It wasn't that long ago when Northwestern was the annual laughingstock of the Big 10 conference -- a team the Gophers could count on beating year in, year out. This year, the Wildcats are 17 point favorites as they host Minnesota Saturday.

The Gophers women's basketball team will wrap up their regular season home schedule Thursday night when they host Illinois. Minnesota (13-14, 5-8 Big Ten) will also honor its four seniors following the game at Williams Arena.

Minnesota (15-6, 3-5) is looking for redemption when they host Illinois Saturday night. The Gophers' lost to the Illini after double-overtime a month ago. Tubby Smith told the Star Tribune that the team is desperate for wins after starting the Big Ten conference 0-4. Minnesota went on to win three in a row, but Michigan State outmuscled the Gophers ending that streak Wednesday.

Minnesota looks to secure a regular-season sweep of Indiana when the teams collide at Williams Arena Sunday afternoon. The Gophers also need to snap their latest four-game skid after losing to Michigan State Wednesday. The Hoosiers have won four of their last five Big Ten contests.

Minnesota (12-1, 4-6 Big Ten) will play at Nebraska Sunday afternoon for the first time as Big Ten foes. Tubby Smith is looking for more from his leaders, Ralph Sampson III and Rodney Williams. Smith told the Star Tribune "if they're not doing it, we have to find guys that will do it." The two veterans only had four rebounds combined in the tough 63-59 loss at Iowa on Wednesday.

The Golden Gophers (13-5, 1-4 in Big Ten) are going for their second straight win Sunday afternoon. Minnesota is in State College, Pennsylvania, to take on the Nittany Lions (9-9, 1-4). The Gophers got their first Big Ten and road win of the season upsetting Indiana on Thursday. Sophomore guard Austin Hollins was key in that game, scoring a career-high 18 points. Last year, Penn State won both games, but overall the Gophers are 19-6.

The Timberwolves (4-7) are going for back-to-back wins Saturday night at Phillips Arena in Atlanta. Minnesota defeated the New Orleans Hornets 87-80 Friday night. The Hawks (8-4) are aiming for their 11th straight win over the Wolves.

It's another victory for the Minnesota Gophers men's basketball team, who dominated the Wildcats at Williams Arena, 75-52.