*One play Monday:

 

LMU at Minnesota (-8.5, play to -9.5) - 5:00pm Pacific - Game #529-530

The Gophers have won 7 straight games, all by double digits.  Most have been vs cupcakes but they did win on the road at Nebraska during the span.  I have a lot of respect for head coach Dan Monson and although on paper this team looks less talented than last year, they are playing much more together as a team and the results have shown it.  6-5 JC F/G transfer Vincent Grier has stepped in from day one as a do it all player.  He leads the team with 18.1ppg and 5.1rpg.  He is also among team leaders in assists and plays very good defense.  He is just what Monson needed to make the team competitive.  7 foot senior big man Jeff Hagen is putting up career best numbers and BC transfer freshman forward Ben Coleman has been a pleasant surprise.  Scoring has been very balanced with six players averaging 7.9ppg or better.  Minnesota is shooting over 50% as a team for the season and have positive rebounding and turnover margins.

 

LMU will finally end its five game road trip tonight.  The trip has taken them to four states and 11,340 miles of travel since last home game on December 18th.  When I watched LMU play for the first time this season, I had a high admiration for sophomore guard Brandon Worthy and thought to myself they would be in trouble if something ever happened to him.  Sure enough Worthy is now out 4-6 weeks with a knee injury.  Worthy is only third on the team in scoring but before the injury was #1 in minutes played, steals, and assists while ranking third in rebounds.  It is unlikely that oddsmakers and most of the betting public realize the significance of his absence.  In first two games without him, LMU struggled to get by Northern Arizona and then were simply blown out of the gym by 45 points vs Utah State.  Unfortunately, I was not aware of the injury in time to make a play in either game.  The Lions are probably looking forward to getting back home and begin preparing for league play.

 

Minnesota is not the type of team to take anyone lightly right now.  They are looking to build confidence and will surely keep the pedal down for the duration of the game regardless of the score.  This is the type of team that Monson can really coach and have a positive influence on.  They have enough talent to be competitive at home against Big 10 teams and should have their way with a road weary and "Worthyless" LMU team in this spot.  Give the points.

 

Official Play: Minnesota -8.5  1 UNIT