This will be the 134th matchup between the Spartans and Golden Gophers. Michigan State currently leads the series 73-60 and is looking to extend the distance between the two Big Ten schools. Both teams currently sit in the Top-25 AP Poll. Both teams are trending in opposite directions as Michigan State fell to 17th in the rankings following a second straight Big Ten loss against Wisconsin on Christmas Day. Minnesota remains at 21st in the rankings following a win against top-10 team, Iowa. The Spartans sit at 6-2 overall and the Golden Gophers sit at 8-1.