Today’s college basketball schedule doesn’t feature much in the way of attention-grabbing games, but the best matchup on the schedule by far is Minnesota vs. Missouri (8:00 p.m. ET, SEC Network+), partly because it is the lone power conference contest on today’s slate.
Both the Golden Gophers (2-0) and Tigers (3-0) are unbeaten to start the new season, but neither team has been tested as it will be tonight in Columbia.
Under new coach Niko Medved, Minnesota heads into tonight’s matchup vs. Missouri off the back of blowout wins over Gardner-Webb (87-60) and Alcorn State (95-50).
North Carolina transfer Cade Tyson has had a stellar start, scoring 30 points in 29 minutes against Gardner-Webb and 21 in 29 minutes against Alcorn State, while Colorado State transfer Jaylen Crocker-Johnson has 28 points and 30 rebounds through two games.
They will look to pose a challenge tonight against the Tigers, who have opened the season with wins over Howard (88-67), Southeast Missouri State (89-84), and VMI (106-68). Senior forward Mark Mitchell had a quiet game in the opener but scored 29 points to help Mizzou squeak past SEMO and 24 against VMI.
Will we see plenty of points on both sides tonight at Mizzou Arena? Read on for our Minnesota vs. Missouri prediction and best bets, as well as the best betting odds from top online sportsbooks such as BetOnline.
Minnesota vs. Missouri Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | +7.5 (-115) | +270 | Over 157.5 (-115) |
| Missouri | -7.5 (-105) | -335 | Under 157.5 (-105) |
Minnesota vs. Missouri Prediction and Best Bets
Prediction: Missouri to win
It is much too early to tell what kind of results Niko Medved will have at his alma mater after a successful stint at Colorado State, but two routs in two games is about as good as you can hope for with a team that was picked to finish 16th in the Big Ten this season.
Tyson, who had a quiet year in Chapel Hill after two impressive seasons at Belmont, has hit the ground running. So has Crocker-Johnson, who made the move from Fort Collins with Medved.
Another key contributor in the opening two wins was UNC Greensboro transfer Langston Reynolds, who had 14 points, nine rebounds, and four assists against Gardner-Webb and 12 points, three assists, and two boards against Alcorn State.
Minnesota will need all hands on deck for tonight’s game vs. Missouri, even with the Tigers still shorthanded.
Junior Trent Pierce, who started 19 games and averaged 6.7 PPG last season, remains sidelined with a lower-body injury. As does sophomore Annor Boateng, as well as 7’5’’ redshirt freshman Trent Burns, who missed last season with a foot injury and has yet to be cleared after having foot surgery in September.
However, senior center Shawn Phillips Jr. will return tonight after having a limited impact against SEMO and missing the Howard game due to illness. Phillips had 16 points and 11 rebounds in the opener against Howard, so his return will be welcome.
Can Minnesota at least compete tonight? It feels like pushing for a win might be beyond the Golden Gophers’ reach right now, but you can expect a Niko Medved-coached team to play hard, and Missouri’s close shave against Southeast Missouri State is something to take note of.
Minnesota vs. Missouri Best Bets
1) Minnesota/Missouri Over 157.5 (-115 at BetOnline)
When this number is at 158 or 158.5 elsewhere, I’m happy to lock it in at 157.5 when I expect a high-scoring contest.
This will be the biggest defensive test of the early season for both teams, and totals are not something to put a hefty investment in early in the season, especially when neither team has played a notable opponent. But I like what I have seen enough from both teams and what I know about both coaches enough to feel good about the prospect of an over tonight.
2) Missouri First Half Over 39.5 Points (-114 at Lucky Rebel)
Missouri has scored 40+ points in every half thus far this season, and though the competition must be factored in there, this total is in a nice spot for the over to be a smart move.
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