Northwestern at Minnesota College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/23/2018

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Williams Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Northwestern Wildcats head to Williams Arena to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 2 point favorites.

Northwestern heads into this matchup with a mark of 12-9. They currently have a point differential of 5.7 as they are averaging 72.8 points per contest while giving up 67.0 per game. Minnesota has an overall mark of 14-8. They are averaging 78.3 points per contest and giving up 72.4, which is a point differential of 5.9.

Valuable Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 7-11 against the spread this season

The Northwestern Wildcats are 6-11 against the over/under this year

Important Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 9-12 against the spread this season

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 10-11 against the over/under this year

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

12/11/17 F Rapolas Ivanauskas Shoulder is out for season

Key Minnesota Golden Gophers Injuries

01/04/18 C Reggie Lynch Suspension is out for season

Player Spotlight

Scottie Lindsey averages 13.9 points per contest while playing 30 minutes per night this year. He grabs 3.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 52% while his free throw percentage is 80%. Bryant McIntosh averages 12.8 points per contest in 32.5 minutes per game this year. He averages 5.7 assists per game and 2.7 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 38% for the season while his free throw percentage is 92%.

Player Spotlight

Jordan Murphy scores 17.9 points per contest while playing 30.8 minutes per game this season. He hauls in 11.8 rebounds per contest and has 1.5 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is at 73%. Nate Mason averages 15.4 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 31.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 4 rebounds per game and has 4.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Northwestern averages 72.8 points per contest this year, which is 219th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 5.7 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a unit, which has them ranked 267th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 156th in Division 1. They average 34.0 boards per contest and 15.1 assists per game, which ranks them 266th and 92nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 299th with 11.9 per game. The Wildcats allow 67.0 points per contest, which is 58th in the country. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 215th and 265th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 32.6 rebounds a game which ranks 69th, and they allow 13.5 assists per game which puts them in 190th place in college basketball. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 235th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 81st in the country with 78.3 points per contest this season. They are 216th in the nation in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 5.9. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 172nd in Division 1. They are 9th in the country in rebounding with 40.8 boards per contest and 60th in assists per game with 15.9. The Golden Gophers are 315th in turnovers per contest with 11.5. The Golden Gophers give up 72.4 points per game, which ranks them 185th in the nation. Their defense surrenders a 41% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 71st and 250th in those defensive statistics. They rank 286th with 15.0 dimes allowed per game and 296th with 37.8 boards surrendered per contest. The Golden Gophers are 63rd in college basketball in forcing turnovers with 12.0 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Wildcats are 137th in the nation in offensive rating with 106.3, and their defensive rating of 97.9 is ranked 94th. In terms of pace they are 281st in the country with 68.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 224th. As a team they are 206th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 104th in Division 1. Northwestern is 280th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 18.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 202nd in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 333rd in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 48%, which is 75th in the nation. The Golden Gophers are 94th in the country in offensive rating with 108.4, and their defensive rating of 100.3 is ranked 143rd. In terms of pace they are 97th in Division 1 with 71.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 257th. As a team they are 230th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 308th in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Northwestern +2

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