From The Barn

Badgers beat, sweep complete!

Posted on 05. Mar, 2009 by JF in 2008-2009

As anyone who has participated in a live blog here can tell you, I check my objective blogger persona at the door when the Gophers are in a close game. This is especially the case at The Barn when Wisconsin comes to town.  While comparisons to past games and various statistics are still floating around in the back of my head, I am reduced to yells of “Yes!” and “No” and am caught up in the emotion that makes college basketball my favorite sport. So much so in fact that I’m lucky if I remember who made the last basket let alone what happened a few plays ago.  That was once again the case last night. I know the Gophers won, and I know Lawrence Westbrook had a lot to do with it, but the specifics are all missing. In intense rivalry games, concentrating on anything other than red being evil and Bo Ryan being even worse would have just gotten in the way of the exciting chaos that swept the student section during the Gophers’ first close home win in years.

While that brilliant blur is great and all, I do want to have some idea of how it all happened. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, I can do just that, and thought I would share my thoughts with you all.

First half:

20:00 There had been hints from Tubby Smith for weeks that major (more than the momentary abandonment of the twin towers) were  in store for the starting line-up.  Say what you want about Tubby Smith’s line-ups, but they sure are fearless. Against the Badgers of all teams, with an NCAA tournament bid on the line, he benches his starting back court for every game this season for a slumping outside shooter and a freshman who is not a natural point guard. Oh, and Joe Krabbenhoft reading the starting line-up for the Badgers took about five years off my life.

19:59 Blake Hoffarber already with a big impact, securing the opening tip for the Gophers.

19:30 Gophers start the game with a quality possession as Devoe Joseph curls off a screen to hit a jumper from the corner.

18:30 Marcus Landry misses a wide open three pointer. Remember this later.

18:05 Blake Hoffarber hit a Westbrook-esque running quasi-hook shot off the dribble. Hoffarber can’t shoot but his game is much more well-rounded than a year ago. If his shot does start to fall, even if it is next year, he will be extremely dangerous.

16:13 Iverson misses a dunk, and five seconds later Ralph Sampson misses another dunk. The two freshman were obvious excited and trying to get the crowd into the game, but taking off ten feet from the basket for a two handed dunk isn’t the best way to make a basket.

15:27 Damian Johnson nails a 15 foot pull up jumper in transition. Where did this come from?

14:29 Gophers lead 6-2 and the Badgers have more turnovers than points. It isn’t even close to being the lowest scoring Big Ten game of the season. Can the Big Ten get any teams to the Sweet 16, and if they get several, will they get any respect if they do so without breaking 60 points?

14:20 Jonathan Williams, Al Nolen, and Lawrence Westbrook check into the game. Nolen commits a foul within five seconds. The freshman centers obviously needed a chance to calm down, but what was wrong with Hoffarber and Joseph?

13:16 John Leuer is an android.

13:07 Jonathan Williams called for the offensive foul away from the ball.  He actually made it a minute without a foul.

12:38 Williams loses the android, who knocks down a wide open three pointer.

12:28 Paul Carter answers with a three from the top of the key. This would be the Gophers only three pointer of the night.

11:31 Nolen drives aggressively to the basket, beating three Badgers off the dribble and Williams Arena erupts forcing Bo Ryan to use a time out with the Gophers up 13-7. His issues may be more mental than anything else, and when he is decisive, he can be a legitimate offensive weapon.

11:07 Al Nolen caught guarding Landry down low on a switch. Nolen wins.

10:58: Westbrook misses a three in transition, which is better than forcing an even worse three with two seconds on the shot clock.

9:50 Westbrook throws a pass to Iverson’s ankles with two seconds on the shot clock for a shot clock violation.

8:50 Nolen misses a lay up by about three feet.

8:26 Iverson called for an offensive foul away from the ball, and it has been 13-7 for far too long.

7:59 Hakeem Krabbenhoft?

7:43 Devoe Joseph and Blake Hoffarber are back in the game, and in their first offensive possession, get the ball into Iverson where he is hacked by Krabbenhoft.  Eddie Hightower, playing the role of school superintendent, his actual job, forces the two to shake hands. As is typically the case with Hightower, he was acutely aware of the cameras, and this latest stunt had nothing to do with the game and a lot to do with his ego.

7:12 Damian Johnson misses a lay-up by four feet.

