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Around SBN: NCAA Tournament Bubble Watch

Gophers vs. Muskateers of Xavier - OPEN THREAD

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Xavier Musketeers, Mar 19, 2010 11:25 AM CDT


There were several upsets yesterday, can the Gophers add to the list of double-digit seeds winning?  It is pretty interesting when you look all over the internet there is a distinct split between who picks the Gophers to win and who is suggesting Xavier will win.

Virtually every prediction by a human (columnist, blogger, President, etc) is picking Xavier to win.  While basically every computer model or statistical prediction has the Gophers winning or at least ranked higher than the Muskateers.  Kind of an interesting difference.  I guess Xavier passes the "eye test", whatever that means.

I'm not going to spent too much time getting into his game in depth.  We know that Minnesota is playing better over the last couple weeks.  But we are still not exactly consistent, nobody knows which Gopher team will show up.  I'm peacefully confident as I sit here thinking about the game.  I know that Xavier is very good and they are used to the NCAA Tournament.  I know they are balanced and talented.  I know they shoot the three well and they rebound well.  And I know we typically struggle struggle defending the three and rebounding.  But I still feel OK about this game.

Keys to the Game

  1. And I used #1 for a reason.  This is the big one.  Get Blake Hoffarber going.  When he scores 11 points or more we are undefeated this year, 14-0 by my count (20-1 if you go back to last year).  That stat is hard to ignore and it's not a coincidence.  When he is shooting the ball well defenses have to focus on him.  And when they do then things are a little bit easier for Lawrence Westbrook, Devoe Joseph and Ralph Sampson.  Hoffarber hasn't had a good game in several games so hopefully Xavier is spending more time gameplanning for the rest of our backcourt and The Hoff will get several good looks.  I also know the Muskateers play good team defense and nothing will come easy.  But the one thing that is very clear to me is that Hoffarber needs some open looks and he needs to hit them.
  2. Defend Jordan Crawford!  Duh, right?  Slow down the guy who scores 19 points per game, BRILLIANT!  But so very true.  Crawford may get quite a few points but he needs to really earn them.  Make him work for everything.  
  3. Establish the Paint.  Sampson and Colten Iverson need to be physical and dominate the paint.  Xavier's Jason Love is a big guy.  At 6-9, 265 lbs expect Love to really by physical with our big men.  I'm not as concerned about our centers scoring, but we need to rebound and we need to defend.  Don't let Love control the boards or have his way offensively in the lane.  He is a load and we need to be prepared for him.
  4. Defend the Three.  Xavier shoots the three well, we often go in stretches where we choose to not defend shooters.  If we don't get out and get a hand in the face of every shooter, we will get run out of the gym.  This is non-negotiable.

So if I list enough keys to the game I'm sure at least a couple of them will be right.  I'm excited for the game.  According to FanMatch, which used 23 psychological and emotional factors to determine the best games to watch, we are the game to watch tomorrow.

I'm not sure if this will work in the Mpls market but her is the link to watch the game through CBS MMOD.

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6'9" 265?

Pound the ball into the paint. That has huge game for Colt45 written all over it.

Everyone fails. The successful learn from their failures. I just wish we'd quit giving ourselves so many learning opportunities.

by WhiteSpeedReceiver on Mar 19, 2010 10:25 AM CDT reply actions  

and Houdini act for Ralph Sampson

written all over it. He struggles against big/strong posts

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions  

I disagree with #1

I think the most important is #4. We have won without Hoffarber down the stretch.

6 vs Indiana
3 vs Illinois
9 vs Iowa
6 vs Penn St
3 vs Purdue

I do agree that he helps a lot for all the reasons you mentioned above. However, when we don’t defend the perimeter, we get lit up. Our last 6 losses:

OSU: 12-22
Mich: 8-19
Purdue: 7-20
NWU: 13-36
Mich: 7-14
OSU: 9-20

That is a total of almost 43% from beyond the arc. Way too high. Four of those six losses weren’t even close (Michigan twice, OSU twice).

