Game Notes vs. Minnesota

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin (7-12, 0-6) travels to Minneapolis on Thursday, taking on the Golden Gophers (14-5, 3-3) in a Border Battle game at Williams Arena. Tip time is 7 p.m.
Despite improving on offense their last two games, the Badgers dropped to 0-6 in the Big Ten, falling at Northwestern, 69-60, on Thursday and losing to Penn State, 69-62, on Sunday at home. 

The Badgers' game against Minnesota will be live on BTN Plus. Fans in the Madison area can listen to the game live on 100.9 FM or online using the iHeart Radio App where Jon Arias will have the call.

1. ON THE UP AND UP: For the second straight game, the Badgers scored 30 in a first half, tying the highest point total in a first half against a Big Ten opponent this season. The Badgers recorded their second-highest steals total of the season with 10 against Penn State on Sunday.

2. SCOUTING THE GOPHERS: The Gophers are having a successful year thus far with a 14-5 record overall and 3-3 in Big Ten play. UM ranks third in the conference with a scoring offense, averaging 85.4 points per game. The Gophers also rank second in the conference with a .377 3-point average.

Carlie Wagner and Kenisha Bell have been the Gophers' top two scorers for two seasons in a row. Bell, on the watch list for the Citizen Naismith Trophy (top player) and Nancy Lieberman Award (top point guard), leads the team with 19.3 points per game and Wagner is close behind with 18.1. They rank sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Big Ten scoring ranks.

In its last time out, Minnesota used a fourth-quarter rally to force overtime at No. 21/19 Rutgers, but the Scarlet Knights prevailed in the extra frame with an 80-70 victory Saturday afternoon.

3. SECRET WEAPON: Sophomore Suzanne Gilreath averaged five 3-pointers per game last week, tying a school record by going 5-for-5 from 3-point range at Northwestern. The 5-4 guard also had five triples vs. Penn State on Sunday, equaling her career best.

4. BORDER BATTLE: The Border Battle is an all-sports competition between the athletic departments of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Badgers currently lead the 2017-18 Border Battle 150-90 with 20 points on the line in Thursday's game. Begun in 2004-05, Minnesota leads the all-time series 8-5 with Wisconsin winning the 2016-17 title 480-400.

5. UP NEXT: The Badgers return home on Sunday, facing off against Northwestern (9-10, 2-3) for the second time in eight days. Game time is 4:30 p.m. live on the Big Ten Network. 

Wisconsin celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Sunday with a pre-game event in the Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion. Fans can enjoy interactive games, meet Bucky Badger, and enjoy music from the UW Band from 2 - 3:30 p.m.