Rutgers vs. Creighton Picks and Predictions: College Basketball Crown Quarterfinals
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Thu Apr 02, 2026, 4:15 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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In our final College Basketball Crown Quarterfinal matchup, the Creighton Bluejays take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Both teams have had character building seasons after Rutgers finished 14-19 while the Bluejays were 15-17. Not want you want to see from a team that actually started the season in the preseason top 25 AP Poll. Nevertheless, they didn't perform up to standard, but have a chance to make things right in the CBC. Will they find a way to win tonight? Let's find out with our CBB expert picks below.
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Best Bet: Creighton Team Total Over 77.5 (-120) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Go check out what else I've got on my daily card, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Creighton Bluejays NCAA Basketball Insights
The battle begins tonight 👑#TheKnighthood 🛡️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/y1T4Qwlbfc
— Rutgers Men's Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) April 2, 2026
When looking at the season these two teams had, something strikes me right off the bat. The Bluejays, despite playing in a slightly easier league, had the MUCH tougher strength of schedule. Overall, the Bluejays played the 41st toughest schedule in college hoops, with their non conference SOS also ranking in the top 100 of the country. Rutgers wasn't even close.
Sure, playing in the Big Ten helped them land an overall SOS inside the top 50, but in terms of non conference games, they actually played the 25th easiest schedule. Creighton is clearly the more battle tested team, and with their head coach leaving after this season is over, this could be a chance for the Bluejays to send him off into the sunset with one more trophy. Sure, it wouldn't be the one they originally planned on, but some hardware is better than no hardware in the case.
Matchup Information – Rutgers vs. Creighton – April 2
- Venue & Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena (Las Vegas, NV)
- Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026
- Tip Off: 10:30 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: FS1
Rutgers vs. Creighton Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of April 2, 2026 at 3:44 p.m. eastern. Sign up today with and get a $1,250 deposit bonus, as well as 50 slot spins immediately. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.
Spread
- Rutgers +5.5 (-107)
- Creighton -5.5 (-113)
Moneyline
- Rutgers +193
- Creighton -240
Total
- Over 151 (-112)
- Under 151 (-108)
Rutgers vs. Creighton NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions
The Bluejays face the Scarlet Knights tonight in Las Vegas
Rutgers vs. Creighton Prediction: Creighton Wins and Covers, Over 151
Best Bet: Creighton Team Total Over 77.5 (-120) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Give me the Bluejays to score a ton. The common theme throughout this tournament has been the games soaring over. Last year we had plenty of overs, and we already got one this year. Sure, there is always going to be an outlier or two, but people are betting on these overs like they have tomorrow's paper. This total has gone up from the 148.5 opener to 151.5 where it's now settled, and it wouldn't surprise me if it moves up another point or two before this late tip off.
To me, that means backing the Bluejays on the team total could be the right side. Their spread has steamed up from laying 2.5 to 5.5 in this contest, and we are using the same thinking that had us backing the Sooners last night. Oklahoma's spread got bought up from 5.5 to 9.5 where it closed. They ended up failing to cover either number, but they still scored plenty.
While we missed out on laying the single possession with Creighton, I still think they put the ball in the hoop. Creighton ranks in the top 50 in terms of pace over their last 10 games, along with breaking the top 55 in assist and 3P rate. Rutgers may try and slow things down, but I don't think they are successful in doing so, and they give up way too many points regardless. Rutgers ranks bottom 100 in opponent eFG% this season, and is bottom 70 in opponent 3P%. So Creighton should knock down plenty of shots from downtown, making it much easier for them to cover this number.
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Check Out the Other March Madness Content from Betting News
For college basketball bettors, March Madness is the most wonderful time of the year. And at Betting News, we have you covered for this festively fun season with expert picks throughout the tournament from Nate Hornung and Eddie Griffin, consensus picks for every March Madness game from the First Four to the Final Four, a rundown of the best March Madness betting sites, and more.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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