Minnesota @ Northwestern preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 23, 2018 ) Northwestern 77, Minnesota 69

Minnesota looks to recover from one of its most disappointing losses of the season when it visits Northwestern on Thursday. The Golden Gophers, who are fighting for an NCAA Tournament at-large berth, damaged their cause with a 68-64 setback to Rutgers on Sunday, and hope to avoid another potentially resume-crippling loss by notching their first road win in eight weeks.

"One at a time that's all you can do and don't look ahead because there's so many good opportunities in front of us," Minnesota coach Richard Pitino told reporters. "You can't start thinking about the what ifs but you just go see if you can steal a road win." Northwestern fell short of its upset bid of No. 18 Wisconsin, dropping a 69-64 decision to the Badgers on Saturday to see its losing streak reach eight games. The Wildcats have dropped 20 of their last 23 Big Ten games - conference tournament included - dating back to last season, with eight defeats coming at home during that stretch and hope to avoid losing 14 conference clashes in a single season for the first time since 2012-13. "These Big Ten games all the teams are really good and you need energy from your home crowd," Northwestern coach Chris Collins told reporters. "Hopefully on Thursday we can get more of the same and have a chance to compete against a good Minnesota team."

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2

ABOUT MINNESOTA (17-11, 7-10 Big Ten): Gabe Kalscheur went 6-for-6 from 3-point range en route to a team-high 21 points in the loss to Rutgers and is 18-of-24 from beyond the arc over his last five games. Daniel Oturu was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week after producing 20 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots against the Scarlet Knights while Jordan Murphy added nine points and seven boards, but missed two free throws with 5.2 seconds remaining. Amir Coffey, who is averaging a team-leading 14.7 points per game, was limited to eight on 4-of-12 shooting.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (12-15, 3-13): Vic Law did his part in trying to end the Wildcats' losing skid as he racked up a game-high 24 points to go along with six assists and two blocked shots against Wisconsin to finish in double figures for the 22nd time this season. Dererk Pardon added 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the floor and Northwestern turned the ball over a season-low three times, but was held to four points in the last 3:15 to seal its fate. Anthony Gaines and A.J. Turner each added six points, but went a combined 4-of-14 from the floor.

TIP-INS

1. Minnesota has dropped six consecutive road games.

2. Law has scored 20 or more points seven times this season.

3. Murphy leads the Big Ten in rebounds per contest (11.8).

PREDICTION: Northwestern 66, Minnesota 65