DanielHouse
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Two weeks ago, the Gophers were given a harsh reality check. They were run off the floor at Illinois during a 95-68 loss. Experts wondered if Minnesota was a true NCAA Tournament contender and their NET ranking plummeted into the mid-60s. The Gophers had a chance to gain much-needed redemption in Wednesday night’s matchup against the Fighting Illini at Williams Arena.
Despite trailing by two at halftime, a 13-1 run in the second half propelled the Gophers to an 86-75 victory. Minnesota didn’t have a single made three-pointer in the first half, but hit six of their 15 long-distance attempts in the final 20 minutes. Isaiah Washington provided a spark, scoring 12 points and adding four assists.
This is the type of performance the Gophers have been searching for at the point guard spot. It allows Amir Coffey to play off ball more and attack the rim. Coffey had 18 points, including a triumphant three-point-play in the second half. Minnesota had five players in double figures, including 16 points and ten rebounds from Jordan Murphy.
The Gophers trailed by five points with 15:39 remaining until Isaiah Washington drilled a three-pointer. Moments later, he dished to Gabe Kalscheur for another long-range hit. The Gophers snapped out of an offensive drought as Washington attacked and facilitated the offense. It helped fuel 13-1 run that eventually pulled Minnesota ahead by 15 points in the second half.
It didn’t happen without a slow start, though. Temperatures were frigid outside and it carried over into the arena. The Gophers started the game 0-for-4 from the floor, including a missed layup by Dupree McBrayer. Both teams began the night shooting a combined 2-for-10 and Minnesota struggled to move the basketball in half court sets. Things suddenly started to pick up as the Gophers hit six of their next seven shots and found success inside with Jordan Murphy.
In the first half, the Gophers were also struggling to grab rebounds, allowing seven offensive boards and eight second chance points in the first half. Minnesota’s guards were often beat to long rebounds, which gave Illinois ample offensive possessions. The Gophers did a much better job of attacking the glass and grabbing loose rebounds in the second half. Illinois had just three offensive boards and one second chance point in the second half.
Early in the game, the Gophers had trouble defending Giorgi Bezhanishvili’s hook shot in the post. Minnesota had to find a way to keep him away from the block and limit his ability to drive down the baseline. After scoring six quick points, Bezhanishvili had just three points for the remainder of the game. Illinois had 20 points in the paint in the first half, but Minnesota clamped down and surrendered just ten in the final 20 minutes.
Both teams traded punches for most of the first half, but a Trent Frazier three-pointer gave Illinois a 39-37 lead at halftime.
Throughout the night, the Gophers were inconsistent with their defensive rotations and allowed Trent Frazier to get open looks due to slow rotations. He was dominant in Wednesday’s game, posting 30 points on 10-for-14 shooting, including five three-pointers.
Minnesota started the game 0-for-6 from the three-point line, but hit six of their 15 attempts in the second half. The Gophers were ice-cold out of halftime, hitting just one of their first seven shots out of the break. Suddenly, the streak ended as Isaiah Washington drilled a three-pointer and dished to Gabe Kalscheur for another long-range hit. After starting the game slow behind the arc, they found a way to catch fire when they needed it most.
Washington helped spark this scoring outburst with several tough mid-range jumpers and quality dishes. This type of performance showed what can happen when the Gophers receive consistent play from the sophomore guard. If Washington can continue to perform at this level, it may help Minnesota get in a groove down the stretch. He had two critical passes that helped fuel a key 13-1 Minnesota run in the second half. They never looked back, cruising to an 11-point victory.
Minnesota continually rotated defenders on Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu and made him a focus after he dropped 23 points in the last meeting. Dosunmu has been the Fighting Illini’s leading scorer in seven of the past eight games. The former five-star recruit is dynamic off the dribble and has a tough mid-range jumper. Amir Coffey did a great job of playing on-ball defense to limit his overall output. Dosunmu finished the evening with just six points as Illini guard Trent Frazier burst onto the scene. Minnesota’s defensive effort on some of Illinois’ best players was an encouraging aspect of Wednesday night’s win.
