Rutgers vs Seton Hall Picks and Odds (Dec. 12)

Odds from BetMGM as of December 11th

Recent Results

Steve Pikiell’s team beat Purdue for the fourth straight time thanks to Ron Harper Jr’s career night. The New Jersey native finished with a career-high 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting and 10 rebounds — and that incredible near-halfcourt game-winner — to help Rutgers beat the top-ranked squad for the first time in program history.

Meantime, Kevin Willard’s Bucs beat their second non-conference opponent ranked in the top 10 this season (a first in program history) thanks to Jared Rhoden’s team-high 18 points and a clutch 3 by Bryce Aiken.

Rutgers Outlook

Yes, we’re not even in January yet. But following losses at UMass and Big East bottom-feeder DePaul, as well as at home to Lafayette, the Scarlet Knights’ chances of getting  back to the NCAA Tournament were very much in doubt prior to Thursday. Now, they know they can beat anybody.

🚨 RON HARPER AT THE BUZZER!!!!!!!! 🚨

RUTGERS WINS!!!!!!!!!@RutgersMBB pic.twitter.com/IGkUjFpUzO

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 10, 2021

Sunday provides another “Show Me” opportunity for Pikiell’s club — and it should get a boost from a senior leader. Geo Baker, a team captain, missed the Purdue game with the flu.

But after missing the previous three games with a hamstring injury, the 6-foot-4 guard is hungry to be back on the floor after a four-game layoff.

Ron Harper Jr on fire though 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/xgc12g3qop

— SLAM University (@slam_university) December 10, 2021

Then, there’s Harper — who is coming off his signature game in a Rutgers uniform. The 6-foot-6 senior — who leads the team in scoring at 16.4 points per game and rebounding at 8.6 boards per game — would like nothing more than carry Thursday’s momentum he sparked into The Rock against Seton Hall.

Harper and Co. hammered the then-No. 22 Pirates 68-48 in a home matchup two years ago in the last meeting between the schools.

Seton Hall Outlook

For a team that was picked to finish fifth in the Big East preseason poll, the Pirates have clearly proved the doubters wrong early on. Willard’s club got especially high praise from his counterpart, Texas coach Chris Beard, who said Seton Hall is one of a dozen teams he thinks could win the national championship.

And after holding the Longhorns scoreless for a 7:20 down the stretch Thursday, Bears — a Final Four coach himself — might be right.

Victory over no. 7 Texas | Cinematic Recap 🎥 #HALLin 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/1bwIIQDpzp

— Seton Hall Men's Basketball (@SetonHallMBB) December 10, 2021

Like Harper, Rhoden is a 6-foot-6 senior guard who leads his team in points (17.6) and rebounds (7.1) per game.

Keep in mind that this Pirates team is one Meechie Johnson game-wining 3-pointer against Ohio State away from being undefeated at 9-0 on the season. If the Bucs had knocked off the Bucks, they would already be a top-10 team.

Jared Rhoden behind the back dribble into the contested J 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/A8gv7dNPD6

— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) December 10, 2021

They own wins over a then-No. 4 Michigan outfit and No. 7 Texas. Their NET ranking is now 23 and they now have two Quad-1 wins. Not too shabby for a squad picked to finish below St. John’s.

The Pick

Seton Hall leads Rutgers 40-32 in the all-time series and has won five of the last eight. Plus, the Pirates are out for revenge coming off that 20-point debacle two years ago that saw star Myles Powell leave early due to a concussion.

Rutgers proved it can beat anybody in the Purdue game. Plus, the Scarlet Knights will get a boost with the return of Baker.

But Seton Hall is a borderline elite defensive outfit, ranked in the top-25 in four defensive categories by KenPom (defensive adjusted efficiency, defensive effective field goal percentage, defensive offensive rebounding percentage and defensive 3-point field goal percentage.

It should be a good one, but I’m taking the home team here.

Pick: Seton Hall -10.5 (-110)