Minnesota @ Cincinnati Basketball Game Preview: Prediction, Betting Outlook & 4 Prop Bets

Monday, November 9, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM ET Streaming: ESPN+ Location: Fifth Third Arena — Cincinnati, Ohio Event: Twyman-Stokes Classic Tickets: As low as $7 Cincinnati Record: 2-0 Minnesota Record: 1-0 entering its November 6 game against St. Thomas

Minnesota vs. Cincinnati Prediction & Matchup Preview

Cincinnati gets its first major test of the 2026-27 regular season Monday night when the Bearcats welcome Big Ten opponent Minnesota to Fifth Third Arena for the Twyman-Stokes Classic.

First-year Cincinnati head coach Jerrod Calhoun has opened his tenure with consecutive victories. The Bearcats beat American 79-53 in the season opener before defeating Green Bay 81-64 Thursday night. Cincinnati used its defense to take control against Green Bay, forcing 21 turnovers and converting them into 23 points.

The biggest story was Myles Colvin.

The senior guard erupted for 31 points, tying his career high with seven made three-pointers on 12 attempts. Colvin also collected seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal, giving Cincinnati the type of perimeter scoring it will need against stronger competition.

Amani Lyles added 14 points, while MJ Collins Jr. and Eric Mahaffey scored 11 apiece. Collins also distributed six assists.

Minnesota brings considerably more size and physicality than Cincinnati’s first two opponents.

The Golden Gophers opened their season with an 85-50 demolition of North Dakota, shooting 54.8 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three. Minnesota held North Dakota to just 28.8 percent shooting and 3-of-28 from beyond the arc.

Five Gophers scored in double figures.

Bobby Durkin led Minnesota with 16 points after making four three-pointers. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson scored 15, while Isaac Asuma and 7-foot-2 center Malick Kordel each had 13. Asuma added six rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots.

That balance makes Minnesota significantly more difficult to defend than a team with one obvious scoring option.

Cincinnati’s Advantage

The Bearcats’ greatest advantage could be their pressure defense.

Cincinnati forced 21 Green Bay turnovers and committed just seven of its own. The Bearcats turned a competitive second half into a comfortable victory with a 12-0 run fueled largely by defensive pressure, forcing five turnovers in approximately two minutes.

Calhoun also has an extremely experienced roster.

Cincinnati features numerous players with more than 90 career college appearances, including Collins, Colvin, Lyles and Riley Allenspach. Seven Bearcats entered the season having earned some form of all-conference recognition during their careers.

That experience matters against Minnesota’s size.

Cincinnati probably cannot simply overpower the Gophers inside, so the Bearcats need to force turnovers, run in transition and create open threes before Minnesota’s half-court defense gets established.

Minnesota’s Advantage

Minnesota has a massive interior presence in Malick Kordel.

The Michigan transfer stands 7-foot-2 and 275 pounds, creating a matchup problem that Cincinnati has not faced during the regular season.

Kordel scored 13 points on six made field goals against North Dakota, including four dunks.

The Gophers also have size around him. Crocker-Johnson is 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, while Grayson Grove stands 6-foot-9.

Minnesota can use that frontcourt to challenge Cincinnati on the glass and potentially force the Bearcats into foul trouble.

The other major concern for Cincinnati is Asuma. He can score, facilitate and defend, giving Minnesota a versatile lead guard capable of punishing aggressive defensive pressure.

Players to Watch

Myles Colvin — Cincinnati: Coming off 31 points and seven three-pointers against Green Bay. His shooting could determine whether Minnesota can pack the paint.

MJ Collins Jr. — Cincinnati: An experienced guard who contributed 11 points and six assists Thursday. His decision-making will be essential against Minnesota’s length.

Amani Lyles — Cincinnati: Scored 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting against Green Bay and gives Cincinnati an efficient interior scoring option.

Isaac Asuma — Minnesota: Produced 13 points, six rebounds, six assists and three blocks in the opener.

Bobby Durkin — Minnesota: Made four three-pointers and scored a team-high 16 points against North Dakota.

