First off, let me start this with an apology. While I would love to make this spot about both men's and women's basketball for the University of Minnesota, the sad fact is that we lack the resources to cover the women's game in the same manner we cover the men's game. So, these previews will be for the men's team only from here on out. We'll still give the results of the women's games in our Hooks, Lines, and Sinkers section of the website, so be sure to check those out.
Now, the Gopher men's basketball team is firmly entrenched in the Top 25 in America, and has two chances on the court this week to improve their stock.
Their first game of the week will see the Minnesota Golden Gophers play host to the Northwestern Wildcats on Wednesday night. The Wildcats, at 13-6, have a solid overall record so far, but just a 3-5 mark in the Big Ten Conference. The Gophers will enter this one at 14-4 overall and a 3-3 conference record. Northwestern and Minnesota have not gotten together yet this season. Tip-off for this one is scheduled for 7:30 PM Central time, and you'll be able to catch it on the Big Ten Network if your cable provider has that capability.
The week concludes with a Saturday road trip to Purdue to take on the Boilermakers. Purdue is currently ranked 12th in the country, sporting a 17-3 overall record and a 6-1 mark in the Big Ten Conference. Of course, that one Big Ten blemish came at the hands of the Gophers back on January 13, as the Gophers defeated the then 8th-ranked Boilermakers in Minneapolis by a final count of 70-67. It appears that the game is going to be televised as part of CBS' regional coverage, so be sure to check your local listings for the noon Central time tip-off.
There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. The Gophers have a couple of good ones on tap for this week, so be sure to tune in or head on out to campus if you get an opportunity.