Big 10 foes will clash when the No. 12 Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-1) challenge the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-1) at Williams Arena. Action starts at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 3, 2017.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Minnesota Golden Gophers Odds Preview
The last time the Scarlet Knights played, they were beaten by the Florida State Seminoles, 78-73. Rutgers Deshawn Freeman had a good performance, contributing 15 points and 16 rebounds. Florida State had a turnover percentage of 11.1 (better than their season average of 14.5). Rutgers, meanwhile, held the Seminoles to an offensive rebounding percentage of 35.1 (below their season average of 46.5).
The Golden Gophers are hoping for a better outcome after their 86-81 loss to the No. 10 Miami (FL) Hurricanes in their last outing. With 17 points and 14 rebounds, Jordan Murphy had a solid game for Minnesota. Miami (FL) had a turnover percentage of 9.8 (better than their season average of 15.0). Minnesota, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (20-26; 76.9 percent).
Points could be at a premium in this contest between a pair of the NCAA’s premier defenses. Since the 2016-17 season, Minnesota ranks 45th in defensive efficiency (97.4) and Rutgers is 21st (95.6). Furthermore, the Scarlet Knights rank 320th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.202), while the Golden Gophers rank 35th in opponents FTA rate (0.195).
In terms of the O/U total, these teams are complete opposites. Rutgers games have finished under 66.7 percent of the time, while games including Minnesota have gone over 85.7 percent of the time. Both teams have superb straight up (SU) records (6-1 for Rutgers; 7-1 for Minnesota), but the Golden Gophers have the edge against the spread (ATS). Minnesota is 5-2 ATS, while the Scarlet Knights are 2-0-1.
The Golden Gophers won the lone contest against the Scarlet Knights last season, 72-63. The Golden Gophers dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.217 and an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 41.2. The Scarlet Knights were 0.167 and 35.0, respectively, for those same stats.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Minnesota, ATS Winner – Rutgers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):,
- Neither of these teams shoot many long balls. The Golden Gophers are 293rd in the NCAA with 18.2 three pointers per game while the Scarlet Knights are 332nd with 15.7 threes per game.
- Rutgers averages 41.1 rebounds per game, which ranks sixth in the NCAA. Minnesota ranks 278th in rebounds allowed per game (38.0).
- The Golden Gophers rank first in blocks per game (7.0) while the Scarlet Knights rank 270th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
- Minnesota ranks 48th in assists per game (15.6) while Rutgers ranks 295th (11.2).
