ESPN Bubble Watch - 2/14

Pretty much what we already knew. Northwestern game is huge.

Minnesota [16-9 (5-7), RPI: 38, SOS: 4] As with the Badgers, the Gophers' loss at Wisconsin didn't really change much, tourney-profile-wise. But a loss at Northwestern on Sunday would make for a season sweep at the hands of the Wildcats, and then it's time to get really concerned.

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http://espn.go.com/ncb/bubblewatch?id=156

We'll be fighting an uphill battle if we lose this one. Not sure if we can make the tournament with a loss on Sunday.

At the end of the day this is probably where the Gophers truly stand. They have let games slip by where they could have won (Michigan, @MSU, @Nebraska, @Purdue, Northwestern) and now its time to step it up and show how than can play. The ball is in their court (no pun intended) and its time to deliver what Pitino has demonstrated this team can do but now it needs to be on a consistent basis to close out the year on a positive note. It seems in the past that this time of year is where our team puts us in bubble trouble. To turn around this program under Pitino this is where we need to have the Gophers make it happen and it starts at NW. Their sense of urgency and passion to succeed will show on the court this weekend. Bottom line, it begins with a W on the road against NW and they need to have another statement win or two to show they can win games against the big boys late in the season. Go gophers!