8 p.m. vs. Nebraska • BTN (103.5-FM, 1130-AM)
Washington honored as Big Ten freshman of the week
Preview: The Gophers (14-11, 3-9 Big Ten) have lost seven of eight, including five in a row after Saturday's 76-73 loss at Michigan. The silver lining in another defeat was the play of PG Isaiah Washington, who was named Big Ten freshman of the week Monday after his 26-point performance on 11-for-16 shooting against the Wolverines. Washington, who scored the most points for a Gophers freshman in the Big Ten since Kris Humphries in 2004, also had 15 points and seven assists in last week's 94-80 loss at Iowa. The 6-foot-1 Harlem native had scored only six points in 20 minutes combined in the four games before that one, but he earned more playing time working harder in practice. … Nebraska (17-8, 8-4) has won five of the past seven games against the Gophers, including 78-68 in Lincoln on Dec. 5 behind 29 points from Glynn Watson Jr. Nebraska fought back from an 11-point deficit in its last game to win 74-63 at Wisconsin on Jan. 29.
Players to watch: The Gophers backcourt of Washington and Nate Mason combined to score 48 points on 20-for-34 shooting on Saturday against the Wolverines. The Gophers shot 5-for-18 from three-point range, but Washington and Mason did most of their damage inside the arc on pull-up jumpers and floaters. They could be coach Richard Pitino's only hope on the perimeter, with sophomore Amir Coffey (shoulder) possibly out again and junior Dupree McBrayer (leg) hobbled. … Nebraska junior G James Palmer Jr. is averaging 25 points per game in his past six games, which included 28 points with 11-for-12 free throws at Wisconsin.
Numbers: The Gophers will celebrate 90 years with Williams Arena as their home Tuesday night. The Barn is the fifth-oldest home court in Division I basketball, having played host to its first game on Feb. 4, 1928.
MARCUS FULLER
