Gophers' Reggie Lynch with another frontcourt challenge vs. Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois vs. Gophers

THREE THINGS TO WATCH:

FRONTCOURT BATTLE– The last time Minnesota center Reggie Lynch faced off against an opponent led by an all-conference big man was against Vanderbilt's Luke Kornet. Lynch struggled against Kornet early because of the 7-footer's ability to stretch the floor with three-point range. Kornet, an NBA prospect, hit some shots early but eventually finished with 12 points on 4-for-18 shooting. Lynch, who has 15 blocks in his last three games, blocked Kornet twice in critical situations late in Minnesota's 56-52 win against Vanderbilt. Northern Illinois senior Marin Maric is mainly a low-post threat, but he has made four three-pointers this season. Maric, a 6-foot-11 Croatian, will challenge Lynch's ability to move laterally on defense. It will be a good test for Lynch going into the Big Ten.

MASON ON A ROLL–Gophers junior guard Nate Mason was playing at an All-Big Ten level before he was suspended the last four games of the 2015-16 season for team rules violations. The big question entering this year was if he could return to that form. In his first 10 games, Mason is averaging fewer points (13.8 last season to 12.9), but his assists are up (4.5 to 5.2) and he's shooting 45 percent from three-point range. The Georgia native has scored in double figures in nine of 10 games this year, including season-high 18 points against New Jersey Institute of Technology earlier in the week. But more impressive is Mason's defense the last two games. He held NJIT's Damon Lynn (23 ppg) to 12 points on 5-for-24 shooting. Then Georgia Southern's Ike Smith (21.4 ppg) had just 12 points on 5-for-14 shooting Friday.

HOMECOMING– Northern Illinois sophomore Marshawn Wilson was recruited by Gophers coach Richard Pitino while at Hill Murray High School in Oakdale, Minn. But there were some academic concerns with the athletic 6-foot-3 guard. Wilson signed with NIU and had a solid debut season with 11 points per game to earn All-Mid-American Conference freshman honors. But he's struggled this season, averaging just 2.2 points in a reserve role.

GAME INFO

Time: 4 p.m. CT, Sunday. Where: Williams Arena. Line: Gophers by 14 points Series: Minnesota leads 5-0; last meeting was 89-48 victory at home in 2009. TV: BTN. Online/Live video: BTN2go.com. Radio: 1500ESPN.

MINNESOTA (9-1)

Pos.-Player Ht. Yr. PPG

G-Nate Mason 6-2 Jr. 12.9

G-Dupree McBrayer 6-5 So. 11.4

G-Amir Coffey 6-8 Fr. 13.0

C-Reggie Lynch 6-10 Jr. 8.4

Key reserves – Eric Curry, F/C, 6-9, Fr., 6.6 ppg; Akeem Springs, G, 6-4, Sr., 8.9 ppg; Ahmad Gilbert, F, 6-6, So., 2.3 ppg; Bakary Konate, C, 6-11, Jr., 2.6 ppg

Coach: Richard Pitino 61-51 (4 seasons)

Notable: The Gophers won 86-49 in their last game Friday against Georgia Southern, which was their largest victory against a Division I opponent since a 41-point victory against Northern Illinois in 2009. Blake Hoffarber had 24 points with a school-record eight three-pointers in that game. Minnesota has scored 80 points or more six times in 10 games this season, ranking 76.7 points per game.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS (4-4)

G-Layton Porter 6-2 So. 10.3

G-Dontel Highsmith 6-2 Sr. 6.4

G-Aaric Armstead 6-5 Sr. 11.5

F-Jaylen Key 6-8 So. 11.1

C-Marin Maric 6-11 Sr. 14.6

Coach: Mark Montgomery 64-101 (6 seasons)

Notable: The Huskies only win against a Big Ten opponent came against Wisconsin in 1999. NIU coach Mark Montgomery was Michigan State assistant under Tom Izzo from 2002-11. He also played for the Spartans from 1988-1992. In the Big Ten, Montgomery played four times against ex-Gopher Richard Coffey, who is the father of current U freshman Amir Coffey.