The final game scheduled to be played on Friday for the NCAA Tournament will be the 11th seed Minnesota Golden Gophers and the sixth seed UCLA Bruins. The game is scheduled for a 9:57 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on TRUtv. Currently the odds for the game have Minnesota favored by 3.5 points.
When the brackets first game out, many penciled this game as the possibility for an upset with Minnesota taking out the higher side. Oddsmakers agreed as the Golden Gophers are actually favored in this game by more than a possession.
A story broke earlier today from the LA Times regarding Shabazz Muhammad and the details with his father. That certainly can't be a good thing for the UCLA star, as he clearly will be going pro after UCLA loses their next game. But first thing is first — the only way the Bruins have a shot at winning tonight is is Muhammad has a big game for them.
Jordan Adams, who averaged 15.3 points this season, broke his foot in the team's last game on the very final play. He's been the Bruins' most consistent player all season and without him helping run the show, UCLA is going to be in some trouble. Larry Drew II is a great player and the offensive leader that gets things going, but without Adams in the lineup it could be a shaky game for Ben Howland's group.
Minnesota started the year ranked in the Top 10 but has since fallen on some hard times. They played and got beat up consistently in the Big Ten but they're going to be better because of playing in that league. The Golden Gophers are a very physical team that has quick guards that can defend the perimeter as well as score points on the offensive end.
Andre Hollins and Austin Hollins, no relation, are the guards for the Gophers that will pressure Drew and the Bruins. Both guys will be able to score some points but will also be looking to get the ball in the paint to Rodney Williams and Trevor Mbakwe.
The Gophers will win the game by beating up UCLA inside and hitting the glass for second chance points. Look for Minnesota, who got beat up all season in the Big Ten, to use that to their advantage tonight.
Free Pick: Minnesota 70, UCLA 61
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