gophers gameday

6 P.M. VS. MICHIGAN • BTN, AM-1500

Gophers preview: Minnesota (11-2) put away its nonconference schedule with six consecutive victories, most recently 65-44 over Texas A&M Corpus Christi. The Gophers enter the Big Ten schedule leading the league in steals per game (8.8) and free-throw percentage (76 percent). The last time the Gophers faced Michigan, they lost 83-75 in a game in which the Wolverines hit 10 three-pointers and controlled the game from the start. The pieces of Gophers' starting backcourt — Andre Hollins, Austin Hollins and DeAndre Mathieu — are all averaging double digits and combining for 41.2 points and 13.7 rebounds a game.

Michigan preview: The Wolverines' frontcourt takes a big hit with star forward Mitch McGary out indefinitely and awaiting back surgery. Still, Michigan (8-4) has options, with fifth-year senior Jordan Morgan stepping up in his spot. The Wolverines have six returnees from a team that played Louisville in the national championship game last year, but they have struggled against good teams after losing dynamic guards Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. Glenn Robinson III, who will help Morgan root the frontcourt, scored a career-best 23 points against Holy Cross on Saturday. Michigan ranks 12th in the nation with 9.2 three-pointers a game.

AMELIA RAYNO