The Gophers don't have much room for error to stay in Big Ten title contention as conference play resumes this week, but they have the advantage of a home-heavy early schedule.
Three out of the next four Big Ten games being at Williams Arena against beatable opponents means coach Richard Pitino's team could put itself in a pretty good spot near the top of the early league standings.
The Gophers split two games in the early December start to league play, which included a Dec. 5 loss at Nebraska. But a 3-1 record with victories this week over Illinois and Indiana still would match the Gophers' impressive opening to conference last year.
The season might be defined by what happens when the Gophers go back on the road Jan. 10 at Northwestern. That begins a stretch of six of eight games away from the Barn. Advanced stats guru Ken Pomeroy predicts the Gophers will go 9-9 in the Big Ten, hurt by four straight losses starting with Northwestern. My projections are a bit more optimistic of the next 16 league games.
Predictions
(Big Ten record so far: 1-1)
Wednesday vs. Illinois: W
Saturday vs. Indiana: W
Jan. 10 at Northwestern: W
