The Northwestern Wildcats (15-6) travel to face off against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-7) on Saturday, February 3rd. This game will be played at Williams Arena in Minneapolis and televised on BTN. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Tip-off is set for 2:00 ET.
Northwestern Wildcats vs Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Northwestern Wildcats Are Coming Off A Win
Northwestern has been a completely different team at home compared to on the road this season. At home, the Wildcats are 12-1 with an average scoring margin of +12.2 points per game, while they are just 2-4 on the road with an average scoring margin of -6.5 points per game.
Coming into today’s game, Northwestern has lost two straight on the road, and they are just 3-7 in their last 10 games away from home. Overall, the Wildcats are 15-6, including a 5-3 mark in Big Ten play.
Northwestern’s ATS record this year is 8-9-2 and they are 6-5-2 vs. the spread when favored. On the road, their ATS mark is just 1-4-1 and their last 10 road ATS record is 4-5-1. As the favorite, the Wildcats have gone 6-3-1 vs. the spread in their last 10 games.
Northwestern’s over/under record this season is 12-7 and the average scoring total in their games is 140.2 points. Today’s over/under line of 140.5 is higher than the average OU line in their games (136.2). So far, 14 of their games have had a lower over/under line than today’s line. In their last three games, the over/under record is 3-0 with an average scoring total of 175 points.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers Are Coming Off A Win
Minnesota will look to get back on track at home after dropping their last two games at home. So far this season, they are 11-3 at home compared to 2-4 on the road. Over their last 10 games at home, the Golden Gophers are 8-2.
As for their record as the underdog, Minnesota is 3-6 this season. For the year, they have been the underdog in nine of their 20 games. Their average scoring margin at home is +14.6 compared to -6.5 on the road.
As the underdog, Minnesota has a solid 6-3 record vs. the spread this season. At home, the Golden Gophers are 11-2-1 ATS this year and have gone 8-1-1 vs. the spread in their last 10 home games. Overall, Minnesota is 15-4-1 ATS this season.
This season, the over/under record for Minnesota games is 10-10, and today’s over/under line of 140.5 is similar to the average over/under line in their games (143.8). So far, 12 of their games have finished with more points than today’s line. Over their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1.
Northwestern Offense Breakdown
Northwestern recently showcased a strong offensive performance, scoring 83 points against Ohio State. This output exceeded their season average of 75.4 points per game. Leading the team in scoring is Boo Buie, who is averaging 18.8 heading into today’s matchup. Additionally, Brooks Barnhizer also maintains a PPG average of 14.7 heading into game.
| Name | PPG | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boo Buie (G) | 18.8 | 3.5 | 5.3 |
| Brooks Barnhizer (G) | 14.7 | 6.3 | 2.9 |
| Ty Berry (G) | 12.0 | 4.0 | 1.4 |
Minnesota Offense Breakdown
Minnesota recently showcased a strong offensive performance, scoring 83 points against Penn State. This output exceeded their season average of 76.5 points per game. Currently leading the team in scoring is Dawson Garcia who comes into today’s matchup averaging 17.5. Joshua Ola-Joseph also heads into the game with a PPG average of 10.3.
| Name | PPG | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson Garcia (F) | 17.5 | 7.0 | 2.0 |
| Joshua Ola-Joseph (F) | 10.3 | 2.8 | 0.7 |
| Mike Mitchell Jr. (G) | 10.3 | 2.6 | 2.9 |
Northwestern Team Defense
So far, the Wildcats’ defense is ranked 122nd in the country at 69.9 points per contest. The Northwestern defense is coming off a game in which they gave up a total of 58 points and allowed Ohio State to connect on 10 threes.
Minnesota Team Defense
So far, the Golden Gophers’ defense is ranked 92nd in the country at 68.3 points per contest. So far, the Minnesota defense is giving up an average of 8.5 offensive rebounds per game and are turning teams over 11.8 times per game (577th).
Wildcats vs Golden Gophers Trends
- Across the Wildcats last five road games, the team averaged 74 points per game while allowing 83. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 2-3, while going 1-4 straight-up.
- Across their last five home contests, Minnesota has a 4-1 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 2-3, while averaging 71 points per game.
- Looking back on the team’s last five games as the underdog, the Golden Gophers have a straight up record of 2-3. Their record vs the spread in these games was 4-1.
- The Wildcats have played well in their last three games as the betting favorite, going 3-0 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
Wildcats vs Golden Gophers Prediction
Coming in as the underdogs at +1.5, we have the Golden Gophers as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.
Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 140.5 and given that our model is projecting 143 points between the teams, we like the over.
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:February 3, 2024 Minnesota Golden Gophers, Northwestern Wildcats