Gameday preview: Gophers basketball at Illinois

3 p.m. at Illinois • State Farm Center • BTN (1500-AM)

Preview: The Gophers (15-7, 3-6 Big Ten) opened conference play with two big road victories at Purdue and Northwestern. But they have lost three in a row away from home since then, against Michigan State, Penn State and Ohio State. Can they break a five-game losing streak Saturday at Illinois? The Gophers haven't won in Champaign since 2013. The Illini (13-10, 3-7) have won five of the past six games in the series. But they have lost five of their past six games this season, including 57-43 at home Tuesday against Big Ten co-leader Wisconsin.

Players to watch: Gophers senior G Akeem Springs is averaging 18 points on 51 percent shooting from the floor (20-for-39) and 45 percent from three-point range (9-for-20) since being inserted into the starting lineup the past three games. Senior G Malcolm Hill leads Illinois with 17.2 points per game and has nine games this season with 20 or more points, including 40 against Northern Kentucky.

Numbers: The Gophers rank 14th nationally in defensive efficiency this season, but they have allowed their past three opponents to shoot 50 percent or better from the field..

marcus fuller