Minnesota at Illinois NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/16/2019

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

State Farm Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers travel to State Farm Center to play the Illinois Fighting Illini on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 1.5 point favorites.

Minnesota comes into this game with an overall record of 13-3. They currently have a point differential of 7.0 as they are averaging 75.3 points per game while giving up 68.3 per contest. Illinois has an overall record of 4-12. They are averaging 73.1 points per game and surrendering 74.7, good for a point differential of -1.6.

Valuable Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 7-9-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 8-7-1 against the over/under

Important Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 6-10-0 against the spread

The Illinois Fighting Illini are 8-8-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Golden Gophers Injuries

11/08/18 G Marcus Carr Eligibility is out indefinitely

Key Illinois Fighting Illini Injuries

12/01/18 G Tevian Jones Suspension is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Amir Coffey comes into this contest averaging 16.4 points per game while playing 32.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 71%. Jordan Murphy averages 14.6 points per game in 30.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.8 assists per contest and 12.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 68%.

Player Spotlight

Trent Frazier averages 14.7 points per game while playing 29.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.6 rebounds per game and has 3.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 76%. Ayo Dosunmu averages 13.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.7 rebounds per contest and 2.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 66%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 75.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 144th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 7.0 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 207th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 256th in the nation. They average 39.4 rebounds per game and 15.8 assists per game, which ranks them 43rd and 54th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 239th with 12.7 per game. The Golden Gophers allow 68.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 98th in the country. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 136th and 209th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.8 rebounds a game which ranks 113th and they give up 11.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 52nd place in Division 1. They force 12.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 98th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Illinois is 198th in the country with 73.1 points per game this year. They are 259th in Division 1 in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -1.6. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 161st in the nation. They are 288th in the NCAA in rebounding with 33.8 boards per game, and 140th in assists per contest with 14.3. The Fighting Illini are 91st in turnovers per game with 14.5. The Fighting Illini surrender 74.7 points per contest, which ranks them 254th in D-1. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 291st and 167th in those defensive statistics. They rank 117th with 12.3 assists allowed per contest and 280th with 37.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Fighting Illini are 340th in country in forcing turnovers with 17.6 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Golden Gophers have an offensive rating of 107.6, which is ranked 109th. They are 194th in college basketball in pace with 70 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 259th. As a unit they are 239th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 333rd in D-1. Minnesota is 271st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Illinois is 111th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.1 times per 100 possessions. The Fighting Illini are 266th in the country in offensive rating with 99.5. In terms of pace they are 72nd in Division 1 with 73 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 249th. As a team they are 273rd in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 148th in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Illinois +1.5

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