gophers men's gameday

8 p.m. vs. Northwestern • Williams Arena • BTN (1130-AM, 103.5-FM)

After three games away, U is back in Barn

Preview: The Gophers (14-8, 3-6 Big Ten) return to Williams Arena after their first three-game stretch away from home in conference play since 2002. They have lost five of six since C Reggie Lynch was suspended Jan. 5. G Amir Coffey returned Saturday after missing five games because of a right shoulder injury, but Minnesota still fell 67-49 to Ohio State at Madison Square Garden. After scoring a combined 49 points in an overtime victory at Penn State, Nate Mason and Dupree McBrayer have totaled only 44 points on 15-for-50 shooting the past two games. Northwestern (12-9, 3-5) lost two consecutive games after beating the Gophers 83-60 on Jan. 10, but the Wildcats ended the slide with 70-61 victory Saturday over Penn State.

Players to watch: Coffey scored 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the floor in 35 minutes against Ohio State. The 6-8 sophomore guard is averaging 13.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season. Coffey missed the Gophers' earlier game against Northwestern this moth. Wildcats senior PG Bryant McIntosh, a preseason All-Big Ten selection, set a school record with 16 assists and zero turnovers against the Gophers two weeks ago.

Numbers: Tuesday's game is the only home game for the Gophers during a 23-day stretch, which includes five of six games away from Williams Arena.

MARCUS FULLER