Southern Jaguars vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Predictions

Southern faces a difficult turnaround

Southern lost 84-47 at Iowa State on Tuesday and visits Minnesota two days later as part of a five-game road trip. Minnesota enters Thursday’s game 3-0 after beating Cincinnati 63-61 on the road, according to University of Minnesota Athletics. Those results make Minnesota the likely winner, but they don’t establish that the Gophers should cover a 25.5-point spread.

Evans gives Minnesota the strongest matchup angle

Kyan Evans had 26 points and 10 rebounds against Cincinnati. Through three games, he leads Minnesota with 6.7 rebounds per game and averages 12.7 points.

Southern’s leading scorers, Malik Ferguson and Daniel Dormu, each average 8.0 points. R’Chaun King averages 7.8 points while leading the Jaguars in assists and rebounds. Those early numbers favor Minnesota, but no confirmed starters or injury information is available to support a wager on the margin.

Minnesota should win, but the wager is a pass

SPF lists Minnesota at -10000 on the moneyline and -25.5 against the spread. The moneyline offers too little return, while the spread requires a blowout that the available evidence cannot support with confidence.

The total is 140.5, with the over at -108 and the under at -112. There is not enough pace or scoring data to justify either side. The 50-50 betting split is a default figure rather than measured public action, so it adds nothing to the decision. Pass.