Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 1/20/26
- rbowe7447
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
MINNESOTA @ OHIO STATE (OSU -7.5, 144.5)
FREE PICK: MINNESOTA +8
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-8, 3-4 Big Ten) travel to Columbus tonight to face the Ohio State Buckeyes (12-5, 4-3 Big Ten) in a matchup that features two of the conference's best individual scorers. Ohio State enters as a significant home favorite. The Buckeyes are coming off a pretty dominant 86-74 victory over UCLA. The Golden Gophers would love to snap a three-game losing streak.
Looking at both teams, it will be a clash of styles tonight. Ohio State ranks 24th in offensive efficiency in the nation according to KenPom, while Minnesota plays at one of the slowest tempos in the country. The Gophers rank 351st in adjusted tempo. The Buckeyes' ability to push the pace against the Gophers' slower half-court approach will likely decide the outcome tonight.
The Buckeyes' offense is elite, averaging 83.3 points per game (67th nationally). Minnesota struggles to score, ranking 276th with just 72.8 points per game. The Gophers also have not fared all that well on the road, going 1-3 SU away from home.
Minnesota got smacked around by Illinois on the road in their last game. They were outrebounded 42-31 and ended up losing by 10, 77-67. Still, the Gophers have the ability to suck the life out of opposing offenses.
Minnesota head coach Niko Medved is committed to slowing games down. The Gophers rank 348th in adjusted tempo (BartTorvik), and their defensive efficiency is their greatest strength, ranking 49th nationally. Minnesota’s strategy revolves around limiting possessions and forcing teams into long half-court sets.
The Under has cashed in 9 of Minnesota's last 11 road games. Despite Ohio State's abilities on offense, the Buckeyes have seen the Under cash in 5 of their last 7 games. Because of Minnesota's pace and defense, the Gophers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games.
Medved's team has been able to keep games close in Big Ten play. They did get blown out by Purdue and Illinois, both ranked opponents and both those games were on the road. But, the Gophers have three wins and lost the other two Big Ten games by 1 and 3.
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