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GameThread: Minnesota v. Michigan State

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan St. Spartans, Mar 13, 2009 11:00 AM CDT


Since taking over the Gophers last season, Tubby Smith is 0-4 against Tom Izzo. Will that change today?

If it does, it will be because the Gophers hold their own on the boards, protect the basketball to limit MSU's transition game and shoot better than 30 percent from three.

The experts say the Gophers are in the NCAA Tournament either way. But to be safe, a win against Michigan State today would virtually seal an invitation.

Yesterday, I wrote the Gophers needed someone to step up on offense other than Lawrence Westbrook. Devron Bostick answered that call. If the Gophers are to win, we need another player from Tubby's deep bench to answer the call. My money is on Paul Carter today.

I should be here throughout. Gametime is  Noon eastern time. The game will be carried by ESPN.

Go Gophers!

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Repeat question

Does anyone else see a similarity between Westbrook and the old NBA champ Vinnie “the microwave” Johnson?? Almost exact physique and game. I would use Westbrook exactly the same way those NBA coaches did Johnson. I am dating myself but he played in the 80’s.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 13, 2009 9:42 AM CDT reply actions  

Good point.

I’m old enough, too, to remember what a great “sixth man” Vinnie was. He could come in cold off the bench and deliver a clutch performance, especially near the end of the game.

by COJOMAY on Mar 13, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions  

suggestion

I would suggest that Blake Hoff get a hold of a Manu Ginobilli highlight tape. Manu is the NBA all-star for the SA Spurs. They both look alike, same size, same #2 guard spot, left-handed, etc. This would be a great player for Blake to emulate.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 13, 2009 9:57 AM CDT reply actions  

Gophers a lock?

I don’t think so. The committee would have to put 8 Big Ten Teams into the tourney for them to be a lock. It’s possible, but I don’t think it’s gonna happen. Too many people around the country don’t like the Big Ten style of play. They want to see more “wide-open” basketball. Now, if the Gophers would win today…well then…
LOCK!

by COJOMAY on Mar 13, 2009 10:05 AM CDT reply actions  

I know 8 teams seems like a lot. ....

But the Big Ten was downright awesome in the non-conference slate. That’s why we’ll get 8.

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Mar 13, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions  

Gophers are already in....

…..Lunardi doesn’t even have them on the “last 4 teams” bubble, and two of those teams (Arizona and New Mexico) lost last night.

by JG2112 on Mar 13, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions  

agree

I agree with you cojo—-I do feel the conditions are ripe for an upset today.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 13, 2009 10:12 AM CDT reply actions  

6OTs

Was watching on justintv in the office, then in the bed, then hat to slither out as the laptop went out of batteries so back to the office.

It was great until the 6th, at that point it started to look NBA all-star esque. Which is understandable. I hope we don’t draft Thabeet.

by InflectionPoint on Mar 13, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions  

Thabeet

Actually would make a pretty sick frontline down there, it’s just I still feel like we need another true weapon. Thabeet at best Mutombo like ceiling. Wishful thinking that we’ll land an immediate difference maker, so I probably have too high of wishes.

by InflectionPoint on Mar 13, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions  

Just think.....

…..instant replay caused millions of people to lose 2 hours of sleep last night. They should have just counted the 3 at the end of regulation.

by JG2112 on Mar 13, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions  

agreed

I said the same thing last night!

by GreasyLlama on Mar 13, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions  

ah yes

thanks for live bloggin PJs, I appreciate it

by Graham Filler on Mar 13, 2009 11:18 AM CDT reply actions  

Tubby-Bostick

that whole apology thing is a bit odd. I appreciate the candidness, but doesn’t excuse what maybe was a player we needed.

by InflectionPoint on Mar 13, 2009 11:19 AM CDT reply actions  

So sayeth Myron

From his blog – “Minnesota coach Tubby Smith said that he had to apologize to Bostick recently for not playing him more often. Smith said he’s been so focused on Bostick’s defensive lapses that he’s sometimes failed to realize how much his offense could help the team. We’ll see if he gets some more minutes against Michigan State Friday.”

That’s not ok to me.

by InflectionPoint on Mar 13, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions  

Interesting

Commentary from Down With Goldy who actually traded IM’s with Bostick yesterday and asked if he might transfer because of PT issues

Visit my D2 Baseball Blog - Northern Sun Baseball

by FishingMN on Mar 13, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions  

Even if we lose

I hope we keep it close. It will bode better for building confidence for next week.

