Lineup:

Julian Welch, Maverick Ahanmisi, Austin Hollins, Rodney Williams, Ralph Sampson III.

Maverick Ahanmisi will again start for Andre Hollins, who is still dealing with some soreness from a turned ankle.
As the cliché goes, teams never overlook any opponent and players focus on one game at a time. OK, fine. But who can blame the Gophers about getting a little excited and looking a little forward to Big Ten play – just two weeks away. Isn't everyone? I know I am.

These last two games will be about winning, but also about the Gophers fine-tuning the little and big things that need some fixing before kicking off the conference schedule on Dec. 27 at Illinois.

"We want to come out and prove to people that we can hang in the Big Ten without Trevor [Mbakwe]," Rodney Williams said. "And coming into the season, nobody's really given us a chance in the Big Ten so we really just want to get out there and show everybody what we've got."
Three things coach Tubby Smith wants to see tonight:
1. Another step forward for Ralph Sampson III. The Gophers' only senior had a big game in Saturday's win over St. Peter's. Can he build on that performance as the Gophers head toward the conference schedule?
2. The little things. This is still a very young, very raw team that is learning the offense and defense as they go. Basic slipups – like not being in the right place at the right time – will not fly in two weeks.

3. A fast start. The Gophers have been strong closers all season and have overcome deficits and come from behind for wins. But in many games, the Gophers have come out sluggish, able to win only because of their solid second-half play. Against Big Ten opponents, however, a slow start – and a halftime deficit – might be harder to overcome.

You can watch tonight's game on ESPN.
Listen to tonight's game live on 1500ESPN or here (and I will be on live at 7 p.m. to talk Gophers).
Read my preview here.
Check out the matchup here.