This is an 8* TOP PLAY on Minnesota.

Both teams really need a victory. Neither team has been great this year.

At this point of the season, between teams like this, I can't understate how important I feel that the "home floor" advantage is.

And for these two teams, it does matter. Both teams are 12-12 overall, but while the Wildcats are a sub-par 3-5 on the road, Minnesota is an above average 7-5 at home.

Northwestern has covered in four straight, but note that it's just 3-7 ATS in its last ten after three or more straight ATS covers in a row.

Minnesota beat Penn State 76-70, but it's since lost two straight, falling 70-45 at Ohio State, and then 67-46 at Penn State in the rematch.

Note though that the Gophers are 7-2 ATS in their last nine off a SU/ATS conference road loss in which they were held to 49 or fewer points in.

Clearly I feel that the outright win is in the cards here, but the official call will be to grab the points.

The play is MINNESOTA.

Good luck, NP