Iowa vs. Minnesota Prediction, Pick & Odds: Clark Continues Pursuit of Pistol Pete

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28 February 2024

Iowa vs. Minnesota Prediction, Pick & Odds: Clark Continues Pursuit of Pistol Pete

Our Iowa-Minnesota prediction based on the best college basketball odds expects Caitlin Clark to bolster her prolific resume for the Hawkeyes against the struggling Golden Gophers.

While Caitlin Clark has rewritten the record books in her senior season, this year has been a relatuve disappointment on the court for the Iowa Hawkeyes after losing two of their last four games. They'll look to bounce back Wednesday against the struggling Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Even with Clark's scoring heroics this year, Iowa dropped road contests to Nebraska and Indiana in recent weeks. The Hawkeyes get an advantageous matchup on the road against Minnesota in a game that Lisa Bluder’s squad can't afford to lose ahead of the regular-season finale against No. 2 Ohio State.

The Golden Gophers have improved during head coach Dawn Plitzuweit’s first season at the helm, owning a 15-12 record after going 11-19 last season. However, they remain exploitable against top competition, particularly on defense.

That’s where Clark will pounce, as she’s an unstoppable force and just 50 points away from tying “Pistol” Pete Maravich’s NCAA Division I all-time scoring record. She’ll be in a perfect position to cut that gap down on Wednesday night.

To complement our Caitlin Clark scoring record props, here is our best Iowa vs. Minnesota prediction and our college basketball picks (odds via our best March Madness betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Iowa vs. Minnesota prediction

Caitlin Clark Over 33.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -114 via FanDuel

Iowa boasts the most prolific offense in women’s college basketball behind the play of Clark. The Hawkeyes are averaging 92.1 points per game and have only scored fewer than 80 in six of 28 contests during 2023-24. While there are talented players supporting Clark, and specifically Hannah Stuelke and Kate Martin, her usage is through the roof and allows the superstar to take over any game.

Clark is averaging 32.1 points per game in 2023-24 while taking 22.7 shots from the floor, and she's getting to the free throw line 6.8 times per outing. She’s been a dynamo, and Clark is playing even better against conference opponents. She's averaging 33.2 points and shooting even more efficiently during Big Ten play, hitting 45.3% of her shots and 39% from behind the arc while taking 14.8 threes per game, 1.2 more than her season average.

That’s going to make Clark an even more difficult matchup for a team like Minnesota. The Golden Gophers are allowing 70.2 points per game in conference play and have been struggling with perimeter defense. Teams are attempting and making the most 3-pointers in Big Ten play this campaign against Minnesota. The Gophers are seeing 24.1 3-point attempts per outing and allowing 8.6 made shots from distance. Both of those marks are last in the conference, with opponents shooting 35.6% from three.

That’s going to lead to plenty of opportunities for Clark to dominate from deep and add to her jaw-dropping career numbers. She’s scored at least 34 points in 12 of 28 games during 2023-24.

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Iowa vs. Minnesota best odds

FanDuel (-114)

Only two of our best sports betting sites are currently offering a line on Caitlin Clark’s point total. It can be found at FanDuel and bet365, with the former giving slightly better value. While 34 points is a lot to ask of any collegiate player, Clark is the rare scorer who can go off for 40 on any team, especially with a matchup like the one she'll enjoy against Minnesota.

The last time Iowa played the Golden Gophers ended in a 94-71 Hawkeyes win, and Clark scored 35 points while adding 17 rebounds and 10 assists to finish with a triple-double. Between her sharpshooting from deep and penchant for pulling up from anywhere on the court, Clark will enjoy an opportunity to turn in yet another significant game against Minnesota.

Iowa vs. Minnesota odds analysis

Just two of our best sportsbooks are setting a line on Iowa vs. Minnesota. FanDuel is offering the Hawkeyes at -20.5 with a price of -112. The spread is quickly rising after opening at Iowa -18.5. bet365 offers far more value for Hawkeyes bettors, with Iowa still -18.5 at -110 for now.

Given Iowa’s offensive prowess and Minnesota’s solid scoring output (71.9 points per game), our best sports betting apps opened with the game total high, and it’s likely to climb. FanDuel is posting it at 159.5, while bet365 sits at 160.5. Eight of Iowa’s last nine games have finished with a game total above 160.