Minnesota Basketball: Previewing Purdue

Here we are. The final game of the regular season. In simpler times this was going to be a game for NCAA Tournament seeding purposes. Perhaps the Gophers and Purdue were going to battle it out for a potential two-seed and a clearer path to the tournament’s second weekend. Maybe it was a battle to see who got the top seed in the forthcoming Big Ten Tournament. Either way, it was a red-letter game back in idyllic November

Alas, here we are. The Gophers are locked into the BTT’s first round, which means they have to win four games in four days to nab the conference’s auto-bid. Not an easy task, and even more arduous when you take their roster woes into account.

Purdue, for what it’s worth, is reeling. The Boilers are fresh off a three-game losing streak, which was only broken up by wins against Penn State and Illinois. They snuck by Illinois on Thursday, and haven’t won a game by more than eight points in a month. Long story short, Minnesota would’ve been licking its chops in facing the Boilers in an alternate universe.

Essentials:

Who are the Gophers playing?

Purdue Boilermakers (25-5, 14-3)

What time are they playing?

Sun., Feb. 25 @ 3 p.m. CT

Where are they playing?

Mackey Arena

Can I watch the game on TV?

Yes, FS1.

Can I listen to the game on the radio?

Yes, KFAN 100.3

Days until next season:

257

Gopher basketball memory that doesn’t suck:

On Nov. 19, 2010, Blake Hoffarber scored 20 points, Ralph Sampson III and Trevor Mbakwe created havoc all over the court as the Gophers beat No. 8 North Carolina 72-67 in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off tournament.

#GopherHaiku for the game:

Can you remember

The dreams about Sweet Sixteens?

Left behind once more.

Prediction

KenPom likes Purdue in a blowout, predicting a 18-point win, 86-68. Looks like their metrics are finally catching up with reality.