Entering the season, Michigan knew Minnesota would be its toughest competition. The Gophers were regular-season champions last year and defeated the Wolverines in the Big Ten tournament.
“They’ve been the reigning first place team in the Big Ten since we started and they’re a point ahead of us right now, so we know how important these games are in the race for first place,” Michigan coach Red Berenson said. “They were really good here in the second game and I think they’re the team to beat, so if we want to finish ahead of them we have to find a way to win.