Gophers forward Dawson Garcia reacted after making a three-pointer against Mississippi State. Garcia and the Gophers play Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Wednesday. (Stacy Bengs, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

GOPHERS MEN'S BASKETBALL GAMEDAY

7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff • Big Ten Network, 1130-AM

Gophers update: The Gophers (4-6, 0-2 Big Ten) are trying to avoid a six-game losing streak, which hasn't happened for the program in the first 11 games of the season since 1935-36. Four of the five losses in a row were to major conference opponents. Three of the opponents (UNLV, Purdue and Mississippi State) had a combined 29-0 record through the weekend. Following Sunday's 69-51 loss against Mississippi State, the U's schedule eases up against three straight mid-major foes. Ben Johnson hasn't seen much to be excited about offensively during the slide, but Dawson Garcia led the team with 20 points on 3-for-5 shooting from three-point range Sunday.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff update: The Golden Lions (3-8) have definitely challenged themselves to open the 2022-23 season. Five of their losses have come against major conference opponents, including 88-43 at No. 2 Texas on Saturday. They opened the season with a narrow 73-72 loss at TCU on Nov. 7. Pine Bluff's leading scorer Shaun Doss Jr. is averaging 17 points per game and shooting 40.5% from three-point range. Doss has three games this season with 20-plus points, including 29 points vs. Kent State.

about the writer

Marcus Fuller

Reporter

Marcus Fuller covers Gophers men's basketball, national college basketball, college sports and high school recruiting for the Minnesota Star Tribune.