Minnesota Golden Gophers at #8 Indiana Hoosiers
Assembly Hall – Bloomington, Indiana
Thursday, January 12, 2012, 8:00 pm Eastern, TV: Big Ten Net
Opening Line: Indiana -11
Current Line: Indiana -9 1/2
Opening Total: 140
Current Total: 138 1/2
Opening Money Line: Indiana -550 / Minnesota +450
Current Money Line: Indiana -500 / Minnesota +400
The #8 Indiana Hoosiers are 15-1 this season and 3-1 in the Big Ten, a game behind 4-0 Michigan St. The Hoosiers host Minnesota Thursday night. Minnesota was 12-1 coming into conference play but the Gophers are 0-4 in conference and in last place in the Big Ten. Indiana leads the series 88-62 against Minnesota, including 56-18 in Bloomington. The two teams split the season series with each winning on their own home court. The two games were decided by a total of 7 points.
Minnesota is coached by Tubby Smith. The Gophers have losses to Dayton, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, and Purdue 79-66 last Sunday. Minnesota has wins over Bucknell, Depaul, Indiana St, Virginia Tech, USC, Appalachian St, and Central Michigan.
Indiana is coached by Tom Crean. The Hoosiers have only a loss at Michigan St on their record. Indiana has wins over Evansville, Butler, NC State, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Ohio St, Michigan, and at Penn St 88-82 Sunday.
Minnesota is outscoring opponents 69-63 this season. The Golden Gophers are shooting 47.3% from the field, including 34.5% from 3 point range. Minnesota makes 70.1% of their free throws. The Gophers average 34.4 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of +3.9. Minnesota averages 15.9 assists, 14.1 turnovers, 5.7 blocks and 8.8 steals a game. Minnesota opponents are shooting 42.1% from the field including 37.5% from 3 point range. Minnesota is forcing 14.5 turnovers a game.
Forward Trevor Mbakwe was the leading scorer and rebounder for Minnesota but he is gone for the season with a leg injury. Rodney Williams averages 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks a game. He leads the team in scoring, steals, rebounds, and blocks. Julian Welch is averaging 10.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists to lead the team, and 1.2 steals a game. Ralph Sampson III averages 8.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.3 blocks a game. Austin Hollins averages 8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Forward Maurice Walker is out indefinitely with a knee injury.
Indiana is outscoring opponents 82-64 this season. The Hoosiers are shooting 50.5% from the field, and 47.6% from 3 point range. The Hoosiers are in the top seven nationally in points, field goal percentage and 3 point percentage. Indiana makes 73% of their free throws. The Hoosiers average 35.2 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of +3.2. Indiana averages 15.3 assists, 13.3 points, 8.4 steals, and 3.6 blocks a game. Indiana opponents are shooting 41% from the field and 32% from 3 point range. The Hoosiers force 16.6 turnovers a game on defense.
Indiana has 5 players averaging double digit scoring. Freshman forward Cody Zeller averages 14.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks a game. He leads Indiana in scoring rebounds, and blocks. Christian Watford averages 13.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists a game. He makes 52.9% from 3 point range. Jordan Hulls average 12.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists to lead the team, and 1.1 steals a game. He makes 58.2% of his three point attempts. Victor Oladipo averages 11.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 steals a game to lead the team. Will Sheehey averages 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists a game. He has missed the last 5 games with an ankle injury and is doubtful for this game. Maurice Creek is out for the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon.
Indiana is 8-3 against the spread and the total is 8-3 this season. Minnesota is 6-7-1 ATS and the total is also 6-7-1 this season. Indiana is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 against Minnesota, and 4-1 at home. The underdog has covered 6 of the last 7 in the series, and the under is 8-3 in the last 11. The Gophers are 3-1-1 ATS after a double digit home loss, 6-14-1 after failing to cover, 10-25-1 in road games against teams with winning home records, 7-18-1 as an underdog of 7-12.5 points, including 5-15-1 on the road, 8-21-1 as a road underdog, 6-19-1 after a straight up win, 6-21-2 against teams with winning records, 1-4-1 in Thursday games, and in road games, 1-4 overall, 3-12-1 in Big Ten games, and 1-5-1 as an underdog. The Hoosiers are 5-1 ATS at home, 8-3 overall, 5-2 as a favorite, 7-3 after a straight up win, 3-7 as a home favorite of 7-12.5 points, 2-6 in Thursday games, 1-6 after failing to cover, and 1-9 in Big Ten games.
Minnesota is much better than their 4 game losing streak would indicate. Recent history says these teams usually play each other close, and I don’t think that will change tonight. The line opened with Indiana an 11 point favorite but has moved to -9.5. Indiana wins a close game, but won’t cover.
