Indiana Hoosiers vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Free College Basketball Pick
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Hoosiers at Gophers Big 10 Matchup
Date/Time: Tuesday, January 4, 7:00PM EST
Venue: Williams Arena in Minneapolis, MN.
Broadcast: ESPN2
Indiana Hoosiers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers College Betting Lines from betED
Money Line: OFF
Spread: Minnesota -10
Over/Under: OFF
Bet Now @ betED.com ->
The Hoosiers will invade the frigid north on Wednesday to tip off against Big 10 rival the No. 14 Golden Gophers as both teams look for its first win in conference play.
The Gophers and Hoosiers split the season series last year, with both teams winning in their home building.
Minnesota although 11-3 overall are 0-2 in Big Ten play after coming up on the losing end of a 71-62 contest with Michigan State. Trevor Mbakwe led the Gophers with 15 points and nine rebounds in the loss. Mbakwe has been having a good season recording eight double-doubles in 14 games while averaging 13.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.
Meanwhile, Indiana dropped its second Big Ten bout to Ohio State 85-67 its last time out. The loss dropped the Hosiers to the bottom of the standings in the conference as they too are 0-2 in conference play and have lost four straight. 
Christian Watford was the star player for Indiana scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The Hoosiers leading scorer is averaging 17.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season. He is fifth in the conference in free throw percentage (82.8) and has made a league-high 82 free throws in 95 attempts.
The Golden Gophers are the better team in one area and has better stats in a couple more. The Hoosiers, though, are better with three-point shooting, 38 to 33 percent. Sophomore guard Jordan Hulls ranks 17th in the nation in three-point percentage at 51.7 percent.
However, Minnesota boasts its own sharp shooter in Blake Hoffarber who ranks 14th in the nation in three pointers attempted with 104, and has made 41 for nearly 40 percent.
The Golden Gophers are strongest against the Hoosiers in personal fouls, a big factor in possession management, where they have the advantage with only 16 to their 21 per game. Minnesota also leads the Big Ten Conference in blocked shots, five versus three Indiana per game. Finally, the Golden Gophers have rebounding as well, 40 per game to 34 per game. Mbakwe ranks 19th in the nation in defensive rebounds with 95, but it will remain to be seen whether Minnesota can get to the offensive glass with enough regularity to make an impact in this one.
In four seasons, Minnesota has a record of 4-4 against Indiana, and 2-1 at home.
The Hoosiers do not give opponents many second chances on offense, but the Golden Gophers manages to turn 39.6 percent of their misses into new possessions. They have swatted 76 shots for an average of 5.43 bpg and swiped 110 balls for an average of 7.86 spg. Minnesota has led the conference in both categories the last two seasons.
Put it all together and it looks like a win for the Golden Gophers.
Free Pick: Minnesota 74, Indiana 66
Matt Martz is a freelance writer located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
