The Minnesota Golden Gophers (11-8, 2-8 Big Ten) visit Carver–Hawkeye Arena to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes (14-7, 4-6) Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Minnesota vs. Iowa odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Iowa is coming into this conference battle having lost 3 of its last 4, one of which was at home. The Hawkeyes are 11-2 straight up at home with an 8-5 against the spread (ATS) record.
While the Hawkeyes are 12-9 ATS overall, they’re just 4-6 ATS in conference play. Their cover percentage in conference games is tied with Michigan and Minnesota for the worst in the Big Ten.
As for Minnesota, it’ll be coming in having lost 3 straight and 7 of its last 8, including an 81-71 home loss as a 7-point underdog to Iowa Jan. 16. The Golden Gophers are 9-9-1 ATS this season.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota at Iowa odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Minnesota +550 (bet $100 to win $550) | Iowa -850 (bet $850 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Minnesota +11.5 (-105) | Iowa -11.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Minnesota at Iowa odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Iowa 83, Minnesota 70
Money line
PASS.
Betting a -850 favorite in any highly competitive conference is not wise.
Against the spread
LEAN to IOWA -11.5 (-120).
As mentioned, the Hawkeyes beat the Golden Gophers by 10 in Minneapolis earlier this season.
With the No. 7-ranked offense in the NCAA, averaging 82.8 points per game (PPG), the Hawkeyes should be able to abuse a Gophers defense that allows 67.8 PPG.
The Hawkeyes have been solid at covering the spread as home favorites, 8-4 ATS in that scenario this season. Combine that with Minnesota covering just 3 of its last 8, and the Hawkeyes appear to be the better side to back.
Over/Under
BET OVER 148.5 (-110).
If there’s one thing both teams have consistently done this season, it’s cashing Over tickets. The Hawkeyes are 15-5-1 O/U, while the Golden Gophers are 12-7 O/U.
As mentioned, Iowa ranks 7th in scoring, but the defense yields 71.0 PPG to rank 242.
While Minnesota averages just 68.9 PPG, it shoots 45.6% from the field and 36.2% from 3, both within the top 100 in the nation.
In Big Ten action, Minnesota is 8-2 O/U and Iowa is 7-3 O/U.
That said, OVER 148.5 (-110) is my favorite play in this conference battle.
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