NCAAB · Final/OT

Rutgers Edges Northwestern in Overtime Thriller

Sunday, January 11, 2026, 5:00 PM ET · Jersey Mike’s Arena

Rutgers Scarlet Knights 77, Northwestern Wildcats 75, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Northwestern Wildcats vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights?

Rutgers Scarlet Knights beat Northwestern Wildcats 77-75 at Jersey Mike’s Arena on January 11, 2026.

Who was favored in Northwestern Wildcats vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights?

Northwestern Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -198 (about 66% implied). The underdog won.

In a closely contested matchup, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights triumphed over the Northwestern Wildcats with a final score of 77-75 after overtime. The game, held at Jersey Mike’s Arena, showcased the resilience of the Scarlet Knights, who improved their record to 10-8, while the Wildcats fell to 8-9.

Both teams entered the game with similar records, with Rutgers holding a home record of 9-8 and Northwestern at 8-8 overall. In their last ten games, Rutgers recorded a 4-6 mark, struggling with a recent loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini, where they fell 55-81. Their average scoring in this stretch was 67.8 points, while they allowed an average of 76.1 points per game. In contrast, Northwestern also posted a 4-6 record in their last ten games, with their most recent outing resulting in a 66-76 loss to the Michigan State Spartans. The Wildcats averaged 77.6 points scored and allowed 73.8 points during this period.

At home, Rutgers had a record of 4-2 in their last six games, while Northwestern struggled away, with an away record of 0-3 in their last three games. This home advantage was a key factor in the matchup, as Rutgers looked to capitalize on their home court.

Historically, the teams had met once before in the 2025 season, where Rutgers emerged victorious with a score of 79-72 in a game played at Northwestern. This previous meeting added a layer of anticipation to the rematch, as both teams sought to assert dominance in their conference.

In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant player absences that would impact the game. However, both teams were expected to field their regular lineups, which added to the competitive nature of the fixture.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Northwestern favored by 4.5 points, with a total set at 144.5. The odds indicated a close game, with Rutgers listed at +164 for the moneyline and Northwestern at -198. This suggested that while Northwestern was favored, the matchup was anticipated to be tightly contested.

The conditions in Jersey Mike’s Arena were conducive to an exciting game, and the atmosphere was charged as fans filled the venue to support their teams. As the game progressed, it became evident that both teams were evenly matched, with neither able to establish a significant lead.

In the overtime period, the scoring plays were critical. Jayden Reid made a driving layup with an assist from Tre Singleton, giving Rutgers a slight edge at 74-71. Singleton then converted two free throws, extending the lead to 74-72. Tariq Francis contributed with two successful free throws, pushing the score to 76-72. Northwestern fought back, with Arrinten Page and Nick Martinelli each making free throws, but it was not enough to overcome Rutgers’ lead. Darren Buchanan Jr. sealed the victory with a final free throw, bringing the score to 77-75.

Overall, the game was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams, with Rutgers managing to secure the win in a thrilling overtime finish. Fans witnessed a hard-fought battle that highlighted the determination and skill of both the Scarlet Knights and the Wildcats.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	NU -4.5	144.5 o -108 / u -112	Northwestern Wildcats -198 · Rutgers Scarlet Knights +164

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsTariq Francis30Rutgers Scarlet Knights
AssistsJamichael Davis4Rutgers Scarlet Knights
ReboundsDarren Buchanan Jr.10Rutgers Scarlet Knights
PointsNick Martinelli34Northwestern Wildcats
AssistsJayden Reid6Northwestern Wildcats
ReboundsNick Martinelli12Northwestern Wildcats

Recent form

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Last 10: 4-6Streak L167.8 scored · 76.1 allowed per game4-2 at home

L55-81at Illinois Fighting IlliniJan 9
W88-85vs Oregon DucksJan 6
L73-80vs Ohio State BuckeyesJan 3
W65-50vs Delaware State HornetsDec 30
W70-69vs Pennsylvania QuakersDec 21
L59-81at Seton Hall PiratesDec 14
L60-101at Michigan WolverinesDec 6
L65-81vs Purdue BoilermakersDec 3
W80-65vs UNLV RebelsNov 27
L63-68at Notre Dame Fighting IrishNov 25