6:53 Jordan Taylor answers with his own air-balled lay-up, and Keaton Nankivil travels for the Badgers sixth turnover of the night.

6:20 Jordan Taylor hasn’t stopped whining since the 2007 state championship game.

6:00 Hoffarber lobs over the fronting Marcus Landry, and Iverson hits a lay up.

5:50 Damian Johnson with a steal, Joseph missed three, and a Sampson put back off a back pivot right underneath the basket. Welcome to the Gophers most successful offensive strategy in weeks.

4:50: Gophers look like they are about to run away after Johnson slashes through a lane giving the Gophers a 10-2 run and a 19-9 lead.Yes, nine points in 16 minutes.

4:16 Hey, the Badgers are into double digits after a Leuer free throw. Sampson was called for the foul, even though he cleanly blocked the shot.

3:44 Hakeem Iverson?

3:30 Iverson loses Landry, who knocks down a wide open three pointer from the left wing.

2:18 Johnson with a sort of diagonally falling away 15 footer. If he can do this consistently, who can guard him?

2:00 Carter loses Landry for a wide open three pointer.

1:50 Carter called for a moving screen, and the lead is slipping away. Gophers up only 23-16.

1:31 Jason Bohannon belly flops on to Williams, the Badgers get possession on the jump ball, and Jordan Taylor whines.

0:00 Did you really think someone would score in the last two minutes of the half?

Half time: Somewhat miraculously, the Gophers shot 44% in the first half, and held the Badgers to five field goals, eight turnovers, and 15 missed shots. Unfortunately, three of those five field goals were wide open three pointers. Also great to see fly-ball in Williams Arena, proving that dogs that chase after tennis balls are more intelligent than college educated Wildcats (Tim Doyle…Bo Ryan…interview…ouch).

Second Half

20:00 Same starting line up for the second half that started the game. The Gophers immediately go with the high low and Badgers are called for a foul trying to defend the lob from Iverson to Sampson.

19:06 The Gophers again go inside to Iverson, who kicked it back out instead of taking it in strong.

18:35 Wide open jumper for Krabbenhoft on the scramble.

18:20 Another lob, and another foul on the Badgers. The Gophers seem to have finally realized that size matters as long as you use it.

18:07 Landry fouls Iverson 20 feet from the basket.

18:01 Hoffarber drives and dumps to Sampson, and he’s fouled by Krabbenhoft.

17:42 Landry flops, and Sampson called for the foul. The second half is on pace to have more fouls than the first half had points.

17:09 Hughes flips it over his shoulder on the drive and Leuer hits the three, and the lead is down to two.

16:38 Sampson lobs into Iverson, who misses the lay-up but gets it back only to be fouled again on the put back.  Iverson makes both, which the scorer’s table notices about five minutes too late. These are nervous times in The Barn as the Gophers have fallen into another shooting funk, with no field goals in almost six minutes.

16:02 Out of a time out, the Badgers lost their possession on a shot clock violation. Nice to see this happen to someone else.

15:48 Jordan Taylor, still whining. Wisconsin is called for their sixth foul of the half. Both teams have combined for seven points. Surely this foul advantage can’t last (cue foreboding lighting and suspenseful music).

15:20 Nolen in, no offensive flow, but Damian Johnson bails the Gophers out and ends the nearly eight minute scoring drought on side-arm lay-up.

14:52 Leuer bulls over Johnson going for the loose ball, Johnson called for the foul. Bo Ryan demands an intentional foul.

14:20 Hughes travels, then knocks the ball out of bounds. Badgers get the ball back, and two 80 year old men get all Bo Ryan at the referees.

13:08 Landry fades to the outside, loses Iverson, and hits a wide open three pointer.

12:40 Inside again to Iverson, who attacks the basket for two.  We haven’t seen him play like this since the Virginia game.

12:15 Hughes knocks down a three, and Wisconsin cuts the lead to one.

11:39 Nolen grabs an offensive rebound, whips around, only to miss a lay up but gets his own tip in.

11:20 Wide open 15 footer from the left side for Landry. Some how he is unguardable outside of ten feet.

11:00 Tim Doyle goes on a one minute tangent involving rolling balls and raised courts. Travis Busch comes in for “toughness” though he doesn’t get to be tough as Carter bricks a long jumper with 30 seconds on the shot clock.

