Tubby Smith has won a tournament game in 15 of the 17 conference tournaments in which he has
coached.
The first two meetings between these two teams were decided by a total of seven points. Tonight's
margin was 21.
Blake Hoffarber's first three-pointer tonight gave him the Minnesota career three-point field goal record.
Hoffarber came into the game tied with Michael Bauer with 191 treys and now has 193.
Hoffarber also moved to within one of the Minnesota single-season three-point record. His 78 treys this
season are just one shy of Lawarence McKenzie's mark from 2007-08.
Minnesota is 19-4 all-time vs. Penn State
Damian Johnson played in his 123rd career game, which is now tied for sixth on Minnesota's all-time list.
Minnesota has shot a combined 58.2 percent (60-of-103) from the field in its last two games.
Minnesota now has won five of its last seven games. The Gophers, who were second in the Big Ten in
field-goal percentage defense, have held opponents to a combined .346 from the field (98-of-283) in
those wins. In three of those games, Minnesota has held the opposing team's leading scorer in check -
Verdell Jones III, IND (10), Demetri McCamey, ILL (9), Talor Battle, PSU (10).
This marked only the fifth Big Ten Tournament game in history decided by 20 or more points.
Five different players made three-pointers for Minnesota.
Minnesota shot 58 percent from the field, including 69.2 percent in the second half. The 58 percent for
the game ranks eighth in Big Ten Tournament history.
Minnesota is 14-2 this season when scoring 70 points
Penn State Game Notes
Penn State has never won a game as the No. 11 seed in the Big Ten Tournament (0-6).
Penn State is now 1-14 when trailing at the half this season.
The Nittany Lions are 1-3 when playing at a neutral site this season.
Penn State is 2-2 for the season in games decided by 20 points or more.
