Scouting: Northwstern @ Minnesota

Posted January 24, 2011 11:00 pm

By Lindsey Willhite

Northwestern (13-6, 3-5) at Minnesota (15-4, 4-3)

When: 7:30 p.m. at Williams Arena

TV: BTN

Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: There’s no rest for the Wildcats in the wake of the their biggest home loss in Bill Carmody’s 11 years at the helm. Top-ranked Ohio State comes to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Saturday — the second No. 1 team to play in Evanston in 35 seasons — but first there’s this trip to 16th-ranked Minnesota. The Gophers are dealing with their own issues as starting PG Al Nolen’s college career is over because of a broken foot. That means shooter Blake Hoffarber probably shifts to the point, which forces freshmen to fill his minutes. Not only does Nolen’s departure affect Minnesota’s defense, it gives NU’s 1-3-1 half-court trap a chance to force plenty of turnovers. It also might help keep the ball out of the hands of big men such as Trevor Mbakwe (13.2 ppg, 10.3 rpg).

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