The Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-7) travel to face off against the Penn State Nittany Lions (9-10) on Saturday, January 27th. This game will be played at Bryce Jordan Center in University Park and televised on BTN. Both Minnesota and Penn State will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 ET.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Penn State Nittany Lions
The Minnesota Golden Gophers Look To Bounce Back From A Loss
Minnesota enters this game as an underdog, as they have been in eight of their 19 games this season. They have gone 2-6 in those games, and they are 12-7 overall. The Golden Gophers have lost four straight games, including a 61-59 loss to Wisconsin in their last game.
On the road this season, Minnesota has gone just 1-4, and they come in with an average scoring margin of -9.6 points per game. Over their last 10 games on the road, they have gone just 2-8.
As the underdog this season, Minnesota has an ATS record of 5-3 and an overall ATS mark of 14-4-1. Over their last 10 games as the underdog, the Golden Gophers have gone 6-4 vs. the spread. On the road, Minnesota has an ATS record of 3-2 this year and a mark of 5-5 in their last 10 road games vs. the spread.
Minnesota’s over/under record for the season sits at 9-10 and the average over/under line in their games is 143.4. So far, 13 of their games have finished with fewer points than today’s line of 149.5. In their last three games, the average scoring total is 141 points and their over/under record over their last 10 games is 5-5.
The Penn State Nittany Lions Look To Bounce Back From A Loss
After a 79-67 loss to Ohio State, Penn State is 9-10 overall and 3-5 in Big Ten play. The Nittany Lions are 9-3 at home this season, compared to 0-7 on the road.
So far, Penn State has been the favorite in nine games, going 6-3 in those contests. The team’s average scoring margin at home is +11.6 points per game.
As the favorite this season, Penn State has gone just 3-6 vs. the spread. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Nittany Lions have an ATS record of 3-7. At home, Penn State is 6-6 vs. the spread this season and they have gone 5-5 over their last 10 home games.
Today’s over/under line of 149.5 is higher than the average over/under line in Penn State’s games this season (144.7). The over/under record in their games this year is 11-7-1. Over their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 and the average scoring total in those games is 162 points.
Minnesota Offense Breakdown
The Minnesota offense, in their latest game, managed to score just 59 points versus Wisconsin. During the game, they attempted 24 three-point shots and had a field goal percentage of 37.9%. Dawson Garcia is currently the leading scorer for the team, entering today’s matchup with an average of 17.2. Meanwhile, Mike Mitchell Jr. also brings a PPG average of 10.3 into the game.
| Name | PPG | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson Garcia (F) | 17.2 | 7.2 | 1.9 |
| Mike Mitchell Jr. (G) | 10.3 | 2.6 | 2.8 |
| Joshua Ola-Joseph (F) | 10.2 | 2.7 | 0.7 |
Penn State Offense Breakdown
Against Ohio State, the Penn State had a tough time putting up points compared to their season average of 76.4 points per game. They scored 67 points and posted a field goal percentage of 37.1% in the game. Offensively, the Nittany Lions have a season long field goal percentage of 43%, which is 270th in the nation. In terms of three-pointers, they are 340th in percentage and 168th in three-pointers made.
| Name | PPG | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanye Clary (G) | 18.8 | 3.2 | 2.7 |
| Adrian Baldwin Jr (G) | 13.0 | 1.9 | 4.8 |
| Qudus Wahab (F) | 8.9 | 8.1 | 0.5 |
Minnesota Team Defense
So far, the Golden Gophers’ defense is ranked 81st in the country at 68.0 points per contest. In their previous game vs. Wisconsin, the Badgers finished with a field goal percentage of 37% and a total of 61 points vs. Minnesota.
Penn State Team Defense
Coming into today’s game, the Penn State defense is giving up an average of 74.3 points per contest. In their previous game vs. Ohio State, the Buckeyes finished with a field goal percentage of 45% and a total of 79 points vs. Penn State.
Golden Gophers vs Nittany Lions Trends
- Through their last ten road games, Minnesota has an ATS record of just 5-5. However, their overall record was 2-8 while averaging 67 points per game.
- Although Penn State has a straight up record of 0-3 in their last three home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 1-2. The team averaged 68 points per game in these games.
- Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Minnesota has an ATS mark of 2-1 while going 0-3 straight up.
- The last five games that Penn State was favored, they have an ATS mark of 1-4 while going 2-3 straight up.
Golden Gophers vs Nittany Lions Prediction
Not only do we have the Nittany Lions winning this one by a score of 76-68, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Nittany Lions at -2.5.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 149.5 and our model has the Golden Gophers and Nittany Lions finishing with a combined 144 points. Our pick is to take the under.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:January 27, 2024 Minnesota Golden Gophers, Penn State Nittany Lions