GAME: #843 Minnesota vs #844 Rutgers
TIME: 1/19/2020 – 1:00p EST
SPREAD: Rutgers -6
TOTAL: 129
SPORTSBOOK: 5Dimes Sportsbook
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-7, 4-3) are back on the road for a BIG 10 Conference game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (13-4, 4-2) at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey at Sunday, 1 p.m. EST. Both teams are coming off of home wins where Rutgers earned a 59-50 win over Indiana, while Minnesota won 75-69 over Penn State. Last season these teams met twice and split the series with the Home Team winning both games. 88-70 at Minn. and 68-64 at Rutgers.
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are averaging 73 points per game on 43% field-goal shooting while adding 8.2 three-pointers per game and 9.7 offensive rebounds and turn the ball over 12.9 times her game on the offensive end. Minnesota is allowing 66 points per game on 41% field-goal shooting while forcing 12 turnovers and adding 6.1 steals and 3.5 blocks per game. The Golden Gophers are led by Daniel Oturu with 20.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and is shooting a team-high 62% from the field.
RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are averaging 71 points per game on 46% field goal shooting but only 29% from three-point land. Rutgers is allowing 58 points per game on 36% field goal shooting while forcing 14.4 turnovers and adding 6.4 steals and 3.6 blocks on defense. The Scarlet Knights are led by Ron Harper Jr with 11.8 points and 6 rebounds per game along with Geo Baker adding 11 .1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
MINNESOTA vs RUTGERS PREDICTION
Minnesota is 5-0 when they hold opponents to 62 points or fewer while Rutgers has held opposing teams to 58 points per game this season, the eighth-best in NCAA Basketball. Rutgers is a team that will focus on defense first and since they struggle shooting from the outside, they handle the ball well and excel at penetrating the paint for a layup, pull up jumper, or easy dish. Minnesota struggles on the road offensively which will add to the challenge of facing this tough Rutgers D. This will be an ‘as usual’ low scoring BIG 10 game that will revolve around defense. This should be a close game and Free throw shooting could be the deciding factor. Minnesota is shooting 73% from the free-throw line while Rutgers are shooting only 63%. Look for Minnesota to keep this game close enough to cover this spread.
TRENDS(from covers.com)
MINNESOTA
- Golden Gophers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 4-1 in Golden Gophers last 5 overall.
RUTGERS
- Under is 6-0 in Scarlet Knights last 6 overall.
- Under is 4-0 in Scarlet Knights last 4 home games.
- Scarlet Knights are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a win.
HEAD TO HEAD
- Favorite is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
- Home team is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
BETTING ANGLES:
Bookie Analysis: Minnesota +6 / Over 129
Fade the Public: Minnesota +6 / no data
Sharp Action: no data / no data
Minnesota vs Rutgers Prediction & Analysis – College Basketball