8 p.m. at Iowa • BTN, 1130-AM/103.5-FM
U hasn't had success in Iowa City
Preview: The Gophers (14-9, 3-7 Big Ten) are on a three-game losing streak after ending a previous three-game slide with a Jan. 15 victory at Penn State. Last Tuesday's 77-69 home loss to Northwestern dropped them to 1-6 without suspended C Reggie Lynch. Sophomore G Amir Coffey played for the second time after missing five games because of a right shoulder injury. But Coffey tweaked it on a dunk, so his status is questionable. The Hawkeyes (11-12, 2-8) started Big Ten play 0-5, but they picked up victories over Illinois and Wisconsin in their past four games. Blaming much of the struggles on youth (11 freshmen and sophomores on the roster), Iowa reportedly gave coach Fran McCaffery a two-year contract extension through 2023 earlier this season.
Players to watch: Junior G Dupree McBrayer couldn't put weight on his left leg and was helped into the locker room after colliding in the first half last Tuesday. But McBrayer, who is day-to-day because of a lower leg injury, returned to the game to finish with 11 points and five assists in 33 minutes. McBrayer isn't practicing, but he has played in the past nine games. Iowa sophomore F Tyler Cook is averaging 16.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and shooting 53.2 percent from the field in Big Ten play this season, which includes a 24-point, 10-rebound performance in a 98-84 loss at Nebraska on Saturday.
Numbers: Iowa has won 11 of 16 games vs. the Gophers in Iowa City, including four of five. The Gophers' last victory on the road in the series was 64-59 on Feb. 12, 2015.
MARCUS FULLER
