Minnesota vs. Illinois NCAA Basketball Big Ten Betting Matchup Odds, Picks and Analysis

Name brands are always a factor when it comes to March Madness Betting.  Also does a famous name help when it comes to coaching.  Rick Pitino’s son Richard is such a case.  Following just one year as coach of FIU Pitino got the Minnesota job.  To his credit, Pitino led the Golden Gophers to the NIT title in his first season.  Add that to his famous name and you get over the top expectations.  Expectations that have fallen short.  Pitino has led Minnesota to just two Big Dance invites in seven seasons.  Minnesota meets Illinois Tuesday on ESPN2.

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Illinois Fighting Illini CashBet Wagering Analysis

On this occasion, sportsbook odds handle should be relatively even.  Squares will lean to the home team.  Sharps will like Minnesota’s tougher body of work.

Perfect Start for Gophers Not Reflected on Board

Minnesota is catching 2021 March Madness Betting attention for a 6-0 start.  But the Golden Gophers are 2-3-1 against the spread.  And 4-2 over the total.  Minnesota ranks 42^nd for scoring offense and 154^th for points allowed.  Last time out for the Gophers was a 90-61 home win over UMKC.  Namely guard Marcus Carr leads Minnesota with 23.8 points and 6.2 assists per game.  And then guard Both Gach has 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per outing.  Minnesota’s record does lack a big-name quality win.

Illini Sluggish Out of the Gate

Last Saturday Illinois had a name-brand bet on NCAA basketball matchup.  Missouri beat the Fighting Illini 81-78 as 3-point dogs.  Over the total of 141.5 paid too.  As a result, the Fighting Illini are 4-2 straight up, 3-3 against the spread, and 5-1 over the total.  Illinois ranks 25^th for scoring offense and 127^th for points allowed.  Guard Ayo Dosunmu leads the Illini with 24.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.  While center Kofi Cockburn has 14 points and 8.8 rebounds per contest.

Counter to Minnesota the Fighting Illini have a couple of name-brand matchups.  Illinois beat Duke 83-68 on December 8.  So too did they lose to Baylor 82-69 on December 2.  Toss in the Mizzou matchup and you have an impressive schedule.

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Illinois Fighting Illini Against the Spread

Overall, the Golden Gophers are 19-16-2 over the total.  On the road, Minnesota is 5-7 vs. the line.  Against the Big Ten, the Golden Gophers are 10-10-1 with the odds.  While as dogs Minnesota is 6-9-1 against the spread.

In sum, Minnesota is 18-19 under the total.  On the road, the Golden Gophers are 5-7 under the number.  Against Big Ten teams Minnesota is 11-10 top the over.  As a dog, the Golden Gophers are 7-9 under the total.

Overall Illinois is 17-18-1 against the spread.  At home, the Fighting Illini are 9-10-1 on the board.  As chalk Illinois is 10-12-1 vs. the odds.  And against the Big Ten, they’re 10-10 with the line.

Illinois is 17-17-1 on the over-under board.  Specifically, at home, they’re 8-11-1 under the total.  Against the Big Ten, the Fighting Illini are 7-11-2 to the under.  While as chalk Illinois is 11-11-1 on totals.

Minnesota and Illinois have split their last six games on the board.  And then those six games were three over and three under.  But at Illinois, the Golden Gophers have paid just one in their last six visits.  Three of the last five in this series at Illinois stayed under.

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Illinois Fighting Illini CashBet Free Pick

As was previously noted Illinois owns this series against Minnesota.  Further, the respective schedules give Illinois the 2021 March Madness Betting advantage.  So far Minnesota has not played a team as capable as Illinois.

Minnesota at Illinois CashBet Best Bet: 

Illinois Fighting Illini