Gophers Basketball

[bluechipper]

Minnesota got screwed. They were hammering what could be a pretty good team, but no one will be talking about that... A win is a win though.

[Mr. Brooks]

Minnesota got screwed. They were hammering what could be a pretty good team, but no one will be talking about that... A win is a win though.

The refs should refrain from enforcing the rules just to make the Gophers win look better?

[drjim]

It won't be a huge issue. Narratives in November aren't worth much and the win won't be discounted come seeding time.

 

What a bizarre finish, Gophs just seemed so disinterested.

[Mr. Brooks]

It won't be a huge issue. Narratives in November aren't worth much and the win won't be discounted come seeding time.

 

What a bizarre finish, Gophs just seemed so disinterested.

And if it's the difference between getting into the tourney and not, then the season was a failure anyway.

[drjim]

And if it's the difference between getting into the tourney and not, then the season was a failure anyway.

If they avoid injuries, they'll be no worse than a 4 seed. This team is legit.

[Mr. Brooks]

If they avoid injuries, they'll be no worse than a 4 seed. This team is legit.

I'm not convinced quite yet. I mean they got outscored while playing 5 vs. 3. That's hard to even believe.

[drjim]

I'm not convinced quite yet. I mean they got outscored while playing 5 vs. 3. That's hard to even believe.

It was also meaningless. The Gophs were beating them down for the first 26 minutes before all the weirdness.

 

Miami will be a good test, I will be mildly surprised if the Gophs lose.

[Mr. Brooks]

It was also meaningless. The Gophs were beating them down for the first 26 minutes before all the weirdness.

 

Miami will be a good test, I will be mildly surprised if the Gophs lose.

Well I'm not sure any game is meaningless, unless it's an exhibition game. They all count in the standings.

Regardless, losing focus and taking their foot off the pedal tells me they are still growing, that they haven't quite arrived just yet.

[bluechipper]

 

The refs should refrain from enforcing the rules just to make the Gophers win look better?

No. I just mean if a crazy scenario didn't happen, the Gophers would be getting credit for a good win.

[bluechipper]

 

I'm not convinced quite yet. I mean they got outscored while playing 5 vs. 3. That's hard to even believe.

Not surprising if you watched the game. They were half trying the last 10 minutes. Would you really play your hardest when you have a 2 player advantage? I would be embarrassed to do so.

[bluechipper]

 

Well I'm not sure any game is meaningless, unless it's an exhibition game. They all count in the standings.
Regardless, losing focus and taking their foot off the pedal tells me they are still growing, that they haven't quite arrived just yet.

The last 10 minutes were completely meaningless. The Gophers have played 2 good teams, and they've put it on both of them. The only surprising thing is Nate Mason getting caught up in a matchup with Collin Sexton. 

 

I can't believe you're blaming them for taking their foot off the pedal in such a ridiculous situation that they were put into.

[bluechipper]

 

It won't be a huge issue. Narratives in November aren't worth much and the win won't be discounted come seeding time.

What a bizarre finish, Gophs just seemed so disinterested.

Being disinterested was to be expected. It was such an intense game, and then all of a sudden the Gophers are just handed the game. The problem is they still have 10 minutes to waste with nothing to gain besides appearing selfish and boosting your stats.

[Mr. Brooks]

Well they nearly blew the lead, so yeah, they should have kept playing.

It wasn't their fault that it was 5 on 3, I'm not sure why they should be embarrassed to keep playing? Should a hockey team stop trying when they're on a power play?

[bluechipper]

 

Well they nearly blew the lead, so yeah, they should have kept playing.
It wasn't their fault that it was 5 on 3, I'm not sure why they should be embarrassed to keep playing? Should a hockey team stop trying when they're on a power play?

The outcome was never in doubt, and a 5 on 3 in basketball is obviously not even comparable to a power play in hockey. 

 

The whole situation is just unfortunate for the Gophers.

[stringer bell]

The win counts. The circumstances are no deal breaker.

[Mr. Brooks]

The outcome was never in doubt, and a 5 on 3 in basketball is obviously not even comparable to a power play in hockey.

 

The whole situation is just unfortunate for the Gophers.

We'll agree to disagree then. They cut they lead from 16 to 3 at one point. That's hardly "never in doubt".

