Penn State at Minnesota NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 3/14/2019

Thursday, March 14, 2019

United Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Penn State Nittany Lions travel to United Center to play the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Thursday, March 14, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Penn State as 2.5 point favorites.

Penn State heads into this matchup with a mark of 14-17. They currently have a point differential of 1.2 as they are averaging 69.6 points per contest while giving up 68.4 per game. Minnesota has an overall record of 19-12. They are averaging 71.2 points per game and surrendering 68.7, good for a point differential of 2.4.

Valuable Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 16-15-0 against the spread

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 13-18-0 against the over/under

Important Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 15-16-0 against the spread

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 13-17-1 against the over/under

Key Penn State Nittany Lions Injuries

12/14/18 F Satchel Pierce Academics is out for season

Key Minnesota Golden Gophers Injuries

11/08/18 G Marcus Carr Eligibility is out indefinitely
03/05/19 F Eric Curry Foot is out for season

Player Spotlight

Lamar Stevens comes into this contest averaging 19.8 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 77%. Rasir Bolton averages 11.9 points per game in 27.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 2.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Amir Coffey averages 16.0 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.7 rebounds per game and has 3.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 72%. Jordan Murphy averages 14.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.7 rebounds per contest and 2.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

Penn State averages 69.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 259th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 1.2 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 303rd. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 295th in the nation. They average 36.6 rebounds per game and 12.1 assists per game, which ranks them 112th and 272nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 220th with 12.5 per game. The Nittany Lions allow 68.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 92nd in the country. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 198th and 245th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.4 rebounds a game which ranks 156th and they give up 11.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 79th place in Division 1. They force 13.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 229th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota is 220th in the country with 71.2 points per game this year. They are 225th in Division 1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 2.4. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 281st in the nation. They are 66th in the NCAA in rebounding with 37.6 boards per game, and 87th in assists per contest with 14.6. The Golden Gophers are 251st in turnovers per game with 12.3. The Golden Gophers surrender 68.7 points per contest, which ranks them 106th in D-1. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 143rd and 176th in those defensive statistics. They rank 112th with 12.3 assists allowed per contest and 140th with 34.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Golden Gophers are 57th in country in forcing turnovers with 11.6 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Nittany Lions have an offensive rating of 101.1, which is ranked 249th. They are 232nd in college basketball in pace with 68.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 48% is 313th. As a unit they are 310th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 214th in D-1. Penn State is 218th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.6 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Minnesota is 253rd in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions. The Golden Gophers are 166th in the country in offensive rating with 104. In terms of pace they are 226th in Division 1 with 68.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 293rd. As a team they are 283rd in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 341st in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Minnesota +2.5

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