Saturday's game is big for the post-season hopes of both Northwestern and Minnesota, but especially so for the Gophers, who face Michigan St., Indiana and Wisconsin after their trip to Evanston. The Wildcats and Gophers are both 5-8 in Big Ten play, and if either wants any hope of getting to .500, a win on Saturday is a must.
Related: How Big Is Saturday's Gophers / Wildcats Game?
Northwestern has been effective at the offensive end for the majority of the season, but if the Wildcats are to put together a run at the end of the season, they likely will need to improve their defensive performance considerably. Perhaps they'll be able to start Saturday against a Minnesota offense that hasn't been very effective in conference play.
Game Date & Time: Saturday, Feb. 18, 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: Big Ten Network
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this matchup, head over to Northwestern blog Sippin' On Purple and Minnesota blog The Daily Gopher. And for more from around college hoops, visit SB Nation's NCAA basketball news hub.