#25 Minnesota Hosts Illinois as One-Point Basketball Odds Fave

The #25 Minnesota Golden Gophers host Big Ten rival Illinois as a -1 point favorite in the college basketball sportsbook on Thursday, Feb. 10th.

Minnesota has become one of the better teams in the Big Ten this season. They’ve also made their presence felt in non-conference play. Illinois, however, is no pushover. Hence, the 1 point spread.

Will the Gophers protect their home court on Thursday night?

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 55% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? Find out more exciting details HERE.]

Illinois Illini (15-8) at #25 Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-7)

Where: Williams Arena, Minneapolis, Minnesota

When: Feb. 10th, 2010 at 9:00 pm EST

TV: ESPN

NCAAB Betting Lines

Illinois Illini +1 -110 O 136 -110

Minnesota Golden Gophers -1 -110 U 136 -110

Check out some trends for this game.

• The Illinois Illini is 2 and 5 ATS in their last 7 games on the road.

• The Illinois Illini is 5 and 1 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Minnesota.

• The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 4 and 1 ATS in their last 5 games following a double-digit loss at home.

• The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 2 and 8 ATS in their last 10 home games.

There are some hot and cold basketball betting trends for both teams in this matchup on Thursday night. Minnesota is on a 3 game losing streak and that, more than anything else, has to be the reason that the odds makers are so chilly on them in this home contest.

The Golden Gophers dropped a game to Purdue 61 to 73 on the road as +9 point underdogs. Then, they let Indiana, one of the worst teams in the Big Ten this season, beat them straight up 60 to 57. Minnesota was a -3 point road fave in that contest. Finally, the Gophers dropped a home game to #1 and still undefeated Ohio State 69 to 82 as 4 ½ point home dogs. The Gophers are reeling, but they might be good enough to stop the bleeding versus the bloodier Illini.

Illinois just hasn’t gelled this season. The Illini dropped a game to Indiana on the road as well, 49 to 52. In fact, Illinois has lost 5 out of its last 7 games on the NCAA moneyline odds. The Illini is reeling just like Minnesota. Maybe, that’s the reason that the line is so low but it’s also the reason that Minnesota is a fairly easy pick versus the spread on Thursday night.

The stats for both of these teams are eerily similar. Illinois scores 73.2 points per contest while shooting 47.1% from the field. Illinois allows 64.8 points per game and allows its opponents to shoot 39.8% from the field. Minnesota scores 71.9 points on average per contest while shooting 46.6% from the field. The Golden Gophers allow 67.9 points per while their opponents shoot 39.7% from the field. It’s the percentages on both offense and defense for both teams that leads me to believe these teams are equals. There’s only a .5% difference in offensive shooting percentage between these two and a .1% difference in defensive shooting percentage.

What should a sports betting handicapper do when two teams are so evenly matched and the wagering spread is practically even? Back the home team. That’s what a hoops handicapper should do. It’s unlikely that Minnesota is going to lose their fourth straight game in their own building. The Golden Gophers should protect their home court on Feb. 10th.

Minnesota is the team to back in their game versus Illinois on Thursday night.

NCAA Odds Betting Pick: Minnesota -1

Check out online basketball odds in the sportsbook, click here!