 

Obviously they play different, because no goalie in basketball. But a direct comparison was never my point. It was Bama's fault that they were down to 3, not the Gophers. Saying the Gophers should stop playing hard due to Bama's own rule breaking is what I don't understand. Keep piling on until the final whistle, absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[ashbury]

Keep piling on until the final whistle, absolutely nothing wrong with that.

If the Gophs had been content to run down the clock, then there might be a divergence of opinion on whether to pull in one's horns or not, when faced with such a situation. But taking early jumpers (as the written account has it - I did not view the game) doesn't seem intended to take it easy on a decimated opponent. Gophers got what they deserved, with that strategy.

[drjim]

It was a terrible strategy. They ran down the clock and then took mid-range jumpers. Didn't press. It seemed like Pitino didn't know what to do.

 

The game never seemed in doubt, just felt strange the whole time. I don't really blame the players either. Just an awkward situation to play in.

[bluechipper]

 

If the Gophs had been content to run down the clock, then there might be a divergence of opinion on whether to pull in one's horns or not, when faced with such a situation. But taking early jumpers (as the written account has it - I did not view the game) doesn't seem intended to take it easy on a decimated opponent. Gophers got what they deserved, with that strategy.

They were not taking early jumpers. They had guys standing wide open at the 3 point line, but just kept passing it around, then took weird midrange shots for some reason.

[bluechipper]

Watching the 2 Big 10 / ACC Challenge games tonight, and they showed a graphic of "notable matchups" in this year's games about 50 times and not one included the Minnesota/Miami game. I guess a #10 vs #12 matchup isn't very notable when you aren't a brand name team. C'mon espn...

[Hollywood42]

Super stoked for this team this year. It's early, but they're really looking like they could make a Sweet 16 run or better. The best part? The only notable seniors we have are Nate Mason and Reggie Lynch. Granted, those are two huge players, but the majority of this team is super young

[Mr. Brooks]

What happened against Nebraska? I was told this team was legit.

[drjim]

What happened against Nebraska? I was told this team was legit.

They are still legit. Conference road games happen.

 

I do think games like last night how much losing Curry hurts. Just no one on the bench that can be a difference maker.

[Mr. Brooks]

They are still legit. Conference road games happen.

 

I do think games like last night how much losing Curry hurts. Just no one on the bench that can be a difference maker.

I guess we have different definitions of what legit means.

I consider it to mean a Conference champion and Final Four contender.

 

A legit final four contender doesn't lose to an awful Nebraska team, they blow them out by 20.

 

For the record, I'm fine with that. I never expected them to be that quite yet, just responding to those that insist they are.

[drjim]

I guess we have different definitions of what legit means.

I consider it to mean a Conference champion and Final Four contender.

 

A legit final four contender doesn't lose to an awful Nebraska team, they blow them out by 20.

 

For the record, I'm fine with that. I never expected them to be that quite yet, just responding to those that insist they are.

That's fair. I see legit as a good chance at Sweet 16, and a top 3-4 in conference. Neither of which Gophs have touched in 20 years.

[Mr. Brooks]

That's fair. I see legit as a good chance at Sweet 16, and a top 3-4 in conference. Neither of which Gophs have touched in 20 years.

And that's about what I expect too. I don't consider that legit. That's only 2 wins in the tournament.

 

The goal in sports is to win a title, so when it comes to sports, I consider legit to be shorthand for, legit title contender.

[drjim]

Smoked today. Just two weeks ago they were crushing it.

 

I do think they'll rebound, but the lack of a bench really limits their upside.

[Mr. Brooks]

Definitely not legit.

[drjim]

Definitely not legit.

We'll see. The starting 5 is really good, might just be a bump. They'll get a couple games to rebound and get ready for rest of Big Ten season.

 

(Though admittedly they aren't likely legit by your definition)

[bluechipper]

 

And that's about what I expect too. I don't consider that legit. That's only 2 wins in the tournament.

The goal in sports is to win a title, so when it comes to sports, I consider legit to be shorthand for, legit title contender.

People were considering Florida a legit Final Four contender a couple of weeks ago, then they lost 3 straight, including one at home to Loyola Chicago. Duke just lost to Boston College. It happens. The Gophers will be fine.