Despite our injuries can we finish ahead of Wisconsin?

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MadtownGopher

MadtownGopher

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Gophers and Wisconsin could end up tied with same Big Ten and overall records. (my bad - Gophers would have better overall record 24 - 6 vs 23 - 7)

Gophers lose to OSU and Purdue
Wisconsin loses to OSU (twice) and @Purdue

Of course, PSU, Ill, MSU and others could also trip up the Gophers
 

They are a worthy adversary

Wisconsin still has yet to experience the full blitzkrieg of both of their Purdue and Ohio State games. They do have it tough. This is very optimistic, but I see us only losing three more conference games. I have us losing at Purdue, home against OSU, and losing at PSU. That's my call anyways.

We have a good squad this year. I get more excited everyday. I feel that we've grown alot as a team since we had to navigate the gauntlet that was our early Bigten schedule. We've had some losses to injury in Al and Mo, but I'm thinking that losing Devoe is a blessing in disquise. I hate the whole disgruntled player behind the scenes vibe.

So yes... I think we'll finish ahead of the Badgers... although they are a worthy adversary.
 

Two things to remember:

1. Wisconsin holds the tie-breaker.

2. We have only played one game(full game) since Al went down and that was at home against Northwestern. Our new line-up will be further tested in up-coming games and opposing teams will be playing us differently.
 


I think barring injuries, Wisconsin will finish 2nd in the Big 10 with a 13-5 record.

My Current Projections:

1)OSU....................16-2
2)Wisconsin............13-5
3)Purdue................12-6
4)Minnesota............11-7
5)Illinois.................11-7
6)Penn State..........10-8
7)MSU....................9-9
8)Michigan..............7-11
9)IU......................6-12
10)NW...................5-13
11)Iowa.................3-15
 

i hope so, I bet $50 at the beginning of the year with a badger that we'd finish with a better conference record! They've got tougher road games from here on out, so it is definitely possible, i'd say probably 50/50 right now
 

With Nolen, I would've said it is likely. Not so sure anymore. Young guards are a recipe for getting upset on the road in the B1G.

If Nolen is back for the NCAAs I think you'll surprise somebody and make the Sweet 16.
 

We may well be....

5-6 after the next 3 games. This NEW line-up has worked ONCE against a team without much quickness, now we play the next two on the road (always tough to win away) plus OSU at home. I'm cautiously optimistic we can win one or two of these, but wouldn't be surprised if we come away empty either.

It's going to take continued growth from Colt/Ralph/Rod and the young players to win any of these.
 



leftyslefty said:
5-6 after the next 3 games. This NEW line-up has worked ONCE against a team without much quickness, now we play the next two on the road (always tough to win away) plus OSU at home. I'm cautiously optimistic we can win one or two of these, but wouldn't be surprised if we come away empty either.

It's going to take continued growth from Colt/Ralph/Rod and the young players to win any of these.
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I honestly think we have a good chance at upsetting OSU. We need to shut down Craft and the perimeter shooting to force them inside...it certainly is within the realm of reason.
 

I doubt we'll finish ahead of Wisconsin with them owning the tie breaker over us, but i think 11 wins in conference is definitely realistic for us if our young guys keep improving. we'll be dangerous come tourney time with a low seed when al comes back. i believe a sweet 16 appearance is still very possible depending on our draw. Go Gophs!
 

I
KSBGopher said:
I honestly think we have a good chance at upsetting OSU. We need to shut down Craft and the perimeter shooting to force them inside...it certainly is within the realm of reason.
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I honestly think we have a chance to upset OSU too. All we need to do is shut down Lighty, Deibler, Sullinger, Craft, Buford and Thomas off the bench. No sweat.
 

Not trying to flame here, but when was the last time the Gophers finished ahead of the Badgers in the standings? ESPN goes back to 2001-2002, and it hasn't happened in that time frame.
 



Not this year

I must be in the minority, but I think WI is a very good team. They have two really good players, surrounded by a cast that fully understand their role and is fully committed to playing it. The numbers they are putting up in the critical stats of FT shooting and turnovers (and not just the Gopher game) are insane.

Can you even fathom the Gophers shooting 90+ % from the line and committing 3 or less turnovers in a game? Badgers have done it several times already.
 

balds said:
I must be in the minority, but I think WI is a very good team. They have two really good players, surrounded by a cast that fully understand their role and is fully committed to playing it. The numbers they are putting up in the critical stats of FT shooting and turnovers (and not just the Gopher game) are insane.

Can you even fathom the Gophers shooting 90+ % from the line and committing 3 or less turnovers in a game? Badgers have done it several times already.
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It's not how you play, it's how high you jump;)
 

MNBadgerGuy said:
Not trying to flame here, but when was the last time the Gophers finished ahead of the Badgers in the standings? ESPN goes back to 2001-2002, and it hasn't happened in that time frame.
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Since 1997 does not count - probably 1989-1990?
 


