It will be a battle between Big 10 opponents when the Iowa Hawkeyes (11-12, 2-8 Big 10) welcome the Minnesota Golden Gophers (14-9, 3-7 Big 10) to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game is scheduled to get underway at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 158 points with Iowa set as a 3.5-point favorite.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Prediction
The last time the Golden Gophers played, they were beaten by the Northwestern Wildcats, 77-69. Northwestern’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over Minnesota. The Wildcats had a rate of 0.321 (above their season average of 0.232), while the Golden Gophers posted a mark of 0.169 (below their season average of 0.270). Nate Mason was the game’s high scorer with 25 points on 7-for-14 shooting.
The Hawkeyes lost to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in their last game, 98-84. One of Nebraska’s biggest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They made 36 trips to the line, while Iowa went just 14 times. Iowa’s Tyler Cook had a solid game, leading the team in scoring with 24 points on 11-for-18 shooting.
Iowa figures to have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Hawkeyes rank 51st in offensive efficiency, while the Golden Gophers rank 159th in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Golden Gophers rank 28th in turnover percentage (16.2 percent), while the Hawkeyes rank 315th in opponents’ turnover percentage (16.6 percent).
Minnesota has a respectable 14-9 straight up (SU) record, but they have trouble covering the spread (9-13 against the spread (ATS)). It’s tough to find a trend for Golden Gophers games in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Iowa owns records of 11-12 SU and 7-10-2 ATS. Of the Hawkeyes’ 19 games that accepted bets, 13 have finished over the total.
After the Golden Gophers won the only game against the Hawkeyes last season, 101-89, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. The Golden Gophers had a better turnover percentage (12.8 vs. 17.1) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (37.7 vs. 32.7).
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Iowa Hawkeyes Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Iowa, ATS Winner – Minnesota, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Minnesota is 4-5 ATS with 5 unders and 4 overs.
Iowa is 3-3-1 ATS at home with 4 overs and 3 unders.
Iowa averages 18.7 assists per game, which ranks fifth in the nation. Minnesota ranks 201st in assists allowed per game (15.0).
The Hawkeyes rank 43rd in rebounds per game (39.2) while the Golden Gophers rank 231st in rebounds allowed per game (37.7).
Iowa ranks 41st in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while Minnesota ranks 176th (4.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Minnesota is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Iowa is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Golden Gophers have been outscored by an average of 12.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Minnesota has defeated opponents by an average of 5.3 points.
During their last five games, the Hawkeyes have scored an average of 80.2 points per game (0.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 85.8 points per game (8.5 above their season average).
