11:30 a.m. vs. Rutgers • Williams Arena • BTN; 100.3-FM
Preview: The Gophers (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten) are saw a six-game win streak end Tuesday night in an 82-67 loss to Maryland, their first home loss of the season. They let a six-point halftime lead slip away by being outscored 48-27 in the second half, when the Terrapins shot 70 percent from the floor to Minnesota's 38.5. Rutgers (8-6, 1-3) just upset No. 16 Ohio State 64-61 at home, coach Steve Pikiell's first victory against a ranked Big Ten opponent since taking over in 2016. And it was done mostly without leading scorer and rebounder Eugene Omoruyi, who dislocated his knee cap early in the game and is out indefinitely.
Players to watch: Gophers F Jordan Murphy seems due for a breakout game after scoring a combined 14 points in his past two games, the first time he has been held under double figures in consecutive contests since his sophomore year. The senior who was named to the top 25 list for the John Wooden Award this week, averages 14.5 points and a Big Ten-best 12.0 rebounds. But he was limited to nine points and five rebounds with foul trouble vs. Maryland. Scarlet Knights freshman guard Montez Mathis scored a career-high 16 points vs. Ohio State. In the past two games, Mathis has 27 points on 11-for-21 shooting.
