Fansided

College Basketball: 5 best games for Week 11

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 12, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford calls out from the bench in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. The Bruins defeated the Buffaloes 104-89. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford calls out from the bench in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. The Bruins defeated the Buffaloes 104-89. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Dec 3, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Ethan Happ (22) runs into traffic as Oklahoma Sooners guard Jordan Woodard (10) and forward Khadeem Lattin (12) defend at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Oklahoma 90-70. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Ethan Happ (22) runs into traffic as Oklahoma Sooners guard Jordan Woodard (10) and forward Khadeem Lattin (12) defend at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Oklahoma 90-70. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Wisconsin at Minnesota, Saturday 4:30 p.m. ET

With the Gophers needing a win following a disappointing week, Saturday’s rivalry showdown with Wisconsin promises to be another fun game in what’s been a wild early season in the Big Ten.

The Badgers have remained in the AP Poll top 25 for the entire season with an overall record of 14-3. A 3-1 start to Big Ten play has Wisconsin in third place, as it breezed by Ohio State on Thursday to bounce back from a road loss to Purdue the prior weekend.

Minnesota is one of the most improved teams in the nation in year four of the Richard Pitino era at 15-4, nearly double its win total from a year ago. The Golden Gophers’ 3-1 start to Big Ten play was erased by losses to Michigan State and Penn State last week, and a third straight loss could have them sliding closer and closer to a double-digit tournament seed.

Both teams rank in the top-13 in the nation in defensive efficiency, so Saturday’s game promises to be a physical slugfest. The trio of Bronson Koenig, Ethan Happ and Nigel Hayes is a tough matchup for anybody, but Minnesota features four scorers in double figures itself.

Happ’s scoring ability down low will be the biggest factor in the game, particularly with how concerned Minnesota should be about its offense following the ugly showing at Penn State on Saturday. Still, winning at The Barn in a heated rivalry game won’t be an easy talk, so Saturday’s game could be one of the more intense matchups of the week.