DanielHouse
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After losing by 27 points on the road at Illinois, the Gophers hosted another winless Big Ten team at Williams Arena on Saturday night. It was a chance to see how the team would respond after such a debilitating loss. Despite facing an 11-point deficit early in the second half, the Gophers managed to find life behind 19 points and 21 rebounds from senior big-man Jordan Murphy. Minnesota also held Penn State to 28 percent shooting in the second half during a back-and-forth 65-64 win.
Many of the themes that appeared in Wednesday night’s blowout loss, showed up in the first half of this game. This time, the Gophers did just enough to overcome them. Penn State managed to put together several runs, but Minnesota increased its effort on defense during the final 20 minutes. The Gophers led by one-point when forward Jordan Murphy attacked the rim, followed his miss and delivered a big one-hand slam. Seconds later, Penn State forward Lamar Stevens found a crease and was fouled by Murphy for a game-tying three-point play. It was of ten ties and three lead changes in a wild Big Ten matchup.
With 11 seconds remaining and the game knotted up at 64, the Gophers needed to make another winning play. In a night filled with small, but impactful plays, Dupree McBrayer attacked the rim and drew a foul. He hit one of his two free throws, helping Minnesota fend off Penn State’s upset attempt.
How did they get there?
This game was filled with many crazy twists and turns. Penn State controlled the first half as Minnesota struggled to rebound, close-out and protect the rim. It created a back-and-forth battle until the very end. Jordan Murphy’s energy on both ends of the court, along with the physicality of Daniel Oturu and Eric Curry helped Minnesota control the post. The presence in the low post on both ends of the court was a difference maker in this game.
In the early stages, Minnesota quickly trailed 11-3 following a 7-0 Nittany Lions run. The Gophers weren’t taking care of the ball and allowed two early offensive boards. With a lack of offensive flow and struggling defensive play, the Gophers weren’t able to space the floor and run, which is their style. The Gophers forced a shot on their first possession and it led to an easy transition alley-oop for guard Josh Reaves. Two possessions later, an ill-advised pass was intercepted and gave Penn State two more fast break points.
The half court action hasn’t been great during the past two games, so the Gophers have relied upon playing sound defense and getting in transition. During a few possessions, Jordan Murphy was dribbling and nobody actively cut to the rim. This was especially prevalent when someone was overplayed and they needed to create a high percentage shot.
The Gophers quickly cut into the Penn State lead by moving the basketball and getting cutters down the baseline. Jordan Murphy burst free for a two-hand slam to get the crowd on its feet. Murphy didn’t score until around the six-minute mark of the first half, but burst onto the scene with more positive touches. The Gophers hit six consecutive shots, including a tough runner in the lane by Gabe Kalscheur, but Penn State had an answer to each scoring outburst. A quick 8-2 run by Penn State brought them into halftime with an eight-point advantage.
Throughout the night, Minnesota continued to struggle shooting from behind the arc. It’s another variable that hurts their ability to find a consistent offensive attack. They shot just 3-for-14 from downtown and Penn State drilled many timely opportunities. With a focus on getting the ball into the post and creating high percentage chances, the Gophers did enough to overcome this trouble.
Out of halftime, Penn State’s momentum continued as Minnesota quickly trailed by 11 points. They climbed back by attacking the glass and showing more urgency. In one sequence, the Gophers grabbed two consecutive offensive boards and Eric Curry got to the free throw line. Minnesota was starting to play more aggressive and attack off the dribble. Curry was looking comfortable in the post and had 11 points in 24 minutes. The combined effort inside by Jordan Murphy and Daniel Oturu gave the Gophers a spark. Oturu helped on the defensive end, while Murphy finished tough baskets and jumpers. His efficiency in all phases of the game helped Minnesota climb back into the game.
The Gophers’ defense around the rim, including an Oturu block, helped them mount a small comeback. However, Kyle McCloskey drilled a three-pointer and an Amir Coffey turnover led to free throws on the other end. The Gophers responded with more intensity on defense, which helped them get additional high percentage looks.
Most of the team’s success on offense was fueled by the defense. Minnesota’s personnel is built to defend, rebound and run. When those above boxes aren’t checked, the Gophers struggle at a slower pace within half court sets.
The reason Minnesota won this game was because of their defense. Late in the second half, Penn State didn’t have a single field goal for more than 5:49 and shot 28 percent in the final 20 minutes. When Minnesota manages to play strong defense and protect the rim, everything flows better, including their offensive possessions. If that doesn’t happen, things tighten up. They occasionally did a better job of passing out of double teams in the second half, which maximized a few of their possessions. Then, the brakes suddenly clamped up again.
Minnesota went on a 2:14 scoring drought during a 7-0 Penn State run. There were many possessions where the Gophers were dribble weaving and shooting late in the shot clock. During an important possession, Amir Coffey couldn’t get a good look and Minnesota wasted an opportunity. In one of the final sequences, the Gophers went more than six minutes without a field goal and made just two of their ten attempts. However, they clung to a one-point lead and extended the margin as Jordan Murphy followed his own miss for a dominant one-hand slam. The play was a turning point as the Gophers held on for a much-needed home Big Ten win.
