The Minnesota Golden Gophers bench erupted after a 3-point shot made by Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Nate Mason (2) in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans Saturday. ] (AARON LAVINSKY/STAR TRIBUNE) aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team played the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Minn. (Mike Nelson — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

GOPHERS MEN'S GAMEDAY

6:30 P.M. at Iowa • Carver-Hawkeye Arena • BTN, 1500-AM

Gophers (6-18, 0-12 Big Ten): They are off to the worst start to Big Ten play in program history after dropping their 13th game in a row overall, losing to Michigan 82-74 at home on Wednesday. The Gophers were within two with 1:37 left but allowed Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman to convert a three-point play on the following possession. The Gophers, who have lost seven Big Ten games by eight points or fewer, outrebounded the Wolverines 33-28, outscored them 44-26 in the paint and shot 84.2 percent from the free-throw line. … G Nate Mason has scored 19 or more points in four of the past six games. … Freshman Jordan Murphy, who fouled out with 20 seconds to go Wednesday, has collected at least four fouls in six of his past eight games.

Iowa (19-5, 10-2): The No. 4 Hawkeyes are coming off their second Big Ten loss, a 85-78 defeat at Indiana on Thursday, dropping the Hawkeyes into a share of the Big Ten lead with the Hoosiers and Maryland, which fell out of first place Saturday. Iowa rallied from 16 down to take the lead midway through the second half in that game, but couldn't finish the job. The Hawkeyes, who start four seniors and a junior, didn't get a single point from their bench. Iowa hasn't lost at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in a full year. The last team to beat the Hawkeyes on their home court? The Gophers, 64-59 last Feb. 12. Iowa has won its past nine home games by double digits. … Senior big man Adam Woodbury has posted five double-doubles in the past seven games, and he tied a career high with 15 rebounds at Indiana.

Woodbury (The Minnesota Star Tribune)