The Minnesota Golden Gophers will be looking to at least cover against the Michigan Wolverines for the third straight time on Thursday as those schools hit the floor at Williams Arena.
Michigan has won three straight games against Minnesota, but the Golden Gophers managed to cover the spread in each of their last two meetings - including a 73-69 overtime loss as a 5.5-point underdog in the quarterfinals of last year's Big Ten Tournament.
The Wolverines will try to spoil to the party on Thursday; they are 10-6 ATS against the number this season, while the Golden Gophers are 11-4 ATS. Michigan is 9-7 on the totals; Minnesota is 7-5.
View Michigan vs Minnesota Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
The Wolverines were listed as 3-point underdogs at many online sportsbooks, including Sportsbook.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Golden Gophers sit at No. 3 in the current college hoops power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Wolverines sit at No. 10 on the same chart. The computers running our scores simulations have concluded that the Wolverines will win this game 89-84.
How They Match Up:
In the paint, the rebound battle will feature Minnesota's No. 20-rated squad against Michigan's No. 70-rated roster. And in long-range shooting, Minnesota rates No. 234 in the country with 5.6 per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 19 nationally with 8.5 per match.
Defensively, Michigan features the nation's No. 51-rated defense on the road, allowing 62.7 points per game. Minnesota, meanwhile, comes in at No. 92 nationally in scoring at home.
Michigan was a 56-53 loser in their most recent outing on the road against Ohio State. They failed to cover the 1.5-point spread as underdogs. Michigan got 15 points from Trey Burke but lost anyway, 56-53, to Ohio State on Sunday at Value City Arena.
In their last action, Minnesota was an 88-81 loser on the road against Indiana. They covered the 8-point spread as underdogs. Andre Hollins scored 25 points for Minnesota on Saturday, but the Hoosiers managed an 88-81 victory over the Golden Gophers at Branch McCracken Court at Assembly Hall.
Michigan Wolverines Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Purdue are 4-6
After playing Ohio State are 6-4
After a loss are 9-1
Minnesota Golden Gophers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Northwestern are 4-6
After playing Indiana are 2-8
After a loss are 5-5
A few Wolverines at Golden Gophers trends to consider:
Michigan is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Michigan is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Michigan's last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Minnesota is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota's last 8 games when playing Michigan
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Michigan
Next up:
Michigan home to Purdue, Thursday, January 24
Minnesota at Northwestern, Wednesday, January 23
