Preview: Penn State at Minnesota

After upsetting one of the country's top four teams, both Penn State and Minnesota look to build on that momentum Saturday in the Golden Gophers' final home game. Penn State logged its first conference win of the season and snapped an 18-game Big Ten losing streak that dated back to the tail end of last season with Wednesday's stunning victory over No. 4 Michigan. Minnesota, meanwhile, upended top-ranked Indiana on Tuesday and solidified its NCAA Tournament resume. Penn State must account for Minnesota senior Trevor Mbakwe, who has a conference-best seven double-doubles in league play and leads all Big Ten players in rebounding (8.6). TV: 3 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. ABOUT PENN STATE (9-18, 1-14 Big Ten): Although Penn State still ranks last in the Big Ten in field-goal percentage (.392) and 3-point shooting (.292), the Michigan game marked the Lions' fourth straight game shooting better than 43 percent. That's the best stretch for this team since December. Minnesota native Ross Travis will be tasked to counter Mbakwe's formidable frontcourt game. The 6-6 sophomore logged his fourth double-double of the season against Michigan and ranks fifth in rebounding (7.2) among Big Ten players.ABOUT MINNESOTA (19-9, 7-8): Tubby Smith adjusted his offense prior to the Indiana game, giving Austin Hollins some time at point guard to keep top scorer Andre Hollins fresh. It worked well, considering Andre Hollins scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half. The final part of the schedule sets up nicely for Minnesota; its last three regular-season foes reside in the bottom four of the Big Ten standings. Win out, and the Gophers should attain their first NCAA bid since 2010.TIP-INS1. The road team has won the past two meetings and three of the past five in the series.2. Penn State has lost 16 straight Big Ten road games. Their last road win came against Minnesota, on March 6, 2011, in the regular-season finale.3. A victory would give Minnesota at least 20 wins for the fifth time in Tubby Smith's six seasons as coach. PREDICTION: Minnesota 69, Penn State 61