Big East Ben’s Best Bet: Northwestern vs. Minnesota
On this episode of RJ Bell’s Dream Preview, Big East Ben shares his best bet for the Big Ten Tournament matchup between Northwestern and Minnesota. Sitting at 27-21 (56%) on the season, he’s backing the Wildcats as 3-point favorites.
Despite key injuries—losing Brooks Barnhizer early and Jaylen Leach later—Northwestern has continued to fight, picking up wins against Ohio State, Minnesota, and Iowa, plus a dramatic comeback against UCLA. Though they fell to Maryland on Senior Night, Ben believes Northwestern’s ability to force turnovers and dominate the glass gives them the edge. His pick: Go Wildcats.
Detailed Summary: Wednesday College Basketball Best Bet from Big East Ben!
Podcast Performance Overview
[Griffin Warner] (0:00 – 0:10)
Griffin Warner opens the discussion by providing an update on the podcast’s performance, stating that Big East Ben has a record of 27-21 (56%) for the season.
This sets the stage for the betting recommendation in this episode.
Game Selection: Northwestern vs. Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament
[Big East Ben] (0:12 – 0:53)
Big East Ben selects Northwestern vs. Minnesota as the focus for his best bet.
Northwestern is a three-point favorite in this matchup.
He expresses admiration for Northwestern, highlighting their resilience in dealing with injuries.
Key Injuries Mentioned:
Brooks Barnheiser – lost earlier in the season.
Jaylen Leach – another key loss.
Despite these setbacks, Northwestern has performed well in recent games:
Wins against:
Ohio State (Away)
Minnesota (Away)
Iowa
Comeback vs. UCLA – Northwestern went on a 15-0 run, cutting the deficit to just two points before a flagrant foul impacted the result.
Loss to Maryland on Maryland’s Senior Night at Xfinity Center (formerly called the Kohl Center).
Reasons for Betting on Northwestern
[Big East Ben] (0:54 – 1:11)
Turnovers – Believes Northwestern can force turnovers against Minnesota.
Rebounding – Praises Northwestern’s ability to crash the boards.
Resilience – Emphasizes that Northwestern “doesn’t die,” implying their ability to fight through adversity.
Final Thoughts
[Griffin Warner] (1:11 – 1:20)
Griffin Warner notes that his betting history against Chris Collins (Northwestern’s head coach) has not been successful.
Suggests that he doesn’t expect much success betting against Collins in this matchup either.
Analysis and Key Insights
Northwestern’s Resilience: The team has faced multiple injuries but has still managed to secure key wins.
Recent Performance Matters: Beating Ohio State, Minnesota, and Iowa while nearly making a comeback vs. UCLA indicates strong form.
Turnover Battle: If Northwestern can force turnovers against Minnesota, they may have a significant edge.
Rebounding Strength: Crashing the boards will be a crucial factor in their success.
Coaching Edge: Griffin Warner’s history of losing bets against Chris Collins suggests that Northwestern may be undervalued in this matchup.
Conclusion
Big East Ben strongly backs Northwestern as a three-point favorite against Minnesota, citing their defensive pressure, rebounding ability, and resilience despite injuries. Griffin Warner acknowledges his struggles betting against Northwestern’s coach, further reinforcing confidence in the Wildcats.
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