Preview: The ACC/Big Ten Challenge comes to Williams Arena on Wednesday, when the Gophers will try to end a two-game losing streak against the talented Seminoles, ranked eighth in the nation. Florida State's only defeat this season is to powerhouse Connecticut (78-76 on Nov. 14), and the Seminoles are fresh from their Paradise Jam tournament championship in the Virgin Islands. The Gophers, meanwhile, made their 4-0 start a distant memory with two double-digit losses last week in the Bahamas. Minnesota lost to Georgia (70-58) and North Carolina (91-77), both unranked.
Players to watch: Several Gophers have been worth watching this season. Gadiva Hubbard, a freshman guard from Virginia Beach, Va., had a career-high 21 points against North Carolina and is the Big Ten's leading scorer among freshman (13.7 ppg). Carlie Wagner leads the Gophers in scoring at 21.2 per game and transfer Kenisha Bell is second with a 16.6 average. For FSU, four players average double figures, led by Shakayla Thomas (15.4) and Leticia Romero (14.8). Guard Brittany Brown has 42 assists and 22 steals.
Numbers: The Seminoles (6-1) averaged 87 points in their three Paradise Jam victories, including 87 vs. then-No. 25 Gonzaga and 76 vs. Michigan. FSU is outscoring opponents in first halves by 15.7 points per game. … Wagner has scored in double figures in 40 consecutive games, dating to the 2015 Big Ten tournament.
Staff reports
