The Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-12) travel to face off against the UCLA Bruins (19-7) on Tuesday, February 18th. This game will be played at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles and televised on FS1. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Tip-off is set for 10:30 ET.

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs UCLA Bruins

The Golden Gophers Are Coming Off A Win

Minnesota Golden Gophers Recent Game/Games

Minnesota improved to 13-12 on the season with a 69-66 road win over USC on Saturday. The Gophers were +8 point underdogs going into the game but not only pulled off the upset, they also covered the spread.

After trailing 38-29 at halftime, Minnesota turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring USC 40-28. The total points for the game ended at 135, just under the 139.5 O/U line.

The Bruins Are Coming Off A Win

UCLA improved to 19-7 on the season with a 72-68 road win over Indiana on Friday. The Bruins entered the game as -2.5 favorites and covered the spread with the victory.

UCLA led 35-25 at halftime but allowed 43 points in the second half while scoring 37. The total points for the game were 140, just under the 140.5-point O/U line.

Golden Gophers Offense Breakdown

In their last game, the Golden Gophers put up 69 points, shooting 43.9% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 49.1%. They connected on 51.3% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 27.8% (5/18) of their threes. At the free-throw line, they made 70%, going 14/20.

Lu’Cye Patterson led the way with 25 points, despite shooting 6/16 overall and 2/5 from three. Wesley Yates III and Chibuzo Agbo each added 18 points, with Agbo hitting all 3 of his three-point attempts. Frank Mitchell was efficient inside, shooting 7/9 and grabbing 12 rebounds in 20 minutes of play.

Bruins Offense Breakdown

UCLA’s offense put up 72 points in their last game, shooting 47.3% from the field and hitting 45% from three-point range (9/20). Their effective field goal percentage was 54.5%, and they connected on 78.6% of their free throws (11/14).

Luke Goode led the way with 16 points, while Mackenzie Mgbako and Malik Reneau each added 14. Skyy Clark was perfect from beyond the arc, hitting 3/3 threes and shooting 80% overall, finishing with 11 points.

Golden Gophers Team Defense

Despite Minnesota’s defense holding their opponent to 66 points, the Golden Gophers couldn’t capitalize on the defensive effort. They allowed 42% shooting from the field, with the opposition hitting 21 of 49 shots.

Minnesota did well inside, limiting two-point shots to 36% shooting, but struggled to contain the three-point line, where their opponent shot 56%, making 9 of 16 attempts. The Golden Gophers also sent the other team to the free-throw line 18 times, where they converted 15 free throws at an 83% rate.

Bruins Team Defense

Despite Minnesota’s defensive efforts, they allowed 66 points in their previous game, with the opposing team shooting 42% from the field. The Golden Gophers were effective inside, holding their opponent to 36% shooting on two-point attempts, as they went 12/33.

However, Minnesota struggled to contain the three-point line, where the other team shot 56%, hitting 9 of their 16 attempts. From the free-throw line, the opposition made 15 of 18, shooting 83%. Minnesota also gave up 6 offensive rebounds.

Golden Gophers vs Bruins Trends

• Although Minnesota has a straight up record of 4-6 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-5. The team averaged 64 points per game in these games.
• UCLA has played well in their previous three home games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 77 points per game while allowing 75. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-0.
• The Golden Gophers have played well in their last three games as the betting underdog, going 2-1 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
• The Bruins have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 5-0 straight up and 4-1 against the spread.

Golden Gophers vs Bruins Prediction

For a pick on the point-spread in this Bruins vs. Golden Gophers matchup, our bet is to grab the Golden Gophers at +13.5. Even though our projections have the Bruins winning 75-72, we see the Golden Gophers as the play on the point-spread.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 129.5 and our model has the Golden Gophers and Bruins finishing with a combined 147 points. Our pick is to take the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* 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.