Opening Tipoff: Expect same starting lineup, more zone tonight vs Penn State

The DEETS. Penn State hosts Minnesota tonight at 6 p.m. CT in State College. Watch on Big Ten Network or listen live on 1500-a.m.

The READING.

In today's Star Tribune: The Gophers need center Mo Walker to be mean every night.

Preview here.

The BUZZ.

**Last time out (a 79-71 win vs. Illinois), DeAndre Mathieu retook his spot in the starting lineup after freshman Nate Mason had manned it for three games. Expect the same look on Wednesday -- in fact, expect a lot of the same on Wednesday with the Gophers coming off their most meaningful win of the year and having claimed two of their last three.

**Minnesota's 2-3 zone defense has taken some big steps in the last few games, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Gophers mostly use that tonight, with the Nittany Lions shooting just 32.8 from downtown (good for 218th nationally).

**Penn State's second leading scorer, Brandon Taylor, suffered a sprain in his knee in the Nittany Lion's win over Rutgers on Saturday. Will the versatile forward be available tonight? That's still up in the air, according to Ryne Gery of the Centre Daily Times.

**Five of Minnesota's six losses have come by two possessions or fewer. Penn State has had similar finishing problems -- three of its six losses have been by the same margin.