BIG 10 CONFERENCE MATCHUP
#20 WISCONSIN BADGERS VS MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS(-5.5)
This Big Ten rematch is set to tip-off at 7PM EST on ESPN. Only two weeks ago when these teams met in Wisconsin the Badgers (17-7) walked away last second winners 45-44 and held Minnesota (17-7) to its lowest scoring total all season long. I expect the Golden Gophers to be looking for revenge tonight and get the better of the Gophers.
It has been quite the exchange of momentum since the last time these teams faced off. Minnesota had a 15-4 record, was ranked #12 in the AP top 25 teams, while Wisconsin had a 13-6 record. This time around it is Wisconsin that is ranked in the #20 spot, they have identical records, and the Golden Gophers have dropped out of the ranking for the first time in seven weeks. I expect all of these things are going to fuel Minnesota to come out hot tonight, and put away Wisconsin early.
This time around it will be Wisconsin having to play Minnesota’s game. The Golden Gophers are 81st in the country scoring 71.4 points per game. They are great at finding open looks but even better at getting second chances. Minnesota is 1st in the country grabbing a ridiculous 46.3% on the offensive boards. Wisconsin is going to struggle in these categories tonight, they are primarily a defensive minded team allowing 56.5 PPG (11th nationally), and have not found that same success defensively when playing on the road, allowing 61.4 points per game.
It will be as simple as shutting down Junior guard Ben Brust for the Gophers to win this game. Brust has lead the Badgers during their current three game win streak averaging 17.3 points per game. Much of this is because he has been on fire shooting 48.8% from the field. Look for the Gophers and the crowd to cool him off tonight, and get back into the win column. The current tear for Wisconsin ends here, watch for Minnesota to bounce back in a big way tonight as home court advantage propels them to victory.
TRENDS
BADGERS
- 2-5 against the spread in road games this season
- 2-5 against the spread versus good defensive teams allowing 64 PPG or less this season after 15+ games
- 5-12 against the spread when playing a team with a winning record this season
GOLDEN GOPHERS
- 8-4 against the spread after allowing 60 points or less this season
- 10-2 straight up in their last 12 games at home
- 2-0 against the spread versus Minnesota in their last two meetings
- 40-15 straight up as a favourite at home the last 3 seasons
FINAL SCORE – WISCONSIN 56 – MINNESOTA 71