The Minnesota Golden Gophers (18-13) and Michigan State Spartans (18-13) meet in the 2nd round of the Big Ten Tournament Thursday at Target Center in Minneapolis. Tip-off is scheduled for noon ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s'lines around the Minnesota vs. Michigan State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The 9th-seeded Golden Gophers fizzled down the stretch, dropping 4 of the final 5 regular-season games, while failing to cover the final 3 outings. Minnesota has allowed 70 or more points in 9 straight games since a 59-56 win over Michigan State on Feb. 6 as a 3.5-point underdog.
Eighth-seeded Michigan State also had issues while wrapping up the regular season, losing 4 of the final 5 outings, while also going 1-4 against the spread (ATS). The Under is on a 5-1 run heading into the Big Ten Tournament, too.
The teams split the regular-season series, with the home team winning each meeting. The Golden Gophers have covered 3 in a row, and 4 of the past 5 meetings, and the underdog is also 4-1 ATS in the past 5 in the series. The Over is 3-1 in the past 4 meetings, too.