After defending the perimeter, getting rebounds is the next biggest thing. It doesn’t do us much good if Xavier misses a lot of 3’s only to get the offensive board. As has been the case most of the season, our defensive play dictates whether or not we will be in the game. When it is good, it is very good. When it is bad, it is very bad.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 11:07 AM CDT reply actions  

CBS in Dallas

Is showing West Virginia/Morgan State right now. I hope that’s just because the Minnesota game hasn’t tipped off yet.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 11:18 AM CDT reply actions  

they said they will switch when our game starts.

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions  

wow

go Morgan State!

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions  

I think Bo Ryan is starting the Tubby rumors

he can’t beat Tubby or outrecruit him anymore

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:22 AM CDT reply actions  

the boys are EXCITED

this game is going to be fun

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:25 AM CDT reply actions  

nervous.

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Mar 19, 2010 11:25 AM CDT reply actions  

not as empty as some arenas

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions  

Huh

I thought tickets were supposedly hard to come by?

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions  

Those early games often start empty

Speaking from my years of experience of attending opening round games.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 11:28 AM CDT reply actions  

Yay!

Game is on here in Austin.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 11:29 AM CDT reply actions  

damn, lost the tap, were done

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:30 AM CDT reply actions  

I'm not so sure about the zone

I like switching it up, but we are not disciplined enough

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:31 AM CDT reply actions  

yay we got the 3 were gonna win

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:31 AM CDT reply actions  

seriously

Hoffarber rarely hits the rim

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:32 AM CDT reply actions  

There is Hoffarber!

That means good things! But not the most important thing :)

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 11:32 AM CDT reply actions  

ha you might be right

but if he is scoring our whole offense is much better and can withstand decent shooting by Xavier

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions  

Gophers look good on the boards so far

Playing with intensity. I feel like we sometimes get lackadaisical and that leads to blowouts (see Michigan and Ohio State this year).

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 11:33 AM CDT reply actions  

We will need Colton or Ralph to come thru on this one

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:34 AM CDT reply actions  

ultimately

we need several guys to play well.

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions  

Westbrook doing pretty good on Crawford

so far. at least no points for 55

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:34 AM CDT reply actions  

Nice play by Westbrook

to get that loose rebound.

And nice little touch by Sampson!!!

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 11:34 AM CDT reply actions  

we seem like we want it more so far

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:35 AM CDT reply actions  

Good defense by Joseph

And Hoff missed a wide open 3. That won’t happen much. But if he is getting those looks, that is a great thing.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 11:35 AM CDT reply actions  

yup

if he get 2 wide open looks every 5 min that will mean big points for him

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions  

Agree

I think he thought he saw an open pass at first and then decided to shoot.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions  

hack a Colton

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:36 AM CDT reply actions  

Nice physical play by Colt

I agree, Crow, we look like we want it.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 11:36 AM CDT reply actions  

think so

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:37 AM CDT reply actions  

Morgan State is playing well

that could have been us had they not had about 10 min to warm up before the game

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:40 AM CDT reply actions  

Colt & Ralph

Not a good start for our big men.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 11:41 AM CDT reply actions  

GREAT helpside block

by Iverson.

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:42 AM CDT reply actions  

carter is playing well too

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:43 AM CDT reply actions  

awesome

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions  

very nice

I’m saving that to my hard drive for future use

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions  

our posts have done

nothing on offense

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:43 AM CDT reply actions  

Holding their own

On the defensive glass though

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions  

DG Turnovers

TAKE CARE OF THE BALL

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:45 AM CDT reply actions  

getting sloppy

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:45 AM CDT reply actions  

Looking nervous

Gophers need to relax and start moving the ball around confidently on offense.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 11:46 AM CDT reply actions  

agreed

we can’t even get a shot off anymore

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions  

nice answer

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:50 AM CDT reply actions  

I can't believe he made that

He wasn’t even set. He has so much talent, it is scary.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions  

Iverson needs to get something done

on #32

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:51 AM CDT reply actions  

we've got some life in us again

I hope they stick with the two post for a while

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:52 AM CDT reply actions  

nice!!

