The Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2, 2-4 ATS, 1-5 O/U) meet with the Virginia Tech Hokies (6-1, 2-5 ATS, 3-4 O/U) in an inter-conference battle on Monday night. The Golden Gophers lost to UNLV in their previous action. The Hokies defeated Charleston Southern in their previous bout. These foes last met in 2011.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers enter their first true road game of the season after their last two games were played on neutral courts. Minnesota had a two-game winning streak snapped in a 71-62 defeat to UNLV on Wednesday in a bout that had Minnesota labeled as 4.5-point dogs. The Gophers' other defeat occurred at home against DePaul. Minnesota has covered only twice all season.
Dawson Garcia has been the Gophers' best player so far. The sophomore forward has recorded at least 15 points in three out of his last four games and is also collecting several rebounds. Garcia is sporting an average of 15.8 PPG and 6.7 RPG. Jamison Battle missed the first four games of the season due to injury. The junior forward has scored a total of 28 points in two games and could be one of the higher-scoring players in the Big Ten. Ta’Lon Cooper is struggling offensively, posting an FG % below 40% in thre e out of his last four games. The junior guard has filed an average of 10 PPG and 7.3 APG.
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1??st Collegiate Double-Double @pharrelpayne had himself a NIGHT! pic.twitter.com/ugEh40sBJ3— Minnesota Men's Basketball (@GopherMBB) November 22, 2022
The Golden Gophers are ranked 154th in DI in Ken Pomeroy’s college basketball ratings. Minnesota is struggling in the offensive end. They are only shooting 42.7% and are scoring an average of 63 points, landing them 334th in the country. The defense has been effective, allowing an average of only 62.5 points, placing them 60th.