State College, Pa. - What's up?

The Gophers face Penn State Thursday night.

It's a big matchup for the both teams, who have matching 6-7 Big Ten records.

Here are five questions related to the matchup:

Will the Gophers stop Talor Battle?

That's the big question entering Thursday's matchup. He's a very talented player. He can hit shots from all over the floor. He can score off the dribble. And he energizes his teammates.

The Gophers won't "stop" him but they can force him to take bad shots. They did that against E'Twaun Moore last month. But that team had Al Nolen.

They'll have their hands full without their best perimeter defender.

Will other Penn State players create matchup problems for the Gophers?

Jeff Brooks, a 6-8 senior forward, is versatile. He's been bothered by a shoulder injury that kept him out of a game earlier this month. But the Nittany Lions are a much better team when he's productive. He's averaging 13.6 points per game and he's tallied nine or more boards in nine games. He's also 18 for 41 from beyond the arc.

Will Rodney Williams contribute consistently?

Maybe. Against Iowa, he proved that he's capable of playing a bigger role on offense. With his size and athleticism, however, he should be involved every night.

But even Tubby Smith said he doesn't know what it's going to take to get the best (consistently) out of Williams.

The Gophers are 3-0 this season when Williams scores 10 or more. So they certainly benefit from his production, but they haven't been able to rely on it.

When the Gophers run, however, players like Williams are more efficient. Austin Hollins, Maverick Ahanmisi and Chip Armelin are also better when they pick up the pace.

Will the Gophers make the tournament?

ESPN.com's Joe Lunardi listed the Gophers as a 9-seed in his Monday bracketology report. The Gophers have the No. 36 RPI, according to collegerpi.com. And three of their final five games are at home.

This team has certainly struggled without Nolen. They could lose every game the rest of the way. But barring that kind of a collapse, they should earn an at-large bid. Few bubble teams can match their three quality wins (Purdue, North Carolina and West Virginia) and 25th-ranked strength of schedule.

Things could change if they lose two or three in a row, but if that happens, they'll have a chance to grab more wins in the conference tourney. The extra at-large bids also increase the odds that the Gophers will dance in March.

Should Trevor Mbakwe be more involved on offense?

Mbakwe has averaged 20.5 points in the team's last two games. He's grown as an offensive player since the start of the season. It all comes down to free throws. When he's successful from the charity stripe (he went 10 for 11 against Iowa), good things happen.

I think he can play a bigger role on offense. But he has to capitalize on his scoring opportunities by hitting his free throws.

Prediction: Gophers 68, Penn State 64 (I'm 20-5 this season)

Big Ten Power Poll No. 14

(Results through Tuesday)

1. Ohio State: My 2 Cents: The Wisconsin loss takes pressure off of the No. 1 team in the league. Mike Milinovich says, "Wisconsin was able to check Sullinger with one guy and not have him go off, allowing them to limit the damage from the perimeter. One game mirage or something the Buckeyes will need to counter?" 2. Wisconsin: My 2 Cents: The Badgers knocked off the best team in America Saturday. They're peaking at the perfect time. Joshua Powers says, "Who could have thought the Badgers would be in the Top 10 at any point this season? Bo Ryan has done it again in the regular season. Can the Badgers make a run deep into March? I think with Jordan Taylor they will. He's the best guard Wisconsin has had since Devin Harris." 3. Purdue: My 2 Cents: The Boilermakers have all of the tools for a run in the Big Dance. Nathan Wickman says, "Somehow they've maneuvered themselves into a top-4 seed in the NCAA Tournament without actually beating anybody good. That will happen when you don't lose to bad teams. Basically the definition of a solid team." 4. Illinois: My 2 Cents: This is where the league drops. The Fighting Illini have the talent to be a much better team, but they haven't been able to put it all together this season. 5. Minnesota: My 2 Cents: Last month, the Gophers were pursuing a high seed in the Big Dance. Now, they're hoping to grab a slot. They can win every game the rest of the way. 6. Michigan State: My 2 Cents: The Spartans made a run at the Buckeyes this week. And then the same mistakes that have crushed them all season hurt them again. Not sure if this team will figure it out in time to make a run in the conference tourney. 7. Michigan: My 2 Cents: The Wolverines have an opportunity to finish strong and end the season as one of the more promising squads in the Big Ten. 8. Penn State: My 2 Cents: Talor Battle is going to do everything possible to try to get this squad to the Big Dance. With an expanded field and a conference tourney ahead, it's possible. 9. Northwestern: My 2 Cents: Bill Carmody just signed an extension, but his supporters become more impatient with every loss. 10. Indiana: My 2 Cents: From promise to problems. Hoosiers' brief run didn't last. 11. Iowa: My 2 Cents: The Hawkeyes can end the year on a good note. Four of their last five games are against unranked opponents.