U men gameday

Last update: February 15, 2008 - 8:59 PM

Preview: The Gophers face another confident team when they visit No. 15 Wisconsin (20-4, 10-2 Big Ten) this afternoon. Wisconsin beat Indiana in the final seconds after Brian Butch hit a clutch three-pointer to win the game. The Badgers handed Minnesota its worst home loss -- a 63-47 defeat Feb. 3 -- before Illinois' 24-point win Tuesday. But the Gophers claim that they've put the Illinois loss behind them, and head coach Tubby Smith isn't convinced that his team's NCAA tournament hopes are dead. They would surely be resurrected with a victory over Wisconsin, but they would evaporate with another loss.

Key players: The biggest question for Minnesota is "Who is going to guard Trevon Hughes?" Wisconsin's sophomore had 20 points and six steals against the Gophers in their first meeting. And his energy was contagious. Minnesota freshman guard Al Nolen will probably come off the bench, but the Big Ten's steals leader (2.18 per game) will do his best to neutralize Hughes the same way he held Michigan State guard Drew Neitzel to four points in their Jan. 5 encounter.

Numbers: Wisconsin is holding teams to 38.9 percent shooting from the field, the second-best mark in the Big Ten. That suffocating defense could go a long way toward slowing Minnesota's league-leading success from the perimeter (37.4 percent from the three-point line).

MYRON P. MEDCALF

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