December 5 Nebraska: Gophers win 85-78 over a no. 24 Nebraska team that was at full strength.
the rematch
February 13 @Nebraska: Gophers lose 62-61 to a Nebraska team that had lost two of its top 6 players and was on a 7 game losing streak.
January 3rd @Wisconsin: Gophers win 59-52. Definitely their best defensive performance of the season
the rematch
February 6 Wisconsin: Gophers lose 56-51. Game not even as close as score indicates as the Gophers trail from wire to wire in a crucial home game.
January 22 @ Michigan: Gophers lose 59-57. Gophers lead much of the first half and in to the 2nd before melting down. Furious comeback late falls short as Michigan nails a buzzer beater.
the rematch
February 21 Michigan: Gophers lose 69-60. Again a home game that was not as close as the score indicates. Gophers had a ton to play for and were basically never in the game the last 35 minutes or so.
January 12 Rutgers: Gophers win 88-70. Easy win over Rutgers at home as it should be.
the rematch
February 24 @ Rutgers: Gophers lose 68-64. Gophers playing for an NCAA tournament bid get a 6-6 3 point shooting night from a Freshman and can't win against a bottom of the conference opponent with no postseason to play for.
In 3 of the cases (Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan) circumstances dictated a much better opportunity for a Gopher win in the second game of the season. In the case of Nebraska it was a team that was badly depleted from the first match up and one that was playing out the string as opposed to one that had real visions of competing for a B1G title in December. In the cases of Wisconsin and Michigan, the Gophers were getting their rematches on their home floor. Pitino talks about having to "steal" games on the road and how "tough" it is, yet his team lays both of these eggs at home...it certainly wasn't tough for Wisconsin or Michigan to come to his home and win. Then you have the Rutgers game which was on the road, but again is a 22 point swing from the first matchup...and not in favor of the team that should be desperate to make the tournament.
Interestingly, the only team the Gophers have played better against the second time around was Illinois. After giving the previously winless Illinois all the confidence in the world by getting absolutely beat down by them, the Gophers rebounded and won at the Barn in the rematch.
the rematch
February 13 @Nebraska: Gophers lose 62-61 to a Nebraska team that had lost two of its top 6 players and was on a 7 game losing streak.
January 3rd @Wisconsin: Gophers win 59-52. Definitely their best defensive performance of the season
the rematch
February 6 Wisconsin: Gophers lose 56-51. Game not even as close as score indicates as the Gophers trail from wire to wire in a crucial home game.
January 22 @ Michigan: Gophers lose 59-57. Gophers lead much of the first half and in to the 2nd before melting down. Furious comeback late falls short as Michigan nails a buzzer beater.
the rematch
February 21 Michigan: Gophers lose 69-60. Again a home game that was not as close as the score indicates. Gophers had a ton to play for and were basically never in the game the last 35 minutes or so.
January 12 Rutgers: Gophers win 88-70. Easy win over Rutgers at home as it should be.
the rematch
February 24 @ Rutgers: Gophers lose 68-64. Gophers playing for an NCAA tournament bid get a 6-6 3 point shooting night from a Freshman and can't win against a bottom of the conference opponent with no postseason to play for.
In 3 of the cases (Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan) circumstances dictated a much better opportunity for a Gopher win in the second game of the season. In the case of Nebraska it was a team that was badly depleted from the first match up and one that was playing out the string as opposed to one that had real visions of competing for a B1G title in December. In the cases of Wisconsin and Michigan, the Gophers were getting their rematches on their home floor. Pitino talks about having to "steal" games on the road and how "tough" it is, yet his team lays both of these eggs at home...it certainly wasn't tough for Wisconsin or Michigan to come to his home and win. Then you have the Rutgers game which was on the road, but again is a 22 point swing from the first matchup...and not in favor of the team that should be desperate to make the tournament.
Interestingly, the only team the Gophers have played better against the second time around was Illinois. After giving the previously winless Illinois all the confidence in the world by getting absolutely beat down by them, the Gophers rebounded and won at the Barn in the rematch.