Minnesota vs Northwestern College Basketball Game Preview: Big Ten Tournament

Big Ten Tournament: Minnesota vs Northwestern prediction and college basketball game preview.

Big Ten Tournament: Minnesota vs Northwestern prediction and college basketball game preview.


Minnesota vs Northwestern Broadcast

Date: Wednesday, March 10
Game Time: 6:30 ET
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: BTN

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Minnesota (13-14) vs Northwestern (9-14) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM


Why Minnesota Will Win

Minnesota used to be beautiful.

It beat Michigan back in mid-January, it won a thriller over Purdue, and ….

Boom. The team crashed and burned over the last month, losing seven games including a total clunker to Northwestern. The fight is still there at times, but there simply hasn’t been any luck from the outside and the defense has slipped into the abyss.

So what’s the positive? The Gophers are still solid inside, they don’t screw up and turn the ball over all that often, and no team in America has made more free throws.

And Northwestern is bad.

The Wildcats can’t rebound, they don’t get to the free throw line, and …

Why Northwestern Will Win

Minnesota is awful at the moment.

The rebounding has gone bye-bye, the defense from three has been a disaster, and this is one of the nation’s worst shooting teams. The Wildcats were able to beat the Gophers by simply playing decent defense.

Minnesota hit just 4-of-27 from the field in the 67-59 win, and that’s been a theme. The team hasn’t hit 40% from the field in any of the last four games and hasn’t hit double-digit threes since January.

On the flip side, Northwestern has been shooting better, it’s moving the ball around well, and slow and steady might just win the race. Don’t turn the ball over a tone, and the Cats might have this.

What’s Going To Happen

Minnesota is too good to keep playing this poorly, but there hasn’t been any signs of life.

The shooting just isn’t good enough, but can Northwestern stay as hot from three as it’s been over the last few games? No, but Minnesota’s defense simply isn’t doing enough.

However, Minnesota will force a few more turnovers, it’ll keep attacking the rim, and it’ll make more free throws in an ugly, ugly win.

Minnesota vs Northwestern Prediction, Line

Minnesota 68, Northwestern 65
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: Northwestern -2.5, o/u: 141.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5

Must See Rating: 2

5: The college basketball season from here on
1: The college basketball season before now

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Minnesota-Northwestern odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Minnesota Golden Gophers at Northwestern Wildcats college football matchup, with NCAA football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten West) visit the Northwestern Wildcats (2-8, 0-7) Saturday for a noon ET kickoff at Ryan Field. We analyze the Minnesota-Northwestern odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

The Golden Gophers are ranked 11th in the Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports. They’re 10th in the College Football Playoff Rankings.


Get some action on the game at BetMGM by placing a sports bet!


Minnesota at Northwestern: Three things to know

1. Minnesota suffered its first loss of the season last week, dropping a 23-19 decision at then-No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes. The Gophers still control their own destiny to win the division and make their first Big Ten Championship Game. After Northwestern, they close the regular season at home against second-place Wisconsin, which is one game back.

Northwestern snapped a seven-game losing streak by stepping out of conference for a 45-6 rout of lowly UMass (1-10) last Saturday. It’s been a tough season for the ‘Cats, who a year ago won the Big Ten West and lost to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game.

2. Gophers QB Tanner Morgan, who has thrown for 707 yards in the last two games, is in the concussion protocol. With his status for Northwestern uncertain, Cole Kramer or Jacob Clark – both true freshmen – could start.

3. Northwestern has won the last two head-to-head meetings, 24-14 at Minnesota last season and 39-0 at home in 2017.

Minnesota at Northwestern: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 2:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Minnesota 35, Northwestern 17

Moneyline (ML)

AVOID. Minnesota’s -667 is too chalky. Every $6.67 wagered on the Gophers to win outright would profit $1 if they do so (Ex: Bet $66.70 to profit $10). Betting on Northwestern (+450) pays 4.5-to-1, but the Wildcats are not winning Saturday no matter who’s behind center for the Gophers. I just can’t suggest to anyone to lay that kind of wood.

Against the Spread (ATS)

MINNESOTA (-12.5, -134) is the STRONGEST PLAY. With a full week to fume about the Iowa loss, the Gophers will take out their frustrations on the Wildcats, who are 2-8 against the spread this season. The Gophers are 6-3-1 ATS in 2019.

New to sports betting? Every $1.34 wagered that Minnesota will win by 13 or more points will profit $1.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 39.5 (-115) is worth a small play. Minnesota averages 35.7 PPG and is 6-4 O/U this season. Northwestern ranks 129th (out of 130 teams) with 14.5 PPG and it’s 3-7 O/U. Even if Minnesota’s Morgan sits, look for WRs Rashod Bateman (945 receiving yards, 7 TDs) and Tyler Johnson (900 receiving yards, 9 TDs) to have big games. Meanwhile, Northwestern should be able to move the ball behind freshman RB Evan Hull, who ran for 220 yards on 24 carries vs. UMass last week.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Johnny’s 2019 college football record: 7-5. Strongest plays: 3-3.

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 and @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.

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