Harvard at Minnesota College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/30/2017

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Williams Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Harvard Crimson head to Williams Arena to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday, December 30, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 13.5 point favorites.

Harvard comes into this game with an overall record of 5-7. They currently have a point differential of -3.3 as they are averaging 65.8 points per game while giving up 69.1 per contest. Minnesota has an overall record of 11-3. They are averaging 85.1 points per game and surrendering 71.7, good for a point differential of 13.4.

Valuable Harvard Crimson Betting Trends

The Harvard Crimson are 3-6 against the spread this season

The Harvard Crimson are 3-6 against the over/under this year

Important Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 7-6 against the spread this season

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 9-4 against the over/under this year

Key Harvard Crimson Injuries

12/29/17 G Bryce Aiken Knee is "?" Saturday vs Minnesota U
12/29/17 F Robert Baker Undisclosed is "?" Saturday vs Minnesota U

Key Minnesota Golden Gophers Injuries

12/29/17 G Dupree McBrayer Leg is doubtful Saturday vs Harvard
12/29/17 G Nate Mason Ankle injured last game, is doubtful Saturday vs Harvard

Player Spotlight

Bryce Aiken averages 17.6 points per contest while playing 33.2 minutes per night this year. He grabs 2.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 57% while his free throw percentage is 79%. Seth Towns averages 12.6 points per contest in 23.2 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.4 assists per game and 5.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 41% for the season while his free throw percentage is 69%.

Player Spotlight

Jordan Murphy scores 19.6 points per contest while playing 30.9 minutes per game this season. He hauls in 12.6 rebounds per contest and has 1.5 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 57% and his free throw percentage is at 72%. Nate Mason averages 15.5 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 30.1 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.9 rebounds per game and has 4.1 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

Harvard averages 65.8 points per contest this year, which is 328th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is -3.3 and their shooting percentage is 41% as a unit, which has them ranked 319th. From 3-point territory they shoot 29%, which is good for 334th in Division 1. They average 34.4 boards per contest and 12.1 assists per game, which ranks them 248th and 298th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 99th with 14.5 per game. The Crimson allow 69.1 points per contest, which is 115th in the country. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 212th and 118th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 34.8 rebounds a game which ranks 166th, and they allow 12.8 assists per game which puts them in 144th place in college basketball. They force 13.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 154th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 28th in the country with 85.1 points per contest this season. They are 104th in the nation in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 13.4. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 144th in Division 1. They are 8th in the country in rebounding with 42.8 boards per contest and 31st in assists per game with 17.7. The Golden Gophers are 326th in turnovers per contest with 11.2. The Golden Gophers give up 71.7 points per game, which ranks them 170th in the nation. Their defense surrenders a 41% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 71st and 288th in those defensive statistics. They rank 234th with 14.1 dimes allowed per game and 250th with 36.5 boards surrendered per contest. The Golden Gophers are 112th in college basketball in forcing turnovers with 13.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Crimson are 147th in the country in defensive rating with 99, and their offensive rating of 94.4 is ranked 323rd. They are 263rd in college basketball in pace with 69 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 321st. As a unit they are 301st in the nation in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 105th in D-1. Harvard is 63rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 17.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 186th in the country.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 340th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 47%, which is 78th in the nation. The Golden Gophers are 32nd in the country in offensive rating with 115.5, and their defensive rating of 97.3 is ranked 116th. In terms of pace they are 65th in Division 1 with 73.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 167th. As a team they are 148th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 319th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Harvard/Minnesota college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Harvard +13.5

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