Minnesota downs Wisconsin by 16 before hosting IU on Saturday; updated look at Big Ten standings

After losing to Michigan at home and at Northwestern, Minnesota beat No. 14 Wisconsin tonight at Williams Arena.

IU will travel to "The Barn" this weekend, facing the Gophers on their home court on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tubby Smith's squad is now 12-2 at home, having also beaten Ohio State at home and while losing by a point to Michigan State earlier in the season.

Outside of Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon, Minnesota did a good job of containing Wisconsin. Four Gophers scored in double figures and Minnesota outrebounded Bo Ryan's squad 36-20 according to the ESPN.com box score.

The Hoosiers beat the Gophers in overtime back on Jan. 17 behind a strong rebounding effort to compliment the play of Verdell Jones.

Minnesota is down a guard in Al Nolen -- academically ineligble -- but Devoe Joseph is now starting in his place. He had 19 last time versus the Hoosiers.

Blake Hoffarber, one of the best 3 point shooters in the nation, was held relatively quiet at Assembly Hall. But on Thursday night he had a 16-point, 9-rebound performance.

Also worth noting, Minnesota starting center Ralph Sampson III and backup Colton Iverson combined for 17 and 14.

Back on Jan. 17, Sampson had 17 points and Iverson had 2, but the pair had just 6 rebounds versus IU. The Hoosiers, meanwhile, got 17 points and 15 rebounds from their "5" guys, while Christian Watford had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Here are the most recent Big Ten standings. IU looks to be playing for the 9 or 10 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Should IU be in the 8-9 game (2:30 p.m. on Thursday, 3/11), the winner will face the #1 seed that Friday. The winner of the 7-10 matchup will face the #2 Big Ten seed.