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Golden Nugz on a GOLDEN Morning - 02.27.13

By GopherNation
Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

It is really hard to find links about last night's game, there are recaps only on about every conceivable sports website in the webiverse.

VIDEO - Mbakwe's block and a Coleman fastbreak dunk to go up 7.


Off Tackle Empire - recap and fallout for both teams.

Last night's big loser, Indiana, had actually lost as the No. 1 team just three weeks earlier against Illinois.

Since then, the Hoosiers had re-established their dominance with impressive victories over Ohio State and Michigan State, but Tom Crean's squad found itself out-muscled and out-hustled on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

Unable to out-gun Indiana from long range (Minnesota shot just 4-for-20 from beyond the arc), the Golden Gophers did what they do best and bullied the Hoosiers on the boards.

And what does this mean for Minnesota?

With Penn State, Nebraska, and Purdue remaining on Minnesota's schedule, the team should be able to pad its resume with three more conference wins, but the Gophers shouldn't get too cocky. They haven't won a road game since January 9 (at Illinois), and Nebraska will be looking to send off the Devaney Center with a bang.

Agreed, we cannot start overlooking anybody on our schedule, especially those two road games!

Crimson Quarry - recaps the game and compares this loss to their other three losses.

This loss managed to combine elements of all three of IU's prior losses. As in the Butler and Wisconsin games, the Hoosiers were pushed around inside. As in the Illinois and Butler games, the Hoosiers seemed to be on the verge of putting the game away in the second half, but didn't. As in the Illinois game, IU was facing a highly motivated opponent that could save its season with a win over the nation's top team.

John also points out that IU had previously recorded two monster road wins at Michigan State and at Ohio State before falling at Minnesota.

Inside the Hall - quick thoughts after the game and lots of video of player and coach reactions.

This would not be the Golden Gophers team that found itself embarrassed after two back-to-back 20-point losses, another Tubby Smith team losing its way again in the dead of the Minnesota winter. No, this would be the team that once found itself in the Top 10 in all of college basketball - one with experience and talent and athleticism. A team that made a furious rally against the Hoosiers on Jan. 12 inside Assembly Hall and nearly pulled out a victory.

Star Tribune - had at least 4 reporters at the game last night, so you might use up all of your monthly free clicks just on last night's game. Sid was sitting in the media room harassing everybody else for saying we should fire Tubby Smith.

Amelia recaps the game including video with CineSport talking about the big win.

Less than 30 minutes earlier, Mbakwe, Rodney Williams and Andre Hollins were standing near center court when Hollins hit one of two free throws with three seconds left to seal the victory and open the floodgates.

"All the sudden, Trevor fell and I ended up falling, and then Andre Hollins ended up falling -- so we were just all in the middle of the court on the ground for a while," Williams said. "When it happens like that, you don't really mind. That was a special moment for us."

One they fought for from the opening tip to the final seconds.

Souhan said good things, hard to find something bad to say after a game like that I guess.

Mbakwe finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal in 25 minutes. He went 8-for-10 from the field and 5-for-7 from the line.

Most important to his wobbly team, Mbakwe let it be known early that he could dominate Indiana's skilled-but-willowy inside players, letting it be known early that the Gophers had what it takes to beat a great team.

Marcus Fuller - recaps as welll with a good photo gallery, including a pic of Mbakwe's block.

This was "hands down the best" game he's been a part of, Mbakwe said. The Gophers had lost five of their past six games and two in a row by at least 20 points.

"The way we've been playing the last couple weeks, we were pretty embarrassed after the last two losses," he said. "We knew it was a great opportunity; we had the No. 1 team coming in on national television. It was a chance for us to kind of turn our season around."

AM1500 ESPN has a few articles up. Recap. Zulgad on Mbakwe. Sandell on Gophers finding their edge again.

"That's a great man, that's one of the best rebounders in this country and certainly in our league and he was the toughest guy on the court tonight," Crean said. "We did not answer the bell there."

and

After the fans had filtered out of the arena, and the debris was cleared from the court, the Gophers were left with the answer they wanted most. While one upset, albeit a crucial one, does not excuse them for the mess they created in the last month, the Gophers delivered a message Tuesday that they are not ready to be counted out yet.

It was a shocking reversal.

This game is a nice distraction but it doesn't erase the awful 6 weeks prior to this win. Where has this team been all year? This was a Big Ten contending team last night.

Yahoo!'s The Dagger

Though Indiana has more talent and skill than Minnesota, the Hoosiers allowed the Gophers to beat them up physically and outwork them for second-chance opportunities. Minnesota had 23 offensive boards and a 44-30 edge on the glass as a whole, never a good sign considering the two teams shot a similar percentage from the field.

The willingness to be physical and hustle for loose balls was great to see last night.

ESPN's Myron Medcalf was there too with a Rapid Reaction to last night's Gopher win.

Key player: Eliason scored seven consecutive points during a second-half stretch that kept Minnesota (19-9, 7-8 Big Ten) alive with Mbakwe on the bench due to foul trouble. Those were his only points, but obviously crucial. Then there’s Mbakwe. The senior led the way from start to finish (21 points, 12 rebounds, a block and a steal).

Can't forget about the big Nebraska and his critical minutes in the 2nd half. He earned himself a William's Arena standing ovation.

ESPN's Eamonn Brenna looks at some numbers.

Minnesota improves to 5-5 against ranked teams this season -- Indiana, Wisconsin and Georgetown are the only other teams with at least five wins against ranked opponents.

Flip Saunders tweeting last night.

and had some praise for Tubby

I could go and and on with links, but I'm done. Keep smiling today Gopher fans!

ADDED:

This is going to be start becoming more regular. I don't really have a problem with Crean coaching his guys to take a fall if Hollins starts moving his elbows. What I do have an issue with is Sheehey running over and planting his cheek on the elbow of Hollins. See for yourself.


now I'm done.

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