NCAAB · Final

Minnesota Dominates Rutgers in Convincing Win

Saturday, February 21, 2026, 12:00 PM ET · Williams Arena

Minnesota Golden Gophers 80, Rutgers Scarlet Knights 61, 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 Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Minnesota Golden Gophers?

Minnesota Golden Gophers beat Rutgers Scarlet Knights 80-61 at Williams Arena on February 21, 2026.

Who was favored in Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Minnesota Golden Gophers?

Minnesota Golden Gophers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -410 (about 80% implied). The favorite won.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers secured a commanding victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, finishing the game with a score of 80-61. This matchup held significance as both teams were looking to improve their standings in the NCAAB league, with Minnesota aiming to build on their recent win after a challenging stretch of games.

Minnesota entered the game with a record of 13-14, having struggled in their last ten games, with a record of 2-8. However, they managed to snap a losing streak with a recent win against the Oregon Ducks, where they triumphed 61-44. The Golden Gophers had averaged 66.7 points scored and allowed 71.0 points in their last ten outings, showcasing a need for improvement on both ends of the court. At home, they had a record of 1-3 in their last four games, indicating their struggles to capitalize on home-court advantage.

On the other side, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights came into this game with an 11-16 record and had a mixed bag of results in their last ten games, recording a 3-7 record. They entered the contest on a two-game winning streak, having recently defeated Penn State 85-72 and Maryland 68-57. Rutgers had averaged 72.6 points scored while allowing 79.4 points in their last ten games, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities. Their away record was less impressive, standing at 1-4 in their last five away games.

The two teams had met previously in the 2025 season, where Minnesota fell to Rutgers with a score of 67-75, making this game a chance for the Golden Gophers to even the score. However, Minnesota's performance in this matchup was markedly different, as they outplayed Rutgers from start to finish.

In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant player absences that would have affected the outcome of the game. Both teams appeared to field their regular lineups, allowing for a fair contest.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Minnesota favored by 8.5 points, with a total set at 136.5. The odds reflected a belief in Minnesota's ability to cover the spread, and they did so convincingly with their final score. The home money line was set at -410.0, while Rutgers had a money line of 320.0, indicating a clear expectation of a Minnesota victory.

Conditions at Williams Arena were conducive for basketball, and the home crowd provided a supportive atmosphere for the Golden Gophers. The venue has a reputation for being a challenging place for visiting teams, and Minnesota took full advantage of this advantage.

Key moments in the game included several scoring plays that highlighted Minnesota's offensive efficiency. In the second half, Grayson Grove made a tip-in layup, and Dylan Grant contributed with a series of free throws and layups, showcasing the team's ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Lino Mark also made an impactful three-point jumper that contributed to the final score.

Overall, Minnesota's performance was a testament to their resilience after a tough season. They demonstrated a balanced offensive attack and improved defense, which will be crucial as they look to build momentum heading into the latter part of the season. Rutgers, meanwhile, will need to reassess their strategies as they continue to struggle on the road and against teams that can capitalize on their defensive weaknesses.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	MINN -8.5	136.5 o -105 / u -115	Rutgers Scarlet Knights +320 · Minnesota Golden Gophers -410

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

Leaders

PointsCade Tyson27Minnesota Golden Gophers
AssistsLangston Reynolds9Minnesota Golden Gophers
ReboundsCade Tyson10Minnesota Golden Gophers
PointsLino Mark16Rutgers Scarlet Knights
AssistsTariq Francis5Rutgers Scarlet Knights
ReboundsDylan Grant5Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Recent form

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Last 10: 2-8Streak W166.7 scored · 71 allowed per game1-3 at home

W61-44at Oregon DucksFeb 18
L57-69at Washington HuskiesFeb 15
L62-67vs Maryland TerrapinsFeb 8
W76-73vs Michigan State SpartansFeb 5
L75-77at Penn State Nittany LionsFeb 1
L63-67at Wisconsin BadgersJan 29
L57-76vs Nebraska CornhuskersJan 24
L74-82at Ohio State BuckeyesJan 20
L67-77at Illinois Fighting IlliniJan 17
L75-78vs Wisconsin BadgersJan 14

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Last 10: 3-7Streak W272.6 scored · 79.4 allowed per game1-4 away

