1999, 2003, 2014 and 2016 are the last 4 times the Gophers have won 5 conference games in a season. For those that think this year isn't a substantial accomplishment because the Gophers had an easy conference schedule, the same could be said of 1999 and 2003. There is scant difference between 1999, 2003 & 2016 when measured against the Big Ten foes the Gophers beat, lost to and did not play. But while we hear all the time about how Tracy Claeys had the easy conference schedule this year, I don't recall ever hearing the same thing said about Mase's 2 big years. Perhaps I have forgotten the criticism of the easy Big Ten schedules for Mase’s 2 big seasons.
Here is some info on conference records in 1999, 2003 and 2016 (in order).
Conference winning percentage of the Big Ten teams the Gophers beat: 32.5%; 25%; and 24.4%
# of Big Ten teams the Gophers beat with winning conference record: 1; 0; and 1
Conference winning percentage of the Big Ten teams the Gophers lost to: 58.3%; 70.8% and 75%
# of Big Ten teams Gophers lost to with winning conference record: 1; 3; and 4
Conference winning percentage of the Big Ten teams the Gophers did not get to play: 75%; 75%; and 55.6%
# of Big Ten teams the Gophers did not play with winning conference record: 2; 2; and 2
# of Big Ten teams the Gophers did not play with losing conference record: 0; 0; and 2
Final/current rankings of the Big Ten teams the Gophers didn't play in conference: (#5 & #7); (#4 & # 18);
(#2, # 5, NR & NR)
Finally, I tried to get these numbers right, but open to correction if someone finds a mistake.
Here is some info on conference records in 1999, 2003 and 2016 (in order).
Conference winning percentage of the Big Ten teams the Gophers beat: 32.5%; 25%; and 24.4%
# of Big Ten teams the Gophers beat with winning conference record: 1; 0; and 1
Conference winning percentage of the Big Ten teams the Gophers lost to: 58.3%; 70.8% and 75%
# of Big Ten teams Gophers lost to with winning conference record: 1; 3; and 4
Conference winning percentage of the Big Ten teams the Gophers did not get to play: 75%; 75%; and 55.6%
# of Big Ten teams the Gophers did not play with winning conference record: 2; 2; and 2
# of Big Ten teams the Gophers did not play with losing conference record: 0; 0; and 2
Final/current rankings of the Big Ten teams the Gophers didn't play in conference: (#5 & #7); (#4 & # 18);
(#2, # 5, NR & NR)
Finally, I tried to get these numbers right, but open to correction if someone finds a mistake.