Gophers' men's basketball gameday

6 P.M. at Ohio State • Columbus, Ohio • TV: BTN

Gophers (6-6): Minnesota, coming off four losses in its past five games, is looking to rebound from a disappointing nonconference record — the Gophers landed at .500 for only the second time since 1978. Minnesota has not won at Columbus' Value City Arena since 2005, when the Gophers slipped past the Buckeyes 60-56 in overtime. … Freshman guard Kevin Dorsey is questionable because of a bruised left heel after missing last week's home loss to Milwaukee. … Freshman Jordan Murphy, who got his first career start a week ago, has posted five double-doubles in six games, putting up 16 points and 10 rebounds vs. Milwaukee. … The Gophers have been outrebounded in nine of their 12 games. … This is the Gophers' first true road game of the season; they have played nine at home and three at neutral sites.

Ohio State (8-5): The Buckeyes have rebounded from an early nonconference four-game losing streak with four consecutive victories heading into Big Ten play, including a 76-67 victory over No. 10 Kentucky on Dec. 19. The youthful roster — six freshmen and four sophomores, ranking them 346th nationally in "experience", according to analyst Ken Pomeroy — is allowing only 62.9 points per game (29th nationally). The Buckeyes are also tied for 11th in blocks per game with 6.2. … Junior forward Marc Loving, who hit the game-winner in overtime at Minnesota last January, leads the team with 13.9 points and 5.8 rebounds.

AMELIA RAYNO