The Minnesota Golden Gophers take on the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, MI. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on BTN.
Michigan is favored by 22.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -8000. The total is set at 145 points.
Here’s my Minnesota vs. Michigan prediction and college basketball picks for February 24, 2026.
Minnesota vs Michigan Prediction
My Pick: Michigan -22.5 (Play to -24)
My Minnesota vs Michigan best bet is on the Wolverines to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Minnesota vs. Michigan Odds
| Minnesota Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+22.5 -110 | 145 -110o / -110u | +2800 |
| Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-22.5 -110 | 145 -110o / -110u | -20000 |
- Minnesota vs Michigan spread: Michigan -22.5
- Minnesota vs Michigan over/under: 145 points
- Minnesota vs Michigan moneyline: Minnesota +2800, Michigan -20000
Minnesota vs Michigan College Basketball Betting Preview
Minnesota Basketball
If you told me that Minnesota was down to six scholarship players and is 6-10 in league play with back-to-back wins by 17+ points over Oregon and Rutgers, I’d probably call you a liar. You have to be encouraged with the promise shown in Niko Medved’s first season in Minneapolis.
The Gophers' offense is nothing spectacular, as it ranks 100th in offensive efficiency, per KenPom.
To have any chance of keeping this game within 30, the Golden Gophers will have to shoot well from deep. Shooting is the DNA of this Minnesota offensive attack, as the Gophers attempts 3s 47% of the time.
Veteran wing Cade Tyson is the best shooter on the roster, connecting on 40% of his 3s. Bobby Durkin is no slouch either, drilling 37% from deep.
The Golden Gophers won’t overwhelm you with talent, and they don't have an overwhelming amount of shot creation. They make up for it with elite passing, as 73% of their made shots come via an assist — the best mark in the country.
On the defensive end, Minnesota has really impressed in Medved’s first season. The Golden Gophers hold opponents to 50% shooting on 2s and 33% from deep.
However, the lack of interior depth is a growing concern.With Jaylen Crocker-Johnson injured, Minnesota doesn’t have a true go-to proven big man. Freshman Grayson Grove is the only healthy Minnesota big, and while he’s promising, this is a major step in competition.
Grove played 38 minutes in each of the last two games, and he’ll likely have to play another 35+ in this one.
Michigan Basketball
Michigan is coming off a gutting loss to Duke, which was just the second loss of the season for the Maize and Blue.
And it’s no coincidence that Michigan shot it so poorly in both of its losses, going 8-for-25 (32%) from downtown against Wisconsin and 6-for-25 (24%) against Duke.
The Wolverines are nearly unstoppable when they hit from deep; that’s how Michigan won 10 games by 30+ points this season. The 22.5-point spread in this game may look lofty, but Michigan is well-deserving of being a heavy favorite.
I expect the Wolverines to overwhelm a depleted Minnesota interior. Yaxel Lendeborg is a tough, physical big with guard skills who should dominate the shaky defensive capabilities of Durkin.
Plus, Morez Johnson Jr. is the perfect player to defend Tyson. He’s quick, physical, can fight through screens and limit Tyson from getting to his spots.
The real key, though, is the 7-foot-2 center, Aday Mara. The long-armed Mara will quickly teach Grove how tough it is to defend the nation’s best interior.
Michigan is the best in the country defensively, ranking first in efficiency, per KenPom. The Wolverines limit opponents to 43% shooting from 2 (third nationally) and 29% from deep (seventh).
On the other end, Michigan is so effective at getting in transition and scoring at the hoop. That’s why the Wolverines shoot a dazzling 62% from inside the arc (second-nationally). The outside shooting can be more spotty, as the Wolverines make 35% from deep, including 33% since January 1.
None of the bigs are reliable shooters — even Lendeborg is below 30% from 3. That’ll put pressure on Elliot Cadeau, Nimari Burnett and Trey McKenney to hit enough from downtown to create a more lopsided final score.
Minnesota vs. Michigan Betting Analysis
Pace will be everything here. Minnesota is 358th in adjusted tempo and Michigan is in the top 20.
Dusty May wants to force tough shots that allow Michigan to get running in transition, and Minnesota wants to slow everything down.
If this game becomes a track meet, the six-man rotation of the Golden Gophers could wear down quickly.
And that’s what I see happening here.
My Pick: Michigan -22.5 (Play to -24)
