Gophers at a glance: Defense continues to be a major sore spot for Minnesota (15-10, 4-7 in the Big Ten), which is giving up 72 points per game in Big Ten action -- worst in the league. In five of the Gophers' past six losses, they have allowed at least 75 points, including a 76-66 loss at Illinois last Sunday. Leading scorer Rachel Banham had 17 points in that game but shot just 4-for-14 from the field and turned the ball over 11 times. The Gophers' final two home games after this are against Penn State and Purdue, two of the top teams in the conference.

Northwestern at a glance: The Wildcats (11-13, 3-8) don't have an impressive record, but six of their eight conference losses have been by seven points or fewer. Senior forward Kendall Hackney leads three players who average double figures in scoring at 14.1 ppg. Northwestern is limiting opponents to just 34.9 percent shooting, the best mark in the Big Ten.

MICHAEL RAND