Western Carolina at Minnesota College Basketball Picks & Predictions 11/19/2017

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Williams Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Western Carolina Catamounts head to Williams Arena to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Sunday, November 19, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 27 point favorites.

Western Carolina comes into this game with an overall record of 1-2. They currently have a point differential of -20.0 as they are averaging 61.3 points per game while giving up 81.3 per contest. Minnesota has an overall mark of 3-0. They are averaging 95.0 points per contest and giving up 77.3, which is a point differential of 17.7.

Valuable Western Carolina Catamounts Betting Trends

The Western Carolina Catamounts are 0-2 against the spread this season

The Western Carolina Catamounts are 2-0 against the over/under this year

Important Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 2-0 against the spread this season

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 2-0 against the over/under this year

Key Western Carolina Catamounts Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Minnesota Golden Gophers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Matt Halvorsen averages 9.7 points per contest while playing 16.7 minutes per night this year. He grabs 0.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 0.7 assists per game. His FG percentage is 62% while his free throw percentage is 100%. Devin Peterson averages 9 points per contest in 25.3 minutes per game this year. He averages 3 assists per game and 3 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 44%.

Player Spotlight

Jordan Murphy scores 25.3 points per contest while playing 34.7 minutes per game this season. He hauls in 13.3 rebounds per contest and has 1.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 62% and his free throw percentage is at 67%. Reggie Lynch averages 15 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 27.7 minutes per game. He also brings in 9 rebounds per game and has 2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 70% and his free throw percentage is 58%.

Useful Team Statistics

Western Carolina averages 61.3 points per contest this year, which is 331st in the nation. Their average scoring margin is -20.0 and their shooting percentage is 36% as a unit, which has them ranked 332nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 32%, which is good for 228th in Division 1. They average 38.0 boards per contest and 11.3 assists per game, which ranks them 190th and 278th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 67th with 16.3 per game. The Catamounts allow 81.3 points per contest, which is 289th in the country. They also surrender a 49% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 302nd and 256th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.0 rebounds a game which ranks 297th, and they allow 16.0 assists per game which puts them in 289th place in college basketball. They force 16.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 271st in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 22nd in the country with 95.0 points per contest this season. They are 62nd in the nation in shooting at 50%, while their average scoring margin is 17.7. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 144th in Division 1. They are 20th in the country in rebounding with 46.7 boards per contest and 41st in assists per game with 19.3. The Golden Gophers are 329th in turnovers per contest with 9.7. The Golden Gophers give up 77.3 points per game, which ranks them 244th in the nation. Their defense surrenders a 40% shooting percentage and a 43% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 113th and 325th in those defensive statistics. They rank 203rd with 13.7 dimes allowed per game and 205th with 36.7 boards surrendered per contest. The Golden Gophers are 40th in college basketball in forcing turnovers with 11.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Catamounts are 289th in the country in defensive rating with 109.4, and their offensive rating of 82.5 is ranked 331st. They are 115th in college basketball in pace with 74.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 41% is 332nd. As a unit they are 344th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 42% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 300th in D-1. Western Carolina is 94th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 19.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 292nd in the country.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 340th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 10.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 48%, which is 156th in the nation. The Golden Gophers are 19th in the country in offensive rating with 126.1, and their defensive rating of 102.7 is ranked 229th. In terms of pace they are 92nd in Division 1 with 75.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 72nd. As a team they are 94th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 236th in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Western Carolina +27

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink