Gophers in Columbus to take on Buckeyes

Feb. 6, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Andre Hollins (1) stands on the court against the Michigan State Spartans during 2nd half at Jack Breslin Students Events Center. MSU won 61-50. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

The Gophers and the Ohio State Buckeyes share more similarities than one may think. Besides playing on the same court Wednesday night in Columbus, both teams are desperately seeking a win.

No. 18 Ohio State has lost three of their last four games, and with match ups against Michigan State and Indiana in the final five games of the regular season, the Buckeyes are looking to stop the bleeding.

For Minnesota, the slump is a bit more profound. The Gophers have dropped seven of their last 10 games, falling out of the AP Top 25 and looking as bad as ever following their loss to Iowa on Sunday, 72-51.

History is against the Gophers as they are 16-49 all-time in Value City Arena and with Rodney Williams out of the starting lineup with an injury, Minnesota will need to keep the game as close as possible and not let the Buckeyes build a substantial lead.

Key match ups tonight include Andre Hollins guarding Ohio State’s Aaron Craft, who is one of the best defenders in the country.

Another match up will be between Trevor Mbakwe and the Big Ten’s leading scorer, Deshaun Thomas, who is averaging more than 20 points and six rebounds per game.

The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT tip-off and will be broadcasted on Big Ten Network.