Big Ten rivals clash in Friday night’s Minnesota vs. Wisconsin matchup at 7:00 p.m. ET. With the Badgers laying 13.5 points as a home favorite and the total sitting at 142.5, what’s the smart bet in this conference matchup?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
Minnesota Golden Gophers (+13.5) at Wisconsin Badgers (-13.5); o/u 142.5
7:00 p.m. ET, Friday, January 10, 2025
Kohl Center, Madison, WI
TV: Peacock
Minnesota vs. Wisconsin Public Betting: Bettors Backing Minnesota
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that 60% of public bettors are currently backing Minnesota when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Asuma posts career-high in points vs. OSU
Isaac Asuma posted 18 points (7-11 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal across 40 minutes during Monday’s 89-88 2OT loss to Ohio State. Asuma notched a career-high 18 points, along with four rebounds, three assists and a steal as the Golden Gophers were taken down in double overtime by the Buckeyes. The 6-foot-3 freshman has seen action in all 15 games this season, averaging 5.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.7 steals in 26.2 minutes per game. Asuma remains one of Minnesota’s top options off the bench in his first season at the collegiate level.
Tonje closes with 15 points vs. Rutgers
John Tonje closed with 15 points (6-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 32 minutes during Monday’s 75-63 victory over Rutgers. Tonje started the season on a tear, averaging 22.3 ppg over the Badgers’ first nine contests. He’s slowed down since then, posting just 12.5 ppg over the team’s next six games, with Monday’s output representing his best scoring total of that stretch. What’s encouraging is that he did it while getting to the free-throw line only twice, which has been one of his primary scoring methods so far in 2024-25. The Badgers will need the two-time transfer to get in stay hot if they hope to be contenders in Big Ten play.
Minnesota vs. Wisconsin CBB Prediction:
Take Minnesota. I faded the Golden Gophers the other night against Ohio State because Minnesota hadn’t posted an ATS win since its first game of the season. But the Gophers had strong ATS numbers versus the Buckeyes in previous meetings and then they took OSU to multiple overtimes before losing by 1 (and covering the 5.5-point spread in the process). I won’t make the same mistake tonight. The Golden Gophers are 8-2 against the spread in the last 10 meetings between these two teams. That includes a streak of five consecutive ATS victories versus the Badgers.
Minnesota vs. Wisconsin College Hoops Prediction: MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS +13.5