It's time: Gophs are good enough & Sparty is ripe for the plucking

[SelectionSunday]

It's time to beat 'em. The Gopher program has made tremendous strides since Tubby took over the mess he inherited (even though quite a few folks believe this season was a sign of the Apocalypse), but beating Sparty is the next (and obvious) step the Gopher program needs to take. MSU is the standard-bearer in the Big 10. Beat 'em and we'll know the Gophers can compete with (and beat) one of the nation's premier programs.

This is a Spartan team ripe for the plucking, and the Gophers are more than capable of beating 'em, if they decide they want to play tonight. To borrow a famous movie quote, someone in the Gopher locker room needs to stand up & say, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore."

I do not want to see a timid, Michigan-like performance (x 2) tonight. That would not be a good sign for this program. Our bigs, specifically Ralph and Colton, need to bring it & play like they did last night, LIKE MEN. If they do, I think we're going to send Sparty back to East Lansing early. Nothing in the Big 10 validates a program's legitimacy more than beating MSU. Tonight we need to get over that hurdle, whether it leads us to the NCAA Tournament or not.

And if for no other reason, Art no longer will be able to point out the Gophers are winless vs. MSU with Tubby as the Gopher coach, while failing to mention that the Gophers have beaten Wisconsin (the 2nd best program in the Big 10) on 3 consecutive occasions.

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

The Gophers have finally put themselves into position to make the NCAA tourney. Obviously they need to put together a team effort and play with a purpose. Some say they are playing with a chip on their shoulder which may be enough to carry them. This is their last opportunity or its NIT time. Surely they should not be lacking in motivation.

 

[SelectionSunday]

"No respect" stuff gets old

All the "motivation" and "no respect" stuff the players are using in the paper is great and everything, but let's be honest, that was Penn State, not Michigan State. Talk is cheap. Do it against MSU and maybe then I'll believe the chip on their shoulders wasn't some contrived motivational ploy.

 

[Winnipegopher]

I agree they are ripe for a win. Somehow whenever I think it is time for a big win, they lose.

Hopefully that changes.

 

[Monty519]

I do like the fact that this team is playing their best ball over the last month (sans the Michigan disaster). Ever since Wisconsin, this team has really stepped up their game. It does give me hope as well that they can make this win happen.

 

[Art Vandelay]

It's time to beat 'em. The Gopher program has made tremendous strides since Tubby took over the mess he inherited (even though quite a few folks believe this season was a sign of the Apocalypse), but beating Sparty is the next (and obvious) step the Gopher program needs to take. MSU is the standard-bearer in the Big 10. Beat 'em and we'll know the Gophers can compete with (and beat) one of the nation's premier programs.

This is a Spartan team ripe for the plucking, and the Gophers are more than capable of beating 'em, if they decide they want to play tonight. To borrow a famous movie quote, someone in the Gopher locker room needs to stand up & say, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore."

I do not want to see a timid, Michigan-like performance (x 2) tonight. That would not be a good sign for this program. Our bigs, specifically Ralph and Colton, need to bring it & play like they did last night, LIKE MEN. If they do, I think we're going to send Sparty back to East Lansing early. Nothing in the Big 10 validates a program's legitimacy more than beating MSU. Tonight we need to get over that hurdle, whether it leads us to the NCAA Tournament or not.

And if for no other reason, Art no longer will be able to point out the Gophers are winless vs. MSU with Tubby as the Gopher coach, while failing to mention that the Gophers have beaten Wisconsin (the 2nd best program in the Big 10) on 3 consecutive occasions.

I disagree. Purdue is the 2nd best program in the B10. Beating Wisconsin 3 straight times shouldn't be that newsworthy around here. It should be expected by now.

 

[Gold Vision]

I disagree. Purdue is the 2nd best program in the B10. Beating Wisconsin 3 straight times shouldn't be that newsworthy around here. It should be expected by now.

Beating our Rival 3 times in a row isn't newsworthy including at the Kohl Center? Glad I don't live in your lonely world.

 

[Zeppelin Gopher]

I disagree. Purdue is the 2nd best program in the B10. Beating Wisconsin 3 straight times shouldn't be that newsworthy around here. It should be expected by now.

Please compare Wiscy vs. Purdue over the past 10 years and get back to us. As much as I hate Wiscy, it ain't even close. They are easily the 2nd best program in the Big Ten right now.

 

[chi-town gopher]

I disagree. Purdue is the 2nd best program in the B10. Beating Wisconsin 3 straight times shouldn't be that newsworthy around here. It should be expected by now.

The first half of your statement is up for debate. Purdue is definitely on an upswing right now, but you can make a case for OSU and Wisconsin being a better program over the last 5 years.

 

[Dr.Don]

Let's be honest here. I will take a quote from LittleGopherFan...(paraphrased) "I can't believe you Gopher Homers. It doesn't take a lot of intelligence to realize that if you are realistic and educated, the Gophers do NOT have a chance tonight." GO GOPHERS!!!

 

[Sour1729]

I see pride! I see power! I see a bad-ass mother who don't take no crap off of nobody!

 

[Gold Vision]

I see pride! I see power! I see a bad-ass mother who don't take no crap off of nobody!

 

[The Big L]

I disagree. Purdue is the 2nd best program in the B10. Beating Wisconsin 3 straight times shouldn't be that newsworthy around here. It should be expected by now.

Beating Wisconsin 3 straight times shouldn't be newsworthy, not just in the regular media, notice, but not newsworthy at a Gopher basketball forum. If a teams own crazed fans should think three wins in a row not worthy of major discussion/back-patting/pride, then the team must have been expected to win easily, perceived to be superior to the opponent.

After all, if you estimate that the ability of one team compared to another would result in the superior team winning 80% of the time, winning three games in a row would happen a whopping 51.2% of the time, slightly better than a coin flip. Now, one could argue that coming out on the right side of a nearly 50-50 event would be somewhat newsworthy, but I'll estimate conservatively and say that since the 3-in-a-row is just barely expected, it is not newsworthy.

Thus, since Art says three wins in a row against Wisconsin shouldn't be newsworthy, it makes statistical sense that he feels the Gopher team as a whole is superior to the Badgers by a large enough margin that they are 4-times more likely to win (80% to 20%). Considering Wisconsin's history, their stellar home record (for that one road game), and the sucess of the team during the Gopher win streak, Art must think very, very highly of this Gopher team.

So, apologies Art. I always though you were way to harsh and negative about the Gophers, when actually, you think the team is much better than all of us!