STrib: Can Gophers get first win against ranked team under Ben Johnson? Purdue stands in the way.

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BleedGopher

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Per Marcus:

In his fourth season as Gophers men’s basketball coach, Ben Johnson is looking for his first win against a ranked opponent.

Fans have reason to feel anguish over Johnson’s 0-15 record against ranked foes since he took over for the 2021-22 season.

So they can imagine what it would mean if the Gophers (8-5, 0-2 Big Ten) pull off an upset Thursday night against No. 20 Purdue at Williams Arena.

“Beating Purdue would be great,” Johnson said. “I want our guys to not have the outside pressure of that other stuff. … But we know how good Purdue is, ranked or unranked. You beat Purdue at home or away, that’s a big-time win.”

The last time the Gophers defeated a ranked opponent was under former coach Richard Pitino against Purdue in a 71-68 victory at the Barn on Feb. 11, 2021. Johnson was still an assistant coach at Xavier.

www.startribune.com

Can the Gophers get Ben Johnson’s first ranked win as coach? Purdue stands in the way.

Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson is 0-15 vs. ranked opponents, but he has a chance to end the drought Thursday vs. No. 20 Purdue.
www.startribune.com www.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!
 


Zeppelin Gopher said:
Nearly 4 calendar years without a ranked win...yikes

That 6.5 spread on Purdue seems shockingly low...
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On yahoo they currently show it at 5.5 which I agree seems crazy low. I know it is tough to win on the road in the Big Ten but that spread doesn't seem right.

Then again, not a gambler and the people that set the lines are very good at making sure they make money on the games so who knows.
 

MNVCGUY said:
On yahoo they currently show it at 5.5 which I agree seems crazy low. I know it is tough to win on the road in the Big Ten but that spread doesn't seem right.

Then again, not a gambler and the people that set the lines are very good at making sure they make money on the games so who knows.
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Truth bomb.

Agree with you the line seems way too low, but I've learned to respect Vegas; they know what they are doing.

If the line feels ridiculously too good to be true, it probably is. They know something we don't. So I'd guess that's a good sign for the Gophers tonight.
 




SelectionSunday said:
Truth bomb.

Agree with you the line seems way too low, but I've learned to respect Vegas; they know what they are doing.

If the line feels ridiculously too good to be true, it probably is. They know something we don't. So I'd guess that's a good sign for the Gophers tonight.
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We’re playing the Purdue Women’s Team🧐
 
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SelectionSunday said:
If the line feels ridiculously too good to be true, it probably is. They know something we don't. So I'd guess that's a good sign for the Gophers tonight.
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I actually think this could be one of our better matchups in conference because Purdue is one of the least formidable conference teams up front. To my eyes, our biggest problem in the first two conference games was that our front court was physically and athletically overmatched against Indiana and Michigan State. Both teams outrebounded us by 10 and the Gophers had a rough time defending their front court players.

As usual, Painter's team plays and shoots very well. They've also played a very strong schedule. Purdue is turnover prone though and they don't get a lot of steals. If they have an off-night shooting and the Gophers can get off more shots (including free throws with the right people taking them) because of better rebounding and turnover/steals differentials, the team might have a chance.
 










TwistingMyMelon said:
I actually think this could be one of our better matchups in conference because Purdue is one of the least formidable conference teams up front. To my eyes, our biggest problem in the first two conference games was that our front court was physically and athletically overmatched against Indiana and Michigan State. Both teams outrebounded us by 10 and the Gophers had a rough time defending their front court players.

As usual, Painter's team plays and shoots very well. They've also played a very strong schedule. Purdue is turnover prone though and they don't get a lot of steals. If they have an off-night shooting and the Gophers can get off more shots (including free throws with the right people taking them) because of better rebounding and turnover/steals differentials, the team might have a chance.
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Have seen Purdue play a few times this year and it is very odd seeing them without that monster in the middle. Still a talented team but not anything close to what they were when they had a matchup nightmare for most teams in Edey.
 

I would agree the line seems relatively low based on how we've looked this year. With that said, Purdue has been an awful road team this year. Got blown out at Marquette, PSU, and Auburn (technically a neutral, but it was played in AL) Sure those teams are all a lot better than us, but that's my guess as to why the line is what it is.
 



I agree Vegas knows their stuff, but doubt they watched North Texas game, everyone in the GopherHole should mortgage the house and put it all on Purdue laying the 5.5 points!
 


daveozark said:
I agree Vegas knows their stuff, but doubt they watched North Texas game, everyone in the GopherHole should mortgage the house and put it all on Purdue laying the 5.5 points!
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To be fair, the number of bettors on this game will be smaller than a flea bite on a mountain troll. Vegas isn't going to sweat this game.
 


FinnGopher said:
To be fair, the number of bettors on this game will be smaller than a flea bite on a mountain troll. Vegas isn't going to sweat this game.
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It is all a ploy to lure people into betting....entice them with the sure thing like that line from last night and get em hooked. :)
 

How come the local media esp. Danny b never say anything about the 4 year record of men’s bball? That dude rode past u coaches of fb and bb into the dirt.
 

Spaulding!No! said:
How come the local media esp. Danny b never say anything about the 4 year record of men’s bball? That dude rode past u coaches of fb and bb into the dirt.
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Local media try to cover topics of interest to local sports fans. They want to attract listeners, viewers, readers.

Nobody gives a flying **** about Gopher basketball at present. It's akin to discussing paint drying on the radio .
 


USAF said:
Local media try to cover topics of interest to local sports fans. They want to attract listeners, viewers, readers.

Nobody gives a flying **** about Gopher basketball at present. It's akin to discussing paint drying on the radio .
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This is true. But when they do discuss it, it's nothing but "Poor Ben. His great team from last year got blown up. It's impossible here. We can't do any better". Zero criticism. It's like they're all @EasyThere Pilgrim minus the Gavin Newsome conspiracies.
 

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