Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Michigan Wolverines Prediction, 2/24/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Michigan Wolverines

Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Location: Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI

TV: ESPN+

The Michigan Wolverines (25-2) are welcoming the Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-14) at Crisler Center on Tuesday.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers stepped onto the hardwood against Rutgers and took home the win by a score of 80-61 in their last game. Minnesota ended the contest with a 60.0% FG percentage (30 out of 50) and knocked down 15 of 26 3-point shots. From the charity stripe, the Golden Gophers knocked down 5 of 7 shots for a percentage of 71.4%. Concerning hauling in rebounds, they collected a total of 29 with 4 of them being of the offensive variety. They also distributed 23 dimes for the matchup while forcing 7 turnovers and earning 2 steals. When discussing the defense, Minnesota allowed their opponent to shoot 44.4% from the floor on 24 out of 54 shooting. Rutgers doled out 23 assists and had 5 steals in this game. On top of that, Rutgers collected 20 rebounds (5 offensive, 15 defensive), but wasn't able to put a block in the stat sheet. Rutgers finished the game at 75.0% from the free throw line by knocking down 6 of 8 tries. They buried 7 of their 18 attempts from distance. In reference to fouls, the Golden Gophers walked away with 7 and Rutgers racked up 10 fouls.

Cade Tyson is someone who was a contributor for the game. He finished 55.6% from the field and distributed 1 assist. He played for 39 mins and also collected 10 rebounds. He ended up finishing with 27 points on 10 out of 18 shooting.

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Minnesota comes into this game with a mark of 13-14 this season. They average 70.9 points per contest (294th in college) while going 45.7% from the floor. The Golden Gophers are hitting 34.2% on shots from distance (231 of 675) and 69.3% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Minnesota is pulling down 32.6 boards per game and has 472 assists so far this season, which ranks 35th in the nation in terms of passing the ball. They lose possession by turning the ball over 10.8 times per contest and as a group they are committing 15.3 personal fouls per game.

On the defensive end, the Golden Gophers are able to force 11.1 turnovers per contest while drawing 17.7 personal fouls. They rank 216th in college in giving up assists with 383 relinquished for the year. The Golden Gophers defensively are giving up a FG percentage of 43.7% (655 of 1,498) and they surrender 32.4 boards per contest as a team. They are surrendering 33.4% from beyond the arc and they are ranked 37th in college hoops in points per game allowed (67.7).

When they last stepped on the court, the Michigan Wolverines walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 68-63 against Duke. The Wolverines snagged 18 defensive boards and 7 offensive rebounds for a total of 25 for the game. They gave up possession of the ball 7 times, while earning 7 steals for the contest. Duke had 17 personal fouls in this game which got the Wolverines to the charity stripe for 18 attempts. They were able to bury 13 of them for a rate of 72.2%. When talking about shots from downtown, Michigan converted 6 of 25 tries (24.0%). At the conclusion of this game, the Wolverines shot 22 for 55 from the field which gave them a percentage of 40.0%. The Wolverines allowed Duke to convert 25 of their 55 attempts from the field which gave them a rate of 45.5% in this contest. They went 31.6% from downtown via 6 of 19 and ended up going 12 of 17 at the free throw line (70.6%). With respect to attacking the glass, Michigan permitted Duke to snag 37 in total (12 offensive).

Yaxel Lendeborg ended up being a major contributor for the Wolverines for the game. He made 7 of 15 in this game giving him a rate of 46.7%, and tallied 7 rebounds. He racked up 21 points in his 39 mins on the court and totaled 3 assists in the game.

Michigan has a record of 25-2 this season. The Wolverines are responsible for committing 16.1 personal fouls per contest and they go 73.3% from the charity stripe. They are assisting teammates 19.4 times per game (4th in college) and they turn it over 12.0 times per game. Michigan has tallied 2,419 points on the campaign (89.6 per game) and they pull in 41.0 rebounds per game. When it comes to offensive execution, the Wolverines are shooting 51.0% from the field, which is ranked 8th in Division 1.

The Wolverines on the defensive end are ranked 56th in college in points per game surrendered with 68.7. They are forcing 12.0 TO's per game and have allowed teams to shoot 37.4% from the field (2nd in college). The Michigan defense gives up 29.2% on shots from beyond the perimeter (210 of 718) and their opponents are knocking down 74.3% of their free throw shots. They have conceded 10.6 assists and 32.0 total rebounds per game, which has them ranked 10th and 55th in college hoops.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Michigan

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