In this article, we will formulate a Penn State vs Minnesota prediction for this College Basketball game on Tuesday, February 4th at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.
Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Preview
The Penn State Nittany Lions are 13-9 (3-8) this year after they lost to Ohio State by a score of 83-64 in their last game. Penn State trailed 43-33 at halftime and allowed 40 more points in the second half in the loss. The Nittany Lions shot 45.7% from the field, 31.6% on three-pointers, and 55.2% on free throws in the game. Yanic Konan Niederhauser led Penn State with 21 points and five rebounds, while Zach Hicks added 13 points and five rebounds in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Nittany Lions lost to Michigan by a score of 76-72 and Iowa by a score of 76-75. Penn State has lost seven of their last eight games and they are currently near the bottom of the Big Ten standings. Penn State has scored 82.3 points per game and they have allowed 72.6 points per game, while also averaging 34.6 rebounds and 16.7 assists per game this season. Ace Baldwin Jr. is averaging 14.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game, while Nick Kern Jr. is averaging 12.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game this year. Penn State is shooting 48.7% from the field, 74.7% on free throws, and 34.6% on three-pointers this season. Penn State will face UCLA and USC following this one.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Preview
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 11-11 (3-8) this season after they lost to Washington by a score of 71-68 in their last game. Minnesota trailed 40-30 at halftime, but they did outscore Washington 38-31 in the second half in the loss. The Golden Gophers shot 52.3% from the field, 37.5% on three-pointers, and 66.7% on free throws in the game. Dawson Garcia led Minnesota with 28 points and four assists, while Femi Odukale added 10 points and five assists in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Golden Gophers lost to Michigan State by a score of 73-51 but did beat Oregon by a score of 77-69 before that. Minnesota has won three of their last five games and they are currently tied with Penn State in the Big Ten standings with a 3-8 record. Minnesota has scored 68.8 points per game and they have allowed 69.0 points per game, while also averaging 33.8 rebounds and 16.0 assists per game this season. Dawson Garcia is averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, while Mike Mitchell Jr. is averaging 10.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game this year. Minnesota is shooting 44.7% from the field, 64% on free throws, and 32.5% on three-pointers this season.
Why Penn State will beat Minnesota
- Penn State has won each of its last 11 games at Bryce Jordan Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Minnesota has lost eight of its last nine road night games against the Big Ten Conference.
- Penn State has won the first half in 10 of its last 11 games at Bryce Jordan Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Penn State’s last 19 games at Bryce Jordan Center has produced a total of 148+ points.
- Each of Minnesota’s last seven Tuesday games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 139 or fewer points.
Penn State vs Minnesota Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup with a 3-8 record in Big Ten play, but Penn State will be at home. The Nittany Lions have lost seven of their last eight games, but four of those losses were by five points or fewer. Penn State is shooting 48.7% from the field this year and they are scoring over 82 points per game. Minnesota has lost two games in a row, but they are 1-1 in their last two road games. The Golden Gophers have been pretty low-scoring this year, so I think it is a good matchup for Penn State, as their defense has not been very good. Take the Nittany Lions to cover at home.