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GAME NOTES: The Michigan Wolverines invade Minneapolis this evening to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a Big Ten Conference tilt.

Michigan is struggling mightily right now, as the team has lost two straight outings and five of the last six to fall to 11-12 overall and a lowly 4-7 in conference. On Saturday, the Wolverines put forth an embarrassing effort at the offensive end in a 62-44 loss to Wisconsin. The hope tonight is that they will be able to improve a woeful 1-6 record in true road games.

Wins in two of its last three outings have enabled Minnesota to move to 14-8 overall and an even 5-5 in the Big Ten. The Golden Gophers managed to beat hapless Penn State by a narrow 66-64 final on Saturday, and they carry a stellar 11-1 home record into tonight's clash.

The Wolverines own a 75-58 series lead over the Golden Gophers, which includes a season sweep of the Gophers last year.

Michigan depends heavily on the talents of two players at the offensive end. Manny Harris is netting 18.3 ppg in addition to 6.4 rpg, 89 assists and 41 steals. DeShawn Sims is close behind with 17.0 ppg on 50.3 percent shooting from the field, and he is ripping down 7.5 rpg. The Wolverines are generating 65.2 ppg while limiting foes to 61.6 ppg, but that positive scoring differential is certainly not reflected in the team's disappointing league record. In the loss to Wisconsin on Saturday, Michigan shot just 2-of-11 from three-point range and suffered a 29-19 rebounding disadvantage. The Maize and Blue clearly struggled at the defensive end, permitting the Badgers to shoot 53.7 percent from the field. Sims netted 18 points in that affair, and Harris tallied 11.

Minnesota is scoring 75.1 ppg this season while limiting opponents to 64.1 ppg on 39.7 percent shooting from the field. There are three double-digit scorers on the roster, and Lawrence Westbrook leads the way with his 13.3 ppg on 50.5 percent shooting from the floor, including 40.5 percent from three-point range. Blake Hoffarber adds 11.5 ppg, and Damian Johnson checks in with 10.3 ppg. Ralph Sampson III came through with 13 points and 10 rebounds against Penn State over the weekend, but Westbrook stole the headlines by hitting the game-winning fadeaway jumper at the buzzer. Johnson posted 13 points, while both Westbrook and Hoffarber chipped in 12 points apiece.

Expect a competitive game early on, but Minnesota will pull away for a double- digit victory in the second half. The Gophers are awfully tough to beat at home.