When you play well can sometimes be more important than how well you play. In Minnesota’s two games against Indiana this season, they played better than the Hoosiers for 70 of 80 minutes. Unfortunately, the last two minutes in Minneapolis and the final 8 minutes in Bloomington last night were more than enough to give Indiana a season sweep over the Gophers.

Minnesota and Indiana played a very even first half. Both teams struggled to score. Minnesota’s defense was especially successful in the early going at forcing Indiana to take long three pointers. Dan Coleman, often maligned for his lack of aggression and rightly so, may have had the defensive play of the year in the conference with his block on Indiana guard Armon Bassett. On the offensive end, Coleman was every where along with Lawrence McKenzie, who decided to make more than his typical cameo appearance in the first half. Unfortunately, the senior duo’s stellar play was overshadowed by another long buzzer beater, this time from D.J. White, who made the first three pointer of his career.

Unlike last week against Purdue, when E’Twan Moore  hit an equally baffling buzzer beater at the end of the first half, Indiana was unable to capitalize off of any momentum the shot may have created. Minnesota quickly erased a 4 point deficit on a free throw by Lawrence McKenzie and one of Dan Coleman’s two three pointers (anyone else remember when he would put up about 5 each game?).  Indiana was once again able to pull ahead by 7, but a lay up and a three pointer by McKenzie and a dunk by Jonathan Williams, who once again played a solid game.  Another three by McKenzie and a lay-up by Coleman and suddenly the Gophers had the lead, a lead that would last about 5 seconds.

Just as Minnesota looked to have Indiana on the ropes, or at the very least looking like they could keep it close the very end, the free throw parade began. From eight minute mark on, Eric Gordon, who is obviously much quicker than anyone Gopher defender, made eight free throws. During the last 8 minutes of the game, the entire Gopher team scored 8 points. Many of the fouls were legitimate, some were a bit dicey, but none of them did anything to prevent Minnesota from barely managing a point per minute during the most important eight minutes of the game.

Who did what? 

• It may not have been his best game of the season, but Dan Coleman played his most obvious game of the season. He was blocking shots, rebounding, scoring on occasion. Sure he didn’t smile, grit his teeth, frown, flare his nostrils, or do anything that would indicate that he is capable of emotion, but he finally played how Gopher fans have been clamoring for him to play for years. He finished with 16 points, 3 very impressive blocks, and 8 rebounds.

• Spencer Tollackson had the worst game of his career. He allegedly sprained a thumb on Tuesday, but it is doubtful he would have started if injured digit was the real reason for his woefulness. In 11 minutes, he didn’t score and had one rebound. Apparently an injured thumb makes rebounding, playing defense, or even being on the correct side of the floor impossible.

• Lawrence McKenzie had a fearless shooting night, and most of the time it worked out. Whether hitting shots in transition or long 3’s off of equally long rebounds with the shot clock expiring, the Lawrence of old is back. Given the Gophers lack of offensive punch, this isn’t actually too bad. He scored a game high 22, but his 6-11 shooting hurt the Gophers chances of building a lead or keeping it close towards the end.

• Indiana’s guards struggled from the floor, and Lawrence Westbrook had a lot do with it. His offensive numbers weren’t spectacular (8 points, 2 assists, 3 turnovers) but he played more point guard last night than he has all season, and was fairly competent.

• Jamal Abu-Shamala once again started both halves, and used his limited playing time to show that he doesn’t belong on the court.

• Al Nolen had 3 assists and two turnovers, but the turnovers came at bad times and were blatantly bone-headed mistakes.

• No one would confuse Jonathan Williams for being anything resembling smooth, but his herky-jerky up and under move as the shot clock expired in the first half was nearly a thing of beauty. He scored 6 points, but only rebounded twice as well as Tollackson.

• Blake Hoffarber forgot how to shoot.

• Damian Johnson scored 5 points, including a three pointer, and added 2 blocks and a steal.

The Barn is definitely back. After a hiatus of decade (with occasional brief glimpses of what it once was) Williams Arena returned to form as one of the toughest places to play in all of college basketball. The lobby was filled an hour and a half before game time, the student section was full 45 minutes later, and there was a palpable buzz as the rest of the fans filed in. When the game finally started, it was pandemonium. The most roudy crowd in years exploded after defensive stops and smart plays in a way that was formerly reserved for 20 point runs. Every one in attendance knew the importance of the game, including both the Gophers and the Hoosiers, who had not yet beaten any team of consequence.

Eric Gordon struggled mightily as 14,000 desperate to explode fans obviously bothered him, but D.J. White cemented his status as the heart and soul of the Hoosiers. White showed off his explosive leeping ability as he pulled down ten rebounds. He also scored 15 points, 4 on momentum swinging dunks, including an alley-oop that was at my eye level (I sit in the 13th row). On a night marked by two teams playing hot potato with a chance to win, ultimately is was White that took over the game.

