Minnesota vs. Indiana: College basketball game preview, TV schedule
Minnesota has fallen off people’s radars after back-to-back road losses but has won five straight games since. Can they make it six against the Hoosiers?
TV schedule: Saturday, Jan. 6, 5:15 p.m. ET. ESPN2
Arena: Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota
There was no question who the top team in the Big Ten was this season, as Michigan State has shown themselves to be the national title contenders many expected them to be. The Purdue Boilermakers have solidified themselves as the clear No. 2 team in the league as well.
From No. 3 on, the Big Ten is up for grabs, but the Minnesota Gophers 13-3 (2-1) probably have the most talent, led by All-American candidate Jordan Murphy. The junior forward averages 19.0 ppg and 12.9 rpg, which is second in the country only to Devantae Cacok’s 13.4 rpg from UNC-Wilmington. Murphy had a huge game in the 77-67 win over Illinois this week, with 17 points and 17 rebounds. Nate Mason, who averages 15 ppg on the season, had 17 while Amir Coffee chipped in with 16 points.
One player who will not be playing in this game is Reggie Lynch. The 6’10 senior was found responsible by the University of Minnesota for a sexual assault that happened in his dorm in 2016. He’s been able to play while being investigated but is now suspended from the team indefinitely with a possible appeal coming. However, it’s safe to safe that Lynch will not be putting on a uniform for the Gophers again.
Minnesota will be taking on Indiana 8-7 (1-2), a team rebuilding under first-year head coach Archie Miller. The Hoosiers have had an up and down season so far, with the latest coming in a 71-61 loss at Wisconsin earlier this week.
Juwan Morgan, the team’s leading scorer, had 17 points on 7/9 shooting. The team led by three points at the half but was outscored by 13 in the final 20 minutes while going cold offensively. It also spoiled a great performance off the bench by Collin Hartman, who led the team with 18 points.
Next: Why are the Big Ten bubble teams in trouble?
With all things being even, the Gophers are the better team. However, with Lynch being out (which solely from a basketball standpoint is a big loss for the team) and the team having to deal with the news, I doubt Minnesota will have the right mindset to play against an Indiana team that tends to play to the level of their opponents.
Prediction: Minnesota 70 – Indiana 76