Minnesota Basketball: Previewing Michigan State

To be fair, it’s really difficult to win a basketball game without any players, but any notions of the Gophers having any sort of season left to salvage should’ve been put to rest after an 80-56 drubbing at the hands of a bad Indiana Hoosiers team. The Gophers rolled out seven scholarship players. Brady Rudrud played five minutes. This isn’t basketball anymore.

Next up is Michigan State. The Spartans are #1 in the Coaches Poll and #2 in the AP Top 25. THIS WILL NOT BE A GOOD TIME. Once upon a time in November I had this game circled on the calendar. I envisioned something like a #11 Minnesota team hosting a #5 Spartans team, with two heavyweights throwing haymakers. My god that seems like such a long time ago. And seeing Sparty sneak by teams by single digits these days only adds to the frustration.

Essentials:

Who are the Gophers playing?

Michigan State Spartans (24-3, 12-2)

What time are they playing?

Tues., Feb. 13 @ 8 p.m. CT

Where are they playing?

Williams Arena

Can I watch the game on TV?

Yes, ESPN2.

Can I listen to the game on the radio?

Yes, KTLK 1130 AM/103.5 FM

Days until next season:

269

Gopher basketball memory that doesn’t suck:

On Jan. 10, 2013, No. 8 Minnesota had 50 second-half points and got 19 or more points from three different players to topple No. 12 Illinois 84-67 and stay undefeated in the Big Ten.

#GopherHaiku for the game:

Not far in the past

This game was circled in red.

Now we play walk-ons.

Prediction

KenPom doesn’t like the Gophers in this one, but only predicts a 10-point loss, 81-71. Cover your eyes, people.