The Gophers men's basketball team receives a first-round bye in the Big Ten tournament as the No. 7 seed opening 6 p.m. Thursday against No. 10 seed Penn State at the United Center in Chicago.
After finishing the regular season 19-12 and 9-11 in the Big Ten, Minnesota will look to open the conference tourney with a win for the fourth time in six seasons under Richard Pitino.
The winner of the 7-10 game will play 6 p.m. Friday against No. 2 seed Purdue.
In their only meeting this season, the Gophers won 65-64 against the Nittany Lions at home on Jan. 19. Jordan Murphy had 19 points and tied a career-high with 21 rebounds, to go with six assists, three blocks and three steals in the game.
Pitino's team trailed Penn State 38-30 at halftime and by 11 points early in the second half before making a comeback. Lamar Stevens had 27 points for the Nittany Lions.
After wins against Northwestern and No. 11 Purdue, the Gophers finished the regular season with a 69-60 loss at Maryland last Friday.
Penn State won six of its last eight games in Big Ten play, including a second straight victory Sunday 72-56 against Illinois.
Pitino expressed his confidence Minnesota will receive an NCAA tournament at-large bid, but he might need another victory to feel safe on Selection Sunday.
