Another example of program's progress in just 2 short years

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SelectionSunday

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Though I'm sure all Gophers fans would have been happy to see UW left out of the NCAA, something good did come out of it & it's another reflection of the how far the Gophers program has come since Tubby took over. The Gophers' road win over Wisconsin was their first true road victory over a NCAA qualifier since February 15, 1997 (at Iowa). Throw in Indiana last year (neutral court) and Louisville this year (also neutral court), and that's now 3 road/neutral wins over NCAA qualifiers since Tubby took the reigns.

For some perspective, prior to the win over Indiana at the BTT last season, the Gopher program hadn't had a road/neutral win vs. a NCAA qualifier since beating Michigan State at the BTT in 1998. Already we're at 3 and counting. To me that's the truest sign of a quality team/program, one that can beat good teams (read: of NCAA quality) away from its home court.
 

Wisconsin Win(s)

I am calling the victories over the Badgers this year the mark of the turnaround, including the second win over them as the "contra" Illinois game of 02 (or 03). Many look back at that game as the beginning of the prgram going into the dumper as we let a sure victory (and possible NCAA bid) slip away in the waning minutes. Contrast that to the Badgers game where we trailed, looked dead in the water, but many of us looked up and said, "Yes, we can still win this thing." And they did. With this transformation and transition, I expect no recruiting losses to the Badgers in the Smith/Ryan era, and I fully expect the Gophers to win three of every four against them into the foreseeable future.

The future is bright, and order is being restored!
 

One more thought....our primarily freshman and sophomore-led team is seeded two spots ahead of a senior-led Wisconsin team in the tourney after sweeping the season series. I'm not trying to bash Wisconsin but honestly believe that there are two sides to this turning point.
 

Year of: you are right, two sides to this turning point...Gophers are going UP, BADgers going DOWN.
 

SS, I thought of this the other day - and thought of you in the same motion. Figured you'd post it eventually. No doubt a sign of progress. In fact, maybe the most significant of all so far.
 


SelectionSunday said:
Though I'm sure all Gophers fans would have been happy to see UW left out of the NCAA, something good did come out of it & it's another reflection of the how far the Gophers program has come since Tubby took over. The Gophers' road win over Wisconsin was their first true road victory over a NCAA qualifier since February 15, 1997 (at Iowa). Throw in Indiana last year (neutral court) and Louisville this year (also neutral court), and that's now 3 road/neutral wins over NCAA qualifiers since Tubby took the reigns.

For some perspective, prior to the win over Indiana at the BTT last season, the Gopher program hadn't had a road/neutral win vs. a NCAA qualifier since beating Michigan State at the BTT in 1998. Already we're at 3 and counting. To me that's the truest sign of a quality team/program, one that can beat good teams (read: of NCAA quality) away from its home court.
Click to expand...

Those are some amazing (and depressing) stats. They show how far the program fell and for how long it's been down. I remember savoring the the '97 run to the Final Four and realizing that it was possible it wouldn't happen again for awhile. Not in my worst nightmares did I ever imagine we would not even win another game in the NCAA"s over the next decade.
 


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