:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60517631/20120222_ter_av4_324.0.0.0.jpg)
The Gophers have gotten back on track a little with a modest 2-game winning streak. Of course it was home games against Nebraska and Iowa but they were wins nonetheless. Now a trip to East Lansing is tonight's challenge.
Game Time: 6:00
TV: BTN
Radio: AM1500 and the Gopher Radio Network
| Pos | #18 - Minnesota | Pnt/Gm | Pnt/Gm | #12 - Michigan State | Pos | |
| PG | Andre Hollins | 14.2 | 14.0 | Keith Appling | G | |
| G | Joe Coleman | 10.0 | 12.8 | Gary Harris | G | |
| F | Austin Hollins | 11.1 | 5.3 | Denzel Valentine | F | |
| F | Rodney Williams | 12.0 | 10.6 | Branden Dawson | F | |
| C | Trevor Mbakwe | 9.5 | 9.0 | Derrick Nix | C | |
| Bench | Maverick Ahanmisi | 4.1 | 5.5 | Travis Trice | Bench | |
| Bench | Julian Welch | 3.3 | 9.4 | Adreian Payne | Bench | |
| Bench | Elliott Eliason | 1.9 | 2.3 | Brandan Kearney | Bench |
Michigan State is a good match-up for the Gophers. Another physical team that plays from the inside out when they are playing their best. Last time around Mbakwe notched a double-double, he and Rodney combined for 26, and Andre Hollins scored 22. Expect a physical game in the paint where the officials may have a bigger impact than we would like.
| KenPom Efficiency Stats | Minnesota (11) | Michigan State (17) |
| Record | 17-5 | 18-4 |
| Pnt / Poss | 1.176 (7) | 1.106 (27) |
| Def Pnt / Poss | 0.894 | 0.879 (20) |
| Off eFG% | 51.2% | 51.6% |
| Def eFG% | 45.3% | 44.6% |
| Off Reb % | 46.9% (1) | 35.0% |
| Def Reb % | 65.4% (277) | 72.1% |
| TO % | 21.4% | 21.3 |
Not much has changed statistically since these two teams faced each other on New Year's Eve. Both teams still turn the ball over too much, Minnesota still dominates the offensive glass with Michigan State controls the defensive rebounding.
Keys for the Gophers tonight? Same thing it is every time they face the Spartans.
- Win the rebounding rattle.
Win the turnover battle.
Last time we won the first, lost the second but our FG% was excellent and we won running away on a 22-4 run to end the game.
This game is going to be physical and we need to play all 40 minutes with the mental toughness to look past the refs and the MSU crowd. This is a winable game and would be our first big win in a long time. Looking forward to a great Big Ten game.