Northwestern strives to finish strong vs. Minnesota
A pair of teams will look for a boost heading into Big Ten tournament play when Minnesota tips off against Northwestern on Saturday night in Minneapolis.
Northwestern (13-17, 5-14 Big Ten) is coming off a four-point loss at home Wednesday against No. 15 Purdue, which was heavily favored. The Wildcats won their previous three games at home against Maryland, on the road vs. Indiana, and at home against Oregon before falling to the Boilermakers.
Northwestern coach Chris Collins said he was pleased with his players as the postseason neared.
"I was super proud of our guys," Collins said after the 70-66 loss against Purdue. "I thought we fought for 40 minutes.
"... I think we're playing our best basketball right now. (There were) the three games we won, and I think tonight, the way we played, we did a lot of good things, and we've just got to stick with that.
"Our spirit is good. We're playing really hard. It's the best defense we've played in a while, and we've just got to stick with that as we go to Minnesota and head into the Big Ten tournament."
Minnesota (14-16, 7-12) will look to end the regular season on a high note under first-year coach Niko Medved. The Golden Gophers are coming off a 30-point loss at Indiana on Wednesday but won three of their previous four games before that contest.
Medved said a rash of injuries has put the team in a tough spot with limited bench availability.
"We are where we are right now with the bodies that we have," he said. "... Once it started to get away (vs. Indiana), it was pretty difficult.
"... It's a fine line for us. We can't afford to get in foul trouble because we don't have a bench, but at the same point in time, you've got to play with a little more physicality."
This will be the second meeting of the season between the programs. Minnesota won the first matchup 84-78 on Jan. 3 in Evanston, Ill. Cade Tyson scored 24 points and Isaac Asuma added 18 for the Golden Gophers, while Nick Martinelli had 26 for the Wildcats.