WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2010 – Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-4) vs #7 Michigan State Spartans (13-3)
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Minnesota: 12-4 SU, 9-6 ATS
Michigan State: 13-3 SU, 6-9 ATS
The Golden Gophers of Minnesota will travel to East Lansing on Wednesday as they take on the #7 Michigan State Spartans at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center.
The Spartans defeated the Golden Gophers 64-56 the last time the two teams met on March 13, 2009 in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament.
The Spartans recorded their eighth victory in their last nine — losing only to No. 1 Texas back on Dec 22, by beating Iowa 71-53 on Saturday. Draymond Green had 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Kalin Lucas also scored 14 points in the win. Michigan State shot 55 percent from the floor and out rebounded Iowa 38-22. Green has arguably been the Spartans’ best all-around player and leads MSU in rebounding (7.9 a game) and steals (23). He is second in scoring (11.3) and blocks (12), and he is third with 52 assists.
A couple of areas that MSU will need to improve on is getting its defense to play the entire 40 minutes while avoiding careless passing and traveling violations offensively.
The Spartans gave up 18 turnovers in their game against Iowa.
Minnesota’s defense loves to pressure the ball handler and force mistakes. They forced 17 turnovers in their 73-62 victory over Ohio State on Saturday. Blake Hoffarber had a career-high 27 points, including 7 of 9 3-pointers, one shy of equaling his own school record while Lawrence Westbrook added 15 points in the win.
The Gophers are one of the better defensive teams in the Big Ten and leads the league in defensive field goal percentage (.379), blocked shots (6.5 per game) and steals (11.2).
Their defense has allowed them to jump out to 3-1 in the Big Ten.
Minnesota hasn’t beaten MSU since the 2005-06 season, losing five straight. Now they will have to win in East Lansing, a place that is never easy. The Spartans will need to watch the turnovers against a Minnesota team that can make you pay for sloppy play.
Minnesota vs MSU Odds
The odds makers have Minnesota as +7 ½ -point underdogs in this one.
A Few Trends:
Minnesota is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota’s last 8 games when playing on the road against Michigan State
Minnesota is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 7 games when playing Michigan State
Michigan State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Michigan State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Michigan State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Michigan State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Free Golden Gophers vs. Spartans CBB Pick
Expect the Spartans to edge out the Gophers in this one.
Minnesota at Indiana, Sunday, January 17
Michigan State home to Illinois, Saturday, January 16
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Matt Martz is a freelance writer located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
