FACTS & STATS: Anaheim Convention Center (7,734) -- Anaheim, California. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: Minnesota 3-0, Portland 2-0. Away Record: Minnesota 1-0, Portland 1-0. Neutral Record: Minnesota 1-0, Portland 1-0. Conference Record: Minnesota 0-0, Portland 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The 22nd-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers go head-to-head with the University of Portland Pilots tonight in the semifinal round of the 76 Classic at the Anaheim Convention Center. The winner of this game will advance to the finals against either Texas A&M or West Virginia on Sunday.

The Gophers faced their stiffest challenge of the season on Thanksgiving Day and they responded with an 82-73 win over 12th-ranked Butler. It was the first game away from home and the first win by less than double figures by Minnesota, which won its initial three games by an average of 34.0 ppg.

As for the Pilots, they are coming off an impressive victory as well, trouncing UCLA by a 74-47 score on Thursday. It marked the second straight win over a Pac-10 opponent for Portland, which downed Oregon (88-81) prior to the tourney. The Pilots are now off to a 4-0 start for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign.

Portland and Minnesota are clashing for the first-ever time on the hardwood tonight.

The Gophers shot an effective 50.0 percent from the floor and held Butler to just a 33.3 percent effort from the field, as they scored an 82-73 win on Thursday. Minnesota also went a solid 9-of-19 from beyond the arc compared to just a 5-of-23 showing by Butler. Damian Johnson missed just one shot all game and he led Minnesota with 18 points and four steals. Devoe Joseph added 14 points, and Colton Iverson notched a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Lawrence Westbrook returned to the lineup with nine points and he continues to lead the team at 15.3 ppg for the season.

The Pilots connected on 54.2 percent of their field-goal opportunities and 11- of-19 chances from three-point distance, as they ran away from UCLA last night. Portland also stepped up on defense, holding the Bruins to a dismal 32.7 percent shooting performance from the floor, including a poor 5-fo-23 effort from downtown. Jared Stohl made all five of his three-point attempts for 15 points, and T.J. Campbell also had 15 points in the win. Nik Raivio added 13 points and five assists and he averaged 19.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg heading into this tourney.

The Gophers used their depth to their advantage on Thursday and they should be able to smother the Pilots tonight on their way to the championship game of this event.

Predicted Outcome

Minnesota 80, University of Portland 70