ESPN
Bracketology: Has us as one of its "Next 4 Out"
Andy Katz: Has us as a possible Bubble Buster - The only possible bubble-buster is Minnesota. The Gophers have the talent (although it's a bit depleted) to topple some of the top teams. The problem is that the Gophers will face a recharged Michigan State in the quarterfinals if Minnesota beats Penn State. The Spartans looked like a league champ in Sunday's crushing of Michigan. But if you're looking for a sleeper, keep an eye on the Gophers.
Bubble Watch: [18-12 (9-9), RPI: 75, SOS: 39] The Gophers are probably a fringe bubble candidate at best, but they're back on the board after routing Iowa 88-53 on Sunday to finish 9-9 in Big Ten play. Frankly, the Gophers have as much of an argument as Illinois to be included in the NCAA field. The Gophers are 4-4 in their last eight games, including a 62-60 victory at Illinois on Feb. 27. The Gophers have three high-end victories, having beaten Wisconsin (home), Butler (neutral) and Ohio State (home). Minnesota is 3-6 against RPI top-50 foes, 4-7 against the top 100 and 3-7 in true road games. The Gophers have five losses to RPI sub-100 opponents, including an ugly 83-55 defeat at Michigan on Tuesday night. The Gophers are the No. 6 seed in the Big Ten tourney and play No. 11 seed Indiana on Wednesday.
Sports Illustrated
Andy Glockner: Now in Lots of Trouble - Minnesota (17-12, 8-9, RPI 77, SOS: 44): Losing by 28 at Michigan is inexcusable at this stage. It makes .500 the ceiling in the Big Ten, leaves the Gophers having to play the 6-11 game in the Big Ten tournament, and then facing at least one must-win game against a league heavyweight. If they get hobbled Purdue in the quarters, that might not impress, either.
CBS Sports
Projecting the Field: No Mention
Bubble Watch: Gophers need to get to Championship Game -
Pros
Three wins vs. teams in the RPI top 30. Wins of note: vs. Wisconsin, vs. Butler (neutral), vs. Ohio State, at Illinois.
Cons
A 4-7 mark vs. the RPI top 100. A 4-9 record in road/neutral games. 13 wins vs. teams outside the RPI top 100, five outside the top 200. Objectionable losses: at Northwestern, at Miami (Fla.), swept by Michigan, at Indiana (200+ RPI).
Outlook
Fighting for their NCAA tournament lives, the Gophers were blasted 83-55 at Michigan on March 2, which put a severe crimp in their at-large hopes. It appears too many bad losses will trump Minnesota's good wins. The only thing that could boost their chances is a run to the Big Ten championship game.
Selection Sunday (via GopherHole)
Field of 65 projection: Fighter Chance if they get to finals - A chance, but very slight in my opinion. To have a fighter's chance I think it'll need to be an appearance in the finals with a path of MSU and then Purdue. We need top-50 wins, not just wins.
Obviously (assuming the Gophers get to the semis to give us a sniff), a lot depends on what happens elsewhere. What would really help is if at least a few bubblers like Illinois, Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Washington, Florida, Ole Miss, UAB, Memphis, San Diego State, etc., get dumped in their 1st game @ their conference tourneys.
Fox Sports
Bubble Watch: "Hold" - The Gophers rebounded from a terrible loss at Michigan with a resounding win against Iowa, but Tubby Smith & Co. will need to get a couple of wins in the Big Ten tourney to have a shot.
Bracketology: Has us as one of its "Next 4 Out"
Andy Katz: Has us as a possible Bubble Buster - The only possible bubble-buster is Minnesota. The Gophers have the talent (although it's a bit depleted) to topple some of the top teams. The problem is that the Gophers will face a recharged Michigan State in the quarterfinals if Minnesota beats Penn State. The Spartans looked like a league champ in Sunday's crushing of Michigan. But if you're looking for a sleeper, keep an eye on the Gophers.
Bubble Watch: [18-12 (9-9), RPI: 75, SOS: 39] The Gophers are probably a fringe bubble candidate at best, but they're back on the board after routing Iowa 88-53 on Sunday to finish 9-9 in Big Ten play. Frankly, the Gophers have as much of an argument as Illinois to be included in the NCAA field. The Gophers are 4-4 in their last eight games, including a 62-60 victory at Illinois on Feb. 27. The Gophers have three high-end victories, having beaten Wisconsin (home), Butler (neutral) and Ohio State (home). Minnesota is 3-6 against RPI top-50 foes, 4-7 against the top 100 and 3-7 in true road games. The Gophers have five losses to RPI sub-100 opponents, including an ugly 83-55 defeat at Michigan on Tuesday night. The Gophers are the No. 6 seed in the Big Ten tourney and play No. 11 seed Indiana on Wednesday.
Sports Illustrated
Andy Glockner: Now in Lots of Trouble - Minnesota (17-12, 8-9, RPI 77, SOS: 44): Losing by 28 at Michigan is inexcusable at this stage. It makes .500 the ceiling in the Big Ten, leaves the Gophers having to play the 6-11 game in the Big Ten tournament, and then facing at least one must-win game against a league heavyweight. If they get hobbled Purdue in the quarters, that might not impress, either.
CBS Sports
Projecting the Field: No Mention
Bubble Watch: Gophers need to get to Championship Game -
Pros
Three wins vs. teams in the RPI top 30. Wins of note: vs. Wisconsin, vs. Butler (neutral), vs. Ohio State, at Illinois.
Cons
A 4-7 mark vs. the RPI top 100. A 4-9 record in road/neutral games. 13 wins vs. teams outside the RPI top 100, five outside the top 200. Objectionable losses: at Northwestern, at Miami (Fla.), swept by Michigan, at Indiana (200+ RPI).
Outlook
Fighting for their NCAA tournament lives, the Gophers were blasted 83-55 at Michigan on March 2, which put a severe crimp in their at-large hopes. It appears too many bad losses will trump Minnesota's good wins. The only thing that could boost their chances is a run to the Big Ten championship game.
Selection Sunday (via GopherHole)
Field of 65 projection: Fighter Chance if they get to finals - A chance, but very slight in my opinion. To have a fighter's chance I think it'll need to be an appearance in the finals with a path of MSU and then Purdue. We need top-50 wins, not just wins.
Obviously (assuming the Gophers get to the semis to give us a sniff), a lot depends on what happens elsewhere. What would really help is if at least a few bubblers like Illinois, Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Washington, Florida, Ole Miss, UAB, Memphis, San Diego State, etc., get dumped in their 1st game @ their conference tourneys.
Fox Sports
Bubble Watch: "Hold" - The Gophers rebounded from a terrible loss at Michigan with a resounding win against Iowa, but Tubby Smith & Co. will need to get a couple of wins in the Big Ten tourney to have a shot.