Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Penn State Nittany Lions Predictions, College Basketball Expert Picks 2/8/2020

Game: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Penn State Nittany Lions

Date: Saturday, February 8, 2020

Location: Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, PA

TV: BTN

Odds/Point Spread: Penn State -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 138.5

The Minnesota Golden Gophers travel to Bryce Jordan Center to play the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, February 8, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Penn State as 6.5 point favorites.

Minnesota heads into this matchup with a mark of 12-10. They currently have a point differential of 4.7 as they are averaging 70.2 points per contest while giving up 65.5 per game. Penn State has an overall mark of 17-5. They are averaging 76.8 points per contest and giving up 66.8, which is a point differential of 10.0.

Valuable Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 13-8-1 against the spread

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 8-14-0 against the over/under

Important Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 14-8-0 against the spread

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 12-10-0 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Golden Gophers Injuries

11/05/19 F Eric Curry Knee is out for season

Key Penn State Nittany Lions Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Marcus Carr averages 15.5 points per game in 37.0 minutes per contest. He averages 6.8 assists per contest and 5.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 37% for the year while his free throw percentage is 73%. Daniel Oturu comes into this contest averaging 19.6 points per game while playing 34.0 minutes per night. He pulls down 11.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is at 70%.

Player Spotlight

Myreon Jones averages 14.1 points per game and he sees the court an average of 29.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.0 rebounds per contest and 3.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 78%. Lamar Stevens averages 16.9 points per game while playing 29.9 minutes per contest. He grabs 7.0 rebounds per game and has 2.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Golden Gophers allow 65.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 83rd in Division 1. They also allow a 40% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 64th and 159th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 36.2 rebounds a game which ranks 242nd, and they give up 12.5 assists per contest which puts them in 179th place in the NCAA. They force 11.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the nation. Minnesota averages 70.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 212th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 4.7 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 264th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 252nd in D-1. They average 39.1 rebounds per game and 14.8 assists per contest, which ranks them 40th and 59th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 305th with 11.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Nittany Lions surrender 66.8 points per contest, which ranks them 108th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 39% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 35th and 164th in those defensive statistics. They rank 136th with 12.0 assists allowed per contest, and 294th with 37.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nittany Lions are 261st in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game. Penn State is 50th in the country with 76.8 points per game this year. They are 150th in the D-1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 10.0. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 222nd in the nation. They are 37th in the country in rebounding with 39.3 boards per game and 74th in assists per contest with 14.5. The Nittany Lions are 299th in turnovers per game with 11.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Golden Gophers are 134th in the nation in offensive rating with 103.6. In terms of pace they are 292nd in the country with 67 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 247th. As a team they are 250th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 87th in Division 1. Minnesota is 299th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Penn State is 330th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions. The Nittany Lions have an offensive rating of 106, which is ranked 90th. They are 52nd in D-1 in pace with 72.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 147th. As a unit they are 163rd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 133rd in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Penn State -6.5

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