Okay MyBookie college basketball betting faithful…you’re going to be treated to what promises to be a thrilling affair when the sixth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers host the 21st-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers on the final day of 2020.
Wisconsin has the higher national ranking, but the Badgers took an untimely loss the last time out. Minnesota comes into this matchup off of consecutive Big Ten wins over nationally ranked rivals. Now, let’s find out where the best NCAA Basketball betting value lies in this matchup so you can get all set to make your bets against their College Basketball odds.
College Basketball Predictions – No. 21 Minnesota at No. 6 Wisconsin
Why Bet On No. 21 Minnesota
The Golden Gophers have won three straight games including consecutive wins over then, No. 4 Iowa on Christmas Day, followed up by a 81-56 rout of then, No. 17 Michigan State on Monday. Minnesota led wire-to-wire and got a team-high 19 points from Marcus Carr in the win.
“It confirmed that we’re a tough team and a determined team,” Minnesota center Liam Robbins said after recording 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the dominating victory. “It just shows this group is just willing to do anything to get it done.”
The Golden Gophers have played just one true road game this season, a 92-65 loss at then-No. 13 Illinois on Dec. 15. Still, head coach Richard Pitino stressed the importance of being patient and resilient and his team has responded.
“Illinois absolutely kicked our butts, and we didn’t freak out,” Pitino said. “It’s only worth one.”
Minnesota averages 84.3 points per game (31st) on 43.3 percent shooting from the field and 31.1 percent from beyond the arc. The Golden Gophers allow 73.9 points per game defensively on 39.9 percent shooting from the field and 30.8 percent from three-point distance.
Why Bet On No. 6 Wisconsin
Sixth-ranked Wisconsin had its five-game winning streak snapped in Monday’s 70-64 home loss against Maryland. The Badgers got a game-high 25 points from D’Mitrik Trice, but Aleem Ford was the only other Wisconsin player to score in double figures with 10 points.
“We knew we have a target on our back, and we need to be more aggressive in the way we play and the way we approach the game, and (Monday) we didn’t do that,” the Badgers’ forward Aleem Ford said.
Maryland, drained 11 of its final 12 shots to get the win while placing three players in double figures in scoring.
“It’s better that it happened now, so we can learn from our experiences to where we’re better in the long run,” Ford said.
Wisconsin averages 76.7 points per game on 46.2 percent shooting from the field and 41.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Badgers limit the opposition to just 60.6 points per game (25th) on 38.7 percent shooting from the field and 34.3 percent from downtown.
Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-1) Vs Wisconsin Badgers (8-2)
- When: Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 at 4:30 PM ET
- Where: Kohl Center, Madison, WI
- TV: BTN
- NCAAB Odds: TBD
Expert Analysis and Prediction
Wisconsin might have the higher national ranking and better defensive unit in this matchup, but Minnesota has the far more potent offense and the Golden Gophers are blossoming right now. Minnesota has won 11 of its last 12 games dating back to last season while going 4-1 ATS over its last five games and an identical 4-1 ATS in its last five Big Ten battles.
Wisconsin has won 16 of its last 18 games overall while going 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games in the month of December. The Badgers are a modest 4-2 ATS in their last six games and Minnesota has the look of a team that knows it belongs among the elite teams in the country.
Wisconsin has won eight of the last 10 meetings, but these two Big Ten rivals have split the last 10 meetings against the spread while playing Under the total seven times during the span. Minnesota not only covers the spread as a slight road dog, but the Gophers do so by winning outright!
Pick: Minnesota 75 Wisconsin 72
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