It’s pretty simple.
If the Gophers want to improve their standing in the NCAA tournament (which they’re basically locked into), they have to win their remaining Big 10 conference games and win at least one game in the upcoming conference tournament.
The first test is tonight against Nebraska, the second is Saturday at Purdue.
Coming off last week’s upset of then-No. 1 Indiana and Saturday’s drubbing of Penn State, Minnesota is 20-9 overall, but remain unranked in the Associated Press Top 25.
Coach Tubby Smith also hinted yesterday that Saturday’s starting five might return to the court tonight. That includes seniors Julian Welch and Andre Ingram, according to the Star Tribune.
Tonight’s game is also the last to be played in Nebraska’s Devaney Center, where the Cornhuskers have held their home games since 1976. Next year, the team will move to nearby Pinnacle Bank Arena.
