The Minnesota Golden Gophers (14-11, 3-9 Big 10), who are currently riding a five-game losing streak, look to get back in the win column when they welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers (17-8, 8-4 Big 10) to Williams Arena. Minnesota opened as a 1.5-point favorite, while the games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 145.5 points. Action starts at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 6, 2018.
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers ATS Preview
In the Cornhuskers last game, they beat the Wisconsin Badgers, 74-63. James Palmer Jr. was the games high scorer with 28 points on 8-for-19 shooting. Nebraska dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an absurdly low turnover percentage of 8.1 (better than their season average of 14.4) and a free throw rate of 0.429 (above their season average of 0.274). For those same stats, Wisconsin recorded marks of 17.7 and 0.340, respectively.
The Golden Gophers are trying to rebound after their 76-73 loss to the No. 24 Michigan Wolverines in their last matchup. Isaiah Washington was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 11-for-16 shooting. Michigan won the rebounding battle. The Wolverines had more offensive rebounds (11 vs. five), defensive rebounds (32 vs. 31) and total rebounds (43 vs. 36).
Conflicting tempos will be on display in this contest. Minnesota has preferred to play quickly (100th in possessions per game), while Nebraska has been more half-court-oriented (251st in possessions per game). Furthermore, the 28th-ranked defense of the Cornhuskers (opponents effective field goal percentage of 0.465) will clash against the 259th-ranked offense of the Golden Gophers (effective field goal percentage of 0.494).
Of Nebraska’s 23 games that accepted bets, 15 have finished under the projected point total, while 13 of Minnesota’s 24 games have finished over the projected point total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Cornhuskers have a sizable advantage. They are 17-8 SU and 17-6 ATS, while the Golden Gophers are 14-11 SU and 10-14 ATS.
Palmer Jr. has been playing at a high level over the last five games for Nebraska, averaging 24.6 points per game.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined for 146 points, which was under the projected point total of 152.5. The Cornhuskers won 78-68, covering as 9-point underdogs. Getting to the free throw line was one of Nebraska’s biggest advantages. They had 28 free throw attempts, while Minnesota had 24. Glynn Watson Jr. was the games top overall scorer with 29 points.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Minnesota Golden Gophers Odds Prediction
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Nebraska, ATS Winner – Nebraska, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Cornhuskers rank 82nd in assists allowed per game (12.3) while the Golden Gophers rank 227th (15.1).
- Nebraska is 25th in the nation with 5.0 steals allowed per game while Minnesota is 59th with 5.5 steals allowed per game.
- On the road, Nebraska is 8-4 ATS with 8 unders and 4 overs.
- Minnesota is 5-8 ATS at home with 7 overs and 6 unders.
- Minnesota averages 40.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 15th in the nation. Nebraska ranks 259th in rebounds allowed per game (38.6).
- The Cornhuskers average 5.6 blocks per game, which ranks 14th in the NCAA. The Golden Gophers rank 186th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
- Nebraska ranks 18th in three pointers allowed per game (18.2) while Minnesota ranks 185th (22.9).
Betting Trends:
- Minnesota is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Nebraska is 5-0 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Golden Gophers have been outscored by an average of 10.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Minnesota has defeated opponents by an average of 4.2 points.
- During their last five games, the Cornhuskers have scored an average of 72.6 points per game (0.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 63.4 points per game (5.5 below their season average).
