Big Ten rivals clash when Michigan State meets Minnesota in an NCAA tournament East regional second-round bout Saturday evening in Des Moines (7:45 pm ET, CBS). The Spartans are favored by double-digits over the Gophers for the second time this season. Who do we like for our free NCAA tournament picks?
The Line
NCAA tournament betting odds opened Michigan State at -10.5 over Minnesota, with an over/under of 142. Early action then dipped that spread to -10.
Any bettors thinking the Gophers might pull an upset here could get upwards of +415 on the basketball betting money line.
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Gophers-Spartans Betting Preview
No. 10 seed Minnesota (22-13 SU, 18-17 ATS) reached this game by upsetting No. 7 seed Louisville Thursday 86-76. The Gophers led the Cardinals at the half 38-33, then pushed their advantage to 19 midway through the second half and held on from there for the outright victory as five-point dogs.
On the day Minnesota shot 50 percent from the floor, hit 11-for-27 from 3-point land and turned the ball over just four times.
The Gophers are now 5-2 both SU and ATS over their last seven games.
No. 2 seed Michigan State (29-6 SU, 24-11 ATS) reached this game by holding off No. 15 seed Bradley Thursday 76-65. The Spartans actually trailed the Braves by a point with seven minutes to go but ended the game with a 22-10 run for the win. However, Sparty never came close to covering the spread as 17-point favorites.
Michigan State shot just 43 percent from the floor Thursday but hit 25-for-26 from the free-throw line and out-rebounded Bradley 36-26.
The Spartans, champions of the Big Ten tournament, now own a six-game winning streak overall, going 4-2 ATS along the way.
NCAA Tournament Betting Trends
- With Thursday’s victory/cover Minnesota is now 6-9 SU, 8-7 ATS this season against teams that made the NCAA tournament.
- The Gophers are also 10-7 ATS this season as underdogs on the college basketball betting lines, 2-1 ATS when getting double-digits.
- Including Thursday’s victory/non-cover Michigan State is now 15-3 SU, 13-5 ATS this season against teams that made the Big Dance.
- The Spartans are also 10-2 ATS this season when favored by 7-13 points.
Gophers-Spartans Recent History
Michigan State is 7-2 SU, 6-3 ATS over the last nine meetings between these Big Ten rivals, and won/covered the only meeting this season, a 79-55 decision in East Lansing back in February. The Spartans led the Gophers that day 35-24 at the half and by 28 midway through the second half on their way toward the win and the cover as 13-point favorites.
Michigan State shot 52 percent from the floor that day while holding Minnesota to just 37 percent shooting.
Also, that game played under a total of 142, which just happens to be the total for Saturday’s game.
Totals Report
The unders are 18-16-1in Gophers games this season, which are averaging 140 total points.
The unders are 19-15-1 in Spartans games this season, which are averaging 144 points.
- Get more details: Minnesota vs Michigan State NCAAB Match-up