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Many of the themes that appeared in Wednesday night’s blowout loss, showed up in the first half of this game. This time, the Gophers did just enough to overcome them. Penn State managed to put together several runs, but Minnesota increased its effort on defense during the final 20 minutes. The Gophers led by one-point when forward Jordan Murphy attacked the rim, followed his miss and delivered a big one-hand slam. Seconds later, Penn State forward Lamar Stevens found a crease and was fouled by Murphy for a game-tying three-point play. It was of ten ties and three lead changes in a wild Big Ten matchup.
With 11 seconds remaining and the game knotted up at 64, the Gophers needed to make another winning play. In a night filled with small, but impactful plays, Dupree McBrayer attacked the rim and drew a foul. He hit one of his two free throws, helping Minnesota fend off Penn State’s upset attempt.
How did they get there?
This game was filled with many crazy twists and turns. Penn State controlled the first half as Minnesota struggled to rebound, close-out and protect the rim. It created a back-and-forth battle until the very end. Jordan Murphy’s energy on both ends of the court, along with the physicality of Daniel Oturu and Eric Curry helped Minnesota control the post. The presence in the low post on both ends of the court was a difference maker in this game.
In the early stages, Minnesota quickly trailed 11-3 following a 7-0 Nittany Lions run. The Gophers weren’t taking care of the ball and allowed two early offensive boards. With a lack of offensive flow and struggling defensive play, the Gophers weren’t able to space the floor and run, which is their style. The Gophers forced a shot on their first possession and it led to an easy transition alley-oop for guard Josh Reaves. Two possessions later, an ill-advised pass was intercepted and gave Penn State two more fast break points.
The half court action hasn’t been great during the past two games, so the Gophers have relied upon playing sound defense and getting in transition. During a few possessions, Jordan Murphy was dribbling and nobody actively cut to the rim. This was especially prevalent when someone was overplayed and they needed to create a high percentage shot.
The Gophers quickly cut into the Penn State lead by moving the basketball and getting cutters down the baseline. Jordan Murphy burst free for a two-hand slam to get the crowd on its feet. Murphy didn’t score until around the six-minute mark of the first half, but burst onto the scene with more positive touches. The Gophers hit six consecutive shots, including a tough runner in the lane by Gabe Kalscheur, but Penn State had an answer to each scoring outburst. A quick 8-2 run by Penn State brought them into halftime with an eight-point advantage.
Throughout the night, Minnesota continued to struggle shooting from behind the arc. It’s another variable that hurts their ability to find a consistent offensive attack. They shot just 3-for-14 from downtown and Penn State drilled many timely opportunities. With a focus on getting the ball into the post and creating high percentage chances, the Gophers did enough to overcome this trouble.
Out of halftime, Penn State’s momentum continued as Minnesota quickly trailed by 11 points. They climbed back by attacking the glass and showing more urgency. In one sequence, the Gophers grabbed two consecutive offensive boards and Eric Curry got to the free throw line. Minnesota was starting to play more aggressive and attack off the dribble. Curry was looking comfortable in the post and had 11 points in 24 minutes. The combined effort inside by Jordan Murphy and Daniel Oturu gave the Gophers a spark. Oturu helped on the defensive end, while Murphy finished tough baskets and jumpers. His efficiency in all phases of the game helped Minnesota climb back into the game.
The Gophers’ defense around the rim, including an Oturu block, helped them mount a small comeback. However, Kyle McCloskey drilled a three-pointer and an Amir Coffey turnover led to free throws on the other end. The Gophers responded with more intensity on defense, which helped them get additional high percentage looks.
Most of the team’s success on offense was fueled by the defense. Minnesota’s personnel is built to defend, rebound and run. When those above boxes aren’t checked, the Gophers struggle at a slower pace within half court sets.
The reason Minnesota won this game was because of their defense. Late in the second half, Penn State didn’t have a single field goal for more than 5:49 and shot 28 percent in the final 20 minutes. When Minnesota manages to play strong defense and protect the rim, everything flows better, including their offensive possessions. If that doesn’t happen, things tighten up. They occasionally did a better job of passing out of double teams in the second half, which maximized a few of their possessions. Then, the brakes suddenly clamped up again.
Minnesota went on a 2:14 scoring drought during a 7-0 Penn State run. There were many possessions where the Gophers were dribble weaving and shooting late in the shot clock. During an important possession, Amir Coffey couldn’t get a good look and Minnesota wasted an opportunity. In one of the final sequences, the Gophers went more than six minutes without a field goal and made just two of their ten attempts. However, they clung to a one-point lead and extended the margin as Jordan Murphy followed his own miss for a dominant one-hand slam. The play was a turning point as the Gophers held on for a much-needed home Big Ten win.
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