In the Gophers’ 3-0 start to the Big Ten schedule, Andre Hollins was putting up Victor Oladipo-like numbers – averaging 17 points per game, shooting 60 percent from the floor and 100 percent from the charity stripe.

Then came the Indiana Hoosiers on Jan. 12. The sophomore point guard put up career-highs in shot attempts (20) and three attempts (12), resulting in a Big Ten-season high 25 points and a near comeback victory.

Hollins missed his final two three-point attempts as the Hoosiers snuck away with an eight-point win.

Who knew his shooting slump would carry on from there.

Since that game at Assembly Hall, Hollins has shot 30 percent from the field (38-for-126), including 33 percent from beyond the arc (19-for-57) – his bread and butter.

Minnesota, once ranked No. 8 in the nation, has the individual talent to be in the top-10 rankings. But like an intricate puzzle Coach Tubby Smith can’t put together, the Gophers and their 6-8 Big Ten record remain in pieces on the floor.

Smith said the fundamentals are the downfall of his team: shooting, ball handling and basic aggression are all aspects he hoped his team would’ve solved by now.

Shooting?

The Gophers have shot 32 percent across the last two games, including a dismal 17 percent from three.

Turnovers?

Minnesota committed a season-high 24 turnovers in its most recent game at Ohio State on Wednesday.

Aggression?

Smith’s squad has responded to a double-digit deficit with a win just once in their 14 conference games – a Valentine’s Day matchup hosting Wisconsin that ended in an overtime victory.

Now Minnesota and its young point guard are handed the task of turning it around against the No. 1 Hoosiers and their two player of the year candidates: forward Cody Zeller and point guard Victor Oladipo.