Next up on our NCAAB schedule of betting picks and predictions is a battle in the Big Ten between the Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-17, 1-13 Big Ten) and Illinois Fighting Illini (17-9, 8-7 Big Ten) on Monday night. Tip-off from State Farm Center is scheduled for 9:00 pm EST and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
The conference spotlight is squarely on Champaign, IL, as of all the NCAA basketball games today, this is the lone matchup in the Big Ten. This is the second of two regular-season games between the two after Illinois thumped the Gophers by 18 in Minneapolis back on January 16. Continue reading for our Minnesota vs Illinois betting picks.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Odds
Before making any Minnesota vs Illinois betting picks, it is important to take a quick look at the betting odds.
According to the NCAAB odds, Illinois is a hefty favorite on Monday night, laying 14.5 with an over/under of 135.5 points. The Illini are -1500 on the moneyline, while Minnesota is +900.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Information
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Location of the Game: State Farm Center. Champaign, IL.
Date and Time: Monday, February 20. 9:00 pm ET.
How to Watch: Big Ten Network
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Analysis
Minnesota Golden Gophers Performance Recap and Analysis
The Big Ten is expected to have eight or nine teams selected to the NCAA Tournament next month, but Minnesota likely won’t be one of them. They lost two potential starters to injury before the season even tipped off in Parker Fox and Isaiah Ihnen, and enter this tilt having lost nine in a row.
The Gophers had two games postponed in the last two weeks, including this one with the Illini, back on February 7. Minnesota hasn’t won a game since January 12, when they took down Ohio State on the road by three. There are zero Quad 1 wins on their resume, however, as it will take another Minneapolis miracle to get them into the Big Dance. Keep reading for our Minnesota vs Illinois betting picks.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Key Injuries
Aside from Fox and Ihnen, the Minnesota Golden Gophers injury report also features Braeden Carrington, a role player who is out of action with a leg injury. The team’s leading scorer and rebounder, Dawson Garcia, just returned from an ankle injury on Saturday and scored 23 in the team’s loss to Penn State.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Trends to Know
Before making your NCAAB picks, it’s worthwhile to note that the Golden Gophers are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 road games, and the Under is 8-1 in their last nine Monday games.
Illinois Fighting Illini Performance Recap and Analysis
Illinois has an opportunity to join a crowded group of four teams tied for fourth in the Big Ten with their 9-7 conference records as we check college basketball standings. Bracketologists have the Illini anywhere from a 5 to a 7 seed at this moment, but they need to get back on the winning track to remain out of the bubble conversation.
Brad Underwood’s group is headed in the wrong direction lately, having dropped two games in a row and three of their last four. Their odds to win March Madness have decreased over the last two weeks, but Monday is a chance for a get-right game before the final four games of their regular season, which include Northwestern, Michigan, and Purdue, all of whom are currently above them in the conference.
Illinois Fighting Illini Key Injuries
According to the college basketball injury report, Illinois might be without Terrence Shannon, Jr on Monday. As of this writing, he’s listed as day-to-day as he deals with a concussion. Shannon missed Saturday’s loss to Indiana and is the team’s leading scorer.
The Texas Tech transfer is one of the premier college basketball players in the Big Ten, and they’ll certainly need him if they expect to make a run in the conference tournament.
Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Trends to Know
Some key trends to consider as it pertains to Illinois Fighting Illini odds: They are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following a straight-up loss, and the Over is 6-0 in their last six Monday games.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Picks
This is a two-touchdown spread which might indicate that this won’t be competitive or compelling. But the best players for both of these NCAA basketball teams are in the headlines as one just returned from injury while the other is questionable to get back out there.
We’re still riding with the home team, however. We noted how the last time these two played, the Fighting Illini won by more than this number. Yes, Shannon played, but he only went 2-12 from the field, so even if he doesn’t play tonight, Illinois has more than enough to deal with the Gophers.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Score Predictions
- Big Ten Pick: Illinois 75 Minnesota 58
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