Big Ten tournament semifinals: Noon vs. Michigan • Ch. 4, 1500-AM
Preview: The fourth-seeded Gophers (24-8) won for the ninth time in 10 games Friday in the rematch against Michigan State in Washington, D.C. Now they will try to reach the Big Ten tournament title game for the first time since losing to Ohio State in 2010. Minnesota faces Michigan on Saturday for the second time this season, having won 83-78 in overtime at home Feb. 19. The eighth-seeded Wolverines (22-11) defeated top-seeded Purdue 74-70 in overtime Friday. They have won five of their past six games, including 75-55 against Illinois in the second round Thursday.
Players to watch: Sophomore Jordan Murphy had his 12th double-double this season Friday with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Murphy bounced back after his seven-game double-figure scoring streak ended in the 17-point loss at Wisconsin to end the regular season. Michigan's D.J. Wilson scored 26 points Friday against Purdue. Wilson had 16 points in the last meeting against the Gophers, including the three-pointer to send the game into overtime.
Numbers: The Gophers are 13-2 this season when holding opponents to fewer than 70 points in a game, which they did in Friday's 63-58 win vs. the Spartans.
MARCUS FULLER
