The Harvard women’s basketball team faces one of its toughest matchups of the year this Sunday when the Crimson hosts Minnesota, the second of three nationally ranked opponents Harvard will face this month.

“We have another chance this Sunday to step up and show what we’re made of,” said Harvard coach Kathy Delaney-Smith.

The No. 12 Golden Gophers (5-0) boast an offense that has averaged 93.2 ppg, far more than the 69.8 ppg average of the Crimson (4-1).

Though Minnesota has impressive numbers, Harvard has faced superior opponents this year. The Crimson’s strength-of-schedule so far ranks 54th in the nation while the Gophers’ ranks just 126th. Harvard has also played a ranked team, then-No. 9 (AP) Vanderbilt, while Minnesota has not.

The Crimson is looking to prove itself after losing to Vanderbilt by an embarrassing 84-44 margin.

“We have to play a hell of a lot better against Minnesota not to have another Vanderbilt,” Delaney-Smith said. “Vanderbilt for us was a disappointment. Vanderbilt is good, but we’re better than what we did down there.”

The Harvard players felt they couldn’t adapt quickly enough to Vanderbilt’s size.

“Overall, the team felt that we lost our confidence and the shots we usually hit didn’t fall for us,” said junior forward Hana Peljto after the Vanderbilt defeat.

While Minnesota’s size is comparable with Harvard’s, the Gophers rely more on the skill of their guards.

The Gophers boast a nationally recognized talent in junior guard Lindsay Whalen—last year’s Big Ten Player of the Year and a Third Team All-American. Whalen is averaging 25.6 ppg. and 5.2 rpg.

“Lindsay Whalen is definitely a very good scorer,” said sophomore guard Rochelle Bell. “She has a force on the court that demands respect. We’re going to try to stop the drive and play team defense.”

Peljto believes stopping Whalen will be a difficult but necessary task in order to emerge victorious.

“She’s obviously an outstanding player,” Peljto said. “But, we have good defensive guards and if we all play great team defense, hopefully we can contain her.”

Co-captain guard Corrin Von Wald, who averages 18.4 ppg and 2.6 rpg, complements Whalen offensively.

While Peljto hopes to avenge the Harvard loss, she will have added incentive on Sunday. Both Peljto and Bell are Minnesota natives.