Minnesota’s stunning success in the 2023/24 men’s college basketball season has defied all expectations. Despite being projected to finish dead last in the Big Ten, the Golden Gophers have emerged as a formidable force.
Their current standing places them near the middle of the conference, with a slim chance of securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament by performing well in the Big Ten Tournament next month. While it may seem unlikely, it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
Regardless of the outcome, Minnesota has proven to be a powerhouse in the betting world. They epitomize the adage that good teams win, but great teams cover. Under head coach Ben Johnson, the program has consistently outperformed expectations, covering the spread in an impressive 23 out of 26 games this season.
Whether favored or underdogs, playing at home or on the road, they have consistently defied the odds. This unexpected success has left sportsbooks perplexed, unable to explain how a team predicted to finish last in their conference has achieved such a remarkable ATS (against the spread) record.
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“There’s always a team like this, but I honestly don’t know what is particularly special about this team,” Seamus Magee, a college basketball trader at BetMGM told For The Win. “They’re a .500 Big Ten team, their offense is Top 40 on KenPom, but they’re not crushing teams on 3-pointers. What’s even more shocking is that they’re 23-3 ATS and one of the worst free-throw shooting teams in the country. That’s usually not a recipe for covering spreads.”
Even sportsbook directors have been unable to accurately assess Minnesota’s prowess. Despite adjusting their power ratings throughout the season, the Gophers continue to surpass expectations.
As Minnesota enters the final stretch of the regular season, their underdog status in upcoming games underscores the unpredictability of their journey. With five games left, they have the opportunity to further solidify their status as one of the most surprising teams in college basketball.
Better strike while the iron’s hot.
