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The Barn
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7:30
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BTN
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USC
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Record: 10-5 (3-1)
KenPom Rank: 91
USC Trojans
Record: 12-3 (1-3)
KenPom Rank: 46
In the second season under Eric Musselman, the Trojans are running with a new roster full of good transfers and trying to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023. The team’s leading scorer, Rodney Rice, is officially out for the season and the Trojan’s are now being led by Chad Baker-Mazera, Ezra Ausar and Jacob Cofie. This trio of transfers from Auburn, Utah and Virginia respectively are battling, but the loss of Rice looms large.
Can Minnesota take down this road-weary and depleted Trojan squad?
KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN
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Contain Baker-Mazera – This 6’7” guard who was an integral part of Auburn’s run to the Final Four last season and now, without Rice, is the focal point of the Trojan offense. He has had a few subpar games recently, including a 4 point game against Michigan State this week. Him bouncing back with a huge game is not what we want to see on Friday night.
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Thou Shalt Not Foul – I have stressed a number of times how Minnesota does a great job of getting to the free throw line. They rank 17th nationally in their free throw rate (FTA/FGA). But USC is #1 in the country, this is critical for them.
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Can we force some turnovers? – USC has had a problem with turnovers, especially in their conference games. Can Minnesota force a few extra turnovers or take advantage of some Trojan carelessness?
PREDICTION
I desperately want to pick Minnesota to win this. The Gophers are fun to watch and they’ve been squeezing every ounce of talent they have out this team. They are sitting at 3-1 in the Big Ten with two wins over ranked opponents. And now a wounded USC team comes into the Barn for the last leg of their 3-game road trip. Not to mention that USC hasn’t defeated Minnesota in basketball since 1967 (now that’s a fun fact).
It all seems like the perfect time to pick the Gophers, right?
But I just can’t. I am loving this team, but I’m not a believer in a way that I trust they can beat mediocre teams at home. Not yet. Will be thrilled to be wrong, but I’m taking USC to get their game together for this game, they find their offense and they come away with a win.
Minnesota – 68
USC – 76
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