Texas Southern vs Minnesota Picks & Prediction for Sunday, December 14, 2025
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Texas Southern travels to Minneapolis for a Sunday afternoon matchup against Minnesota at Williams Arena, with tipoff set for 1:00 PM ET on BTN. This non-conference clash pits a struggling road team against a Minnesota squad that has been nearly flawless at home, making it a popular spot for bettors searching for free college basketball picks as the Big Ten slate continues to take shape.
Texas Southern Tigers Preview
Texas Southern enters this matchup at 1–6 overall and has yet to find consistency, particularly away from home where they are 0–4. The Tigers are scoring 73.7 points per game but surrendering a troubling 86.7 points per contest, a defensive number that has made it difficult for them to stay competitive against higher-level opponents. Guard T. Hupstead has been the lone bright spot offensively, leading the team with 15.8 points per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. When he’s aggressive early, Texas Southern can at least keep pace for short stretches.
Despite that, the Tigers struggle mightily with offensive structure. They average just 8.6 assists per game, one of the lowest marks among Division I teams, which reflects a lack of ball movement and reliable secondary scoring. Possessions often devolve into isolation play, and against disciplined defenses, that approach becomes predictable. Rebounding is another concern, as Texas Southern pulls down only 33.9 boards per game and frequently gives up second-chance opportunities that compound their defensive issues.
Defensively, Texas Southern simply hasn’t been able to stop the bleeding. They struggle to protect the paint, generate minimal rim protection (2.7 blocks per game), and don’t force enough turnovers to offset their weaknesses. Recent road losses to Vanderbilt and Texas State highlighted those problems, as opponents were able to dictate tempo and score efficiently in transition. Against a Minnesota team that thrives on execution and patience, Texas Southern’s margin for error is extremely thin.
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Minnesota Golden Gophers Preview
Minnesota comes into this game at 5–5 overall, but that record doesn’t tell the full story. The Golden Gophers are a perfect 5–0 at home, where Williams Arena has once again proven to be a significant advantage. Minnesota averages 71.8 points per game while allowing just 69.6, relying more on defensive discipline and half-court execution than explosive scoring runs. C. Tyson is the engine offensively, averaging 21.1 points per game on an efficient 51.3% shooting, and he consistently draws defensive attention that opens the floor for others.
What separates Minnesota from Texas Southern is organization. The Gophers average 16.3 assists per game, move the ball well, and rarely rush possessions. They rebound effectively (36.0 per game) and do a solid job limiting opponents to one shot. While Minnesota doesn’t overwhelm teams with pace, they excel at grinding games into their preferred tempo, forcing opponents to execute in the half court—something Texas Southern has struggled with all season.
Minnesota is coming off a tough loss at Purdue, but that game also showcased their ability to compete physically against elite competition. Back at home, expect the Gophers to reestablish their defensive identity, contest shots, and methodically build separation. Their ability to control pace and exploit mismatches should be especially pronounced against a Texas Southern team that lacks depth and cohesion.
Texas Southern vs Minnesota Prediction
This matchup heavily favors Minnesota, particularly given the location and stylistic contrast between the two teams. Texas Southern’s defensive inefficiencies and lack of ball movement are a poor fit against a Minnesota squad that thrives on discipline, rebounding, and execution. While the Tigers may have brief scoring bursts behind Hupstead, sustaining that production for 40 minutes against a structured Big Ten defense is unlikely.
I’m backing Minnesota to control this game from the opening tip. The Gophers should dictate tempo, dominate the rebounding battle, and steadily pull away as Texas Southern struggles to generate clean looks. Expect Minnesota to build a comfortable lead by halftime and extend it in the second half. Betting on sports and on Texas Southern is easy, but even easier if you use the best sportsbooks. Make sure you know about how the fans are looking on prediction markets for Minnesota with the Novig promo code. Make sure when you place your bet on Minnesota vs Texas Southern you are using the BetMGM bonus code.
Final Score Prediction: Minnesota 82, Texas Southern 61
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