Northwestern vs Minnesota Prediction 3/12/25 College Basketball Picks

The Northwestern Wildcats and Minnesota Golden Gophers meet on Wednesday in college basketball action at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Here’s a Northwestern vs Minnesota prediction. This article will include a Northwestern vs Minnesota Pick.

Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview

The Northwestern Wildcats (16-15, 15-16 ATS) connected for three wins for the first time in 2025 as they beat Ohio State, Minnesota, and Iowa, but closed out the regular season with a pair of defeats to UCLA and Maryland. In those two losses, Northwestern failed to reach the 70-point mark. The Wildcats finished in 13h place in the Big Ten Standings with the same conference record as Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and USC.

Northwestern is averaging 72.7 PPG (224th) and is allowing 69.3 PPG (94th). The Wildcats are getting 33.6 RPG (316th) and dish out 14.5 APG (132nd). Nick Martinelli is the team’s top performer with 20.2 PPG and 6.2 RPG. Brooks Barnhizer has 17.1 PPG, a team-high 8.8 RPG, a team-high 4.2 APG, a team-high 2.3 SPG, and 1.1 BPG, while Jalen Leach contributes 14.3 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, and 1.0 SPG.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Preview

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (15-16, 10-19-2 ATS) didn’t experience the best of time late in the season as they suffered four losses in the final five games. Minnesota lost to Penn State, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Rutgers, while the lone win came to Nebraska. The Golden Gophers ended the regular season in 15th position in the Big Ten Standings.

Minnesota averages 68.2 PPG (345th) and allows 69.6 PPG (101st). The Golden Gophers are 298th in rebounds (33.9) and 81st in assists (15.4). Dawson Garcia leads the team with 19.1 PPG, a team-high 7.5 RPG, and 2.0 APG. Lu’Cye Patterson follows him with 11.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 3.3 APG, while Mike Mitchell Jr. chips in 8.5 PPG, 2.6 APG, and 1.0 SPG.

Why Northwestern will beat Minnesota

• Minnesota has lost each of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Northwestern has won four of its last five day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Northwestern has won the first half in each of its last five day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why Minnesota will beat Northwestern

• Northwestern has lost each of its last nine day games against Conference opponents.
• Minnesota has won three of its last four day games against Northwestern.
• Minnesota has won the first half in four of its last five games played at neutral venues after coming off overtime.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Northwestern’s last 15 day games against Conference opponents has produced a total of 131+ points.
• Each of Minnesota’s last 12 day games against Conference opponents has produced a total of 129+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Minnesota ranks T34th among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (4.6).
• Minnesota ranks 50th among Division 1 teams for assist-to-turnover ratio this season (1.43).
• Northwestern ranks 25th among Division 1 teams for turnover percentage this season (12.7%).
• Northwestern ranks 31st among Division 1 teams for assist-to-turnover ratio this season (1.48).

Northwestern vs Minnesota Prediction

These rivals have traded wins in the past few years, each recording five wins in the last ten H2H encounters. Northwestern won four of the previous five duels, including the first meetings of this season when the Wildcats won 75-63 at Minnesota. Five of the last six clashes went Over (one Push), and even though this is a conference tourney game, I expect these teams to combine for at least 130 points. Northwestern has hit the Team Total Over in 19 of its last 34 games, while the Wildcats have hit the Game Total Over in 21 of their last 34 games. I am going with Over.

Oliver Zivic's Pick: Over 127.5