Preview: Gophers vs. Wisconsin

It’s hard to believe after their 0-6 conference start, but things are actually starting to get a little bit interesting for the Gophers. If they can win their last 3 games, they’ll actually be in decent position to make the NCAA Tournament. And even wins in 2 of their last 3 will at least keep the dream on life support. So, needless to say, Sunday afternoon’s game at Wisconsin is a biggie.

I probably don’t need to remind Gopher fans what happened in these teams’ first meeting of the season. The Gophers got off to the coldest start I’ve ever seen ““ missing 20 of their first 21 shots ““ but they actually came back to take a lead late in the game. But in crunch time, Minnesota came up with two empty possessions that could have clinched the game while the Badgers hit the one big shot they needed to escape The Barn with a 64-62 victory. So this one’s about revenge just as much as it’s about getting a crucial road victory.

Since that first game, the Badgers have had some rough spots of their own. They had a string of 5 losses in 6 games including a shocking one at home to North Dakota State. They then rallied to beat a fading Indiana team and get an important road win at Penn State, but Thursday night’s loss at Northwestern should have them questioning themselves a bit once again. The Badgers are still a solid 8-5 in conference play, but with two very difficult road games to end the season, a loss here would hurt them almost as much as a victory would help Minnesota.

Here are my Gopher Keys of the Game:

1. Try to Tame Tucker. Alando Tucker had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the first meeting and dominated the Gophers late in the game after being somewhat contained early on. He’s also Wisconsin’s leading scorer on the season at 19 ppg. The Gophers need to make him work for his points. They need to keep him off the free throw line and stop him from getting good post position inside.

2. No 3s. Wisconsin’s outside shooting hasn’t been real consistent in their recent up and down play, but they can definitely be dangerous when on. Tucker can hit them on occasion, Kammron Taylor (15 ppg) is very dangerous, Brian Butch (10 ppg) can step out and knock them down on occasion, and so can Ray Nixon (6 ppg) and Michael Flowers (6 ppg). The Gophers have been doing a very good job of rotating defensively lately, and they need to do that again to keep the Badgers from getting open looks on Sunday.

3. Step Up. There’s no doubt Minnesota can play with the Badgers. They showed that in the first meeting, and their recent results show that as well. The Gopher players simply need to believe it and do it. They need Adam Boone and Jamal Abu-Shamala to be hot from outside. They need Spencer Tollackson to be assertive inside. And they need Vincent Grier, Moe Hargrow, and Dan Coleman to play like they’re capable of. Nobody can take the day off, and everybody has to play like it’s do-or-die.

Call me stupid, but for some reason I have some optimism heading into this game. It’s partly because the Gophers have been playing much improved basketball lately, partly because Wisconsin has had some struggles, partly because of what happened in the first meeting, and partly just a hunch. I can’t help but think back to how Grier absolutely dominated Wisconsin in Minneapolis last year and think about how he’s long overdue to have a game like that this season. If ever there were a time to do it, this would be it. My prediction: Minnesota 67 Wisconsin 64.

Talk about the game on our Gopher Basketball message board.