Minnesota vs Iowa 1/16/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Golden Gophers meet Sunday in college basketball action from Williams Arena. Iowa is 12-4 on the year. The Hawkeyes managed a win over Indiana in their last game. As for Minnesota, they’re 10-4 so far and coming off a loss to Michigan State. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Iowa managed wins in their first seven games this year, then hit a three-game losing streak to Purdue, Illinois and Iowa State. Since then the Hawkeyes are 5-1 with wins over Utah State, Southeastern LA, Maryland, Western Illinois and Indiana. 

Matched up against Indiana on Thursday, the Hawkeyes took a seven-point deficit into the break. Iowa posted a 42-26 edge in the second half on the way to an 83-74 win. Leading the way in scoring was Kris Murray with 29 points and 11 rebounds. 

Over on the Minnesota side, their first 11 games were a nice 10-1 stretch. The only loss in that time was a December 8 affair versus Michigan State. Minnesota has since lost three straight to Illinois, Indiana and Michigan State again. 

In the rematch versus the Spartans back on Wednesday, the Gophers kept pace most of the way but couldn’t get over the hump in a 71-69 loss. Eric Curry topped the team with 19 points and seven rebounds. EJ Stephens added 18 points and six boards. 

The Gophers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last five overall and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Sunday games. The over is 6-2 in Minnesota’s last eight overall. 

Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes are 5-2 ATS in their last seven after an ATS win and 10-3 ATS in their last 13 Sunday games. The over is 16-5-1 in Iowa’s last 22 overall. 

PICK: I’m going to stick with Iowa here. The Hawkeyes have been on a nice run over the last half-dozen outings; the only blemish in that time was an 87-78 loss to a very good Wisconsin team. Iowa has hit 78 or more points in each of those six games, so they’re scoring well regardless. 

As for Minnesota, it’s been a rough three-game stretch with some difficult opponents. The Gophers have been below 70 points in each of those defeats. I like this one to be initially competitive, but Iowa should stick out the cover if they play well.