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Minnesota is focused on one final task before it sets its sights on the Big Ten Conference season.

The Golden Gophers (7-5) will look to finish 2024 on a high note when they host Morgan State on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis. It will be the final nonconference game for Minnesota before it begins conference play in earnest with a home date against No. 21 Purdue on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Morgan State (6-9) is hoping to break out of a skid that has included seven losses in its past 10 games. The Bears are coming off a 99-72 loss against No. 3 Iowa State on Dec. 22.

The highest scorer on either team is Minnesota’s Dawson Garcia, who is averaging 19.2 points to go along with a team-high 7.3 rebounds this season. Garcia is shooting 49.7 percent from the field, 85 percent from the free-throw line and 31.8 percent from 3-point range.

Mike Mitchell Jr. ranks second on the Golden Gophers with 11.6 points per game. Lu’Cye Patterson is next with 10 points per contest, and Parker Fox is fourth with 6.8 points per game.

“At the end of the day, we’re all here for a reason,” Mitchell said. “We have to produce when we’re out there, but once (Garcia) gets going, it helps us all figure it out together.”

Minnesota coach Ben Johnson has seen opponents focus on slowing down Garcia as the season has progressed. That strategy could create opportunities for other teammates, he said.

“Teams are always going to guard Dawson differently,” Johnson said. “Are they not switching ball screens? Can you play through him in the post? … When you get two on the ball, you can (kick) it out. Now you’ve got an advantage on the backside.”

For Morgan State, Wynston Tabbs leads the way with 16.1 points per game on 45.9 percent shooting from the field. Three other players are scoring in double figures: Amahrie Simpkins (12.7 points per game), Will Thomas (12.1) and Kameron Hobbs (10.7).

Morgan State coach Kevin Broadus wants his players to be more disciplined on defense.

“That’s one of the things that we have to change,” Broadus said. “We’re fouling too much.”

This is the second meeting between the schools. Minnesota pulled away for a 94-64 win on its home court in the inaugural matchup on Dec. 8, 2009.

–Field Level Media