Tip: 11 a.m. central time.
Television: Big Ten Network
Game Thread: This is it! Here at TDG!
This will also serve as a mini-preview, as life has been hectic with hoiidays and travel. We'll be back to normal around here next week.
Undoubtedly this is a big game for the Gophers. And while I hesitate to state the second conference game is a must-win, this one is pretty close to it. The young Gophers need to demonstrate today they can bounce back from adversity.
The #23 ranked Buckeyes come into Williams Arena this morning after bouncing back from a shellacking from West Virginia by beating Iowa down the stretch in their Big Ten opener.
If there is a player to worry about, it's Evan Turner. Over the last two OSU games, Turner has played 40 and 39 minutes respectively (Tubby, please take note!). He's averaging 15.7 points and 7 rebounds per game and is the likely match-up for Damian Johnson.
On the interior, Dallas Lauderdale joines diaper dandy B.J. Mullens. The latter of the two has been OK, but relatively inconsistent. This will be an interesting match-up for Colton Iverson and Ralph Sampson III.
Prediction: The Gophers can win this game if they tunover the Buckeyes and hold their own on the boards. I expect to see some growth from Minnesota today, especially on the defensive end of the floor (I think the offense is going to take much longer). The Gophers win this one. It's not a laugher, but it's also not a game that forces you pace down the stretch. Minnesota 69, OSU 57.
I'll be here for the game thread today. It'll be nice to relax for a game with my laptop and chaise lounger.