Indiana came into the game ranked #9 in the country with their only loss being a bad one to Xavier. Minnesota entered less than a week removed from a 16 point comeback against Penn State and on a quest to prove that their six point loss to Michigan State earlier in the season was not a fluke. Minnesota’s Michigan State loss doesn’t appear to be a fluke, but they were once again unable to close out an elite team.

Most of the attention going into the game was focused on all-everything Hoosier guard Eric Gordon, and how the Gophers could slow him. It turned out that the best defense is a referee with a quick whistle. Less than 9 minutes into the game Eric Gordon had three fouls, and for the majority of the game was ineffective. None of his fouls were particualrly blatant, but they were a product of poor officiating. Lawrence Westbrook isn’t a scoring threat from 35 feet out. Even when Gordon was in the game he appeared flustered by the crowd, the Gophers swarming defense, and perhaps himself because of his inability to score at will. He finished with 12 points and 7 turnovers in what may be the worst game of his college career.

If anything, Eric Gordon’s early foul trouble was a mixed bless. In his absence, Jordon Crawford keyed a 17-0 Hoosier run as he made four first half three pointers to give the Hoosiers a relatively comfortable eight point lead considering the back and forth nature of the first part of the half. When Gordon was in the game, any semblance of organized Hoosier offensive quickly morphed into the Eric Gordon show, with his team mates content to watch Gordon improvise. The Gopher defense feasted off the lack of ball movement or really any movement by the Hoosiers. Indiana turned the ball over 26 times, many of which were bad passes that sailed well into the crowd.

Indiana problems holding on to the ball are the reason the game stayed close. While Minnesota’s defense was brilliant and they clearly wanted the win more, the Gophers could not make baskets when they needed to. The Big Ten’s best three point shooting team most likely will not hold that title again this season after a disastrous 3-17 shooting night from behind the three point line. It wasn’t that the shots were forced or that the Hoosiers were playing exceptional perimeter defense. The Gophers just couldn’t get them to fall. Free throw shooting was just as problematic, as the Gophers made only 11-21, including 0-7 Spencer Tollackson. I would much rather lose a close game than be blown out, but losses are much more frustrating when two more free throws and one more three pointer could change the course of the game.

The Gophers aren’t in the elite of the league, but in their two biggest games of the year, they’ve shown the ability to push elite teams to the edge. The difference in Thursday night’s game was that Dan Coleman finally showed up in a big game. He led the team in playing time and aggressively took the ball to the basket. There was a fire in his eyes that I haven’t seen at any point in his career. Spencer Tollackson also played an good floor game. His rebounding difficulties are almost as well documented as a his free throw problems, but he at least was able to give the Gophers an inside presence on the offensive end. Unfortunately, the third senior, Lawrence McKenzie struggled offensively and missed a wide open three pointer in the final minute. The seniors should be better prepared than anyone else to close out a close game, but they just aren’t there yet.

Minnesota’s five point loss to the Hoosiers could go a long way in determining how the rest of the season will go. The Gophers and their fans clearly had a lot invested in what could have been an opportunity for a breakthrough win that would shove all the unpleasant memories of the Dan Monson era to the distant pass. They came close and obviously played much better than at any point last season, but a loss is a loss, and this one was particularly frustrating. Tubby Smith will have a real challenge to get the team ready for Michigan State, another team to which the Gophers narrowly lost. In past years (or for the football team for that matter) a loss like this could cause a season killing shame spiral. It is Tubby’s job to remind the Gophers just how close they came, and that with a little luck the game could have gone their way. If he succeeds, the Gophers should be in good shape. If he doesn’t the Seniors may feel like they just aren’t meant to win the big one.

Who did what:

• Jamal Abu-Shamala keeps starting, and keeps sitting on the bench for 3/4 of the game.
• Dan Coleman was just about everywhere, and led the Gophers in scoring. Unfortunately he wasn’t the Gopher who went to the line seven times. Dan, take it at your man.
• Spencer Tollackson, bend your knees, shoot it granny style, try to bank it in, do anything that you aren’t doing when you shoot free throws.
• Lawrence Westbrooks offensive numbers were…well…offensive. However, he was one of the key reasons why Eric Gordon struggled mightily.
• Lawrence Mckenzie has usually been able to play the point well or put up quite a few points. Not on Thursday against the Hoosiers. McKenzie also gave every Gopher fan flashbacks to a certain disastrous football game against Wisconsin as dropped a pass out of bounds with less than two minutes left in the game.
• Al Nolen was regularly able to find open Gophers under the basket, including Spencer Tollackson where it would be impossible to miss a lay up. (Spencer, I’m kidding. You might be my favorite Gopher, but you can be so frustrating).
• Kevin Payton played six minutes. At least his playing time is going in the right direction.
• Jonathan Williams is still a year away from being Big Ten ready.
• Blake Hoffarber scored 7 points, including a four point play in the first half. However, the rest of the Big Ten has realized that right now he is little more than a spot shooter (though an excellent one) and a defensive liability. Hoffarber will need to start scoring inside the three point line or anywhere off the dribble.
• Damian Johnson, I know you wanted to be “plastic man” and its already taken. Would “elastic man” work? He had eight points, five steals, three blocks and three assists.
• Travis Busch played two minutes.
• Ryan Saunders, get well soon.

