NCAA Basketball Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Indiana Hoosiers: Odds, Tips and Predictions 02/12/24

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4.5/5

Prediction: Bet Indiana to cover

• Over/Under: Minnesota vs Indiana (145.5)
• Spread: Indiana -3.5
• Pick: Bet Indiana to cover

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The Indiana Hoosiers are 11-5 and are coming off an embarrassing loss at Rutgers on Tuesday night. Minnesota, on the other hand, has been a surprise so far in this young season. The Hoosiers have NBA talent in the post with Ware and Reneau but somehow get out-rebounded in seemingly every game they play. This game is at home for the Hoosiers, and Indiana has only lost one home game this season against a good Kansas team. Minnesota, we still aren’t sure exactly how good they are yet as they played a soft non-conference schedule, but they did beat Nebraska earlier this season.

Indiana has lost two of their last three games, 47% overall from the field and 33.9% beyond the arc for just five three-pointers and 15.8 free throw attempts per game this year. Indiana averages 74.4 points per game, placing 11th in the Big Ten, while their 1.23 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks 91st nationally.

Indiana ranks 12th in the Big Ten in scoring defense, yielding 73.2 points per game and allowing teams to shoot 41% from the field and 33.7% from three-point range; opponents average nine three-pointers and 12.9 free throws against Indiana each game. Meanwhile, on the glass, they rank 11th with 35.3 per game, resulting in no rebound differential and an average of 6.3 steals and 4.3 blocks each game!

Kel’el Ware leads his team with 14.7 points per game, and his 9.3 rebounds a night are third-most in the Big Ten Conference. Additionally, this sophomore centre is shooting 55.7% overall for fourth-place shooting accuracy while blocking 1.5 shots per game for eighth-place blockage stats.

The Golden Gophers enter this weekend on an eight-game winning streak thanks to a defensive unit which allowed only 63.6 points per game and ranked sixth in the Big Ten by giving up 66.3 on defense. Opponents are shooting 41.4% from the field and 33% against Minnesota this season, with an average shooting percentage of 31.1%, along with an average 35% 3-point field goal percentage and 11.7 free throw attempts against them; opponents average 41.4% from the field while taking advantage of Minnesota’s +5.7 rebound differential as well as 6.9 steals and five blocks per game.!

Minnesota’s offense has averaged 78.9 points per game this season – fifth-best in the Big Ten – on 48% shooting from the field and 36% shooting beyond the arc, making 8.4 three-pointers per game while making 13.2 free throws; their 12.3 turnovers rank tied for third-most among conference schools while their 1.61 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks 14th best nationally.

Cam Christie went 5-for-12 shooting and hit two three-pointers to lead her team in scoring 12 points during last weekend’s win against Maryland. Christie is currently averaging 10.6 points, ranking fourth on her team, and contributing 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

I am taking the Hoosiers to cover this game. They are a different team at home and Reneau and Ware will be too much for Minnesota. The Hoosiers will have to get a hold on the turnover situation as their two losses were directly because of the turnovers. If the Hoosiers take care of the ball, they should win; they have more talent. Pick: Hoosiers -3.5

Tip:

Indiana to Cover

Best Odd

-3.5

Brand

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