Minnesota vs Northwestern Predictions, NCAA Basketball Picks 2/23/2020

Game: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Northwestern Wildcats

Date: Sunday, February 23, 2020

Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, IL

TV: BTN

Odds/Point Spread: Northwestern +2.5

Total/Over-Under: 131

The Minnesota Golden Gophers travel to Welsh-Ryan Arena to play the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday, February 23, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 2.5 point favorites.

Minnesota comes into this game with an overall record of 12-13. They currently have a point differential of 3.3 as they are averaging 69.3 points per game while giving up 66.0 per contest. Northwestern has an overall mark of 6-19. They are averaging 64.9 points per contest and giving up 69.3, which is a point differential of -4.4.

Valuable Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 13-10-2 against the spread

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 9-16-0 against the over/under

Important Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 10-13-1 against the spread

The Northwestern Wildcats are 11-12-1 against the over/under

Key Minnesota Golden Gophers Injuries

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

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

01/06/20 G Anthony Gaines Shoulder is out for season

Player Spotlight

Daniel Oturu comes into this contest averaging 19.6 points per game while playing 34.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 11.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 69%. Marcus Carr averages 15.3 points per game in 37.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.7 assists per contest and 5.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 37% for the year while his free throw percentage is 72%.

Player Spotlight

Miller Kopp averages 13.2 points per game while playing 31.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.6 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 88%. Pat Spencer averages 10.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.8 rebounds per contest and 3.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Minnesota averages 69.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 229th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 3.3 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 284th. Behind the arc they shoot 31% which is good for 276th in the nation. They average 38.9 rebounds per game and 14.8 assists per game, which ranks them 44th and 49th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 302nd with 11.6 per game. The Golden Gophers allow 66.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 83rd in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 74th and 149th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 36.5 rebounds a game which ranks 260th and they give up 12.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 196th place in Division 1. They force 11.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Northwestern is 317th in the country with 64.9 points per game this year. They are 270th in Division 1 in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is -4.4. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 255th in the nation. They are 280th in the NCAA in rebounding with 33.4 boards per game, and 135th in assists per contest with 13.6. The Wildcats are 341st in turnovers per game with 10.6. The Wildcats surrender 69.3 points per contest, which ranks them 172nd in D-1. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 135th and 165th in those defensive statistics. They rank 332nd with 15.8 assists allowed per contest and 283rd with 37.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wildcats are 12th in country in forcing turnovers with 10.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Golden Gophers are 160th in the nation in offensive rating with 102.2. In terms of pace they are 286th in the country with 67.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 272nd. As a team they are 287th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 94th in Division 1. Minnesota is 307th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.6 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Northwestern is 327th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions. The Wildcats have an offensive rating of 97.4, which is ranked 269th. They are 314th in D-1 in pace with 66.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 294th. As a unit they are 299th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 249th in the country.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Northwestern +2.5

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