Let's face it

I'm a huge believer in WI this year, but sans injury/suspension the Gophers are/were a better team. WI got Nolen his first game back off a significant foot injury, and he was HORRIBLE. Gophers HAD extreme size, athleticism and depth, they now have none of the above. Nolen to Joseph to Nolen & Joseph to Nolen to neither, in a game where your G's are everything is beyond brutal.

We don't live in a sans world and the Badgers are better, but I'd like to see WI without Taylor for a game and see how it goes.
 


balds said:
I must be in the minority, but I think WI is a very good team. They have two really good players, surrounded by a cast that fully understand their role and is fully committed to playing it. The numbers they are putting up in the critical stats of FT shooting and turnovers (and not just the Gopher game) are insane.

Can you even fathom the Gophers shooting 90+ % from the line and committing 3 or less turnovers in a game? Badgers have done it several times already.
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Agree. Wisconsin is very good. Very well coached. It is not an accident that they have finished in the top 4 of the Big Ten every year under Bo. Looks like the loss of Vander Blue which resulted in Gasser being added has not hurt the team.
 

Unless Wisconsin has some injuries and a miracle healing of Nolen's foot occurs, I think it's highly unlikely. A big part of the reason Wisconsin finishes high every year in the standings is that, while obviously protecting home court well, they usually sweep all the bottom feeders in the Big Ten. It doesn't matter if you can't beat any good teams on the road if you are 8-0 against the bottom 4. Just have to split with most everyone else and you're 12-6 at the very least.

Bo Ryan is something like 12-0 vs. DeChellis, 8-0 vs. Beilien, 6-0 vs. Crean, 14-4 vs. Carmody. :mad: He's somewhere between 15-4 to 14-2 against Michigan, Northwestern, Iowa, Indiana, and Penn State each in his career. Disgusting! And I'm not even going to bring up the Monson years...

I have my hopes that one year we will pull it off. Next year? Maybe?
 

GibsonSG said:
Unless Wisconsin has some injuries and a miracle healing of Nolen's foot occurs, I think it's highly unlikely. A big part of the reason Wisconsin finishes high every year in the standings is that, while obviously protecting home court well, they usually sweep all the bottom feeders in the Big Ten. It doesn't matter if you can't beat any good teams on the road if you are 8-0 against the bottom 4. Just have to split with most everyone else and you're 12-6 at the very least.

Bo Ryan is something like 12-0 vs. DeChellis, 8-0 vs. Beilien, 6-0 vs. Crean, 14-4 vs. Carmody. :mad: He's somewhere between 15-4 to 14-2 against Michigan, Northwestern, Iowa, Indiana, and Penn State each in his career. Disgusting! And I'm not even going to bring up the Monson years...

I have my hopes that one year we will pull it off. Next year? Maybe?
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(so far) The Gophers have protected home court (minus Virginia) and beaten the teams we were supposed to beat (minus Virginia). If that continues, it will at least be a close finish.
 

I'd say we both end up at 13-5, but I think they have a much better chance at finishing higher than we do. They have a little bit of a schedule.
 


Gopher in Texas said:
Agree. Wisconsin is very good. Very well coached. It is not an accident that they have finished in the top 4 of the Big Ten every year under Bo. Looks like the loss of Vander Blue which resulted in Gasser being added has not hurt the team.
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No doubt UW is lucky to have landed Gasser. He has turned out to be a great pickup and will likely make the Big 10's all freshman team. However, Gasser ending up at UW had nothing to do with Vander de-committing and eventually landing at Marquette. UW tried to land both Gasser and Blue, but instead ended up with Gasser and Brust. Gasser's unconditional offer materialized when Diamond Taylor ran into trouble and left school. Vander's offer was still there both before and after Gasser committed.
 

Moses87 said:
I think barring injuries, Wisconsin will finish 2nd in the Big 10 with a 13-5 record.

My Current Projections:

1)OSU....................16-2
2)Wisconsin............13-5
3)Purdue................12-6
4)Minnesota............11-7
5)Illinois.................11-7
6)Penn State..........10-8
7)MSU....................9-9
8)Michigan..............7-11
9)IU......................6-12
10)NW...................5-13
11)Iowa.................3-15
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hmmm, still like Wisky at 13-5? Highly doubtful.
 

koppco1 said:
hmmm, still like Wisky at 13-5? Highly doubtful.
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Home and away with both Purdue and OSU are really all that's left, everything else should be a win. MSU and PSU aren't exactly gimmes, but I'd be surprised if they lost to either at home. Unlikely I'd say, but possible. I'll give them 30%.
 

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