Preview: Minnesota vs. Illinois

A mere two days after suffering a six point loss to rival Wisconsin, the Gophers get right back at it in an attempt to continue its role as a Big Ten spoiler ““ a role Minnesota has played well this year, especially at home. But beating a fourth consecutive ranked opponent at home will be no easy task as the Fighting Illini bring 23-5 record, and the history of serving as the only Big Ten team Coach Dan Monson has never defeated.

The Tuesday night nationally televised game marks the ceremonious end to of an era for five Gophers ““ seniors Vincent Grier, J’son Stamper, Adam Boone, Maurice Hargrow and Zach Puchtel. It will be an emotionally charged night, and the Gophers will need all they can to derail the Illini’s hopes at catching first place Ohio State.

For the Gophers to win, here are the keys to the game:

1. Ride the wave of emotion. Most likely Monson will insert Hargrow into the starting lineup replacing Jamal Abu Shamala ensuring that all five seniors start the game. With family and friends in attendance and a nationally televised audience, emotions will be running high. The key for the Gophers is to use this emotion constructively. Time and time again seniors get too emotional which can have destructive results, but a few early buckets will go a long ways in Minnesota creating a hostile environment.

2. Limit the runs. Illinois has the ability to score in bunches. If Minnesota lets up for a minute here or there, the Illini have the athletes to put up points in bunches in a very short period of time. The Gophers must limit this to stay in the game.

3. Hit at least 6 three-pointers. The number is somewhat arbitrary, but the Gophers will need to get hot from three-point land against Illinois. Between Boone, Shamala, Rico Tucker and Hargrow, I hope we can at least get six three-pointers.

It will be an emotionally charged Barn on Tuesday night and a great opportunity for the senior class to leave one last mark on the home crowd. We’ve beat three ranked teams in a row at The Barn and we can’t lose to Illinois forever (or at least I hope not)”¦for those reasons I am going to defy most logic. My prediction: Gophers 76 Illinois 72