Premium matchup today as the Billikens travel to Minneapolis to meet the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. The GGs were annihilated by Illinois earlier this week 92-65, and the Bills are coming off a big home win vs NC State 80-69. Per KenPom this is the only “A” game the Bills have on the non-conference schedule, so it’s a big roadie in terms of their at-large resume.

Marcus Carr is their main dude, with a gift for getting to the foul line. He was 9-10 FT vs Illinois, but just 2-10 from the field. Carr compares favorably with Cameron Thomas from LSU, who rang up 25 points vs SLU. It took him 18 shots to get there, however, so maybe the Bills can contain Carr similarly.

Overall, the turnover battle will be one to watch — the Gophs are #21 in lowest offensive steal %, and the Bills are #21 at defensive steal %.

SLUs Demarius Jacobs has emerged as an offensive threat this season. The Swiss army knife is shooting an unsustainable .70/.70/.70 to date. SLU has not needed his offense much to date, though he was instrumental in turning the NC State deficit into a surplus. Should the Gophs tie up Perkins, Goodwin, French or Hargrove, let’s see if Jacobs can continue to supply.