Gophers Close out Nonconference Action Against Alcorn State

Release Updated on Dec. 29, 2021 - This game was canceled due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols within the Alcorn program. The game will not be rescheduled.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
Stream: BTN +
Tip Time: 7:01 p.m. CT
Radio: Learfield IMG: KFAN 100.3 FM
Mike Grimm (Play-by-Play); Spencer Tollackson (Analyst)
Sirius: XM 383

SERIES INFORMATION
Second Meeting (Minnesota leads, 1-0)
Home vs Alcorn, 1-0
Minnesota vs. SWAC: 9-0
* - excludes vacated games

STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball team is back in action Wednesday night as the Golden Gophers host Alcorn State at 7 p.m. It is Minnesota's first game since Dec. 22 as the Golden Gophers are coming off a 72-56 win over Green Bay. The Alcorn State game will also close out non-conference play for the Gophers as Minnesota is scheduled to begin conference season Jan. 2 against Illinois. The Gophers will also look to finish non-conference play undefeated this season as Minnesota holds a 9-0 record.
• Despite its loss to Michigan State on Dec. 8, Minnesota is still one of 19 teams undefeated or have lost just once in Division I basketball. The Gophers are off to their best start since 2016-17. Minnesota went 13-1 to start the season that year, as it only dropped a road contest to Florida State during the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The 13-1 mark was all during non-conference play that season.
• Payton Willis earned his 1,000th career point last week in the win against Green Bay. The senior now has 1,013 career points, of which 420 have come as a Golden Gopher. Not only did Willis reach his 1,000th career point, he also had 10 assists in the win, a career high. Willis was the first Gopher since 2020 to have a double-double in points (14) and assists (10).
• Eric Curry accomplished something new in his six years with the Golden Gophers. Curry obtained his first career double-double last week in the win against Green Bay. This season, Curry has set career best games in points (18 vs. Michigan State), field goals made and attempted (9-of-14 against MSU), rebounds (12 vs. Texas A&M CC) and tied career bests in assists.
• Jamison Battle is ranked sixth in Big Ten overall scoring. He averages 18.9 points per game, while Payton Willis ranks 11th in the league at 16.3. Willis holds this league's best three-point percentage at 46.0 percent, while Battle is seventh at 35.9. Battle leads the league averaging 38.4 minutes played. The duo also ranks second and fifth in three-point average with 2.6 and 2.5 respectively. Willis also ranks third in the league in steals per game (1.6).

SCOUTING THE BRAVES
• Alcorn State enters the Minnesota game with a 1-11 record, but have faced a tough nonconference schedule thus far. Of their 11 losses this season, the Braves have lost against the likes of Gonzaga, Houston, Wichita State, Tulsa, Baylor and Oklahoma.
• Dominic Brewton leads the team in scoring averaging 9.0 points per game, followed by Darrious Agnew at 8.7. Lenell Henry adds a team-best rebounding as he averages 5.9 per game.
• As a team, the Braves are shooting 37.1 percent and 29 percent from the three. The Braves also average 33.1 rebounds per game, including 142 offensive rebounds.

AGAINST THE SWAC
• Minnesota is 9-0 all time against current SWAC members. Minnesota's last SWAC team it faced dates back to 2017 when the Gophers defeated Alabama A&M in a 100-57 win on Nov. 21, 2017.
• The last time Minnesota faced Alcorn State dates back to Dec. 28, 1985. The Gophers defeated the Braves, 110-72 at Williams Arena.

UP NEXT
• Minnesota is scheduled to return to action Jan. 2 when the Golden Gophers play host to Illinois. Game time is set for 5 p.m., and televised on BTN. Mike Grimm and Spencer Tollackson will also provide the call on KFAN 100.3.

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Players Mentioned

Jamison Battle

Eric Curry

Payton Willis