Minnesota Golden Gophers Face Off Against Indiana Hoosiers in Big Ten Showdown

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are set to take on the Indiana Hoosiers in a Big Ten college basketball matchup on Monday, December 9, 2024. The game will be hosted at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana, with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on BTN.

Indiana enters the game as the favorites, with a spread of 10.5 points and a moneyline of -595. The total points for the game are set at 140.5. The Hoosiers are on a strong run, having won their last three games by significant margins against Providence, Sam Houston State, and Miami (OH).

Minnesota, on the other hand, has struggled recently, losing three of their last four games. Their most recent loss was a 90-72 defeat to Michigan State in the Big Ten opener. The Golden Gophers have been plagued by injuries, with key players such as Caleb Williams and Tyler Cochran missing time. However, guard Mike Mitchell Jr. has returned to the lineup, which is a positive note for the team.

The Gophers’ offense has been a significant concern, scoring more than 70 points only twice this season. Dawson Garcia remains the lone reliable scoring option, averaging 19 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Minnesota’s shooting woes, particularly from three-point range where they shoot just 29%, have made it difficult for them to compete in high-scoring games.

Indiana’s offense, led by players like Malik Reneau and Oumar Ballo, has shown strength, particularly in shooting. The Hoosiers are 36% from three-point range, with Myles Rice and Mackenzie Mgbako contributing significantly to this statistic. Indiana’s strategy to push the pace and exploit Minnesota’s defensive vulnerabilities could be crucial in this matchup.

The Hoosiers’ ability to control the pace and utilize their big men, such as Oumar Ballo, to draw fouls and disrupt Minnesota’s offense, is expected to be a key factor. Ballo’s presence in the paint, where he averages 12.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, could pose significant challenges for the Gophers).