9:38 Sampson looking like his dad knocking down a turnaround jumper.

9:20 Landry knocks down another wide open three pointer to tie the game. Sampson got lost that time.

8:50 Westbrook drives head down into the lane, but he’s playing Wisconsin so the lay-up goes in.

8:26 Westbrook bulls through the lane, but Eddie Hightower calls the charge even though the two other referees said Landry was not set and was under the basket. The angry 80 year old men in the crowd are displeased.

8:04 Leuer blatantly travels, but hits a twisting jumper from three feet out.

7:43 Westbrook puts his head down again, drives again, and scores again.  This time he is fouled for the three point play. I know that loss in Madison was painful for the Badgers, and they would rather forget that it happened, but did they really forget about Westbrook? Busch leaves, toughness achieved.

7:34 Marcus Landry sticks a leg out and trips Westbrook coming around the screen. Westbrook is fouled, Tubby is perplexed, and physicists everywhere wonder how Westbrook fell down.

7:20 Leuer travels, Sampson is called for a foul, and Leuer makes two free throws. Tubby Smith starts to contemplate taking Clem Haskins jacking throwing lessons.

6:52 Krabbenhoft pushes Sampson after the play. Sampson is angry, but emotionless.

6:06 Iverson is tackled attempting a lay-up, but no foul is called. Trevon Hughes promptly scorches the Gopher defense and hits Landry for the lay-up.

5:30 Westbrook’s floater comes up short.

5:21 Hughes blows by the Gophers again, misses the lay-up, but Landry flies in for the follow. Things are looking bleak.

4:51 Another bad possession that begins with Nolen getting himself trapped in the corner, and a bad miss on a three pointer by Nolen. Johnson bails his teammate out though with the rebound, gets fouled, and makes both free throws.

4:40 Hughes trips over his faux-hawk chasing down a loose ball. Hoffarber, being the closest Gopher, is called for the foul. Hughes makes both free throws, and Wisconsin pushes the lead to 43-40.

4:14 Westbrook returns, Johnson hits a free throw, and the Gophers are within two.

4:06 Krabbenhoft sticks his elbows up setting a screen on Westbrook. Mr. Krabbenhoft’s reputation appears to have caught up to him. If only it didn’t cost Lewis Jackson a few hundred brain cells and Matt Gatens a few ounces of blood. Gophers on another four minute field goal drought.

3:16 Westbrook blocks Krabbenhoft, but steps in the general vicinity of the base line. Tonight, this counts as out of bounds. On the ensuing inbounds play Hughes races past everyone for another lay-up.

2:49 Carter and Nolen out. Iverson and Joseph are in. The freshmen have gained Tubby’s trust.

2:33 Iverson passively tosses it towards the basket, and it looks just about lost.

1:59 Landry finally misses a three pointer. Westbrook dashes down for the one handed runner.  Jordan Taylor tried to box out to get the rebound before Westbrook even shot the ball.

1:52 Kevin Payton still believes, though he can’t watch and has his towel pulled over his eyes.

1:22 Landry air-balls a lay up as the shot clocks runs out. Krabbenhoft loses the rebound, and points at no one in particular.

1:04 Westbrook funds the gap for another right handed runner to tie the game. Has game film been discovered east of the St. Croix? Tim Brewster non-chalantly sings the rouser. The Barn Yard is a mosh pit, and everyone is on their feet.

0:29 Hughes jacks up a Gopher-esque bad three as the shot clock runs out. Sampson grabs the rebound, hands it to Westbrook, who, yep, bulls through the lane and is fouled. He knocks down both free throws, and The Barn erupts like it hasn’t in a decade. Kevin Love is moderately entertained, and looks lonely.

0:05.3 Mad scramble after another missed wide open three, the ball somehow get to Hughes who misses another three, and Krabbenhoft kicks the ball out to Bo Ryan. Pandemonium! But why is Travis Busch so sad?

o:04.2 Westbrook fouled on the inbounds, and calmly knock down the free throws after some lucky tattoo fondling. Devron Bostick of all people is the first off the bench to congratulate him. Meanwhile, the not exactly stealth student section plans a court rushing by yelling “hey let’s rush the court!” The always sly Alan Alda usher calls for back up. Kevin Payton is still excited. Busch is still pouting.

