Gophers Make #1 Illini Work in 64-56 Loss

Ok, so I lied a little bit. After the Gophers locked up an NCAA bid by beating Indiana yesterday, I said that I could really care less what happened against Illinois today. Yet, when the Minnesota drew within 20-22 late in the first half, within 51-53 with 6:00 left in the game, and within 53-56 at the 4:00 mark, I was really starting to care.

Knocking off the #1 team in the nation on a court that was far from neutral would have been amazing. While it didn’t quite happen – the Illini won 64-56 – it was nice to see the Gophers keep it close. The loss should not take away from Friday’s accomplishment in the slightest; if anything, it only adds to it. The Gophers again proved they’re an NCAA Tournament team, and we’re now less than 24 hours away from that becoming official.

The encouraging/frustrating thing is, the Gophers had some chances throughout. They turned the ball over 18 times and didn’t shoot it all that well (although they did make several timely shots). Most notably, they had a very poor rebounding game. Illinois outrebounded Minnesota 44-27 and grabbed 19 offensive boards.

That’s how the Illini survived a game in which they also were not real sharp. The Gopher defense held them to 36% shooting from the field and was the primary reason why they committed a very uncharacteristic 23 turnovers. Illinois was off its game, but the Gophers couldn’t quite capitalize.

After a typically quiet first half, Vincent Grier took over the game at times in the second and finished with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Behind more hot shooting from 3-point range, Aaron Robinson finished with 12 points and 6 assists. Jeff Hagen scored 10 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and blocked 3 shots while taking a beating inside. And Brent Lawson had a solid game with 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Again, this game should not be seen as a negative for the Gophers. While they weren’t sharp, they also weren’t intimidating. Each time the Illini began to pull away, the Gophers scrapped and clawed their way back into the game. They answered an Illini first-half 22-13 lead with a 7-0 run. They followed a 49-35 second-half deficit with an 11-1 run. And with six minutes left in the game, they made it all but even.

If harnessed properly, this game could be a nice boost for the Gophers heading into the NCAA Tournament. They already know they can compete with whomever they face in the 1st round, and now they have no reason to be intimidated by a highly seeded 2nd round opponent. Minnesota can now put all the worries aside and simply embrace the moment and play with a nothing-to-lose attitude.

Come Sunday night, we’ll know what path that attitude could take them on.

Here’s the box score.

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