Preview: Gophers vs. Badgers

There is good news and there is bad news following the ugly loss on Saturday. The good news is the Gophers only have to wait a couple of days to try to get back on track and avenge the Northwestern loss. To do it against rival Wisconsin only makes it that much better and more difficult. The bad news is that like Northwestern, Wisconsin is a very well coached team but with a more talented roster.

This is not the Badger program of years past relying on ugly low-scoring games. Instead it features Alando Tucker, who has one of the most complete games in the Big Ten, Brian Butch, who was one of the most heralded recruits from a few years ago, an improving Kam Taylor who always plays with a little extra when he plays his hometown Gophers, Greg Stiemsma who like Butch is a highly touted big man, and Joe Krabbenhoft who was the highest rated 2005 Big Ten recruit and the son of a self-proclaimed die-hard Gopher fan (he sang The Rouser to Joe each night when he was a child).

Last year the Gophers had one of their best games of the year when they beat the Badgers 60-50 in front of a rocking Barn. In that game Vincent Grier put on one of the most incredible one-man performances as he finished with 32 points and absolutely dominated former Reedsburg High School star, Clayton Hanson.

But the 2005-06 Gophers have struggled to complete a full 40 minutes of basketball and the Badgers seem to be right in stride for Big Ten play. Here are the keys to the game for the Gophers:

1. Gold Rush. I am not talking about the intended goal of having all Gopher fans in “œgold”, but rather the “œgold rush” of the halfcourt trap. This trap was extremely successful last year against Wisconsin as they committed 17 turnovers and really got to Taylor, who pushed too much to impress his many friends and family in attendance. The Gophers need to get back to this trap, which allows Grier and Maurice Hargrow to get into the open floor, where they are both so effective.

2. Quick Start. Northwestern took it to the Gophers on the opening tip and we never recovered. The crowd never had a chance to get into the game and we had to play catch up for 40 minutes. We have to come out strong and get the crowd involved early.

3. A Must Need Win. I don’t believe that a January 10 game is a “œmust win” game, but I do believe this is as close as we can get this early in the conference season. With the Big Ten featuring a 3-4 Tourney guarantees and another 3-4 Tourney-worthy teams, it is imperative to avenge a conference opening home loss. With that, the Gophers need to show a sense of urgency for 40 minutes.

While I think we are capable of winning this game, we have yet to put 40 minutes together this year. That is large part due to us starting 10 different lineups in 12 games. We need continuity and we need to put 40 minutes together. No better time to do it than on national TV against a nationally ranked rival. But until we put that 40 minutes together, I remain cautious.

Prediction: Wisconsin 74 Minnesota 67

I hope I’m wrong.