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Minnesota hopes to bounce back vs. Ohio State

Jan 3, 2009 - 1:09 PM No. 23 Ohio State (10-1) at No. 21 Minnesota (12-1) 12:00 p.m. EST

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- After falling from the ranks of the unbeaten, 21st-ranked Minnesota faces another stiff test as it tries to rebound from a loss in its Big Ten opener.

The Golden Gophers face fellow one-loss team Ohio State on Saturday, looking to avoid an 0-2 start in conference play.

Minnesota was off to its best start since going 13-0 to begin the 1948-49 season before losing to No. 15 Michigan State on Wednesday. The Golden Gophers were overmatched inside as the Spartans held a 49-27 advantage on the glass, including 23-11 on the offensive end.

Al Nolen had 14 points and seven assists for the struggling Minnesota offense. The Golden Gophers sank just 6-of-21 from behind the arc and shot 40 percent (21-of-53) overall from the field.

Outside of a neutral-site win over Louisville in Arizona, Minnesota was relatively untested prior to conference play. The same cannot be said for Ohio State.

The Buckeyes, who registered wins over Miami (FL), Notre Dame and Butler, bounced back with a win in their last contest, following their only loss of the season.

After being embarrassed by West Virginia at home, 76-48, Ohio State defeated Iowa in its conference opener Wednesday. Jon Diebler sank seven 3-pointers in scoring a season-high 27 points while William Buford added 16 in a 68-65 triumph.