Gophers men's basketball: Tough draw, but schedule gets tougher

The Gophers' first Big Ten home opponent is a Northwestern team that recently has given them fits.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: January 8, 2008 - 11:56 PM

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TOUGH SCHEDULE

After facing Northwestern tonight, the Gophers men's basketball team closes the month with home games against the Big Ten's two highest-ranked teams -- Michigan State and Indiana are both ranked in the Top 10 nationally -- and three road tests. Here's the rest of the January schedule:

Saturday: at Penn State

Jan. 17: vs. Indiana

Jan. 20: vs. Michigan State

Jan. 26: at Ohio State

Jan. 31: at Michigan

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For the past three seasons, Northwestern has lingered at or near the bottom of the Big Ten men's basketball standings. But in those same three seasons, Northwestern won each time it visited Williams Arena.

As the Gophers prepare for their conference home opener against Northwestern tonight, their players recognize the importance of needing to end their current two-game losing streak. They take on Penn State, Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State in the coming weeks, so the schedule alone dictates the need for a victory.

University officials said Tuesday they expected more than 12,000 fans to show up tonight, as the buzz continues to grow for the Gophers (10-3, 0-1 Big Ten) under new coach Tubby Smith. That buzz only seemed to intensify over the weekend, when the Gophers began conference play with a tightly contested 65-59 loss at No. 6 Michigan State.

Senior center Spencer Tollackson said the Gophers have to put their energy and strength toward defeating Northwestern and not look ahead -- or behind.

"Obviously, we lost a tough one [at Michigan State], but it's going to be huge for us ... we've got to get this one first because it's at home," he said. "... We really need to focus on this game right now and try to get this one first."

Said Smith: "It's important because it's our first home Big Ten game. We're 0-1 in the Big Ten, so we need to find a way to play well. And if we play well, we'll have a chance to win it. ... You need to take care of home court."

The Wildcats' victory at Williams Arena last Jan. 20 was their sixth in a row over the Gophers, a streak that ended when Minnesota won in Evanston, Ill., 11 days later. That game ended up being the Gophers' final victory of the 2006-07 season. They lost their final nine games.

In previous meetings, the Wildcats (5-6, 0-2) have confused the Gophers with their zone defense, while also slowing down the pace through their Princeton offense, featuring plenty of back-door passes.

Although the Wildcats have dominated the series in recent years, Northwestern coach Bill Carmody doesn't expect to face the same team he defeated at The Barn last season. He said the Gophers' defensive pressure and senior leadership have helped them succeed this season.

"A lot of the same faces, so now they're a year older," he said. "So now you have Tollackson and [Dan] Coleman and [Lawrence] McKenzie ... That is one thing that certainly makes them better. They've been through it before."

Smith believes his team will benefit by a return to Williams Arena, where it last played Dec. 22 against Santa Clara. The Gophers are 3-3 away from home this season.

"I'm sure it could be a long night for us," Smith said. "But it will be exciting to be back in the Barn here, after having been in Vegas and coming off of two losses, we need it."

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