Gophers men’s basketball team ready for rival Wisconsin

The Gophers men’s basketball team could use momentum heading into the Big Ten Tournament. One thing that will help them get that is beating Wisconsin Wednesday night at the Barn. The Gophers have four-games left in the regular season.

***Click the video box to watch coach Ben Johnson and center Eric Curry preview game vs. Badgers***

Minnesota lost to the Badgers 66-60, on Jan. 30 in Madison.

Gophers senior Eric Curry knows all about these two teams playing against each other and wants another shot to beat their biggest rival.

“They’re playing for a Big Ten championship. It has to mean more to us than it does for them because it is a rivalry. We are trying to stay on the right pace. I want to beat them so bad. They (new Gophers) don’t understand this rivalry in their first year, but I just know in my heart we need to beat Wisconsin,” said Curry.

Minnesota is near the bottom of the Big Ten standings while Wisconsin is trying to win a conference title — they are a half game back of first place Purdue.

Gophers head coach Ben Johnson is familiar with playing the Badgers and knows how important it is to slow down the Badgers best player in Johnny Davis. Davis is expected to be a high NBA draft pick in June.

“When you have a player who’s a lottery pick that changes everything. A guy who can go get 40 easily. It takes so much pressure off of everybody else and you have a supporting cast that’s very capable,” said Johnson.

The Gophers (13-12) vs. the Badgers (21-5) is set for 8 p.m. Wednesday.