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:53 AM CDT reply actions  

game of runs

6-8
Xavier goes on 9-0 run
Minnesota goes on 9-0 run

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:54 AM CDT reply actions  

5 blocks

three in the last couple minutes

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:54 AM CDT reply actions  

I think Sampson/Iverson

have combined for 5 blocks already.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 11:54 AM CDT reply actions  

Zavveer

is shooting 19% for the game!

that’s not going to stay constant so we need to start controlling tempo

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:55 AM CDT reply actions  

If our D

is good enough it will stay constant, like for Purdue

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions  

Iverson is gassed

I have seen this before—-he is playing hard but needs a breather.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 19, 2010 11:56 AM CDT reply actions  

good thing

NCAA games have a ton of long timeouts

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions  

Has it ever?

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that shot work for him.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

once or twice

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

Ralph needs to get a basket

one easy one then watching start owning the paint

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:02 PM CDT reply actions  

it will

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:03 PM CDT reply actions  

clang!!

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 12:04 PM CDT reply actions  

that looked like a charge to me

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:06 PM CDT reply actions  

on the replay he seemed to be moving

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yes

He jumped in the air before contact

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

especially

when you are only being guarded by one guy, drive to the hoop and draw the foul

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

Ralph's got the jitters

he needs an easy one to settle down

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:07 PM CDT reply actions  

he's 1/6

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

Bostick is coming in

do you suppose it’s for Ralph?

are we going small?

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:08 PM CDT reply actions  

maybe going man to man? I like the zone tho

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions  

Finally

Hoffarber hits another one

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:13 PM CDT reply actions  

Attaboy Carter

Nice hustle on that last play.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 12:14 PM CDT reply actions  

grab teh ball

too many loose balls ending up in their hands

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:15 PM CDT reply actions  

More unlucky than anything

Sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

I love the press

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:16 PM CDT reply actions  

Looks like

Westbrook will be our go to guy today

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 12:16 PM CDT reply actions  

and that my friends

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:16 PM CDT reply actions  

Well...

I think both teams should feel fortunate to be tied. This is a very ugly game.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:17 PM CDT reply actions  

I wouldn't say we are an ugly team

We can certainly be sloppy at times, but we don’t play like Iowa or Wisconsin.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

The breakdown...

The Good…

Westbrook – 15 pts
blocked shots – 7
def FG% – Xavier shooting 21%

The Bad

Sampson – 1/6 shooting
Johnson – foul trouble
Joseph – 0/2 with 2 turnovers

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:19 PM CDT reply actions  

bad...

McLean with 10 rebounds!! that’s got to stop

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

my official stat sheet

says 10 (so there Rencito!)

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

And 4 are offensive

We need to be better on the defensive glass!

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

yes he does

that is why Mbakwe would be so valuable. I want to see him clean the glass.

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

Westbrook

Also has 2 assists and 3 rebounds in the first half!

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:19 PM CDT reply actions  

Devoe

He had a bad first half against MSU last weekend and turned it around in the second. We need his offense in the second half.

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Mar 19, 2010 12:22 PM CDT reply actions  

Predictions for 2nd half?

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:23 PM CDT reply actions  

PJS just said it but I think Devoe has a big 2nd half along with Sampson. I fear that Westbrook thinks he’s “feeling it” and he’ll shoot poorly in the 2nd half.

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think we wear them down and win by 8

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

Westbrook played

a great first half. Tremendous effort on defense also.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 19, 2010 12:23 PM CDT reply actions  

A little off topic, but are you guys aware of all the Minnesota products in Jacksonville right now?

Three of Wofford’s best players are from Minnesota, Cornell’s leading scorer (and Ivy League POY) is from Eden Prairie, and then obviously Wisc. has Minnesota guys. It’s crazy.

Bucky's 5th Quarter. SB Nation's Wisconsin Badgers community.

by Adam Hoge on Mar 19, 2010 12:23 PM CDT reply actions  

I KNOW

I want to watch that game for the MN aspect.

I wonder what the connection is from Wofford to Minn?

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

Aldrich is a Minn kid too

he’s not in Jax but he’s on the best team in the country

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

LOL

Wisc will have their pick of Minn kids again when Tubby goes to Auburn.

