Gophers Basketball

[bluechipper]

A great road win tonight against Maryland. This was a very balanced scoring game, and I really like how Jordan Murphy is playing. They're playing their best basketball of the year at a good time.

[stringer bell]

Huge win on their quest for a double bye. They still don't control their own destiny because of those two losses to Sparty. I saw them projected as a #5 seed in the Big Dance yesterday. It would be interesting if they ended up a 5 seed in the tournament after being a five in the Big Ten.

[twinsnorth49]

That's a huge win for the Gophers. 4 seed looks much more encouraging with play and wins like this one.

[USAFChief]

Five conference road wins. Five.

 

That's like, Tubby's career total, no?

[bluechipper]

The Gophers are ROLLING. 7 wins in a row after today's really solid win against Penn State. The ceiling for this season is starting to look unlimited.

[twinsnorth49]

Peaking at the right time. That little losing streak awhile back was a good reality check for this team, they seem to be taking care of the details a lot better.

[Mr. Brooks]

Lynch blocked 11 shots with 0 personal fouls.

Very impressive.

[twinsnorth49]

Lynch blocked 11 shots with 0 personal fouls.

Very impressive.

I still can't believe it.

[ashbury]

Lynch blocked 11 shots with 0 personal fouls.

Very impressive.

It's the kind of thing the refs will take away from you in the first ninety seconds of every big game. Book it. 2 PF. 0 Blocks. 10 minutes sitting on the bench. 0 aggressiveness the rest of the game.

[twinsnorth49]

It's the kind of thing the refs will take away from you in the first ninety seconds of every big game. Book it. 2 PF. 0 Blocks. 10 minutes sitting on the bench. 0 aggressiveness the rest of the game.

Lynch never quite got the memo on the 0 aggressiveness thing, he just fouls out. His ability to avoid foul trouble the last month has been key for the Gophers.

[USAFChief]

I still can't believe it.

From my living room, I called about 3 or 4 fouls on blocks, but what do I know?

 

What he did do, though, is avoid silly reach ins, bumps when he's beat, and over the back fouls, which to me are the bigger problem anyway.

 

And for the record, Murphy is a heck of a rebounder.

[twinsnorth49]

From my living room, I called about 3 or 4 fouls on blocks, but what do I know?

 

What he did do, though, is avoid silly reach ins, bumps when he's beat, and over the back fouls, which to me are the bigger problem anyway.

 

And for the record, Murphy is a heck of a rebounder.

Concur, with all of that. Aggressiveness was never Lynch's problem, he just needed to be smarter about it.

 

I said it before and I'll still say it, the Gophers chances of making some noise in the tourney revolves around Lynch's play. Without him, they are too one dimensional.

[stringer bell]

I witnessed yesterday's game in person. Especially in the first half the refs "let 'em play". While a foul can often be called on a block near the basket, Lynch kept his arms straight up and maintained verticality for the most part. It is the cheap and silly fouls he has to avoid as Chief pointed out. I do think if Reggie can play 30 aggressive minutes, the Gophers are a threat against anyone.

[USAFChief]

 

I witnessed yesterday's game in person.  

I'm jealous.

[stringer bell]

Williams is a fun venue. My first visit was circa 1970 for the Boys Basketball Tournament. Packed house for even the consolation games. I remember walking around Dinkytown in my brand new Letterman's jacket looking at the sights, especially college women.

 

My most memorable trip was in 1972 for the game after the Ohio State brawl. The place was packed and the expectation of something was palpable. There were protesters outside the door (in the cold) some wanting us to sign a petition to reinstate the suspended players.

 

The game was against Iowa which featured four white starters, while the Gophers Iron Five had four black starters IIRC. The game was close and low scoring and every hard foul was followed by glares and anticipation that something was going to happen. Late in the game, one of the Gophers knocked down the Iowa center (I think his name was Kevin Kunnert) and Kunnert had to be held back from charging the Gopher player (Brewer Winfield?). Order was restored and there was no violence, but the hair on the back of my head was standing straight up (I had hair then). Musselman's Gophers were on their way to the Big Ten championship, even if tainted by the brawl.

[bluechipper]

The Gophers stayed hot against Nebraska, Jordan Murphy is still a beast, and they will play for the #2 seed Sunday against a struggling Wisconsin team.

[twinsnorth49]

The Gophers stayed hot against Nebraska, Jordan Murphy is still a beast, and they will play for the #2 seed Sunday against a struggling Wisconsin team.

Woot woot!!!

 

Mason, holy hell!

 

Yes Murphy was dominant.

 

Another strong game from Lynch, 6 blocks.

 

Huskers had no answers in the paint. When they tried to zone it off in the 2nd half, Mason and McBrayer killed them.

 

Love their balance right now.

[drjim]

They had their early (Big Ten) season hiccup and adjustment and are nasty and balanced now.

 

Win at Wiscy would be big, #2 seed if they do. If they win a couple in the tournament they would be a 4.

[USAFChief]

With Maryland's win over MSU today, the Gophers will be either the two or four seed in the B1G tournament.

 

Double bye in the conf tourney. Who had that as possible a month ago?

[stringer bell]

I think it's worth noting that the Gophers played a tougher schedule than any of the other contenders. They played Michigan State, Maryland twice and will also do so for Bucky. No one else played more than two of the double bye contenders.

[twinsnorth49]

 

With Maryland's win over MSU today, the Gophers will be either the two or four seed in the B1G tournament.

Double bye in the conf tourney. Who had that as possible a month ago?

I'll admit, not me. After January I was preparing myself for the annual Gopher nosedive right through the B1G tourney and have to cross my fingers they'd still get a berth to the big one. 

 

Too cynical or hardened Gopher fan? Or is that the same thing?

[bluechipper]

The Gophers had a good showing with the B10 Awards. Nate Mason made 1st Team All Conference, Reggie Lynch won Defensive Player of the Year, Amir Coffey made the All Freshman team, and Richard Pitino won Coach of the Year.

[stringer bell]

Murphy also third team All-Big Ten. Not bad when you consider there are 14 teams in the conference.

[bluechipper]

Rough day for the B1G Tournament. Four games and the closest one was a 20 point margin.

[stringer bell]

I expect some close games today. Lookout for IU. They need a couple of big wins to be considered for the Dance.

[bluechipper]

The Gophers knocked off Michigan State in a really physical game. I'm worried Akeem Springs may have suffered a serious injury though.

[twinsnorth49]

Pretty sure its a popped achilles, he's done, I feel really bad for him.

 

Nothing can ever just go easy for the Gophers, it's just the way it is it seems. Hopefully they can use it as a rallying point to fight through the tournament. McBrayer gets the chance to step up again and they are going to have to lean on Coffey more as well. Murphy and Lynch are going to carry them now. If any Gopher team can survive this, I think it's this one.

 

Great win.

[drjim]

They do have some depth too. I wouldn't be surprised if Gilbert and/or Hurt have a moment or two this weekend and in the tourney.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Sure did want to see Indiana take one from the sconnies, but a border battle B1G championship has its allure as well.

[USAFChief]

Poop.