Minnesota vs Western Kentucky College Basketball Picks, Odds, Predictions 11/12/2021
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1-0) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-0)
November 12, 2021 6:30 pm EDT
The Line: Minnesota Golden Gophers -14.5 ; Over/Under: 139.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers meet Friday in college basketball action from US Cellular Center. Western Kentucky is 1-0 on the young season following a five-point win over Alabama State in their first game. As for Minnesota, they also won their first game. The Gophers took out UMKC on Tuesday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Western Kentucky is coming off a 21-8 overall record last year with an 11-3 mark in Conference USA games. The Hilltoppers were the regular-season champs and division champs. After a loss to North Texas in the conference tourney, WKU made it to the Quarterfinals of the NIT.
In their opener on Tuesday against Alabama State, the Hilltoppers were down 36-31 at the break but surged in the second half on the way to a 79-74 comeback win. Jairus Hamilton led the team with his 21 points, and Dayvion McKnight finished with 19 points, six assists and five boards.
Over on the Minnesota side, they went 14-15 overall last year and 6-14 in a tough Big Ten. The Gophers finished ahead of only Nebraska in the standings. The Gophers beat Northwestern in the conference tournament before falling to Ohio State 79-75.
Minnesota didn’t have a ton of trouble against UMKC in their opener this year, cruising to a 71-56 victory. Jamison Battle led the way on 18 points and three boards, while both Payton Willis and EJ Stephens chipped in with 13 points apiece.
Minnesota is 4-0 ATS in their last four neutral-site games and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 overall. The under is 7-1 in their last eight after an ATS win.
Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 Friday games and 26-10 ATS in their last 36 games as an underdog.
PICK: I’m probably going to stick with Minnesota. The Gophers played a pretty solid all-around game against UMKC in their opener, shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 75 percent from the line with 33 team rebounds. Things are going to get tougher for Minnesota as the season wears on, but it was a good start.
As for WKU, they benefitted from 23 turnovers by Alabama State in their opener, and barely fended off a plucky Hornets team. The Hilltoppers are better team than that on paper, but I still like Minnesota better on a potential cover.
