Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs Minnesota Golden Gophers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/1/24

The Wildcats and Golden Gophers are set to face off at 3:00 ET on B1G+. The Golden Gophers will host the game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, MN. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 127.5 points, and Minnesota is favored by -16.5 at home against Bethune-Cookman.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS VS MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats +16.5

This game will be played at Williams Arena at 3:00 ET on Sunday, December 1st.

WHY BET THE BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Golden Gophers.
• Even though we have Minnesota winning straight-up, we like Bethune-Cookman at +16.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 127.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.

Do the Wildcats Stand a Chance in Minneapolis?

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Recent Game

The Wildcats dropped their recent home game to Gardner-Webb, losing 79-64. Bethune-Cookman entered as +3.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread.

After trailing 43-28 at halftime, the Wildcats matched Gardner-Webb with 36 points in the 2nd half. The game’s total points of 143 narrowly exceeded the over/under line of 142.5.

Bethune-Cookman struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 35.8% from the field and 22.7% from three-point range. Their effective field goal percentage was 38.8%, and they hit only 55% of their free throws, going 11-for-20 from the line.

Anthony Selden led the Wildcats with 29 points, shooting 55.6% overall and 66.7% from beyond the arc. The team managed just 5 assists and 9 offensive rebounds in the game.

Even though the Wildcats gave up 79 points, their defense held the opposing team to just 35% shooting from the field, including 22% from three-point range, with only 5 made threes on 22 attempts.

Bethune-Cookman also sent the other team to the free-throw line 20 times, where they hit 11 free throws, shooting 55%. The Wildcats allowed 9 offensive rebounds.

Pressure Builds for Minnesota as Home Favorites

Minnesota’s season took a hit with a 57-51 loss to Wake Forest on Friday. The Gophers were +3.5 point underdogs going into the game and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 108, which was well below the O/U line of 128.

Minnesota led 29-27 at halftime but struggled in the 2nd half, scoring only 22 points while allowing 30. They’ll need to address their offensive issues moving forward.

In their last game, Minnesota’s offense struggled, managing just 51 points and shooting 41.2% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 43.1%, hampered by a 16.7% performance from beyond the arc, hitting only 3 of 18 attempts. At the free-throw line, they converted just 6 of 15, shooting 40%.

Tre’Von Spillers led the way with 18 points and 16 rebounds, shooting 53.8% from the field. Isaac Asuma was efficient, hitting 4 of 6 shots, including 2 of 3 from three-point range. Lu’Cye Patterson missed all 5 of his three-point attempts, though he contributed 4 assists.

Even with Minnesota’s defense holding their opponent to just 57 points, the Golden Gophers couldn’t capitalize offensively. They limited the other team to 39% shooting from the field, including just 1 made three-pointer on 15 attempts (6%).

Minnesota sent their opponent to the line 16 times, where they converted 14 free throws (87%). The Golden Gophers also gave up 13 offensive rebounds, which may have contributed to their defensive struggles.