Gophers-Indiana gameday preview

Margin closes, but losses pile up

Preview: The Gophers (14-12, 3-10 Big Ten) appear to be getting closer and closer to stopping their losing streak, which extended to six games with Tuesday's 91-85 loss against Nebraska. After getting blown out a few times in their first several losses shorthanded, Minnesota's past two games have come down to a few possessions. Richard Pitino's team nearly broke through the last time it was on the road by taking Michigan into overtime before falling 76-73 on Saturday. … The Hoosiers (13-12, 6-7) ended a four-game losing streak Monday with a convincing 65-43 victory at Rutgers. Their last home game became a heartbreaker when they blew a chance at a major upset in a 63-60 loss against No. 5 Michigan State.

Players to watch: Senior guard Nate Mason is giving everything he has to help the Gophers make one last push at the postseason in his final year. Mason's career-high 34 points — including seven three-pointers against Nebraska — were the most in a Big Ten game by a U player since Terrance Simmons' 34 vs. Michigan State in 2001. The 6-2 Georgia native is averaging a career-high 16.4 points and shooting 41.4 percent on threes this season. … Indiana junior forward Juwan Morgan's battle with Jordan Murphy as undersized centers should be a treat. The 6-7 Morgan is averaging 23.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and shooting 60.9 percent from the field in his past six games.

Numbers: With one more double-double, Murphy will set the school record by passing Mychal Thompson with 22 this year. He opened the season with 17 in a row but has only four in his past nine games.

MARCUS FULLER