Minnesota vs Nebraska Odds, Pick: Huskers to Cover?

Minnesota is the wagon of all wagons, while Nebraska is one of the best home-court teams in the sport. It's an immoveable object against an unstoppable force.

Who will prevail?

It seems like no matter what happens, Minnesota covers the spread. The Golden Gophers boast a dominant 22-3 record against the spread this season.

Minnesota moves the ball incredibly well, which makes up for talent disadvantages. The Golden Gophers assist 67% of their made field goals, led by dominant point guard Elijah Hawkins. Not all mid-major transfers work, but Hawkins ranks second in assists in the country and has made an easy transition into the Big Ten.

The Golden Gophers offense works best scoring in the paint, where they convert on 58% of 2-point shots. The starting frontcourt duo of Dawson Garcia and Pharrel Payne is tough to match up against with Garcia's finesse and Payne's physical style.

Moreover, Minnesota isn't limited to scoring just inside; it can shoot it from 3 as well. Freshman guard Cam Christie is a big-time shooting threat, hitting on 41% of his 3s. Christie has turned into a force, and teams have to respect Minnesota's shooting more because of his emergence.

Opponents only shoot 3s on 29% of field goal attempts against Minnesota's defense. But Nebraska loves shooting 3s, so will that style hold up against the Huskers?

The Cornhuskers aren't NCAA tournament locks yet, but beating Minnesota will help their case.

Nebraska last made the NCAA tournament in 2014, so improving to this degree is promising progress under coach Fred Hoiberg. Nebraska is dominant at home, losing just one game to Creighton inside the daunting Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Shooting is the source of offensive success for Nebraska, which ranks 37th in offensive efficiency. The Huskers attempt 3s on 44% of their shots, connecting on 36% from distance.

Keisei Tominaga is an outstanding shooter, hitting 38% of his 3s, and he's on a total heater right now. Tominaga has scored 17+ points in the past three games — all wins. If Nebraska can reach its ceiling of winning multiple tournament games, it needs Tominaga to shoot it well.

I'm curious how Jamarques Lawrence responds after his best game of the season. Hoiberg ignored point guards in the portal, hoping Lawrence would improve. It hasn't happened so far, but that could change. Lawrence scored 19 points with five assists in the last game against Indiana He could parlay his recent success into a hot finish and improve Nebraska's guard play.

While the Golden Gophers limit 3-point attempts, Nebraska is the polar opposite, allowing 3s on 41% of field goals. That's not how Minnesota typically operates on offense, and the Huskers have a trio of bigs — Rienk Mast, Josiah Allick and Juwan Gary — who could stifle Minnesota's dominant bigs.

Picking against home Nebraska or Minnesota against the spread feels wrong. I've loved backing both teams, but now I have to pick one and have an actual strong lean.

I'm taking the Huskers at home. I love Nebraska's shooting in this matchup, and Minnesota's bigs won't dominate against the Huskers' interior.

Pick: Nebraska -6.5 (Play to -7.5)