Personally I think Bo Ryan is starting those rumors. He just can’t beat Tubby on teh court or in recruiting battle!

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions  

One team or the other will clean up their play

I hope it is us. I could see this being a 15 point game if only one team continues its sloppy play.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:25 PM CDT reply actions  

+1

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Mar 19, 2010 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

Gus Johnson

I really wish Gus Johnson was calling the Gopher game right now. He’s stuck on what’s turning into a blowout for West Virginia.

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 12:26 PM CDT reply actions  

I just enjoyed him getting all excited about Colton Iverson last week. Sometimes it’s nice to have an announcer that shows some enthusiasm.

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

Still time left

Close tourney games are decided in the last two minutes. Just keep the margin reasonable until then, and hope for a run.

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

I prefer Verne Lundquist

Gus is good, but he goes over-the-top too often in my opinion. Verne knows when to get excited.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think Verne is the ABSOLUTE worst

I will not listen to that man call a game. I absolutely despise him.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

Why?

I think Verne’s really good – plus he never tries to pull a Joe Buck and make himself bigger than the game.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

No, absolutely not

He is the worst. It is like he is watching a different game or he is senile, or both. His play by play is absolutely terrible. It is like he isn’t even paying attention to the game.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

+111111

Although he toned it down ever since he left the Timberwolves

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions  

Kevin Harlan rools

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'd also choose Kevin Harlan

If he was an option. Has he been calling any of the tournament games so far?

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

Devoe

for the first time I saw Devoe take it to the rim with dribble penetration and it rolled out——we need more of that—-Xavier is really overplaying on defense—guards have to penetrate and score, dish, or kick out.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 19, 2010 12:27 PM CDT reply actions  

Completely Agree

That could open up easy buckets for Iverson/Sampson/DJ…or Hoff from 3.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

Off-topic

Can’t the idiots going to Taco Bell in the commercials just look up at the menu board and see that the “special burrito” they want is up there?

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 12:31 PM CDT reply actions  

Also

Does anyone else think those Miller Lite commercials when the guy loves his beer but can’t say “I love you” to his girl are stupid? What ad agency thought that was a funny idea?

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

I wonder that often

About the ad agency or the brand manager who approves the ad. I’m actually going into brand management after my MBA, and I will be sure that I will not approve stupid commercials.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

the one with the girl asking if she were hanging off a cliff and who her boyfriend would save was a good one.

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

The commercial that is bothering me the most right now ...

is the McDonald’s Filet o Fish commercial. The fish is basically asking you not to eat him.

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Mar 19, 2010 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

The McDonald's dunkoff commercial w/LeBron and Howard

Would have been funny if Howard had won and LeBron then confiscated all the evidence.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

DJ Swat

with a great drive

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:38 PM CDT reply actions  

DJ Swat

with a great block

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:39 PM CDT reply actions  

Surprised Crawford's last shot

Didn’t hit the rafters. Enough of a rainbow there, Jamal.

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 12:40 PM CDT reply actions  

DJ Swat

with another basket!

I can just start copying and pasting

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:40 PM CDT reply actions  

ooo that was nice

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 12:40 PM CDT reply actions  

Nice play Johnson

if he gets his 3rd foul early, we are screwed.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:40 PM CDT reply actions  

Johnson

Just altered Xavier’s offense just by standing there with his arms up after the offensive board

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 12:40 PM CDT reply actions  

BOX OUT

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Mar 19, 2010 12:41 PM CDT reply actions  

Seriously. The defensive rebounding is pathetic today

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

yeah

on that drive everyone needs to get to the paint adn then rebound, not watch teh play happen

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

Too many follow-ups by Xavier

Come on, guys – get those defensive rebounds!

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 12:41 PM CDT reply actions  

we cannot play that fast

we really need to control tempo

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:42 PM CDT reply actions  

Crawford

Totally traveled on that play the commentators are gushing about.

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 12:42 PM CDT reply actions  

Yeah

I didn’t think you could hop and then take two steps.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

One quick thing:

Hawkeye State pointed something out to me: What’s a “Muskateer?” Is that like a Mousekateer? Or perhaps a Musketeer?

