DanielHouse
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What a difference a year makes.
Last season, the Gophers were making a run toward the NCAA tournament. In the process, they picked up one of their signature wins at Purdue, finishing a 91-82 overtime thriller. The 2017-18 season has gone in entirely different trajectories for both squads. The Gophers are finishing out the regular season, while the Boilers prepare for a deep tournament run.
Sunday, the Boilermakers used their experience and depth to blow past the Gophers for an 84-60 win. Guard Dakota Mathias had seven three-pointers to go along with 25 points during his final game at Mackey Arena. The seniors at Purdue ended their four-year career with a 62-7 home record.
Both teams were a combined 2-for-9 until Mathias hit a pair of early three-pointers to stretch the Boilermakers’ lead to 16 points. Purdue was on a 15-2 run, while the Gophers’ offense went on a scoring drought for more than three minutes.
The Gophers answered Purdue’s quick lead with a 7-0 run, fueled by a Nate Mason long-range three-pointer. It helped Minnesota climb within five points at the five-minute mark of the first half. With 12 first half points, Nate Mason passed Kevin McHale and Sam Jacobson to place fifth on the Gophers’ all-time scoring list.
Freshman Isaiah Washington added 14 points and made two very difficult shots in traffic. He has continued to show progress during the final stretch of the season. It’s clear Washington needed to adjust his playing style to suit the Big Ten. He finished the season averaging 13.5 points per game during his final eight matchups.
Minnesota outscored Purdue 21-13 after the Boilermakers led 24-8 at the 10:57 mark of the first half. The Gophers trailed 37-29 at halftime, but the Boilers drilled their first five shots of the second half, including dominant three-point shooting by Dakota Mathias. He had four second half treys to spark a 17-3 run. Purdue shot 12-for-25 from behind the arc and sprayed the Gophers with a hot 58.6 percent second half shooting performance.
Minnesota ended their Big Ten season with a 4-14 record and never recovered from a tumultuous start to the year. The Gophers will close out the season by playing in the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday night. Minnesota will hold the No. 11 seed, but their opponent won’t be set until later Sunday evening. If Iowa defeats Northwestern Sunday night, the Gophers will play Rutgers. If Northwestern wins, Minnesota will square off with Iowa.
Either way, the Gophers’ first Big Ten Tournament game will be played 25 minutes following the conclusion of Wednesday’s 4:30 p.m. CT matchup. The game will be televised on Big Ten Network.
Last season, the Gophers were making a run toward the NCAA tournament. In the process, they picked up one of their signature wins at Purdue, finishing a 91-82 overtime thriller. The 2017-18 season has gone in entirely different trajectories for both squads. The Gophers are finishing out the regular season, while the Boilers prepare for a deep tournament run.
Sunday, the Boilermakers used their experience and depth to blow past the Gophers for an 84-60 win. Guard Dakota Mathias had seven three-pointers to go along with 25 points during his final game at Mackey Arena. The seniors at Purdue ended their four-year career with a 62-7 home record.
Both teams were a combined 2-for-9 until Mathias hit a pair of early three-pointers to stretch the Boilermakers’ lead to 16 points. Purdue was on a 15-2 run, while the Gophers’ offense went on a scoring drought for more than three minutes.
The Gophers answered Purdue’s quick lead with a 7-0 run, fueled by a Nate Mason long-range three-pointer. It helped Minnesota climb within five points at the five-minute mark of the first half. With 12 first half points, Nate Mason passed Kevin McHale and Sam Jacobson to place fifth on the Gophers’ all-time scoring list.
Freshman Isaiah Washington added 14 points and made two very difficult shots in traffic. He has continued to show progress during the final stretch of the season. It’s clear Washington needed to adjust his playing style to suit the Big Ten. He finished the season averaging 13.5 points per game during his final eight matchups.
Minnesota outscored Purdue 21-13 after the Boilermakers led 24-8 at the 10:57 mark of the first half. The Gophers trailed 37-29 at halftime, but the Boilers drilled their first five shots of the second half, including dominant three-point shooting by Dakota Mathias. He had four second half treys to spark a 17-3 run. Purdue shot 12-for-25 from behind the arc and sprayed the Gophers with a hot 58.6 percent second half shooting performance.
Minnesota ended their Big Ten season with a 4-14 record and never recovered from a tumultuous start to the year. The Gophers will close out the season by playing in the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday night. Minnesota will hold the No. 11 seed, but their opponent won’t be set until later Sunday evening. If Iowa defeats Northwestern Sunday night, the Gophers will play Rutgers. If Northwestern wins, Minnesota will square off with Iowa.
Either way, the Gophers’ first Big Ten Tournament game will be played 25 minutes following the conclusion of Wednesday’s 4:30 p.m. CT matchup. The game will be televised on Big Ten Network.