The Minnesota Golden Gophers will face their third straight ranked opponent Tuesday when they take on No. 14 Wisconsin.
Coming off back-to-back games against Michigan State and Indiana, Minnesota must now deal with the Badgers, which on Sunday scored a huge win in Columbus over Ohio State. Despite running their record to 12-1 to start the season, the Gophers are 17-12 overall, 5-11 in the Big Ten and losers of five straight.
The most recent loss, a 69-50 drubbing at the hands of Indiana, may have been the worse. Minnesota shot just 31 percent from the floor and had 16 turnover to just 11 assists.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that Wisconsin has been vulnerable at home, at least compared to most years. The Badgers are 12-4 in Madison, and just 4-3 in conference. Iowa, 14-15 overall, is among the teams (along with Michigan State and Ohio State) to have handed Wisconsin a loss at the Kohl Center. Granted, that was back on Dec. 31, and Wisconsin has certainly improved, but it has been done.
Even if things don’t go well in Madison, the Gophers close out the regular season at home against lowly Nebraska, which is coming off a 34-point performance in its last outing.
Tuesday’s game tips at 8 ET and will air on the Big Ten Network.
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