It will be a battle between Big 10 opponents when the Minnesota Golden Gophers (14-8, 3-6 Big 10) welcome the Northwestern Wildcats (12-9, 3-5 Big 10) to Williams Arena. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
Minnesota is a 3-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 141.5 points.
Northwestern Wildcats at Minnesota Golden Gophers Free Prediction
In the Wildcats’ last game, they beat the Penn State Nittany Lions, 70-61. Northwestern’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Penn State. The Wildcats had a rate of 9.0 (better than their season average of 15.4), while the Nittany Lions posted a mark of 22.5 (above their season average of 15.7). With 18 points on 5-for-12 shooting, Vic Law led Northwestern in scoring.
The Golden Gophers got blown out by the No. 22 Ohio State Buckeyes in their last outing, 67-49. Ohio State’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Minnesota. The Buckeyes had a rate of 10.2 (better than their season average of 15.7), while the Golden Gophers posted a mark of 21.2 (above their season average of 13.4). With 13 points on 5-for-11 shooting, Jordan Murphy led Minnesota in scoring.
Minnesota should have the edge on the defensive side of the ball. The Golden Gophers rank 75th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.478), while Northwestern is 223rd in effective field goal percentage (0.502).
Northwestern comes into the game with records of 12-9 straight up (SU) and 7-11 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Wildcats tend to finish under the projected point total (61.1 percent).
Minnesota has a respectable 14-8 SU record, but they are just 9-12 ATS. Similarly to Northwestern, games including the Golden Gophers have gone under the projected point total 52.4 percent of the time.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Bryant McIntosh had 11 points, 16 assists and five rebounds and the Wildcats defeated the Golden Gophers 83-60, covering as 4-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 143 points, which was just 2 points below the projected point total of 145 points. Northwestern had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 14.6). Minnesota, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (12.2 vs. 14.1).
Northwestern Wildcats at Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Minnesota, ATS Winner – Minnesota, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Northwestern is 2-6 ATS on the road with 4 unders, 3 overs and 1 push.
Minnesota is 5-7 ATS at home with 6 overs and 6 unders.
Minnesota ranks 11th in rebounds per game (40.7) while Northwestern ranks 222nd (34.0).
The Wildcats rank 28th in three pointers allowed per game (18.4) while the Golden Gophers rank 167th (22.6).
Northwestern ranks 35th in blocks per game (4.8) while Minnesota ranks 163rd in blocks allowed per game (4.8).
The Wildcats average 15.1 assists per game, which ranks 79th in the nation. The Golden Gophers rank 202nd in assists allowed per game (15.0).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Northwestern is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Wildcats have been outscored by an average of 1.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Northwestern has defeated opponents by an average of 5.7 points.
During their last five games, the Golden Gophers have scored an average of 63.4 points per game (14.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 78.4 points per game (6.0 above their season average).