W85-72at Penn State Nittany LionsFeb 18
W68-57vs Maryland TerrapinsFeb 15
L68-80vs Nebraska CornhuskersFeb 7
L66-98at UCLA BruinsFeb 4
L75-78at USC TrojansFeb 1
L79-88vs Michigan State SpartansJan 27
L59-82vs Indiana HoosiersJan 23
L62-68at Iowa HawkeyesJan 21
L87-96at Wisconsin BadgersJan 17
W77-75vs Northwestern WildcatsJan 11

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	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	Minnesota Golden Gophers
Field goals	24-54	30-50
Field goal %	44	60
Three-pointers	7-18	15-26
Three-point %	39	58
Free throws	6-8	5-7
Free throw %	75	71
Rebounds	22	31
Offensive rebounds	6	5
Defensive rebounds	16	26
Assists	23	23
Steals	5	2
Blocks	1	2
Turnovers	7	10
Team turnovers	0	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	13	11
Fast-break points	3	3
Points in the paint	24	28
Fouls	10	7
Largest lead	4	24
Lead changes	1	1
Time in front	8	85

How the scoring went

1st Half23-33Cade Tyson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Langston Reynolds assists)
1st Half23-36Isaac Asuma makes 25-foot three point jumper (Bobby Durkin assists)
2nd Half23-38Langston Reynolds makes driving layup
2nd Half25-38Dylan Grant makes layup (Tariq Francis assists)
2nd Half28-38Harun Zrno makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kaden Powers assists)
2nd Half28-40Grayson Grove makes layup (Cade Tyson assists)
2nd Half28-41Grayson Grove makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half28-44Bobby Durkin makes 23-foot three point jumper (Grayson Grove assists)
2nd Half30-44Dylan Grant makes layup (Harun Zrno assists)
2nd Half30-47Bobby Durkin makes 23-foot three point jumper (Langston Reynolds assists)
2nd Half32-47Dylan Grant makes layup (Harun Zrno assists)
2nd Half32-50Bobby Durkin makes 24-foot three point jumper (Isaac Asuma assists)
2nd Half33-50Dylan Grant makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half34-50Dylan Grant makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half35-50Dylan Grant makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half35-53Isaac Asuma makes 24-foot three point jumper (Langston Reynolds assists)
2nd Half38-53Lino Mark makes 23-foot three point jumper (Darren Buchanan Jr. assists)
2nd Half38-55Cade Tyson makes 2-foot dunk (Langston Reynolds assists)
2nd Half40-55Emmanuel Ogbole makes layup (Lino Mark assists)
2nd Half40-57Cade Tyson makes 7-foot hook shot
2nd Half43-57Tariq Francis makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jamichael Davis assists)
2nd Half43-60Cade Tyson makes 22-foot three point jumper (Isaac Asuma assists)
2nd Half43-63Bobby Durkin makes 26-foot three point jumper (Isaac Asuma assists)
2nd Half45-63Lino Mark makes driving layup (Tariq Francis assists)
2nd Half46-63Lino Mark makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-66Cade Tyson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Langston Reynolds assists)
2nd Half48-66Tariq Francis makes 17-foot jumper (Lino Mark assists)
2nd Half50-66Lino Mark makes driving layup (Denis Badalau assists)
2nd Half50-69Cade Tyson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Grayson Grove assists)
2nd Half52-69Emmanuel Ogbole makes layup (Jamichael Davis assists)
2nd Half52-72Cade Tyson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Bobby Durkin assists)
2nd Half52-74Langston Reynolds makes driving layup
2nd Half52-76Grayson Grove makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half54-76Dylan Grant makes layup (Kaden Powers assists)
2nd Half55-76Dylan Grant makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half56-76Dylan Grant makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half56-78Grayson Grove makes layup (Bobby Durkin assists)
2nd Half58-78Darren Buchanan Jr. makes layup (Lino Mark assists)
2nd Half58-80Langston Reynolds makes driving layup
2nd Half61-80Lino Mark makes 23-foot three point jumper (Denis Badalau assists)

Win probability

Above the line favours Minnesota Golden Gophers, below favours Rutgers Scarlet Knights.