Gophers at Wisconsin
THREE THINGS TO WATCH:
HAMPERING HAPP– Wisconsin hasn't been able to provide a consistent outside shooting threat to keep opposing defenses from collapsing on Ethan Happ. The Badgers are shooting 28 percent from three-point range in the last 10 games. Happ, who finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in a 78-76 overtime win at Minnesota on Jan. 21, has scored under double figures four times in the last seven games. The 6-foot-10 sophomore center is one of the best low-post scorers in college basketball, but even he needs help, especially against Minnesota's shot-blocking king Reggie Lynch, who has 17 blocks in the last two games. Happ and Lynch are the two top candidates for Big Ten defensive player of the year.
MASON & MURPHY– In the last meeting with Wisconsin, Minnesota's captains Nate Mason and Jordan Murphy combined for arguably their worst game in Big Ten play. Mason shot 3-for-14 from the field. Murphy finished with just four points and a career-low one rebound in 26 minutes. Mason broke out of a slump with 21 points in the next game at Ohio State. But Murphy's struggles lasted until he had six straight games scoring under double figures. But Murphy's found his groove averaging 17.3 points and 13.7 rebounds in the last seven games. Mason has played like arguably the best guard in the Big Ten in his last 10 games, averaging 19 points, nearly five rebounds and four assists. How Mason and Murphy play Sunday will determine if Minnesota can win its ninth straight game.
SPRINGS' BACK– The only player on the Gophers' roster with a victory against Wisconsin during his career is senior guard Akeem Springs. But Springs defeated the Badgers last year as a starter for Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Springs joined Wisconsin's rival as a graduate transfer this season. The 6-foot-4 Illinois native continued his individual success against the Badgers this season. In his first Big Ten start, Springs had 16 points, including a three-pointer to send the game into overtime. On Senior Night Thursday, Springs only scored three points on 1-for-6 shooting in 19 minutes. He was limited with back soreness, but the Gophers hope that Springs will be 100 percent healthy for Sunday's game.
GAME INFO
Time: 5 p.m. CT, Sunday. Where: Kohl Center. Line: Wisconsin by 8. Series: Minnesota leads 102-98; Wisconsin won last meeting 78-76 Jan. 21, 2017 in Minneapolis. TV: BTN. Online/Live video: BTN2go Radio: 1500ESPN.
PROJECTED STARTERS
