Saint Mary's at Minnesota

Top-seeded Minnesota has home court for this NIT clash. Minnesota is 29-13 over 15 all-time NIT appearances, including two titles and two runner-up finishes. Minnesota is 16-3 at home and faces a Saint Mary's team a long way from home, one that is 5-5 on the road. The Gaels are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games and 1-8 ATS against a team with a winning record. Saint Mary's is in California and has played the last five games in the Western time zone. Now they head to the frigid middle of the nation. They are 4-4 their last eight road games with the losses by 9, 13, 18, and 18 points. In the rugged Big 10 conference, Minnesota does a lot of things well, third in field goal shooting (46.3%), third in free throws (74%), and fifth in defense from the field and beyond the arc. Two years ago, Minnesota embraced the National Invitation Tournament enough to reach the championship game. The Gophers have the depth and talent to win this consolation event if they stay engaged the way many major-conference teams fail to. Maverick Ahanmisi scored 21 points, and Minnesota moved on with an 88-81 victory over High Point on Tuesday. "You find out who wants to keep playing and who doesn't," coach Richard Pitino said. This team does, and the St. Mary's Gaels are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Play Minnesota on the moneyline.