Preview: The Gophers (17-12, 6-11 Big Ten) hope to send seniors Al Nolen and Blake Hoffarber out on a good note in their regular-season finale. Nolen walked around without a boot during Saturday's practice but will not play against the Nittany Lions (15-13, 8-9), although he'll be honored before tipoff as part of Senior Day. He might return in time for the Big Ten tournament. Coach Tubby Smith said he probably will start freshman point guard Maverick Ahanmisi for the second game in a row. Regardless of the outcome, the Gophers will play Northwestern in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.
U men gameday: Gophers vs. Penn State
March 6, 2011 at 8:55AM
The Gophers will win because: It's Senior Day and they'll do everything possible to win for Hoffarber and Nolen. Hoffarber is back at shooting guard. He wasn't very assertive at Northwestern on Wednesday, but he'll certainly take a bunch of shots in his last regular-season game on his home floor. He's averaging 13.6 points per game.
The Gophers will lose because: They've won only one game since Jan. 26. And the squad they're playing beat them two weeks ago in a tight matchup. The difference in that game? Talor Battle and the 28 points he racked up for the Nittany Lions. It's his last regular-season game, too.
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Center Dawson Garcia played despite a groin injury, and starting guard Mike Mitchell Jr. and four others were absent for the Gophers. Among the results: a 14-point first half.
