Rutgers @ Miami (FL)

What will be the GAME RESULT?

Miami (FL): Wins By 15+ Points

Any Other Result

Current odds:

Rutgers: (+550)

Miami (FL): (-800)

• The line for this game is Miami by 11.5 points.

• Rutgers heads on the road for the first time this season as it travels south to face Miami on Wednesday in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Both schools are off to solid starts, but the Hurricanes are coming off their lone loss (83-81 to Seton Hall), while the Scarlet Knights have won two straight after St. John’s handed them their only setback almost two weeks ago. This matchup begins a “brutal” stretch for Rutgers, says coach Steve Pikiell, as the team plays three games in six days, with two against ranked teams (No. 8 Michigan State and No. 22 Wisconsin) and two on the road (Miami and Wisconsin).

• The Hurricanes figure to be the easiest opponent of the three, but they are hardly pushovers, scoring at least 78 points in every game this season, even with star guard Dewan Hernandez still sitting out due to eligibility concerns. Miami is 5-2 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge under eighth-year coach Jim Larranaga, including wins in the last four years, and the Hurricanes have won the last four home matches in the tourney.

• The Scarlet Knights won’t make it easy for the Hurricanes’ shooters as they rank 10th in the nation in scoring defense (57.0) and 17th in blocked shots (3.8). Rutgers is also dominating the boards, outrebounding every opponent thus far (212-173 overall), led by forward Eugene Omoruyi (9.8 rpg) and center Shaquille Doorson (6.4), and the duo combined for 29 rebounds their last time out in a 54-44 victory over Boston University. “I told the guys that defense decides the result of the game and the offense decides the margin,” said Pikiell. “These guys have been playing on good defensive teams the past couple of years and are experienced.”

• While the Scarlet Knights are grinding out their wins, the Hurricanes are scoring big offensively. Five players are averaging in double figures, topped by sophomore guard Chris Lykes (19.3 ppg), who has scorched defenses for 17 points or more in every game to rank fifth in the ACC in scoring. Guard Zach Johnson is making his presence felt after transferring from Florida Gulf Coast, as he averaged a team-best 18 points in three games at the Wooden Legacy to earn all-tournament honors.

• Miami holds a 10-5 series lead over Rutgers, with wins in the last two meetings, including a 73-61 victory two years ago at home in an ACC/Big Ten Challenge game.

• The Hurricanes have won 19 straight nonconference home games.

• Rutgers allowed just four first-half points to Eastern Michigan a little over a week ago to tie the NCAA Division I record for fewest points allowed in a half during the shot clock era (since 1985-86).