Preview: The Gophers (7-1) played four major conference opponents in the past five games, including two in a row (at Florida State and Vanderbilt in Sioux Falls, S.D.) away from Williams Arena. But now they are entering a stretch of five consecutive home games before Big Ten play. NJIT (5-4) has won two straight games since falling to Purdue 79-68 on Nov. 26. The Highlanders, who defeated Michigan in 2014, were within a point of the Boilermakers at halftime. Damon Lynn, a 5-foot-11 senior guard, exploded for 33 points with eight three-pointers in West Lafayette, Ind.

Players to watch: Sophomore Jordan Murphy broke out of a slump with 16 points and 14 rebounds in Saturday's win against Vanderbilt. Murphy, who had just five points on 0-for-6 shooting against Florida State a week ago, had been held under double figures in scoring for two straight games. … NJIT's Lynn ranks ninth in Division I with 23 points per game and has made 40 three-pointers this season.

Numbers: The Gophers were 0-21 last season when trailing with five minutes remaining in the game. But they're 1-1 this year after coming from behind to defeat Vanderbilt.

MARCUS FULLER