Visit my D2 Baseball Blog - Northern Sun Baseball

by FishingMN on Mar 13, 2009 11:29 AM CDT reply actions  

They need to get the ball into Sampson

and doesn’t even look like they are trying to

Check out my blog - thefourthstrike.blogspot.com

by duckman86 on Mar 13, 2009 11:31 AM CDT reply actions  

JUCOs

have 11 points for us right now.

by rencito on Mar 13, 2009 11:41 AM CDT reply actions  

Foul Fest

2 Fouls each:

MSU: Morgan, Souton, Gray

UM: DJ, Nolen, Bostick

What the hell is going on?

by rencito on Mar 13, 2009 11:43 AM CDT reply actions  

The Refs

are going to decide this game, aren’t they?

by rencito on Mar 13, 2009 11:44 AM CDT reply actions  

If people are getting fouled....

….should they just let it slide? rules are rules….

by JG2112 on Mar 13, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

We need to make the free throws if we are going to stay in it

6-13 so far

Check out my blog - thefourthstrike.blogspot.com

by duckman86 on Mar 13, 2009 11:45 AM CDT reply actions  

Watch

I don’t know if this has been posted, but if you’re stuck at work the game is streaming here:

http://www.justin.tv/mineshaft

by DownwithGoldy on Mar 13, 2009 11:47 AM CDT reply actions  

Free Throws and 3's

6-13 from the line
2-7 from the arc

by rencito on Mar 13, 2009 11:48 AM CDT reply actions  

Thank God

RSIII learned how to shoot FTs

by rencito on Mar 13, 2009 11:50 AM CDT reply actions  

Agreed

You’re not allowed to slide under a man in the air.

by JRose on Mar 13, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions  

They don't ....

…know the charge rule. Watch Tyler Hansbrough, he gets 2 charges a game because he’s Tyler Hansbrough, a hard-working Matt Harpring kind of kid with the love of Vitale.

by JG2112 on Mar 13, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

Why does that always happen?

It seems like we always give up baskets at the buzzer

by rencito on Mar 13, 2009 11:56 AM CDT reply actions  

Pretty Even

I like our position. We have every chance to win this game.

by rencito on Mar 13, 2009 11:57 AM CDT reply actions  

he tried to use only one hand

had to use two

Check out my blog - thefourthstrike.blogspot.com

by duckman86 on Mar 13, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

Two bad turnovers in a row

First was Carter, who was the second?

by JRose on Mar 13, 2009 12:31 PM CDT reply actions  

Uh oh

Va Tech is playing like they want a bid.T hey are leading North Carolina with about 10 minutes left

A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance

Hammer & Rails

by BoilerTMill on Mar 13, 2009 12:31 PM CDT reply actions  

Anyone notice DJ has a big shiner on his eye

when did that happen

Check out my blog - thefourthstrike.blogspot.com

by duckman86 on Mar 13, 2009 12:37 PM CDT reply actions  

No he can make those, he is 37.5% on the year

He would be our best outside shooter with that number

Check out my blog - thefourthstrike.blogspot.com

by duckman86 on Mar 13, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions  

Just keep it close

A blowout might not look good

Visit my D2 Baseball Blog - Northern Sun Baseball

by FishingMN on Mar 13, 2009 12:41 PM CDT reply actions  

Va Tech

this va tech action is not, not good.

by InflectionPoint on Mar 13, 2009 12:41 PM CDT reply actions  

Va Tech ticks me off

I don’t think teams that finish under .500 in league play should be invited unless they wint eh conference tourney.

A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance

Hammer & Rails

by BoilerTMill on Mar 13, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions  

I don't think winning a conference tourney

should justify an NCAA bid. I prefer the automatic bid be for the regular season title. A 4-day run can negate 5 months of basketball? It’s an absurd proposition.

by JG2112 on Mar 13, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions  

There's nothing wrong with losing heavily

to the number 6 team in the nation when you are ranked in the 20s. That means you are what everyone thought you were.

by JG2112 on Mar 13, 2009 12:42 PM CDT reply actions  

especially when you

had a game 24 hours ago and the other team was sitting around playing ps3.

by JG2112 on Mar 13, 2009 12:42 PM CDT reply actions  

To beat MSU you have to score from the outside

and that is not an option for the Gophers

Check out my blog - thefourthstrike.blogspot.com

by duckman86 on Mar 13, 2009 12:57 PM CDT reply actions  

UNC Pulled it out over VT

Check out my blog - thefourthstrike.blogspot.com

by duckman86 on Mar 13, 2009 1:07 PM CDT reply actions  

Helpful

I know they say we’re good… but boy I’ll be cheering against wisky bigtime now.

by InflectionPoint on Mar 13, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

Penn State losing would help us more

Check out my blog - thefourthstrike.blogspot.com

by duckman86 on Mar 13, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

Made it interesting

When they got it to 5 – needed to hit every shot from then on to have a shot

Visit my D2 Baseball Blog - Northern Sun Baseball

by FishingMN on Mar 13, 2009 1:09 PM CDT reply actions  

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