Minnesota vs Penn State Prediction 2/1/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Penn State Nittany Lions meet Sunday in college basketball action from the Bryce Jordan Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions prediction.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Recap

The Minnesota Golden Gophers come into this game looking to bounce back fro a 67-63 loss at the hands of Wisconsin in their last game to sit at 10-11 this season. After this game, Minnesota will head home for a game against Michigan State.

Golden Gophers Lose 6 In A Row

Cade Tyson leads the Golden Gophers in scoring wtih 20 PPG along with 5.5 RPG and 2.6 APG while Jaylen Crocker-Johnson has 13.6 PPG with a team-high 6.9 RPG to lead the Gophers in rebounding and Langston Reynolds has 10.7 PPG with 4.5 RPG and 4.2 APG to lead the Golden Gophers in assists. Isaac Asuma has 10.3 PPG with 4.3 RPG and 4.1 APG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for innesota so far this season. Bobby Durkin has 9 PPG with 2.9 RPG as well on the year. As a team, Minnesota is averaging 71.6 PPG on 45.2% shooting from the field, 33.1% from three and 68.9% from the foul line so far this season. 

Penn State Nittany Lions Recap

The Penn State Nittany Lions come into this game looking to bounce back from their 94-73 loss to Northwestern last time out to sit at 9-12 this season. After this game, Penn State will head on the road for a game against Michigan.

Nittany Lions Still Searching For First Conference Win

Kayden Mingo leads Penn State in scoring and assists with 14.1 PPG and 4.7 APG along with 3.5 RPG while Freddie Dilione V has 13.4 PPG with 3.3 RPG and 2.5 APG as the only other double-digit scorer for Penn State so far this season. Josh Reed has 9.7 PPG with 3.9 RPG and Ivan Juric has 9.4 PPG with a team-high 5.1 RPG to lead Penn State in rebounding up to this point in the year. Melih Tunca has 8.9 PPG with 2.2 RPG and 2.6 APG as well this season. As a team, Penn State is averaging 76.4 PPG on 46.9% shooting from the field, 33.3% from three and 74.7% from the foul line this season.

Minnesota Golden Gophers @ Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends: February 1, 2026

Why the Penn State Nittany Lions will win

• Minnesota has lost each of its last 13 Sunday road games against Conference opponents.
• Penn State has won eight of its last nine games at Bryce Jordan Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Penn State has won the first half in each of its last 15 day games at Bryce Jordan Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Minnesota Golden Gophers will win

• Penn State has lost each of its last 10 games against Conference opponents.
• The road team has won four of the last five games between Minnesota and Penn State.
• Penn State has lost the first half in each of its last eight games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Penn State’s last nine day games against non-AP-ranked opponents at Bryce Jordan Center have produced a total of 143+ points.
• Sixteen of Minnesota’s last 19 day games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Penn State ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (1.4).
• Penn State ranks 360th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (38.4%).
• Minnesota ranks 22nd among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (17.9).
• Minnesota ranks 24th among Division 1 teams for assist to turnover ratio this season (1.64).

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Prediction

I’m on Minnesota here. I get the case to be made for the Nittany Lions in a desperation spot at home at 0-10 in conference play, but I think we’re just at the point now where with a tight ine like yhit I’m saying forget desperation and just rolling with the better team. Minnesota’s the deeper and better coached team as far as I’m concerned, so give me the Golden Gophers in this one.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Minnesota -1.5