The Minnesota Gophers travel light when they come to Chicago to face the Rutgers Scarlett Knights in the Big Ten tournament.
The Golden Gophers have been ravaged by injuries, leaving first-year coach Niko Medved to roll with a six-man rotation. They have to be careful not to get into a track meet with the Scarlett Knights and instead must stick this game in mud with one of the slowest tempos in the country.
Our Rutgers vs. Minnesota predictions call for a careful, low-scoring showing on Wednesday, with my college basketball picks siding with the Under in this second-round tilt.
Minnesota vs Rutgers prediction
Minnesota vs Rutgers best bet
Minnesota vs Rutgers best bet: Under 136 (-110)
Even at full strength, the Minnesota Golden Gophers stay in low gear. They’re among the slowest attacks, living in the halfcourt and eating deep into the shot clock.
The Gophers see a healthy dip in production when they leave The Barn, going 4-7 O/U on the road. This is a neutral site in Chicago, but Minnesota has made less than 44% of its field goals away from home.
With just six capable bodies, Minnesota will rest on offense and save its energy for defense. That means putting the brakes on a Rutgers Scarlett Knights team that wants to play in the open court.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account
Minnesota vs Rutgers same-game parlay
The Golden Gophers are projected for a win with some models sitting as high as a 7-point margin. Minnesota smashed Rutgers by 19 points at home back in late February.
Rutgers won’t be able to run against Minnesota, which takes away fastbreak buckets and points off turnovers — two key aspects of this Knights offense. The Golden Gophers don’t give up many freebies, limiting turnovers and their opponents’ trips to the charity stripe.
Langston Reynolds is at the wheel of a Gophers offense that leads the country in assist-to-FGM rate (0.714). He’s projected for close to six assists by some forecasts and had nine dimes in the win over Rutgers.
Minnesota vs Rutgers SGP
- Minnesota moneyline
- Under 136
- Langston Reynolds Over 4.5 assists
Our beyond the arc SGP: Gonna Be, Gonna Be Golden
Cade Tyson was 0-for-3 from distance in the season finale, but before that flop had made 3+ triples in four straight and six of the eight games prior, including a 7-for-9 night against the Scarlett Knights on Feb. 21.
Minnesota vs Rutgers SGP
- Minnesota -5
- Under 136
- Langston Reynolds Over 4.5 assists
- Cade Tyson Over 2.5 threes
Minnesota vs Rutgers odds
- Spread: Minnesota -5 | Rutgers +5
- Moneyline: Minnesota -210 | Rutgers +175
- Over/Under: Over 136 | Under 136
Minnesota vs Rutgers betting trend to know
Minnesota has gone Under the total in 15 of its last 25 games for +4.0 units and a 15% ROI. Find more college basketball betting trends for Minnesota vs. Rutgers.
How to watch Minnesota vs Rutgers
| Location | United Center, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Wednesday, March 11, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Big Ten Network |
Minnesota vs Rutgers key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
