Another home game against a bottom Big Ten team.
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The Barn
6:00 PM
Peacock
Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats
Record: 14-13 (5-11)
KenPom Rank: 54
Once again a team that sits with a worse conference record is coming to The Barn. The two previous times, Minnesota has managed to lose. Can tonight be a different result?
Northwestern is struggling, after losing Brooks Barnhizer for the season, but this team did just beat Ohio State on the road and is fighting to secure a spot in the Big Ten Tournament. This game is going to have a significant impact on who makes the cut and who doesn’t.
KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN
Contain Nick Martinelli – This guy is a lot like the current Gopher squad. He’s not all that athletic, his brand of basketball isn’t exactly pretty but he is effective and finding ways to be productive. He is tied for the Big Ten lead with 19.7 points per game. Hold him to under 18 and I like Minnesota’s chances.
Get to the free throw line – Northwestern is really bad at fouling opponents and putting them on the line. Conversely, they do not run an offense that puts them in a position to get fouled and get to the line. Minnesota needs to be aggressive, they will get plenty of free throw attempts. And in a game where the pace is expected to be extremely slow, this matters.
No prolonged stretches of zero offense – There will be stretches, it happens in basketball, but can we please not go several minutes? Or can we run a set that gets the ball to Garcia? Or can try and get to the rim and see what happens?
PREDICTION
I think (read “hope”) that the Penn State loss at home gets this team refocused and ready to execute at home. The home fans haven’t seen a win since a month ago today. This is the team’s best chance at another win and they may need it to get into the Big Ten Tournament.
I think this one is a Gopher win but as usual, it will be ugly.
Minnesota – 67
Northwestern – 63