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During critical Big Ten games, the Gophers have watched four double-digit leads dwindle away in the second half. Inefficient offensive possessions, missed free throws and turnovers made a difference in each of those matchups. The trend continued during Wednesday’s 74-73 loss to No. 9 Maryland.
The Gophers led by 14 points with 8:59 remaining, but quickly watched the advantage slip away. Two key turnovers, a failed inbounds pass and four missed free throws allowed Maryland to fight back. With one second remaining, Darryl Morsell drained a game-winning 3-pointer to complete the Terrapins' 17-point comeback victory.
For the fifth time this season, missed free throws and turnovers impacted the outcome of a game. In the final minutes of Minnesota’s losses to Purdue, Penn State, Iowa, and Indiana, critical lapses were costly.
The Gophers had opportunities to win each of those games, but didn’t execute. When reflecting upon the 2020 season, a handful of late-game mistakes will be remembered.
The Breakdown
During the first half, nearly every shot was going through the net for Minnesota.
The Gophers quickly made six 3-pointers, including a trio of long-range hits by freshman Isaiah Ihnen. During an early 12-0 run, deep treys by Ihnen, Marcus Carr and Daniel Oturu helped the Gophers grab a 15-4 lead. Minnesota had an assist on each of its first seven made shot attempts. The Gophers continued to move the basketball and created rhythmic shooting opportunties.
Early on, Minnesota played really strong team defense by creating deflections and crashing the glass hard. Gabe Kalscheur shut down Maryland guard Anthony Cowan by playing very strong on-ball defense. The Terps didn’t hit open shots and went on a 2-for-18 shooting drought in the first half. Terrapins center Jalen Smith was aggressive and picked up his third foul with just 3:53 remaining in the first half.
Over the first 20 minutes, the Gophers shot 57 percent and entered halftime with a 16-point lead. Oturu was dynamic off the dribble and drained open mid-range jumpers. Carr also attacked, dished and created efficient opportunities for his teammates. The dominant performance from Minnesota’s top duo paired perfectly with the Ihnen’s contributions off the bench. His sharp 3-point shooting and defensive length played a big role in the team's first half success. With Maryland’s low-post depth, length and athleticism, Ihnen was the perfect matchup. The true freshman finished with nine points and four rebounds in 19 minutes of action.
The Terps adjusted in the second half by playing zone defense, which naturally slowed the Gophers’ downhill dribble penetration. Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon only used this package for a few possessions, but the decision added another wrinkle to the game.
Maryland made four of its first six second half shots, including a 3-pointer by Donta Scott. However, Kalscheur hit from deep and Oturu responded with a smooth baseline jumper. The Gophers occasionally fed Oturu and exploited the fact Jalen Smith was in foul trouble for most of the game. In fact, Minnesota probably could have created more post touches to take advantage of this development.
Throughout the night, Maryland stayed within striking distance by snatching a whopping 20 offensive rebounds. The Terps converted those opportunties into 18 second-chance points.
Maryland went on a 12-2 run and capitalized upon the Gophers’ inefficient offensive possessions. Two errant passes were intercepted and led to easy dunks on the other end. The Terps suddenly trimmed Minnesota’s lead to just four points with under five minutes remaining. Shortly after, Carr quickly answered by driving to the rim and finishing through contact.
Nonetheless, after this play, everything locked up.
Minnesota didn’t make a single field goal during the final three minutes of this game. With 46 seconds remaining, Carr dribbled around and forced a deep jumper late in the shot clock. A few moments later, Ihnen’s inbounds pass was tipped and Maryland gained possession. There were also several sequences where the Gophers didn’t apply full-court ball pressure. Guard Anthony Cowan freely rolled the basketball for 9.5 seconds before gaining possession near the top of Minnesota’s “block M” court decal.
The Gophers had every chance to steal a huge win against a top 10 opponent, but let the opportunity slip through their fingertips.
Videos:
The Gophers led by 14 points with 8:59 remaining, but quickly watched the advantage slip away. Two key turnovers, a failed inbounds pass and four missed free throws allowed Maryland to fight back. With one second remaining, Darryl Morsell drained a game-winning 3-pointer to complete the Terrapins' 17-point comeback victory.
For the fifth time this season, missed free throws and turnovers impacted the outcome of a game. In the final minutes of Minnesota’s losses to Purdue, Penn State, Iowa, and Indiana, critical lapses were costly.
The Gophers had opportunities to win each of those games, but didn’t execute. When reflecting upon the 2020 season, a handful of late-game mistakes will be remembered.
The Breakdown
During the first half, nearly every shot was going through the net for Minnesota.
The Gophers quickly made six 3-pointers, including a trio of long-range hits by freshman Isaiah Ihnen. During an early 12-0 run, deep treys by Ihnen, Marcus Carr and Daniel Oturu helped the Gophers grab a 15-4 lead. Minnesota had an assist on each of its first seven made shot attempts. The Gophers continued to move the basketball and created rhythmic shooting opportunties.
Early on, Minnesota played really strong team defense by creating deflections and crashing the glass hard. Gabe Kalscheur shut down Maryland guard Anthony Cowan by playing very strong on-ball defense. The Terps didn’t hit open shots and went on a 2-for-18 shooting drought in the first half. Terrapins center Jalen Smith was aggressive and picked up his third foul with just 3:53 remaining in the first half.
Over the first 20 minutes, the Gophers shot 57 percent and entered halftime with a 16-point lead. Oturu was dynamic off the dribble and drained open mid-range jumpers. Carr also attacked, dished and created efficient opportunities for his teammates. The dominant performance from Minnesota’s top duo paired perfectly with the Ihnen’s contributions off the bench. His sharp 3-point shooting and defensive length played a big role in the team's first half success. With Maryland’s low-post depth, length and athleticism, Ihnen was the perfect matchup. The true freshman finished with nine points and four rebounds in 19 minutes of action.
The Terps adjusted in the second half by playing zone defense, which naturally slowed the Gophers’ downhill dribble penetration. Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon only used this package for a few possessions, but the decision added another wrinkle to the game.
Maryland made four of its first six second half shots, including a 3-pointer by Donta Scott. However, Kalscheur hit from deep and Oturu responded with a smooth baseline jumper. The Gophers occasionally fed Oturu and exploited the fact Jalen Smith was in foul trouble for most of the game. In fact, Minnesota probably could have created more post touches to take advantage of this development.
Throughout the night, Maryland stayed within striking distance by snatching a whopping 20 offensive rebounds. The Terps converted those opportunties into 18 second-chance points.
Maryland went on a 12-2 run and capitalized upon the Gophers’ inefficient offensive possessions. Two errant passes were intercepted and led to easy dunks on the other end. The Terps suddenly trimmed Minnesota’s lead to just four points with under five minutes remaining. Shortly after, Carr quickly answered by driving to the rim and finishing through contact.
Nonetheless, after this play, everything locked up.
Minnesota didn’t make a single field goal during the final three minutes of this game. With 46 seconds remaining, Carr dribbled around and forced a deep jumper late in the shot clock. A few moments later, Ihnen’s inbounds pass was tipped and Maryland gained possession. There were also several sequences where the Gophers didn’t apply full-court ball pressure. Guard Anthony Cowan freely rolled the basketball for 9.5 seconds before gaining possession near the top of Minnesota’s “block M” court decal.
The Gophers had every chance to steal a huge win against a top 10 opponent, but let the opportunity slip through their fingertips.
Videos:
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