Northwestern Wildcats

Last 10: 4-6Streak L277.6 scored · 73.8 allowed per game0-3 away

L66-76at Michigan State SpartansJan 8
L78-84vs Minnesota Golden GophersJan 3
W80-60vs Howard BisonDec 30
L58-61at Butler BulldogsDec 20
W86-70vs Valparaiso BeaconsDec 17
W93-53vs Jackson State TigersDec 13
L82-86vs Ohio State BuckeyesDec 6
L73-85at Wisconsin BadgersDec 4
L81-86vs Oklahoma State CowboysNov 28
W79-77vs South Carolina GamecocksNov 23

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Michigan	37-3	-	19-1
Nebraska	28-7	4	15-5
Michigan State	27-8	4	15-5
Illinois	28-9	4	15-5
Wisconsin	24-11	5	14-6
Purdue	30-9	6	13-7
UCLA	24-12	6	13-7
Ohio State	21-13	7	12-8
Iowa	24-13	9	10-10
Indiana	18-14	10	9-11
Minnesota	15-18	11	8-12
USC	18-14	12	7-13
Washington	16-17	12	7-13
Rutgers	14-20	13	6-14
Northwestern	15-19	14	5-15
Oregon	12-20	14	5-15
Maryland	12-21	15	4-16
Penn State	12-20	16	3-17

Box score

Stat	Northwestern Wildcats	Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Field goals	26-63	26-64
Field goal %	41	41
Three-pointers	6-18	6-19
Three-point %	33	32
Free throws	17-29	19-27
Free throw %	59	70
Rebounds	40	47
Offensive rebounds	11	13
Defensive rebounds	29	34
Assists	20	14
Steals	5	4
Blocks	6	4
Turnovers	6	6
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	8	5
Fast-break points	13	6
Points in the paint	20	24
Fouls	22	21
Largest lead	12	5
Lead changes	9	9
Time in front	82	11

How the scoring went

2nd Half45-47Tariq Francis makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jamichael Davis assists)
2nd Half46-47Nick Martinelli makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half47-47Nick Martinelli makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half49-47Arrinten Page makes 13-foot jumper
2nd Half52-47Jake West makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jayden Reid assists)
2nd Half52-49Tariq Francis makes 14-foot pullup jump shot (Kaden Powers assists)
2nd Half54-49Nick Martinelli makes layup (Jayden Reid assists)
2nd Half54-52Tariq Francis makes 25-foot three point jumper (Darren Buchanan Jr. assists)
2nd Half55-52Arrinten Page makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half56-52Arrinten Page makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half57-52Nick Martinelli makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half58-52Nick Martinelli makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half58-54Darren Buchanan Jr. makes layup (Jamichael Davis assists)
2nd Half58-56Tariq Francis makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half60-56Nick Martinelli makes 11-foot jumper (Jayden Reid assists)
2nd Half61-56Nick Martinelli makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half62-56Nick Martinelli makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half62-57Jamichael Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half62-58Jamichael Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half62-59Dylan Grant makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half65-59Jordan Clayton makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jake West assists)
2nd Half65-62Jamichael Davis makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tariq Francis assists)
2nd Half65-64Tariq Francis makes driving layup
2nd Half65-65Tariq Francis makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-66Tariq Francis makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half67-66Nick Martinelli makes 17-foot jumper (Jayden Reid assists)
2nd Half67-67Darren Buchanan Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
OT69-67Nick Martinelli makes 8-foot turnaround jump shot
OT69-69Jamichael Davis makes 21-foot jumper (Tariq Francis assists)
OT69-71Tariq Francis makes 9-foot floating jump shot
OT69-73Tariq Francis makes driving layup
OT69-74Tariq Francis makes free throw 1 of 1
OT71-74Jayden Reid makes driving layup (Tre Singleton assists)
OT72-74Tre Singleton makes free throw 2 of 2
OT72-75Tariq Francis makes free throw 1 of 2
OT72-76Tariq Francis makes free throw 2 of 2
OT73-76Arrinten Page makes free throw 1 of 2
OT74-76Arrinten Page makes free throw 2 of 2
OT75-76Nick Martinelli makes free throw 1 of 2
OT75-77Darren Buchanan Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2

Win probability

Above the line favours Rutgers Scarlet Knights, below favours Northwestern Wildcats.