TIME / TV: 7:00ET ESPN
When Purdue and Minnesota tip off inside The Barn, Purdue will be looking for it's ninth straight Big Ten road win, something John Wooden and Glenn Robinson couldn't even do. The Boilers look to continue their school record streak against a Minnesota team desperate for a win.
Minnesota is 1-3 in Big Ten play. They have already likely seen their Big Ten title hopes slip away. Now they are playing to advance into the NCAA Tournament with a good seed. This win certainly would tell the committee why this Gophers team deserves to be in the tournament.
Purdue will look to better it's Big Ten record to 5-0, for the first time since the 1989-1990 season. They need this win to keep pace with also undefeated Ohio State (4-0).
Purdue comes into the matchup ranked eighth in the nation, while Minnesota comes in ranked 25th. This is the first top 50 RPI team Purdue has faced all season. This is the first game in a tough road week for the Boilermakers. They travel to West Virginia next to take on the Mountaineers.
More after the jump!
In the last few games Ryne Smith has stepped up for the Boilers and has rained threes. In the last two games, he has been the leading scorer for the Boilers. Purdue will need him tonight, along with JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore.
Minnesota has had a bumpy road as of late. Days after 11 point per game player Devoe Joesph transferred to Oregon, after his suspension from the team for breaking of team rules, Trevor Mbakwe was arrested for violating a restraining order. Coach Tubby Smith decided not to suspend him because he thought his actions were well intended, just misguided. The Gophers look to get their players and their season back on track tonight.
The Boilermakers will get tested by a Top 25 ranked team for the first time this season tonight. The Barn will be rockin' and the Boilers will have to play in a tough venue. We will see what both teams are made of tonight.