Three Golden Gophers to dig up for Indiana basketball on Wednesday

Indiana basketball carries a three-game winning streak into Wednesday’s road matchup with Minnesota. Which Golden Gophers do the Hoosiers need to dig up some dirt on?

The Golden Gophers have lost three straight games and five of their last six to open up the new year. From a 22-point embarrassment at home against No. 3 Purdue to a nail-biting loss at Michigan, Minnesota has been all over the map but is desperate for a win on Wednesday.

Indiana is hoping to win their fourth straight game and second straight Big Ten road game after beginning 2023 0-3 with bad losses to Northwestern and on the road against Penn State. Do the Hoosiers have it in them to take down Minnesota on the road?

Here are my three key Minnesota Golden Gophers that the Hoosiers need to dig up dirt on prior to Wednesday’s matchup in Minneapolis:

Three Golden Gophers to dig up for Indiana basketball on Wednesday:

3. Ta’Lon Cooper – Junior Guard – #55

2022-23 stats: 18 GP, 36.1 MIN, 10.8 PPG, 4.5 REB, 5.7 AST, 1.2 STL, 2.6 TOV, 49.0 3P%

After spending three seasons with Morehead State, Cooper decided to transfer to Minnesota where he’s become the starting point guard and primary playmaker for the Golden Gophers in his junior season.

Cooper has definitely improved his scoring this season and has registered three double-doubles this season, including a 17-point and 10-rebound game against Michigan on Sunday.

The 6-foot-4 guard doesn’t need to score to impact the game and in fact, has notched six games this season with 5+ assists and two or fewer turnovers. Cooper will be the playmaker that Minnesota relies on to get to the paint and make plays for others, so it all starts with slowing him down defensively and making him a scorer instead of a passer.