GAME:  #725 Minnesota  vs #726 Wisconsin
TIME:    12/31/2020 – 4:30p EST
SPREAD:   Wisconsin -7.5
TOTAL:      143.5

The #21 Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-1, 2-1) have a BIG 10 road game against the #6 Wisconsin Badgers (8-2, 2-1) at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. EST. Minnesota won easily 81-56 over Michigan State in its last outing while Wisconsin lost at home to Maryland by a score of 64-70. These teams met twice last season with both winning at home by scores of 71-69 in Madison and 70-52 in Minnesota. 

MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS

Minnesota is averaging 84.3 points per game on 43.3% field goal shooting adding 7.8 three-pointers on 31% field goal percentage from the arc.  On defense, the Golden Gophers are allowing 73.9 points per game on 39.9% field goal shooting while forcing 14.4 turnovers per game and adding five steals and 1.8 blocks per game.

WISCONSIN BADGERS

Wisconsin Badgers are Averaging 76.7 points per game on 46.2% field goal shooting adding nine 3-pointers on 41% field goal percentage. The Badgers are allowing only 60.6 points per game on 38.7% field-goal percentage while allowing only 5.9 3-pointers per game on 34.3% field goal percentage. On defense, the Badgers are forcing 12.5 turnovers and adding four steals and three blocks.

TRENDS(covers.com)

MINNESOTA

• The Over is 5-0 in Golden Gophers last 5 road games.
• Over is 5-1 in Golden Gophers last 6 overall.
• Over is 5-1 in Golden Gophers last 6 games following a win of more than 20 points.

WISCONSIN

• Under is 4-0 in Badgers last 4 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
• Badgers are 2-0-2 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight-up loss.
• Badgers are 4-1-2 ATS in their last 7 games following an ATS loss.

MINNESOTA vs WISCONSIN PREDICTION

This game and line are very similar to the Iowa/Northwestern game lines a few days ago. You will want to keep an eye on these lines up until the tip. The public has been pounding Minnesota while the lines are moving in the wrong direction. This Total would be going up and the line should be dropping if Minnesota is the pick. Wisconsin rarely loses at home and you know they will be more prepared for this game which is considered somewhat of a rivalry game between these two states/schools. When Wisconsin controls the tempo the totals tend to be lower which indicates they will be in control of this game.

If Minnesota can’t get out and run to score 80+ points they will not have a chance. Minnesota has only played 1 true road game this season against Illinois and they lost by nearly 30 points. Good shooting teams that have not played on the road much tend to struggle. The Golden Gophers shot just 28% against Illinois. These Badgers are the better team and the line indicates that Wisconsin is also on the right side which indicates the total will go under. The Bookie is rolling with the Wisconsin Badgers to cover the spread in a lower than usual scoring game.

BETTING ANGLES:

The Bookie:         Wisconsin -7.5 / Under 143.5
Fade the Public:  Wisconsin / Under
Sharp Action:      Wisconsin / Under