EXPECT THE BEST & WORST: #1 INDIANA VS. MINNESOTA

by LUCAS COMBS

Line: -5 Indiana

Line Movement

Last Meeting: January 12th – Minnesota fell on the road to Indiana, 88-81.

The Match-Up

The #1 Indiana Hoosiers head to the Williams Arena to take on Tubby Smith’s Minnesota Gophers Tuesday evening. After starting the season 15-1, Minnesota has been on a tail spin, losing 4 of their last 5 contests and 8 of their last 11. The Gophers could use a win versus the #1 team in the nation to improve their NCAA resume. The Gophers are led by Andre and Austin Hollins who lead Minnesota in points and assists.

The #1 team in the land has won four in a row, including a recent, big victory on the road versus #9 Michigan State. Hoosiers star Victor Oladipo had 19 points and 9 rebounds in the victory.

Minnesota and Indiana met in January when Indiana topped the Gophers in a hard-fought contest, 88-81.

Betting Information

Against the spread, the Hoosiers are a solid 15-10 ATS overall (4-3 ATS on the road); the Gophers are 13-12 ATS overall (7-7 ATS at home). Minnesota is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 contests and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games versus Indiana.

Against the total, Indiana is 11-11-1 overall (4-3 Under on the road), while Minnesota is 12-8 Under overall (7-3 Under at home). The total has gone Under the last 5 games for Minnesota, 8-2 Under in their last 10, and Under in 4 of the last 6 games at home. The total has also gone Under in 5 of the last 6 home games versus the Hoosiers.

Lose Indiana, Prepare for the Worst

Much has been made the past day or so about Minnesota’s recent struggles and their inability to score points. The Gophers have scored 59 points or fewer in five straight games, coming out on top just once. Indiana Coach Tom Cream said, “We’re just focused on the games they’ve played the best in, and we’re just focused on how they’ve played against us.’’ No, Coach Cream, you’re going to focus on all the dreadful performances Minnesota has had as of late. You’re going to tell your team to expect the Gophers to lay another egg. Prepare for the worst, but not in a ‘there’s a category 5 hurricane coming’ prepare for the worst kind of way. That strategy will go over well against a Gophers team desperate for a win. Why on Earth would you tell your team anything different Coach Cream?

Source: ESPN, Indianapolis Star