards rank 312th in offensive rebounding percentage (23.3 percent), while Rutgers ranks 44th in defensive rebounding percentage (73.8 percent).
Lafayette Leopards at Rutgers Scarlet Knights Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Rutgers, ATS Winner – Lafayette, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2018-Present):
- Rutgers ranks 37th in rebounds per game (39.3) while Lafayette ranks 196th (33.5).
- The Leopards average 14.6 assists per game, which ranks 72nd in the nation. The Scarlet Knights rank 91st in assists allowed per game (12.3).
- Rutgers ranks 83rd in steals per game (6.7) while Lafayette ranks 87th in steals allowed per game (6.2).
- The Leopards rank 20th in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while the Scarlet Knights rank 133rd (3.7).
- Lafayette ranks 79th in three pointers attempted per game (24.5) while Rutgers ranks 147th in three pointers allowed per game (22.0).