Malick Kordel — Minnesota: At 7-foot-2, he presents Cincinnati with a major challenge around the rim.

🔥 Four Prop Bets to Consider

College player props vary by sportsbook and jurisdiction. These are recommended target lines rather than confirmed sportsbook offerings.

Prop Bet #1: Myles Colvin Over 2.5 Made Three-Pointers

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Colvin Over 2.5 Threes

• 7 Threes vs. Green Bay
• 31-Point Performance
• Cincinnati Perimeter Threat

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Colvin attempted 12 threes Thursday and made seven.

Minnesota’s interior size could encourage Cincinnati to rely heavily on perimeter shooting.

Prediction: Over 2.5 made three-pointers.

Prop Bet #2: Isaac Asuma Over 4.5 Assists

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Asuma Over 4.5 Assists

• 6 Assists in Opener
• Lead Creator
• Multiple Scoring Options

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Asuma recorded six assists against North Dakota while Minnesota had five double-digit scorers.

His ability to distribute against Cincinnati’s pressure will be central to the Gophers’ offense.

Prediction: Over 4.5 assists.

Prop Bet #3: Malick Kordel Over 10.5 Points

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Kordel Over 10.5 Points

• 13 Points in Opener
• 7-Foot-2 Center
• Interior Size Advantage

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Kordel’s combination of size and finishing ability gives Minnesota an obvious matchup to attack.

Expect the Gophers to establish him near the basket early.

Prediction: Over 10.5 points.

Prop Bet #4: MJ Collins Jr. Over 4.5 Assists

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Collins Over 4.5 Assists

• 6 Assists vs. Green Bay
• Veteran Guard
• Experienced Cincinnati Offense

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Collins had six assists Thursday and will have the ball in his hands frequently against Minnesota.

With Colvin stretching the defense and Lyles working inside, assist opportunities should be available.

Prediction: Over 4.5 assists.

Keys to the Game

Cincinnati needs to make Minnesota uncomfortable with defensive pressure. The Bearcats cannot allow the Gophers to calmly enter their offense and repeatedly feed Kordel inside.

Rebounding will also be critical. Minnesota outrebounded North Dakota 43-36 and possesses a clear size advantage. Cincinnati must prevent second-chance points.

For Minnesota, taking care of the basketball is priority No. 1. Cincinnati’s defense has already demonstrated how quickly turnovers can become scoring runs.

The Gophers must also identify Colvin in transition and prevent another explosive night from three.

Betting Outlook

A reliable widely available point spread and total had not yet been verified when this preview was prepared, so there is no reason to manufacture numbers.

The matchup looks considerably closer than Cincinnati’s first two regular-season games.

Minnesota has the size and balance to make this difficult, but Cincinnati has home-court advantage, veteran guards and a defense capable of creating the extra possessions that often decide close nonconference games.

The Verdict

This should provide the best indication yet of what Calhoun’s first Cincinnati team can become.

Minnesota can challenge the Bearcats physically in ways American and Green Bay could not. Kordel creates an obvious problem inside, while Asuma gives the Gophers a composed playmaker capable of attacking Cincinnati’s pressure.

But Cincinnati’s experience and defensive activity are difficult to ignore.

Colvin does not need another 31-point performance, but the Bearcats need him to make enough perimeter shots to prevent Minnesota from collapsing around the basket.

Expect a physical game that remains within one or two possessions deep into the second half before Cincinnati’s guards create the decisive run at Fifth Third Arena.

Final Score Prediction

Cincinnati 78, Minnesota 73

Best Prop Targets

Myles Colvin Over 2.5 Made Three-Pointers Isaac Asuma Over 4.5 Assists Malick Kordel Over 10.5 Points MJ Collins Jr. Over 4.5 Assists

Final Prediction: Cincinnati 78, Minnesota 73.

Minnesota hosts St. Thomas on Friday, November 6 before traveling to Cincinnati, so its record and early-season statistics will change before Monday’s game. Confirm final player availability and sportsbook markets before wagering.