8:15 p.m. vs. No. 10 Miami • Williams Arena • ESPN2 (1130-AM, 103.5 FM)
ACC power Miami to test Gophers
Preview: The Gophers are off to a 7-0 start for the first time since 2008 and their No. 12 ranking is the highest since 2012-13. But Richard Pitino and his players have never played a nonconference game at home with as much hype as Wednesday's Big Ten/ACC Challenge matchup against No. 10 Miami at the Barn. Saturday's win against Alabama in Brooklyn was Pitino's first victory against a ranked opponent in nonconference play. The Hurricanes (5-0) haven't been tested yet, with their closest game coming in a 57-46 win against LaSalle. But coach Jim Larranaga's bunch is projected to be ACC contenders with several key players returning from a tournament team that beat North Carolina and Duke last season.
Players to watch: Gophers forward Jordan Murphy is playing like he wants the Big Ten player of the week award to be named after him. Murphy has been given the honor for three straight weeks. Murphy averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds in three wins last week. Miami guards Bruce Brown Jr. and Lonnie Walker IV are both projected first-round picks in the 2018 NBA draft. But they're off to a slow start, averaging just 16.8 points combined.
Numbers: The Gophers led Alabama 67-54 with 10:41 left in the second half Saturday, but they were outscored 30-22 to end the game, including playing 5-on-3.
MARCUS FULLER
