It's difficult to imagine Rutgers turning around its season the way it has played defensively, and its offensive advantages will be thwarted by Nebraska. The Scarlet Knights do a fine job at scoring second-chance buckets off of offensive rebounds, but only rank 175th in offensive rebounding and Nebraska ranks 18th in defensive rebounding. RU relies on interior scoring, but NU denies the paint and the post well, ranking 7th in average opponent near-proximity attempt rate and 64th in average opponent near-proximity shooting percentage.

The Cornhuskers' three-point shooters will also test Rutgers' defense. Nebraska shoots 35.5% from long range vs. the average opponent, per Haslametrics.com, as its leading scorers Brice Williams and Connor Essegian both shoot 39% from long range. The Scarlet Knights have been a stout defensive team in years past under coach Steve Pikiell, but they have taken several steps back this season, ranking 96th in Haslametrics' defensive efficiency. They struggle to keep ballhanders in front of them and their rim defense is soft. Nebraska ranks 44th nationally in near-proximity FG% and 46th in free-throw attempt rate, so I expect the home team to score plenty of buckets in the paint and at the foul line, too.

Rutgers is 0-3 straight up and against the spread in its true road games, with a loss to Kennesaw State and two double-digit Big 10 defeats, while Nebraska is 7-3 ATS at home. Bet on the Cornhuskers to cover as 8.5-point spread favorites on Thursday night!