Minnesota vs Butler Prediction College Basketball Picks 3/19/24

• Recent betting trends and streaks involving Minnesota

• Recent betting trends and streaks involving Butler

• Recent betting trends in games played between Minnesota and Butler

• A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Minnesota vs Butler game

Minnesota Betting Preview

The Gophers posted a 12-7 run through their first 19 games this year, then hit a promising 5-2 stretch in February. Minnesota would finish off their tough Big Ten schedule with a 1-4 run however, recording losses to Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana and Northwestern (with a lone win over Penn State).

In the conference tournament opener back on Thursday, the Gophers suffered an early exit. Minnesota was up 34-32 on Michigan State after the first half, but then got outscored 45-33 the rest of the way in a 77-67 loss. Dawson Garcia led the team in the losing effort with 19 points and four boards.

Butler Bulldogs Betting Preview

Over on the Butler side, they had a 5-1 run in February that improved the team to 16-8 overall. The Bulldogs would then hit a rough five-game losing streak versus Marquette, Creighton, Villanova, Seton Hall and St. John’s, though. In their final two games of the regular season, Butler pulled off wins over DePaul and Xavier.

Last Wednesday in the conference tournament rematch versus Xavier, the Bulldogs weren’t so fortunate. Butler was down 32-31 by the break and didn’t end up getting any closer on a 44-41 second half for a 76-72 loss. Tops in scoring was Pierre Brooks with 21 points, four rebounds and two assists.

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Butler Bulldogs Team Facts

• Butler has won each of its last 15 games against non-Conference opponents at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
• Each of Butler's last 11 Tuesday games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
• Butler has won the first half in each of its last 11 night games against non-Conference opponents at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Team Facts

• Minnesota has won seven of its last eight games against non-Conference opponents.
• Eighteen of Minnesota's last 22 games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
• Minnesota has won the first half in 12 of its last 13 games against non-Conference opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• Butler ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (79.2%).
• Butler ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (14.2).
• Minnesota ranks 12th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (17.5).
• Minnesota ranks T18th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (17.8).

Minnesota vs Butler Prediction

I’ll probably just stay with Butler in this one. It’s a coin flip, though. The Bulldogs shot themselves in the foot in the Xavier game with 18 turnovers leading to 18 Musketeers points. Other than that however, Butler didn’t play too badly. The Bulldogs hit 45.2 percent from the field with 34 rebounds and 16 team assists in the defeat. That makes 72 or more points in three straight games, which is a promising sign after four straight outings with fewer than 65 points.

As for Minnesota, they’ve been below 68 points for three straight games against some tricky Big Ten competition. The Gophers are capable of scoring well in the right matchups though, so if they’re on point I think Minnesota posts a solid total here. All things considered I like Butler a little better on the cover but I could go either way.