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Despite trailing by two at halftime, a 13-1 run in the second half propelled the Gophers to an 86-75 victory. Minnesota didn’t have a single made three-pointer in the first half, but hit six of their 15 long-distance attempts in the final 20 minutes. Isaiah Washington provided a spark, scoring 12 points and adding four assists.
This is the type of performance the Gophers have been searching for at the point guard spot. It allows Amir Coffey to play off ball more and attack the rim. Coffey had 18 points, including a triumphant three-point-play in the second half. Minnesota had five players in double figures, including 16 points and ten rebounds from Jordan Murphy.
The Gophers trailed by five points with 15:39 remaining until Isaiah Washington drilled a three-pointer. Moments later, he dished to Gabe Kalscheur for another long-range hit. The Gophers snapped out of an offensive drought as Washington attacked and facilitated the offense. It helped fuel 13-1 run that eventually pulled Minnesota ahead by 15 points in the second half.
It didn’t happen without a slow start, though. Temperatures were frigid outside and it carried over into the arena. The Gophers started the game 0-for-4 from the floor, including a missed layup by Dupree McBrayer. Both teams began the night shooting a combined 2-for-10 and Minnesota struggled to move the basketball in half court sets. Things suddenly started to pick up as the Gophers hit six of their next seven shots and found success inside with Jordan Murphy.
In the first half, the Gophers were also struggling to grab rebounds, allowing seven offensive boards and eight second chance points in the first half. Minnesota’s guards were often beat to long rebounds, which gave Illinois ample offensive possessions. The Gophers did a much better job of attacking the glass and grabbing loose rebounds in the second half. Illinois had just three offensive boards and one second chance point in the second half.
Early in the game, the Gophers had trouble defending Giorgi Bezhanishvili’s hook shot in the post. Minnesota had to find a way to keep him away from the block and limit his ability to drive down the baseline. After scoring six quick points, Bezhanishvili had just three points for the remainder of the game. Illinois had 20 points in the paint in the first half, but Minnesota clamped down and surrendered just ten in the final 20 minutes.
Both teams traded punches for most of the first half, but a Trent Frazier three-pointer gave Illinois a 39-37 lead at halftime.
Throughout the night, the Gophers were inconsistent with their defensive rotations and allowed Trent Frazier to get open looks due to slow rotations. He was dominant in Wednesday’s game, posting 30 points on 10-for-14 shooting, including five three-pointers.
Minnesota started the game 0-for-6 from the three-point line, but hit six of their 15 attempts in the second half. The Gophers were ice-cold out of halftime, hitting just one of their first seven shots out of the break. Suddenly, the streak ended as Isaiah Washington drilled a three-pointer and dished to Gabe Kalscheur for another long-range hit. After starting the game slow behind the arc, they found a way to catch fire when they needed it most.
Washington helped spark this scoring outburst with several tough mid-range jumpers and quality dishes. This type of performance showed what can happen when the Gophers receive consistent play from the sophomore guard. If Washington can continue to perform at this level, it may help Minnesota get in a groove down the stretch. He had two critical passes that helped fuel a key 13-1 Minnesota run in the second half. They never looked back, cruising to an 11-point victory.
Minnesota continually rotated defenders on Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu and made him a focus after he dropped 23 points in the last meeting. Dosunmu has been the Fighting Illini’s leading scorer in seven of the past eight games. The former five-star recruit is dynamic off the dribble and has a tough mid-range jumper. Amir Coffey did a great job of playing on-ball defense to limit his overall output. Dosunmu finished the evening with just six points as Illini guard Trent Frazier burst onto the scene. Minnesota’s defensive effort on some of Illinois’ best players was an encouraging aspect of Wednesday night’s win.
VIDEO:
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