6 p.m. at Penn State • BTN (1130-AM, 103.5-FM)
Gophers begin three-game stretch away from home
Preview: The Gophers (13-6, 2-4 Big Ten) are in the midst of a three-game losing streak after falling hard Saturday to Purdue at home, 81-47. It was their second-largest margin of defeat in Williams Arena history at 34 points. In the past two games, Minnesota has been outscored by 57 points combined, which is the most in a back-to-back games since Rutgers and Illinois beat the Gophers by 58 points combined to end the 2015-16 season. Since Reggie Lynch and Amir Coffey went out, Nate Mason (13 points per game on 31 percent shooting) and Jordan Murphy (12 ppg and 42 percent) haven't been the same. Penn State (13-6, 3-3) won two straight home games against Northwestern and Nebraska.
Players to watch: Will Murphy get back to his old self? The 6-foot-7 junior had 17 straight double-doubles to start the season, but he hasn't reached that mark in the past two games. He's still leading the Big Ten overall in rebounding (11.7). Penn State sophomore C Mike Watkins leads the conference in rebounding in league play over Murphy (12.7 to 10.2). The 6-9 Watkins is averaging 16.3 points and 15.3 rebounds in the past four games with four straight double-doubles.
Numbers: The Gophers are beginning a three-game stretch (at Penn State, at Maryland and vs. Ohio State in New York) away from home in Big Ten play, which hasn't happened since 2002.
MARCUS FULLER
