Many eyes in the college basketball world will be on Louis Brown Athletic Center Friday as host Rutgers looks to handle the Howard Bison in NCAA hoops action.

The Scarlet Knights are 7-2 so far on the season, and 4-3 ATS vs. the number. The Bison, meanwhile, are 3-9 and 1-1 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Rutgers go 4-0 and the Bison go 0-0 on the totals.



View Howard vs Rutgers Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Odds Shark Power Rankings have the Scarlet Knights at No. 188 and the Bison at No. 235 heading into this contest. Handicapping models at Odds Shark project a 70-57 result in favor of the Scarlet Knights.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Rutgers's No. 65 nationally ranked offense (74.4 points per game) against a Bison defense that sits as the No. 116 at 62.9 PPG. The Scarlet Knights have been averaging 47.7% from the field, more than the Bison have managed so far this season (39.8% on average).

Defensively, Howard features the nation's No. 118-rated defense on the road, allowing 66.8 points per game. Rutgers, meanwhile, comes in at No. 123 nationally in scoring at home.

Last time out for Howard, they were a 69-53 loser as they battled Oregon State on the road. Mike Phillips scored 15 points in a futile effort to lead the Bison to a win (they lost 69-53 to Oregon State at Gill Coliseum on Wednesday).

Rutgers was an 88-79 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against UAB. They covered the 7-point spread as favorites. Rutgers got 23 points from Myles Mack en route to an 88-79 victory over UAB on Sunday at Louis Brown Athletic Center.


Rutgers Scarlet Knights Trends:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Rider are 3-1
After a win are 5-5

A few Bison at Scarlet Knights trends to consider:
Rutgers is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Rutgers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home


Next up:
Howard at Central Florida, Friday, December 28
Rutgers home to Rider, Friday, December 28