2011 Big Ten Conference Tournament – Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Northwestern Wildcats
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NCAA Basketball matchup Tips: Minnesota vs. Northwestern
Date/Time: Thursday, March 10, 2:30 PM ET
Venue: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Broadcast: ESPN2
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Northwestern Wildcats Betting Lines from Bookmaker.com
Money Line: Off
Spread: Northwestern -1
Over/Under: 132.5
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College Basketball Free Pick/Preview
The first game of the Big Ten Tournament will feature the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Northwestern Wildcats. Earlier in the year both of these teams had NCAA Tournament hopes, but unless they run the table this week, neither of these teams will be going dancing.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers were cruising along to a nice season before losing nine of their last ten games. It is important to note that Minnesota lost its point guard, Al Nolen, just before this terrible stretch. Tubby Smith’s team has been extremely short-handed at the point guard position, and they have resorted to making Blake Hoffarber their point guard in the last few weeks.
The problem with this strategy is that Hoffarber is clearly the Gophers best shooter, and now he is bringing the ball up court instead of running off screens to get an open look. The strength of this team is their ability to rebound the basketball. Trevor Mbakwe is a high-energy guy who averages a double-double. This team has plenty of size, but they don’t have any depth in the backcourt. 
The Northwestern Wildcats have never made it to the NCAA Tournament, and it doesn’t appear they will this year either. Northwestern isn’t a bad team, but they have some key flaws that have hurt them in close games this year. The single biggest problem with this team is they simply don’t play good defense. Opponents are shooting 48% from the field against Northwestern this year.
John Shurna is their main man on offense. Shurna has a bad ankle, but he is expected to play through the pain in this one. Shurna is a great outside shooter and he can also create a shot for himself on the blocks. Michael Thompson and Drew Crawford combine to give the Wildcats a solid backcourt, which could give Minnesota some trouble. Northwestern will need to work hard on the glass, because that is an area where Minnesota will have the edge.
Trends:
MIN are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 games overall.
MIN are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games.
NWEST are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
NWEST are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 vs. Big Ten.
Over is 10-4 in NWEST last 14 Thu. games.
The Pick:
Minnesota has just been playing terrible of late. The lack of a backcourt has stopped this team in their tracks. I like Northwestern to win this one.
Prediction: Northwestern 66 Minnesota 61
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