0:03 Trevon Hughes forgets to catch the inbounds pass, and supermans over the scorers table.

0:02.1 Hughes tackled Westbrook. Westbrook hits the first.  Johnson takes off towards the student section to celebrate. Westbrook hits the second, scoring the last 10 points of the game.

0:00 Victory! The Gophers sweep the Badgers for the first time since 1992. The ushers win, the court is not rushed, and the band breaks out “Battle Hymn of the Republic” while Damian Johnson adapts his traditional “Lawn Mower” to incorporate a broom.

As in most close games, Wednesday’s outcome ultimately came down to coaching and execution. Tubby Smith’s job was easier, and involved simply getting out of Westbrook’s way. Bo Ryan on the other hand went away from what had been working all night, put the game in the hands of Trevon Hughes, and ultimately watched his team give the game away.  In addition, his failure to recognize Westbrook as a viable threat must have been maddening for Badger fans. If he had spent more time talking to his team than flirting with Eddie Hightower, the outcome might have be different.

While the game was ultimately decided in the final minutes, Minnesota’s improved (just enough) shooting and care with the ball kept them within striking distance even when the Badgers made their late run.  Minnesota’s 10 turnovers were their fewest in terms of percentage of possessions wasted in four games. The shooting, while not lights out, was just enough to dim the Badger’s shot at redemption. Minnesota realized the shots weren’t falling, and wisely avoided three pointers, attempting only eight the entire game.

The Gophers won’t win with their offense, and they won’t win pretty. Aesthetics don’t matter in March though, and one more gritty effort should be enough to punch a ticket to Boise or Dayton. With other bubble teams around the country popping their own bubbles, the Gophers may have already done enough to make the NCAA tournament. No one wants to leave it up to the always fickle selection committee, and one more win, either Saturday against Michigan  or in the first round of the Big Ten tournament will make Selection Sunday a drama free affair.

Who did what?

• Damian Johnson’s break out performance wasn’t a fluke, and his new found pull up jumper is another weapon that opponents will  need to take into account, which should open up space for him to drive to the basket. Tubby Smith has been looking for a leader, and Johnson has clearly volunteered to fill this role.
• Ralph Sampson played great defense on the inside, but got complete lost every time he got pulled away from the basket.
• Colton Iverson was much more confident on the offensive end, and displayed much better hands, saving at least two turnovers by catching bad passes that in previous games would have sailed out of bounds.
• Devoe Joseph’s statistics are nondescript. He filled his role and didn’t have a single turnover, as a freshman, in a rivalry game, with the NCAA tournament on the line. He also didn’t have any assists. However, if assists were awarded as they are in hockey with up to two assists per score, Joseph would have had several assists. This is only fitting since he is Canadian, eh.
• Blake Hoffarber may be the Gophers most reliable point guard. He isn’t anything flashy, but he is solid and gets the ball where it needs to be. He led the Gophers with three assists and hung with Joe Krabbenhoft down low.
• Al Nolen’s confidence is still completely shot, and he is still struggling to find his role, but he at the very least didn’t do any damage. He had four points, all within a foot of the basket, added five rebounds, and ended the game with no turnovers.
• Paul Carter provided a big boost in the first half but faded in the second. He did make Minnesota’s only three pointer of the night.
• Travis Busch “hustled”.
• Jonathan Williams was actually tolerable while Iverson and Sampson sat on the bench and regained their composure. His ideal role on this team is steal some minutes, and he did just that, and did it admirably. He also went almost six minutes without a foul.
• Lawrence Westbrook is a pure scorer, and sometimes pure scorers do ridiculous things, both good and bad. Westbrook can be more than a little frustrating, but not even Kevin Payton can take over a game on the bench.  He needs to play, even when things aren’t going well, and we need to be patient. Without his late game heroics the Gophers would be on the NIT bubble.
• Jamal Abu-Shamala played his standard statisticless three minutes.

Related posts:

1. Badgers in town for a Border Bubble Battle
2. Miracle in Madison
3. As long as they beat the Badgers
4. Just showing up is just enough, Gophers beat South Dakota State
5. Game 13 Review: Gophers get on Westbrook’s back, beat Penn State

Tags: Colton Iverson, Damian Johnson, Game Review, Joe Krabbenhoft, Lawrence Westbrook, Marcus Landry, Trevon Hughes, Tubby Smith, Video