2020 has been an interesting year in the world of college basketball and one of the most intriguing stories has been the rise of Rutgers. A long time basketball doormat, the Scarlet Knights have reached new heights under head coach Steve Pikiell, who has gotten Rutgers off to a 6-0 start after a big upset win over Illinois on Sunday.

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Rutgers is currently ranked a season-high 11th in the AP polls and a lot of credit goes to the Scarlet Knights’ deep rotation, including junior guard Ron Harper Jr. The son of former NBA champion Ron Harper, the 6-foot-6 wing has nearly doubled his scoring average year-to-year, contributing 24 points per game, including a ridiculous 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting in the win over Illinois.

The Scarlet Knights hit the road for a tough matchup against No. 23 Ohio State, which remained in the polls this week after topping UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic over the weekend. The Buckeyes are off to a 6-1 start with the lone defeat coming against Purdue in its Big Ten opener, making it important for them to get back on track in this game.

Four different Buckeyes average double-figures in points per game, headlined by guard Duane Washington and forward E.J. Liddell. Utilizing a deep rotation and playing stout defense will be the key to stopping the Scarlet Knights in this contest.

A win for Rutgers would make an emphatic statement that this team can be a major factor in the Big Ten race this season. Few experts have pegged the Scarlet Knights as a top-tier contender but that could change with a road win against a ranked team.

How to bet and watch Rutgers at Ohio State

  • Date: Wednesday, Dec. 23
  • Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Columbus, OH
  • Venue: Value City Arena
  • TV: Big Ten Network
  • Live Stream: BTN+
  • Line: Ohio State -1.5 (FanDuel)
  • Prediction: Ohio State 66, Rutgers 60
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