University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Travel to Evanston to Take on the Wildcats
1/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game No. 22 • Big Ten Game 8
MINNESOTA (8-13, 2-5 Big Ten)
vs.
Northwestern (11-9, 1-6 Big Ten)
January 31, 2007 • 7 p.m.
Welsh-Ryan Arena • Evanston, Ill.
Television: KSTC Ch. 45 - Eric Collins, PBP; Shon Morris,
analyst.
RADIO: Gopher Radio Network - Mike Grimm, PBP; Kevin Lynch, analyst
STORYLINES
• Minnesota takes to the road hoping to snap an eight-game road losing streak in Evanston, Ill.
• Minnesota junior center Spencer Tollackson has missed the past five games due to a broken left (non-shooting) hand. Tollackson is listed as questionable for tonight’s game.
• Minnesota holds a 82-56 all-time lead in the series (not including vacated games). The Wildcats lead the series in Evanston 36-33.
• Northwestern has won the last six meetings including a, 55-40 win in Minneapolis on January 20.
• The last Gopher win in the series was Feb. 19, 2003, 73-61, in Evanston.
• Minnesota juniors Lawrence McKenzie and Dan Coleman currently rank sixth and eighth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 15.8 and 14.7 points, respectively.
• Coleman’s 7.7 rebounds per game in Big Ten play rank him tied for third in the conference.
MATCHUP
The Gophers snapped their five-game losing streak Saturday with a 65-60 victory over Penn State. Northwestern had the weekend off after battling Ohio State to the final minutes before losing 59-50 in Evanston on Wednesday.
SCOUTING the Wildcats
Northwestern looks to make it seven in a row over the Gophers, its second longest winning streak ever in the series, and its longest since winning 10 straight from 1927-1934. The Wildcats are led by highly underrated freshman Kevin Coble. Coble ranks 17th overall in the conference in scoring and ninth in field goal percentage shooting .500 (87-174) from the field. But the straw that stirs the Cats’ drink is senior guard Tim Doyle. Doyle is the George Clooney of Big Ten Basketball. He doesn’t have much range, but he makes great career choices.
The St. John’s transfer is third overall in assists per game at 5.35 apg and is second on the team and 23rd in the conference in scoring at 10.0 ppg.
