Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Wisconsin Badgers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/10/2025

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Friday, January 10, 2025

Venue:  Kohl Center, Madison, WI 

Where to Watch:  Peacock

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Minnesota +13.5, Wisconsin -13.5; Over/Under:  140.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Minnesota +13.5, Wisconsin -13.5; Over/Under:  140.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Minnesota +13.5, Wisconsin -13.5; Over/Under:  140.5 points

Minnesota Golden Gophers:  8-7 (0-4) (18th place, Big Ten)

Wisconsin Badgers:  12-3 (2-2) (7th place, Big Ten)

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Minnesota Golden Gophers:  2-3  last 5

Wisconsin Badgers:  4-1  last 5

Minnesota is entering this game with an 8-7 record overall, a 0-4 record in conference games, and they are 0-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the Ohio State Buckeyes in their last game. Parker Fox led the team in points per game in that game with 21 while Lu'Cye Patterson was next on the team with 20. Lu'Cye Patterson and Mike Mitchell Jr. each led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Dawson Garcia and Lu'Cye Patterson each led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 45.7% from the field, 41.4% from 3-point range, and 44.4% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 68.8 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 66.7 PPG against them. Minnesota has an ATS record of 2-11-2 this season and their O/U record is 7-8.

Wisconsin is entering this game with a 12-3 record overall, a 2-2 conference record, and they are 8-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in their last game. John Blackwell led the team in points in that game with 21 while Steven Crowl was next on the team with 18. Steven Crowl, John Blackwell, Max Klesmit, and Kamari McGee each led the team in assists with 3 in that game while Steven Crowl led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 54.4% from the field, 31.8% from 3-point range, and 100% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 83.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 71.3 PPG against them. Wisconsin has an ATS record of 9-6 this season and their O/U record is 11-4.

The current betting odds have Wisconsin listed as a 13.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Wisconsin has looked good in their games this season with their 12-3 record overall, but their 2-2 conference record has them right in the middle of the Big Ten. They are coming off a nice road win over Rutgers in their last one and have been building some momentum now with 4 wins in a row. They have also looked a lot better on their home court this year with their 8-1 home record. Meanwhile, Minnesota hasn't looked good in their games this season with their 8-7 record overall and their 0-4 conference record which has them right at the bottom of the Big Ten. They have been struggling a lot in conference play, coming off a tight loss to Ohio State at home in their last one, but they were also struggling in non-conference games and just don't have a ton of talent on their team this year. They have only played 1 road game too and it was a loss. Wisconsin was ranked at one point and lost their ranking, but they still have a lot of talent on their team and have been looking to prove themselves. Minnesota has done nothing but struggle in the conference this season and this isn't a great situation for them to get their first conference win of the year in, being on the road against a better Wisconsin team. The best way to place a bet here is on Wisconsin to cover the spread in this game. 

Minnesota Wisconsin Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, January 10, 2025 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Wisconsin 88 Minnesota 68.

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Minnesota Golden Gophers: 6-3 ATS as a road underdog of 12.5 to 18 points. 28-19 ATS versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing 14 turnovers/game or less. 34-23 ATS versus good ball handling teams - committing 14 turnovers/game or less. 6-3 OVER as a road underdog of 12.5 to 18 points. 20-12 OVER off a loss against a conference rival. 6-3 OVER after allowing 85 points or more.

Wisconsin Badgers: 3-6 ATS off a road win. 9-16 ATS after playing a road game. 0-4 ATS vs. poor free throw shooting teams - making 63% of their attempts or less. 22-13 OVER as a home favorite or pick. 16-6 OVER when the total is 140 to 149.5. 17-7 OVER off a win against a conference rival.

Minnesota Golden Gophers:  None.

Wisconsin Badgers:  None.

"It's tough. Those guys put a lot of time into free throws. I am obviously with them every day and the stuff we have them do outside of practice, in practice. It's tough to win any game when you go 12 of 27. Again, we've been shooting it pretty good. It has been a little bit of a strength for us, we've been able to rely on the free-throw line to get some points. Tonight, for whatever reason, we couldn't get the confidence at the line." - Ben Johnson after his team’s loss against OSU in their last game. 

“He’s day-to-day right now. We’ll see how it continues to respond through the next few days.” - Greg Gard on the injury to Max Klesmit.

D. Garcia 

F. Mitchell 

F. Odukale 

L. Patterson 

B. Rigsby

J. Blackwell 

S. Crowl 

M. Klesmit 

J. Tonje 

N. Winter

PPG: D. Garcia (18.2)

APG: L. Patterson (3.9)

Reb/G: D. Garcia (7.1)

PPG: J. Tonje (18.4)

APG: M. Klesmit (3)

Reb/G: N. Winter (6.1)

Coaches:

Minnesota Golden Gophers: Ben Johnson (4th season)

Wisconsin Badgers: Greg Gard (10th season)