Everyone fails. The successful learn from their failures. I just wish we'd quit giving ourselves so many learning opportunities.

by WhiteSpeedReceiver on Mar 19, 2010 12:43 PM CDT reply actions  

nice

my three year old kept calling them the mousekateers

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions  

Sampson

Needs to take SOMETHING up strong… and he just does.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 12:43 PM CDT reply actions  

THERE was Sampson's easy one

nice play by Hoffarber

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:43 PM CDT reply actions  

Sampson!

He can dunk, apparently.

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 12:43 PM CDT reply actions  

DEVOE

answering and quieting the crowd! very nicely done

what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher

by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:44 PM CDT reply actions  

I was watching the first half from a restaurant, and it seemed slightly more pro-Gopher

But I’m biased and may have heard what I wanted to hear.

Everyone fails. The successful learn from their failures. I just wish we'd quit giving ourselves so many learning opportunities.

by WhiteSpeedReceiver on Mar 19, 2010 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

I don't think so

they are concentrated so they are loud and together. But I think there are more Gopher fans

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

no cause if he misses then the game goes on without the necessary TV timeout

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions  

I am still not sold on Hoff at the #3 spot

we give up so much on defense and on the boards with him at the 3.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 19, 2010 12:47 PM CDT reply actions  

Wow

Nice rebounding from Hoff right there – like he heard you :)

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions  

Ha

you say that and he pulls down a nice rebound

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

agreed

Mbakwe at the 4
Johnson at the 3

would be awesome

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

Lovel the 5 point possession

stole all the momentum that Xavier had

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:49 PM CDT reply actions  

I dont' like our zone

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:50 PM CDT reply actions  

Agree

Xavier loves the three – we’re basically inviting them to beat us with it.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

wow

refs are in awe of Crawford

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:52 PM CDT reply actions  

this is getting away from us

need a run here

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:52 PM CDT reply actions  

Westbrook

Trying too hard to do it himself.

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 12:52 PM CDT reply actions  

that's waht I was afraid of

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

No one else is doing anything

Besides, that was a pretty good look he had.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

Xavier is just owning us on offense

we can’t stop or slow them

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:54 PM CDT reply actions  

except Iverson

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

agreed

I don’t like a three with no passes or shot clock run. He can get that look later in the possession

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

Devoe generally shooting

Is questionable for me – he’s only at a 40% clip from the field.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

Cornell is shooting 61% against Temple

Temple is like 3rd in the country if FG % def. Cornell is first in FG% offense

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:57 PM CDT reply actions  

hate it

we get sucked in too much, they’ll get open shots all day

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

Out of bounds calls

Have been absolutely god-awful today. The refs need to get their act together on those.

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 12:59 PM CDT reply actions  

This just isn't our day

It seems like every bounce and every borderline call is going against us

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 12:59 PM CDT reply actions  

does it come acros on TV?

just how Xavier can do wahtever they want on offense?

I feel lucky to be down just 6

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:00 PM CDT reply actions  

WOW

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:00 PM CDT reply actions  

Hoffarber

Needs to do more to get open. He’s barely moving around.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 1:01 PM CDT reply actions  

Have to start taking the ball at Frese. Get him in foul trouble and out of the game.

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 1:02 PM CDT reply actions  

Holloway can handle the rock

he’s impressive

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:03 PM CDT reply actions  

I don't think we can win this one

They look like they want it more now.

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 1:03 PM CDT reply actions  

yes

they maybe don’t “want” it more but they are just executing better

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

Our Bench

has 3 points

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:04 PM CDT reply actions  

you're right

Bostick hit a 3

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

Ugh

Stop trying to do too much, Westbrook.

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 1:08 PM CDT reply actions  

Well, if Frese does stupid stuff on the offensive end, maybe he’ll get himself fouled out.

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 1:08 PM CDT reply actions  

I've been defending Westbrook all year

And I’ll do it again.

One person says he looks disinterested and another says he is doing too much. It can’t be both. I think people just nitpick on him.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 1:09 PM CDT reply actions  

+1

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Mar 19, 2010 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

he lost me when he started disrespecting Tubby

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

disinterested was teh wrong word

he looked dejected and like he was either going to take over or quit. He’ll try to do it all himself which is why I wanted him out

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

his defensive effort is NOT there

until he starts hitting shots, then he’ll start playing D again

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

SO?

