It will be a battle between Big 10 opponents when the Penn State Nittany Lions (13-6, 3-3 Big 10) welcome the Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-6, 2-4 Big 10) to Bryce Jordan Center. The game gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 15, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 147.5 points with Penn State opening as a 7.5-point favorite.
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Penn State Nittany Lions ATS Prediction
The Golden Gophers are trying to rebound after their 81-47 loss to the No. 5 Purdue Boilermakers in their last matchup. Purdue’s 31.3 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Minnesota, who had a rate of 16.3. The Boilermakers’ mark was above their season average of 30.6, while the Golden Gophers’ was below their season average of 34.0. Isaiah Washington was Minnesota’s high scorer with 11 points on 3-for-13 shooting.
In the Nittany Lions’ last matchup, they edged the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 76-74. The Nittany Lions held the Cornhuskers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 24.4 (below their season average of 30.6). The Cornhuskers had a free throw rate of 0.221 (below their season average of 0.267). With 20 points and 15 rebounds, Mike Watkins had a solid performance for Penn State.
Penn State figures to have the advantage on the defensive side of the ball. The Nittany Lions currently rank 32nd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.461), while Minnesota is 249th in effective field goal percentage (0.496).
Minnesota is 13-6 straight up (SU), but they have trouble covering the spread (8-10 against the spread (ATS)). Games featuring the Golden Gophers have no tendency in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Penn State owns records of 13-6 SU and 7-7-1 ATS. Of the Nittany Lions’ 15 games that accepted bets, 9 have finished under the O/U total.
Watkins has averaged 13.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks over the last five games for Penn State.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Golden Gophers won the most recent matchup 81-71. The Golden Gophers had a much better free throw rate (0.246 vs. 0.132) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.500 vs. 0.401).
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Penn State, ATS Winner – Penn State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Minnesota is 3-3 ATS on the road with 3 overs and 3 unders.
Penn State is 5-3 ATS at home with 6 unders and 2 overs.
Penn State ranks 30th in assists allowed per game (11.1) while Minnesota ranks 195th (15.2).
The Nittany Lions average 38.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 65th in the nation. The Golden Gophers rank 217th in rebounds allowed per game (38.0).
Penn State ranks 11th in blocks per game (6.0) while Minnesota ranks 149th in blocks allowed per game (4.6).
The Nittany Lions rank 39th in three pointers allowed per game (19.1) while the Golden Gophers rank 174th (23.3).
Penn State ranks 19th in steals per game (8.5) while Minnesota ranks 149th (5.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Minnesota is 1-4 ATS with 5 unders.
Penn State is 1-3 ATS with 4 overs over their last five games.
The Golden Gophers have been outscored by an average of 8.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Minnesota has defeated opponents by an average of 7.7 points.
During their last five games, the Nittany Lions have scored an average of 76.2 points per game (1.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.8 points per game (0.1 above their season average).
