Tuesday Night College Basketball, But Really A "Go Gophers"...Thread
What's everyones take? Do the Gophers stand a chance or is Indiana in cruise control to win and pretty much take the Conference title by themselves?
I think the Gophers need a lot of things to go right in order for them to win; a lot of things that I don't think will happen. I half think they may be set-up better than Illinois was to beat a team like Indiana, and Illinois of course pulled it off. So, never say never.
Get 'em Goldy..
February 26th, 2013 at 7:00 PM ^
Minnesota is exactly the type of team Indiana would struggle with.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:02 PM ^
I watched Minnesota's last two games. They looked like a team in complete disarray. However, the same was true of Illinois before its stunner over the Hoosiers. Maybe it can happen again? Minnesota did give IU all it could handle back in early January.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:07 PM ^
If the Gophers can cut down on the turnovers, they are still a dangerous team. That being said, Indiana is not the team to remedy that malady against.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:07 PM ^
This is the kind of game Minnesota can win...it just seems like "too perfect" of a scenario though. I have my doubts, but I'll be going for that team wearing gold/maize.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:09 PM ^
Mathematically there is hope for Michigan. Come on you Gophers!
February 26th, 2013 at 7:09 PM ^
The only team that is capable of beating Indiana is Michigan, which is unfortunate because when Indiana wins all games prior to the last one against us and if M wins the rest, we still won't get a share of the title. Sucks but that is how it's going to be. We just need to hope to win the Big Ten Tournament and try to get a one seed, but likely we are looking at a two seed, assuming we have one more loss maximum in the regular season.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:10 PM ^
Dakich tonight.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:12 PM ^
It wouldn't shock me if this Minnesota team made it to the Elite 8. They're that good. I actually have IU, Michigan, MSU, and Minnesota in the Elite 8. OSU in the Sweet 16.
Definitely some bias...but I just think these teams are THAT good.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:14 PM ^
This may be the year a team can lose by 23 and win it all (us) due to the parity around the country, so who am I to argue that a team who has lost 8 of its last 11 will make the Elite 8. If they can get back to form, they have a shot.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:19 PM ^
Well I had that prediction months ago, so I'm not going to go back now...they're talented enough.
My preseason Final 4 was IU, Syracuse, Michigan and Gonzaga...currently that's 3 of the top 4 teams in the country so I'm definitely not going against that.
But you're right, it's wide open. I still think a team like VCU could get deep in the tourney again.
I highly suggest everyone to wait until you see the matchups before putting money on ANYTHING.
For example Miami, they're a final 4 team. But if they've got Wisconsin in their bracket...they're done.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:46 PM ^
I'd be surprised if Syracuse made it to the Sweet 16 let alone the final four. They get burned early in the tournament every year since Carmello.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:13 PM ^
Nebraska is playing Wisconsin tonight, we are both 10-4 in the conference.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:16 PM ^
If Wisconsin is playing Nebraska, the Badgers are 11-4. But then I suppose Michigan is 11-4 also with the PSU game all but pre-determined.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:16 PM ^
EAST (Washington, DC)
- Philadelphia
- San Jose
-
5Wisconsin
12AKRON
4Oklahoma St
13BUCKNELL
- Lexington
- Auburn Hills
-
7UCLA
10Saint Mary's
2Michigan
15NIAGARA
February 26th, 2013 at 7:17 PM ^
I would be ok with that bracket.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:22 PM ^
I'd actually be disappointed if we didn't win it.
That said, Louisville would give us trouble. We don't do well vs. pressure. I'd almost rather play Syracuse than L'ville just because I think we can shoot over any zone. Fullcourt man-to-man? Yikes. That game could truly go any way possible.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:46 PM ^
Really? I wouldn't like it. Ucla/St Marys is a tough second round game. Louisville would be the most dangerous 3 imo and Duke(who will have Ryan Kelly back) will be super dangerous.
