The Big Ten Tournament is currently taking place in Minneapolis, and the action is really going to heat up on Thursday. In one of the early games of the day, the Minnesota Golden Gophers will be taking on the Michigan State Spartans.
Minnesota was a major surprise team this season, but they did end the year by losing four of their last five games. The Golden Gophers are sitting at 18-13 on the year, and will need to win this tournament to get into the NCAA Tournament.
Michigan State has been a major disappointment, and they might need to win a few games in order to get deeper in March. The Spartans are just 18-13 on the year as well, but they have a solid resume by playing a tough schedule.
The Michigan State Spartans are coming into this game as a big 6.5-point betting favorite over Minnesota.
Golden Gophers Want to Score
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have put up some huge offensive numbers at times this season, and they are scoring over 75 points per game. Minnesota is not afraid to take shots early in the clock, and they can be dangerous when hitting them.
Forward Dawson Garcia also gives this team a great scoring threat in the paint as he is scoring nearly 18 points per game. It’s not easy to score on this Michigan State team, but Minnesota has been scoring on everyone.
Playing defense is not something that Minnesota has done well this season, as they are allowing nearly 72 points per game. It’s going to take a complete effort from the Golden Gophers to advance.
Spartans Can Get Stops
Michigan State wants to set the tone with physical play in this game, and that usually comes on the defensive end of the floor. The Spartans are holding teams to just 66 points per game, and they are usually extremely tough in the paint.
While the defense has been there this season, Michigan State has not dominated the boards like they are used to doing. Head coach Tom Izzo has been frustrated with the toughness of his team, but they typically respond.
Tyson Walker is scoring 18.4 points per game to lead the way for Michigan State, and he will need to be great in this game. Michigan State doesn’t shoot the ball well, and that’s going to be something to monitor.
Spartans Get the Job Done
The Golden Gophers are going to have an advantage of playing this game in front of a home crowd, and that should give them some energy. There are some great scoring options on this team, but they will struggle to score against Michigan State.
Michigan State is a program that tends to thrive during the postseason portion of the schedule, and that will be something to watch. The Spartans have not shot the ball well all season long, but they are capable of doing just that.
Michigan State will be able to take control of this game at some point, and getting them at -6.5 is the bet to make on Thursday.
