Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Michigan Wolverines Prediction, 1/4/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Michigan Wolverines

Date: Thursday, January 4, 2024

Location: Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI

TV: Peacock

Crisler Center is where the Michigan Wolverines (6-7) will take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-3) on Thursday.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers took the court against Maine and went home with a win by a final score of 80-62 in their last game. When it comes to fouls, the Golden Gophers walked away with 13 while Maine totaled 19 fouls. They made 5 of their 19 tries from 3-point range. Maine finished 83.3% from the free throw line by burying 5 of 6 attempts. Furthermore, Maine had 28 rebounds (6 offensive, 22 defensive), but wasn't able to put a block in the stat sheet. Maine dished out 16 assists and had 4 steals in this matchup. In relation to defense, Minnesota allowed their opponent to shoot 44.1% from the floor on 26 of 59 shooting. They also distributed 23 assists in the matchup in addition to creating 13 turnovers and having 8 steals. When it comes to pulling down rebounds, they collected 30 with 6 of them being on the offensive end. From the free throw line, the Golden Gophers converted 11 of their 19 shots for a percentage of 57.9%. Minnesota wrapped up the contest with a 50.9% field goal percentage (29 of 57) and buried 11 out of their 24 3-pointers.

Mike Mitchell is one player who was a major factor for this contest. He racked up 18 points on 6 of 10 shooting. He played 30 mins and also grabbed 2 boards. He finished the game at 60.0% from the floor and also earned 1 assist.

Get all of our NCAA Basketball Picks Today

Minnesota comes into this one with a win-loss record of 10-3 for the season. They turn the ball over 12.7 times per contest and as a unit they are committing 15.2 fouls per game. As a unit, Minnesota is pulling down 38.4 boards per contest and has earned 262 assists on the year, which has them ranked 8th in college hoops in terms of passing. The Golden Gophers are connecting on 36.4% on shots from distance (110 of 302) and 69.7% from the charity stripe. They currently have an average of 80.5 points per outing (63rd in D-1) on 49.6% from the floor.

On the defensive end of the court, the Golden Gophers are forcing 12.2 turnovers every game while drawing 17.5 personal fouls. They are ranked 137th in college basketball in giving up assists to the opposition with 160 surrendered on the campaign. The Golden Gophers are giving up an opponent shooting percentage of 41.6% (324 of 779) and they relinquish 31.5 boards per game as a basketball team. They are giving up 33.0% on shots from downtown and they are 82nd in college hoops in points per game allowed (66.3).

The last time they took the court, the Michigan Wolverines walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 87-76 against McNeese State. Concerning rebounding, Michigan permitted McNeese State to pull down 33 in all (9 on the offensive side). They went 41.2% from distance via 7 of 17 and finished the game at 20 of 28 from the free throw line (71.4%). The Wolverines allowed McNeese State to convert 30 of their 63 attempts from the floor which had them sitting at 47.6% for the matchup. When the final whistle blew, the Wolverines ended up going 22 for 56 from the field which gave them a rate of 39.3%. With regard to shots from 3-point land, Michigan converted 13 of 35 tries (37.1%). They were able to convert 19 of those for a clip of 82.6%. McNeese State was called for 20 fouls for the contest which took the Wolverines to the charity stripe for a total of 23 attempts. They coughed up the ball 14 times, while earning 3 steals in the game. The Wolverines recorded 26 defensive boards and 7 offensive boards for a total of 33 in this game.

Terrance Williams ended up being a major contributor for the Wolverines in the matchup. He knocked down 5 of 9 in this matchup for a rate of 55.6%, and had 2 rebounds. He tallied 20 points in his 38 minutes of playing time and tallied 3 dimes in this matchup.

Michigan has a record of 6-7 on the season. The Wolverines commit 17.5 fouls per contest while shooting 71.1% from the free throw line. Their rate of earning assists is at 13.9 times per game (161st in D-1) and they are losing possession via turnover 13.3 times per contest. Michigan has accounted for 1,081 points on the year (83.2 per game) and they collect 37.8 rebounds per contest. When it comes to offense, the Wolverines are connecting on 48.5% from the floor, which ranks 38th in the country.

The Michigan defense allows 35.6% on 3-pointers (96 of 270) and their opponents are connecting on 71.3% of their shots from the charity stripe. They have given up 12.4 assists and 34.4 rebounds on a nightly basis, which is ranked 159th and 156th in those categories on the defensive end. The Wolverines on defense are ranked 339th in college basketball in PPG given up with 79.1. They are forcing their opponents into 11.1 TO's per game and allow teams to shoot 44.9% from the field (286th in college basketball).

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Minnesota

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here