Minnesota had a chance to turn a signature win into real momentum. Instead, the Gophers let it slip away.
Just days after knocking off No. 10 Michigan State at Williams Arena, a result that felt like it could spark something meaningful — Minnesota couldn’t deliver the follow-up. A 67–62 home loss to Maryland halted the momentum and turned what could have been a defining stretch into another frustrating reminder of how hard it has been for this program to stack success.
Late in the game, the Gophers were right where they needed to be. After Maryland grabbed the lead on a deep, off-the-dribble three with under 30 seconds to play, Isaac Asuma pushed the ball up the floor and found Jaylen Crocker-Johnson in the right corner. Crocker-Johnson drove hard to the basket, used the glass, and saw the attempt roll off the rim. It was a strong look and likely the last real chance to steal the game back. The miss effectively sealed the outcome.
That’s what made the loss sting even more. Beating Michigan State had injected life into the season and gave fans hope that the Gophers could make a late push. At 4–8 in conference play entering the Maryland game, a win would have brought them closer to the middle of the pack and set up a stretch of winnable games. Instead, the opportunity disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived.
This has been the theme for Minnesota. The Gophers have shown they can rise to the moment, already collecting impressive wins over ranked opponents this season. When the energy is high and the focus is sharp, they’ve proven they can compete with anyone. But sustaining that level has been the challenge. Following a huge emotional win with a flat performance is the kind of pattern that keeps a team from taking the next step.
Minnesota led for much of the second half but couldn’t generate enough offense late. Asuma delivered one of his best shooting performances of the year and paced the team, yet the Gophers struggled to find consistent production elsewhere when it mattered most. Maryland capitalized on physical play inside and made key shots down the stretch.
For a program trying to build under a first-year head coach, the Michigan State win should have been a launching point. Instead, the Maryland loss turned it into a missed opportunity, the kind that lingers as the season winds toward March.