The Maryland Terrapins (22-5, 12-4 Big Ten) travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-13, 7-9) Wednesday night in a Big Ten tilt at 9 p.m. ET at Williams Arena. We analyze the Maryland-Minnesota odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.
Maryland at Minnesota: Three things you need to know
1. The Terrapins rank eight in the USA Today Sports Coaches Poll and had won nine straight contests prior to falling 79-72 at No. 23 Ohio State Sunday. Maryland still holds a two-game lead atop the Big Ten standings; getting back on track in this one would spell a fourth consecutive victory over the Golden Gophers.
2. Minnesota is just 2-5 over its last seven games. Offense has been the Gophers’ biggest issue over the seven-game span. Minnesota has shot just 37.7% from the floor, 28.9% from 3-point range, and 67.3% from the free-throw line. Those numbers include UM’s most recent game, an impressive 83-57 win at Northwestern in which the Gophers logged a 59.7% effective field-goal mark (a measure incorporating the risk-reward balance of 2- and 3-point makes and attempts).
3. Analytics are high on Minnesota in its home barn, even with recent home-hardwood losses to Iowa and Indiana. The Gophers will need to shoot better, but home-floor defense has been solid. This game comes in a tough stretch for Maryland — after tough road games at Michigan State and Ohio State, a second straight game on the road, and in a slot that perhaps has the Terps with an eye on their next game (Saturday vs. MSU).
Get some action on this college basketball matchup or others by placing a legal sports bet at BetMGM! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.
Maryland at Minnesota: Odds, betting lines and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:50 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Minnesota 69, Maryland 66
Moneyline (ML)
The moneyline essentially has the favorite paying five points for the victory (instead of a push) on a one-point game. PASS Minnesota (-115) straight-up play in lieu of the one-point spread.
Against the Spread (ATS)
The Gophers are 9-5 ATS at home. The Terps are 1-3-1 against the number after their last five straight-up defeats. In contests lined by 1-to-2.5 points, Maryland is 1-2 ATS and Minnesota is 3-0.
The Gophers figure as an unlucky squad and have the talent to be favored by three or four in a spot like this. BACK MINNESOTA -1 (-110).
Over/Under (O/U)
Trends on the total are mixed. I have a lean toward the Over, but will PASS on the Over 133.5 (-110) proposition.
Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=11866]