February 26th, 2013 at 8:08 PM ^
The second round is tough but not impossible. We are better than those two teams. And really any 1-3 seed is going to be tough to beat. I think this bracket has a pretty easy setup to the Elite 8.
February 26th, 2013 at 8:03 PM ^
I like Sparty's matchups in their bracket...they have Arizona as the 3
February 26th, 2013 at 7:15 PM ^
Pretty good start.
That was a bad shot by Hollis before the break. And Hulls, I honestly can't think of a missed three-pointer I've seen outta him. Helluva threat to have on the floor, even with his deficiencies.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:20 PM ^
To be honest, since the butler game, I don't think his defense has been as terrible as people make it out to be. And his 3 point shooting is absolutely lethal.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:17 PM ^
Mbakwe is a beast, that's all I have to add.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:18 PM ^
What a block on Zeller!
February 26th, 2013 at 7:23 PM ^
It's official....Mbakwe is in Beast Mode tonight.
Edit: And so is Jordan Hulls (ughh)
February 26th, 2013 at 7:19 PM ^
Mblockwe? Didn't see anyone take that yet.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:19 PM ^
Zeller.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:19 PM ^
Regarding posts above (but in an open thread, not wanting to derail things with a response up there), Minnesota is a very talented team.
But people up here have zero confidence in them right now. They are struggling to beat bad teams and getting smoked by good ones. This is a perfect situation for an upset (talented team, at home, mid-week game, Indiana due for a loss) but Minnesota hasn't shown anything remotely close to the form they would need to beat Indiana in recent weeks. They've basically been a disaster since Michigan beat them. A win tonight would be a big shock.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:27 PM ^
sjrk?
February 26th, 2013 at 8:09 PM ^
Duluth. We get the Fan on repeater, FWIW.
February 26th, 2013 at 8:14 PM ^
So do we.
Give a shout next time you're in town.
February 26th, 2013 at 10:30 PM ^
Likewise. It's pretty here in the summer.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:19 PM ^
I'm scared to let my children watch this game. If it were a video game, it would be rated M.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:19 PM ^
extolling the virtues of Hulls 'quick release',meanwhile Dakich's wife is thinking 'yeah you know a lot about 'quick releases.'
February 26th, 2013 at 7:21 PM ^
How is it ESPN lets Dakich do IU games.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:34 PM ^
How do they let him do ANY games?
He is terrible. Harder to listen to than Vitale IMO.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:22 PM ^
Does Tubby think his 1/2 second stare is going to intimidate anyone? You gotta send a message to the refs and get every call thereafter.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:22 PM ^
And just like that, Minnesota has lost any chance they had of winning the game. I hope I'm wrong, but wasting an energetic start and losing the lead shortly thereafter bodes poorly.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:25 PM ^
Long way to go my friend.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:26 PM ^
If they were playing Northwestern or Iowa or Illinois.....yes. You can't give up momentum at home against the #1 team in the country. Minnesota is done, mark it down.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:27 PM ^
to go.
February 26th, 2013 at 9:36 PM ^
Good call Butterfield...
February 27th, 2013 at 9:55 AM ^
Very happy to be proven an idiot!
February 26th, 2013 at 7:29 PM ^
They're down 2 with the ball midway through the first half...let's relax on calling the game over.
February 26th, 2013 at 9:32 PM ^
Yeah, this didn't turn out so well. Bonus points for courageous predictions, though.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:28 PM ^
Mmm, back to back offensive turnovers for Minny.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:31 PM ^
only down one...
February 26th, 2013 at 7:31 PM ^
Get that weak S*** out of here Zeller. Dang it would be nice if we had someone to protect the rim.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:33 PM ^
He doesn't get blocks, but he protects the rim by taking 1-2 charges every game.
It'll be nice to have him healthy. Hopefully we can sit him vs. PSU and get him 100% after that game.
If healthy, we're a top 3 team in the country. I promise you.
February 26th, 2013 at 7:31 PM ^
Can someone ask him to stay off the damn court. Every game he is 2-3 feet out on the floor.