Highlights from the Big Ten Network

There was a time when “The State of Hockey” would pause their collective poke checking, often because it was too cold outside, and gather in living rooms around Minnesota to listen or watch their beloved Gophers take on their opponents in one of the best basketball enviroments in the country. Basketball never has and never will replace hockey in Minnesota’s collective conscience, but you will be hard pressed to find anyone in Minnesota over the age of 20 who doesn’t have fond memories of listenening to Ray Christansen’s warm voice while an icy win blew outside.

A lot has changed in the last 1o years, but The Barn has stood strong, and Minnesotans have waited patiently for the old building to come alive again as an Alberta Clipper sweeps through the state.

A controversial coach, well thought out harassing taunts, even a Star Tribune article about the Gophers before game day, temperatures plunging, and a national telvision audience: the long wait may be over. A win over the #9 Indiana Hoosiers tomorrow night could restore Gopher Basketball to its rightful place as the North Star State’s favorite distraction.

Gopher basketball fans have been waiting a long time for Thursday night’s game. Not only will a nationally ranked team  come into Williams Arena, but it will be nationally televised, and most importantly, winnable. For whatever reason, Indiana teams have consitently struggled at The Barn, losing 8 of their last 10. And who could for get the 50 point Gopher win in 1994?

Indiana comes to Minneapolis with a perfect conference record and 14-1 overall. However, their three Big Ten wins, including last Sunday’s 4 point home win over Illinois, have come against atrocious competition. They didn’t face many strong teams in the non-conference season, with their most impressive win coming against a Southern Illinois team that has since fallen on very hard times. Like many teams, this still relatively early season ranking is based more on tradition that triumphs.

That isn’t to say that the Hoosiers don’t have the talent to be worthy of their ranking. Freshman sensation Eric Gordon could be the #1 overall pick, depending on whether the Minnesota Timberwolves want another undersized shooting guard. Joining Gordon in the first round of the draft will be Indina forward D.J. White. No longer the young big man who struggled to live up to expectations, White has been putting up monstrous numbers, averaging a double double with season highs of 29 points and 22 points. Gordon may get the accolades, but it is White who wins games. After the two superstars, the talent level obviously drops off, but not much. Jordan Crawford would be a lock for Big Ten freshman of the year if Gordon wasn’t around. Armon Bassett, another talented guard, has been slowed by an ankle injury but is still expected to be a factor.

Because of Indiana’s sheer number of talented players, there are bound to be match up problems. The Gophers won’t be able double team  White, because the Hoosier back court can shoot. The Gophers can’t rely on a zone defense for this reason, as well as the inevitable rebounding problems.

So do the Gophers stand a chance? Of course they do!

For whatever reason, the Gopher man to man defense has been very successful at frustrating opponents and forcing turnovers more than the full court press. The trio of Lawrence McKenzie, Lawrence Westbrook, and Al Nolen  should be enough to slow down Gordon. He will still get a lot of points, but if the Gophers play solid defense, he won’t win the game by himself. Damian Johnson should also get a chance to slow down Gordon, particularly if it is a slow paced game.

The key to the game (and certainly a recent theme of this blog) will be keeping the rebounding margin within reason. The Gophers will need to agressively attack the glass on both ends of the court. The Gophers have less talent and are less athletic, and probably won’t shoot as well as the Hoosiers. However, with significantly more possessions from offensive rebounds and limiting Indiana to one shot, the Hoosier’s advantages might not matter much.

For this to happen, Jonathan Williams will have to play productive minutes. He is the only wide body the Gophers have with a shred of athletic ability. Williams must avoid fouls and not draw attention to himself as he tries to spike the ball and opponents’ heads out of bounds. I’ve given up on Spencer Tollackson getting off the floor when he tries to jump, but at the very least he needs to push his man out of the way so another Gopher can slide in and get the board.

Bad Gopher teams have beaten good Indiana teams for years. Statistics, talent, coaching, none of it has mattered, and against my better judgement, I don’t think anything that I have written about in the last few paragraphs will matter either. There is a reason why road teams don’t win in the Big Ten, and why hardly anyone beats the Gophers in The Barn (except last year of course), and that reason is the crowd. And tomorrow night, as Williams Arena returns to its rightful place in the basketball arena parthenon, the entire state will finally be able to watch and be reminded that for a few hours each week, the state of hockey is all about basketball.

Prediction: 74-71 Gophers. Bring your cell phone, but don’t rush the floor.