GAME NOTES: As part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the Minnesota Golden Gophers will contend with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at LJVM Coliseum on Tuesday evening.

Minnesota is 4-2 as this non-league test approaches. The Golden Gophers took part in the NIT Season Tip-Off last week, dropping a 70-61 decision to St John's before outlasting Georgia, 66-62. This will be the first true road test for them. They won't be away from home much longer, as they host their next six games.

This is the final part of a five-game homestand for Wake Forest, which suffered a disappointment against Delaware State last Friday, dropping a 72-65 decision. The loss was the second of the stretch of home games for the Demon Deacons, who have gone 4-3 in their first seven bouts under Danny Manning. They will visit NC State in their ACC opener next.

When these programs last met, Minnesota ended up celebrating a 73-58 win during the 2006 NIT. The all-time series is tied at 3-3.

After taking an 8-6 lead with just under 16 minutes to play against Georgia, Minnesota never trailed, leading by as many as 16 points en route to victory. The Golden Gophers (.423) shot a worse overall percentage than the Bulldogs (.458), but they logged a 30-9 scoring advantage from beyond the arc. They also forced 18 turnovers, which were traded in for 23 points. Georgia had nine points off of turnovers. Joey King netted 15 points to carry Minnesota.

Minnesota is not a powerful offensive squad, although it does fine for itself in averaging 74.8 points per game on 43.7 percent shooting overall. Meanwhile, the Golden Gophers' opponents are netting only 62.5 points on 38.4 percent shooting. The scoring duties are well spread, with Andre Hollins (11.7 ppg) the top option on a roster featuring four double-digit threats. Carlos Morris (10.3 ppg), Nate Mason (10.2 ppg) and Maurice Walker (10 ppg) are all called upon to score, while DeAndre Mathieu (8 ppg, 5 apg) runs the offense from the point.

Wake Forest was competitive in the first half against Delaware State, but it fell off in the second. After entering the break, clinging to a 38-36 lead, the Demon Deacons managed only seven field goals on 26 attempts in the last 20 minutes, while the visiting Hornets sank an even 50 percent from the floor. The poor shooting hurt the Deacs, who forced 18 turnovers, while committing only eight. Codi Miller-McIntyre netted 15 points, but on just 6-of-16 accuracy.

Miller-McIntyre (11.3 ppg) is not shy with his shots, but he needs to start making more of them. He is one of only two double-digit scorers on the squad, but is netting just 39 percent from the floor. Devin Thomas (11.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg) is always a threat to post a double-double, something he did in the first four games of the season. However, he has only 13 points combined in the last three games, including a scoreless effort against Delaware State, during which he missed all seven of his shots from the floor.

If Thomas struggles again, the Demon Deacons will be in trouble. Minnesota has a few scoring options to lean on, which will prove vital in this contest.