B1G game 1: Gophers host Maryland 12-7-25

[MaroonMagic]

"They haven't been in many situations where they have to close-out tough games like Maryland." And why is that? It couldn't be all those 40 point victories against this year's version of the cupcake brigade, could it?

Most power conference teams, including many of the nationally ranked teams, stack their nonconference schedule with easy wins. Look at Maryland's nonconference schedule for example. Theirs is almost as weak as Minnesota's. Kim Mulkey and LSU are a notorious example of this too. A tough nonconference doesn't necessarily guarantee success, and it's also not not necessary for some other teams that still end up being very good.

This team is largely the same from last year and should have had plenty of experience in tough games during Big Ten play, but maybe the lessons just haven't sunk in for whatever reason. That's still troubling.

At half time of the Maryland game, I did say I was worried about the lead the Gophers had because I knew Brenda Frese is an excellent coach and they don't have much experience in the last few years defending a lead in close Big Ten games. I was worried about their ability to stay composed as strong opponents chipped away at the lead, and that's what happened here. Last year it seemed they were a lot better at staging fourth quarter comebacks than establishing and keeping a lead, so honestly this collapse made sense. You let your guard down in the last 45 seconds because you think you've done enough to get the win, and that's when the best teams can take advantage of you.

 

[DietCokeFan]

Also, Maryland was without four top players and another fouled out. We still lost.

 

[Star City]

9thI know in the past I have gone back and forth with you and have not agreed much; but have to say I think you're spot on with this post and I apprecate your insights. I am really curious to see how the team reacts going forward.

Question: Would you say the at Indiana game is a must win for NCAA tourney hopes? I just look at the beginning of BIG play and besides the Northwestern game I am worried we might be trouble. Thoughts?

Since I like to pretend I know bracketology I'll answer:
To be safe you'd like to finish ahead of (at least) one of the bubble (or just above the bubble) tier-teams like Indiana looks to be this year and the best way to help with that is to beat them. (Washington last year beating the Gophers made sure they were ahead of the Gophers) Therefore beating Indiana would be huge.
Otherwise if the Gophers finish 13th place again with the same record as last year then they might again rather take a team higher in the stadings in the much weaker ACC again if it isn't obvious the Gophers are better (though thanks to a bid-steal Virginia Tech just missed out last year). Luckily at least of all the potential ACC bubble teams, none of them really did more non-conference than the Gophers and a couple of them had bad losses.