5 min left and we haven’t stopped them yet, and we are down 11

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

if Hoffarber can't hit those wide open shots

it is going to be tough to come back. especially if they keep getting layups

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:10 PM CDT reply actions  

maybe Tubby told the team he’s gone…

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

at half-time

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

He wouldn't do that

especially before an NCAA tournament game.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think

1 – 9

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'm wondering

If the refs will ever call a foul on Xavier when the Gophers go to the hole? These plays can’t all be clean.

by Dave MN on Mar 19, 2010 1:11 PM CDT reply actions  

Tubby rumors will happen EVERY year

this is going to be constant because nobody thinks Minnesota is good enough for him.

Maybe if he leaves Vince Taylor will be our next HC. I’d be OK with that.

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:13 PM CDT reply actions  

Westbrook is the best Gopher

Colt has been decent, but 2-8 from the floor. Paul Carter quietly has 7 rebounds.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 1:14 PM CDT reply actions  

I can see that argument

but I disagree. He’s our most capable offensive player but that’s where I draw the line.

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

Has to be now

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:16 PM CDT reply actions  

2 quick 3's from Hoff would be huge

But short of that, I don’t see us coming back today.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 1:17 PM CDT reply actions  

Cornell running away from Temple

They will be a tough 2nd round match-up for Wisconsin.

Remember how they scared the bejeezus out of us last year? I think they were up double digits at half time at the Barn.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 1:19 PM CDT reply actions  

That strip by Crawford on Johnson

was huge. Ten point deficit in less than four minutes?

by sportsnight on Mar 19, 2010 1:19 PM CDT reply actions  

Xavier is shooting

56.5% this half

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:19 PM CDT reply actions  

Seems to me

the defensive intensity is not what it was teh first half.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 19, 2010 1:20 PM CDT reply actions  

I credit Xavier

They have decided to run on us after our misses. They took it to us when we couldn’t hit our shots.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

yes they did

they’ve really pushed it and run right down our throats.

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

Why has this happened so much this year?

It seems like when we lose it is because of horrific shooting. And it isn’t even from the outside. We just seem to miss a lot of layups.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 1:20 PM CDT reply actions  

need a turnover

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:22 PM CDT reply actions  

thank you for the quick three

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:22 PM CDT reply actions  

Fuuuuuuuuuuudge!!!!!

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 1:22 PM CDT reply actions  

Huge miss

on both ends of the floor. Westbrook has been our best shooter and was wide open. Just didn’t fall. Like I said earlier, bounces just aren’t going our way.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 1:23 PM CDT reply actions  

that would have been HUGE

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

REALLY?

Bostick for Hoffarber?

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:26 PM CDT reply actions  

still

he gives you a better shot to make it than Bostick does

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

If we get within 3

Hoff will be out there. We need more than that right now.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

Okay, we need a stop here

A bucket from Xavier pretty much seals it. A miss and we are still alive.

by rencito on Mar 19, 2010 1:27 PM CDT reply actions  

Good game

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:28 PM CDT reply actions  

Dagger

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Mar 19, 2010 1:28 PM CDT reply actions  

moving on

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

Seantrel sign yet?

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

bummer

looks like I picked the wrong day to stop sniffing glue

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:29 PM CDT reply actions  

God damn Hoosier

Bucky's 5th Quarter. SB Nation's Wisconsin Badgers community.

by Adam Hoge on Mar 19, 2010 1:29 PM CDT reply actions  

they controlled the tempo second half

they dictated and we couldn’t respond

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by GopherNation on Mar 19, 2010 1:30 PM CDT reply actions  

Bryant Allen??

officially given up now

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Mar 19, 2010 1:33 PM CDT reply actions  

I would say that game

was the perfect recap to this season. All our weaknesses were exposed and our needs made crystal clear. Unless help arrives, I don’t see next year being much different.

by Texas Gopher on Mar 19, 2010 1:49 PM CDT reply actions  

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