The first round of the Big Ten Tournament begins on Wednesday when the 14-seed Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-21, 12-15-2 ATS, 2-17 Big Ten) take on the 11-seed Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-15, 13-18 ATS, 9-11 Big Ten). Minnesota concluded their season with a 71-67 home loss to Wisconsin, but covered as 5.5-point dogs. Nebraska finished the season with a win on the road 81-77 over Iowa, winning outright as 11.5-point dogs. These teams met twice in the regular season, Nebraska won both matchups, winning by 2 on the road and 11 at home. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 ET from the United Center in Chicago and can be found on the Big Ten Network. The winner will play advance to play Maryland on Thursday.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers finished dead last in the Big Ten and now must play on the first day of the conference tournament because of it. Minnesota only managed two league victories this season, they beat a struggling Ohio State team, and recently beat Rutgers by one. In their last game, the Gophers were led by big man Dawson Garcia with 19 points in the loss to Wisconsin.
JOJ has so much game.@show_time_josh x @GopherMBB pic.twitter.com/wANOeLRm6o
— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) March 6, 2023
Garcia has led the Gophers all season in scoring and rebounding with 15.6 PPG and 6.6 RPG. The 6'11 sophomore has had double figures in seven straight games, but curiously did not have any rebounds in 40 minutes against Wisconsin. Garcia can score in the post, but can also step out and knock down jumpers, he had 28 threes on the year. Jamison Battle is the 2nd scorer and top shooter on the team. The 6'7 junior averages 12.8 PPG and has made 56 threes on the season. Battle recently had 20 in the win over Rutgers. Ta'lon Cooper is the best ballhandler on the team, he finished 2nd in the Big Ten in assists with 6.1 per game and added 9.8 PPG. Garcia was just named honorable mention in the Big Ten Postseason Awards.
Minnesota is ranked 222nd overall by KenPom, which is the lowest ranking in the Big Ten. Their offense is ranked 241st in efficiency and their defense is ranked 189th. The Golden Gophers will not receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, so they would need to win the Big Ten Tournament to advance.
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