We’ll get a better idea tonight if Tubby Smith’s Golden Gophers can live up to that No. 8 ranking in the Associated Press college basketball poll.
Minnesota is in Illinois for its first Big 10 road game of the season. The Illini (14-2) are ranked No. 12. After Illinois, it’s off to Indiana Saturday to play the 5th-ranked Hoosiers.
After that, it doesn’t get much easier. No. 2 Michigan is in town next Thursday.
The Gophers (14-1) are coming off a Sunday win over Northwestern at Williams Arena where Austin Hollins sparked Minnesota in the second half by hitting five shots from three-point-range within three minutes:
