NCAA Basketball: Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Minnesota Gophers February 2, 2021- Possible Lineups and Predictions

NCAA Basketball is back in action with an exciting matchup from the Big Ten Conference. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights play host to the Minnesota Gophers at the Rutgers Athletic Center at 9 pm EST.

The Scarlet Knights come into this game on a 3-game winning streak. This run includes impressive wins against Indiana and Michigan State.

Prior to this run, the Scarlet Knights were on a 5-game losing streak, but now they have picked up their form and are back at it again, boasting off a record of 10-6.

The Gophers are having a contrasting run. They have won just 1 out of their last 5 games and are struggling now. They began their season with a 10-2 run, including a giant-killing win against the Iowa Hawkeyes. But after that run, they have fallen to 11-6.

NCAA Basketball: Can the Rutgers Scarlet Knights extend their winning streak to 4?

Rutgers has a fully fit team for this clash. Caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy were introduced to the starting lineup after the 5-game losing streak and since then they haven’t lost.

That will be enough for them to retain their place in the lineup for now. Unfortunately, Jacob Young was benched, but he is continuing his brilliance off the bench for them.

The Scarlet Knights lineup will feature Geo Baker, Paul Mulcahy, and Ron Harper as their guards, and Caleb McConnell and Myles Johnson as their forwards.

Jarvis Omersa is the only player on the injury list for the Gophers. After having played 7 games, he opted out of the season because of COVID-19 related health concerns. But the rest of their team is fit and will be raring to go.

The Gophers will start with Both Gach, Gabe Kalscheur, and Marcus Carr as their guards, while Brandon Johnson and Liam Robbins start as their forwards.

The Scarlet Knights will hope to build on their streak. What’s more, breaking into the AP Poll will be yet another concern on their mind. Their #12 ranked defense has been resilient in recent games, and they will be expected to hold the Gophers’ offense at bay.

Harper Jr will lead them on offense, and the Gophers’ defense will have their work cut out for them. It will be a close game, but Rutgers should be able to win and improve their record to 11-6.