University of Minnesota Athletics
MBB: Gophers Look to Bounce Back Against Indiana
1/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Matchup
The Minnesota Golden Gophers will try to bounce back after a 69-55, loss to Michigan State on Saturday. Jeff Hagen, playing a sprained left knee, scored 16 points to lead the Gophers, but Minnesota missed too many opportunities at the free-throw line and didn't have the horses to keep up with the nationally-ranked Spartans. The Indiana Hoosiers arrive at the Barn tied for second place in the conference at 4 -1, a game behind first-place Illinois and tied with MSU and Wisconsin. The Hoosiers defeated Michigan and Ohio State last week at home to run their win streak to four.
Scouting The Hoosiers
After playing a ridiculous non-conference schedule, the Hoosiers have hit their stride and have won seven of their last eight games including four of five to start the Big Ten season. Indiana had lost six straight in December, but head coach Mike Davis has the Crimson and Cream playing their best basketball of the season. The Hoosiers are led by Big Ten Player of the Year candidate Bracey Wright. Wright leads the conference in overall scoring at 19.1 points per game and in Big Ten games at 19.8 ppg. Indiana's two freshmen, D.J. White and Robert Vaden have come into their own in the last month and are second and third on the team in scoring. White is averaging 13.0 ppg and leads the team at 5.1 rebounds per contest and Vaden is averaging 9.8 ppg.
The Series
Indiana leads the series 84-60, including vacated games. Minnesota leads the series in Minneapolis, 40-32. The Hoosiers won last year's meeting at the Barn, 86-81, in overtime. The teams are 4-4 in the last eight meetings.
What's Next
Minnesota travels to Champaign, Ill., Saturday to take on the No.1 ranked team in the country, the Illinois Fighting Illini. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m., and can be seen live locally on KSTC Ch. 45.
