Penn State vs Minnesota Prediction 2/22/25 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Penn State vs Minnesota Prediction for this college basketball game on Saturday,  February 22nd, at the WilliamsArena. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:

-The Nittany Lions’ recent form and recent player performance 

-The Golden Gophers’  recent form and recent player performance

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Penn State

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Minnesota

-Recent betting trends in games played between Penn State and Minnesota

-A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Nittany Lions and Golden Gophers. 

When these two teams faced off earlier this year, it was Minnesota that secured the 69-61 victory. 

Minnesota Keeps Playing Spoiler

Minnesota has continued to play spoiler this season, and suddenly, they have won two games in a row. They were down in the two games against USC and UCLA, but they fought back in each of them and came out on top. Against UCLA in the last game, the defense gave up only 61 points on the way to the three-point victory. Minnesota scored 41 points in the second half to complete the comeback. It doesn’t seem to matter how many people opposing teams send at him, Dawson Garcia steps up. Against the Bruins, he finished 32 points, eight rebounds, and one assist. 

Although Minnesota hasn’t covered a ton of spreads, they have been a little better as of late. Each of the last two games has been covered. Overall, the Gophers this season are averaging 68.8 points per game. The big question for Minnesota is who steps up if Garcia does have a game where he struggles. Lu’cye Patterson has been the second-leading scorer, and he’s averaging 11.7 points per game. Minnesota is trying to stay in the top 15 in the Big Ten to make the tournament, which makes this another key game. 

Can Penn State Turn it Around?

Penn State had really been slumping the last month, but they were able to pick up a significant victory in the last game. Penn State faced off against Nebraska, scoring 89 points on the way to the 17-point victory. In the first half, they scored 50 points, and they will need to get out to a similar start here. All five starters for the Nittany Lions finished with at least 10 points. Forward Zach Hicks had a strong game putting up 19 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Penn State shot 60.7 percent from the field. As impressive as the offense was, the defense was still a problem, and they allowed Nebraska to shoot 51.9 percent from the field. 

Away from home this season, Penn State has gone 1-7. This team has a ton of offensive firepower, but the defense has been a major issue. The Nittany Lions defense is giving up 73.5 points per game. Puff Johnson averages 10.2 points per game, but he’s dealing with a hand injury, and he’s out. Ace Baldwin Jr is averaging 13.9 points while shooting 37.8 percent from the field. Penn State will take on Indiana, Maryland, and Wisconsin after this game.

Why Penn State Will Cover Against Minnesota

• Penn State has won four of its last five games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Minnesota has lost 21 of its last 28 day games against Conference opponents.
• Penn State has won the first half in 10 of its last 12 games against Minnesota.

Penn State vs Minnesota Prediction

Is Minnesota going to win this game? Probably. Am I willing to lay this many points with them? No thanks. Penn State still refuses to play any defense, but their offense finally has some confidence. The Nittany Lions is averaging 79.8 points per game, and even against a good defense, they will succeed. I don’t expect the Nittany Lions will slow down Dawson Gacia, but this isn’t about Penn State, it’s about the Penn State offense that is going to keep this game close. Minnesota is a good bet as an underdog, as the favorite, not so much. Back Penn State against the spread.