From The Barn

Badgers in town for a Border Bubble Battle

Posted on 03. Mar, 2009 by JF in 2008-2009

#17 Golden Gophers vs.Wisconsin Badgers

Golden Gophers vs. Wisconsin Badgers

7:30 (CST) at Williams Arena (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Radio: WCCO 830 AM

TV: BTN

Tickets: Long gone

Chatroom: Yes, as long as I remember to set it up

Meaningful March basketball will finally make its return to The Barn on Wednesday when the Gophers take on their arch-rival the Wisconsin Badgers in the first home game with real NCAA tournament ramifications since Frank Williams hit a game winning shot in the final seconds in 2002 to knock the Gophers out of NCAA tournament contention.

Its hard to believe that it has been seven years since there was March Madness in Minneapolis. While the Gophers made the tournament in 2005, their bid was never in doubt, and The Barn never achieved its ear splitting roar that made it famous. Since then Williams Arena faded into obscurity as the Gophers struggled to draw anyone’s attention during the dark final days of the Dan Monson regime. Last year the resurrection began for the historic arena. On Wednesday night, it will finally come back to life.

If the Gophers were playing any other Big Ten bubble team, the atmosphere would be electric. The Gophers haven’t quite lived up to the lofty expectations of January and February, but for an extremely new (if not young thanks to JuCo transfers) and supposedly rebuilding (they did lose their top three scorers, all seniors) team to be two home wins away from a sure NCAA tournament bid is an accomplishment and the home crowd is ready, willing, and able to do anything to help them achieve it. Throw in Bo Ryan, the Badgers, and four traitors on the Wisconsin roster, well, hopefully the bolts that hold the roof on The Barn are secure.

A lot has happened since Minnesota beat Wisconsin in what has since been dubbed “The Miracle in Madison”. For the Gophers, it was the high point of the season, and the decline afterward was fast and steep. They haven’t been the same team since that magical night, and are only 4-7 since then, but that has been just enough to keep themselves in tournament contention. For the Badgers, it was the beginning of a season long syndrome of choking away late leads that at one point dropped their conference record to 3-6. They have since straightened things out, and could be as little as one win away from guaranteeing themselves a trip to the NCAA tournament.

What could be better than March Madness in an 80 year old arena against the most hated rivals?

Keys for the Gophers

1. Keep the crowd involved. The Gophers have had a nasty habit of starting slow at home in big games. These are nervous days in Williams Arena, and if the Gophers fall behind early, they could have a hard time getting the crowd to believe that they can make a come back.

2. Pressure the Badger guards. Wisconsin has looked anything but comfortable bring the ball up the court while contested. Minnesota’s pressure ultimately decided the game in Madison earlier this year, and it should give the Gophers a big advantage as long as they use it.

3. Commit fewer than 15 turnovers. Sadly, this would be a big improvement. The Gophers rank #245 in the country in turnover frequency, giving the ball away on nearly 22% of their possessions

Keys for the Badgers

1. Defensive rebounding. The Gophers would have been blown out without an impressive rebounding edge at Illinois. Wisconsin is the fifth best defensive rebounding team in the country, and keeping the Gophers off the offensive glass will go a long way in stopping an already struggling offensive team

2. Limit turnovers. Wisconsin ordinarily takes care of the ball, but can look shaky against the press. Once again, limiting the Gophers opportunities will make their poor shooting look even worse.

3. Take the crowd out of the game. Williams Arena is hardly a tough place to play when the echo from the ball bouncing bounces off the ceiling.

Key Players for the Gophers

1. Lawrence Westbrook had his best game of his career in Madison. The notoriously streaky shooter is due for another big game.

2. Damian Johnson played like man possessed on both ends of the court in Illinois, and anything close to that type of performance would bring the house down.

3. Devron Bostick couldn’t be contained off the dribble in Madison, and will be looking to replicate that performance.

Key Players for the Badgers

1. Joe Krabbenhoft might be the most hated player in the Big Ten, but he didn’t get that way by being horrible.

2. Trevon Hughes is Wisconsin’s second leading scorer and will need to take care of the ball for the Badgers to win.

3. Marcus Landry was barely containable against the Gophers in Madison, and another big game could knock the Gophers into the NIT.

Prediction: The Gophers win, barely, possibly in overtime, 58-57.

Related posts:

1. Badgers beat, sweep complete!
2. Miracle in Madison
3. Gophers going for first win in Madison in more than a decade
4. Winning at Wisconsin won’t be easy
5. Big Ten Preview: Wisconsin Badgers

Tags: Damian Johnson, Devron Bostick, Game Preview, Joe Krabbenhoft, Lawrence Westbrook, Marcus Landry, Trevon Hughes, Wisconsin Badgers