It only took four years, or in the cases of Dan Coleman and Lawrence McKenzie, 5 years to learn how to win a big game. But when the final horn sounded on Saturday at The Barn, just about everyone was willing to overlook the previous missed opportunities and enjoy Minnesota first semi-surprising win of the year.

In a lot of ways, Senior Day mimicked the careers of Minnesota’s seniors. Ryan Saunders didn’t play, Spencer Tollackson got himself into foul trouble and barely impacted the game, Dan Coleman had decent numbers (13 points, 5 rebounds ) but you would be hard pressed to find anyone that remembers how those came about, and Lawrence McKenzie essentially took the first half off, only to explode for 20 in the second half.

The first half resembled the junior years of the soon to be departing upperclassman. Both teams struggled to find any sort of offensive flow. Minnesota was content to throw long passes out of bounds, to stand as still as possible against Ohio State’s zone, and actually make a few free throws. For their part, the Buckeyes were content to miss plenty of shots, and run away from the ball every time Minnesota missed a shot. Thanks to their offensive rebounding advantage and 8-10 free throw shooting, the Gophers went into half time up one. Yes, the Gophers failed to hold an opponent scoreless in the final 5 seconds of the first half again.

In the second half, Ohio State used their full court press off of every made basket, and it was the best thing to happen to the Gophers all day. Though they didn’t always break it with ease, many times they turned the ball over or barely made it across the mid-court before a 10-second call, Minnesota scored much more easily when the Buckeyes pressed.  By pressing, Ohio State gave up the zone that had held the Gophers to 30% shooting and made them look simply silly a few weeks ago in Columbus.

Lawrence McKenzie and Lawrence Westbrook took advantage of what was soon a roomy perimeter. In fact, between the 17:14 and 4:49 mark of the second half, only the Lawrence’s scored. Before the Lawrence streak began Minnesota was up  31-28, and when it ended the Gophers led 58-46.

Ohio State continued their shooting struggles in the second half, even from 3 inches away, which is about how far Kosta Koufos was away from the basket when he was rejected by the front of the rim. Koufos finished with 17 points, but the blown dunk and numerous air balls, despite the 5 or 6 inch height advantage, was certainly not the performance of a future first round draft pick. Jamar Butler, who torched the Gophers in the first meeting between these teams, and has played nearly every minute since,  is dead on his feet. He played tired, and made only 4-13 shots and committed 3 turnovers.

The last four years of Minnesota basketball have been tough to swallow. Many players have left the program, and not much needs to be said about last year. But the seniors stuck it out, didn’t do anything off the court to embarass themselves or the team, and at the very least gave next year’s talented class something to build off of. In these days of player arrests and cheating scandals, these are not small feats.

Who did what:

•  Jamal Abu-Shamala started both halves, and promptly sat on the bench for the rest of each half. He scored two points in 7 minutes.
• Dan Coleman had a quiet 13 points and 5 rebounds.
• Spencer Tollackson struggled, with shooting and fouls particularly, and finished with 5 points and 5 rebounds.
• Lawrence Westbrook had what must be his 10th career high of the season. He sparked the Gopher second half surge and had 16 points and 6 rebounds, a team high for the 5′10″ guard.
• Lawrence McKenzie was horrible in the first half and brilliant in the second half. He scored 20 second half points after a turnover plagued first 20 minutes. Like the rest of the Gophers, he made his free throws (7-7 for him, 22-25 for the team).
• Blake Hoffarber missed a lot (4-13) but his willingness to shoot over the zone may have been what caused the Buckeyes to try to press the Gophers. He only had 10 points, but may have played a much bigger role in the game. I guess only Thad knows.
• Al Nolen played solid defense and made his free throws.
• Damian Johnson decided he doesn’t need to shoot to change a game, and he was right. He had 5 rebounds, 3 offensive, and played great defense as always.
• Jonathan Williams pulled down 3 offensive rebounds, but also turned the ball over 3 times.
• Kevin Payton barely played.
• Travis Busch played the last minute of the game.

For 24 of the 40 minutes, Minnesota out played the Ohio State Buckeyes. They attacked the zone, found the open man, made easy shots, and forced the Buckeyes to live up to their turnover prone potential. Unfortunately, during the first and last eight minutes of the game, the Gophers caught Monsonitis so badly that 5th graders across the state were screaming at the Gophers to move the ball and attack the basket. Ohio State jumped out to a 19-3 lead, eventually cut to 3, and then went on a 31-15 run to eventually win 76-60.

Minnesota’s slow start was especially disconcerting because they had a week to prepare for Ohio State’s zone defense. Either Tubby didn’t have the team ready, or they forgot everything they learned the previous week. The key to breaking down a zone defense is to move the ball, penetrate, and to keep going until a gap opens up. Instead, the Gophers lackadaisically and nonchalantly tossed the ball around the perimeter allowing Ohio State to swarm to the ball. It was rare for the Gophers to even have a look at the basket with more than 15 seconds on the shot clock. Does this sound familiar?

Last year the Gophers would have wilted, but they were not content with being blown out, at least not right away.
Lawrence Westbrook forgot that he is no longer in high school, and that he is not quite 6 feet tall. He made two long three pointers to bring the Gophers back to within 10, and led the team in rebounds, despite going eye to belly with Kosta Koufas and the oversized Buckeye front line.

The seniors (except Spencer Tollackson, who has earned a benching) even got in the act, as Dan Coleman finally found the gaps in the zone that had been there all night, and Lawrence McKenzie brought back the “look at me” act at an opportune time, hitting three pointers and pull up jumpers in transition.

And then it all fell apart. A parade of anorexic white dudes started dunking, Tubby Smith picked up a well earned technical foul, which only led to a “comedy of turnovers” in coach Smith’s words. A few dunks later and the game was out of hand.

While not as dramatic as Drew Neitzel’s soul crushing three pointers a week ago, Jamar Butler turned into the most dominating performance by a Gopher opponent this year. Whether open, covered by someone his size, or shooting three pointers over Spencer Tollackson, he couldn’t miss, except from the free throw line strangely enough. He finished the game with 29 points and 9 assists, though this doesn’t even begin to describe his impact on the game. His performance reiterated how important a go-to guy can be, and how every tournament team needs someone like him. Until someone steps up for the Gophers, we should be happy they still haven’t lost a game they should have won.

Who did what?

• Dan Coleman played well when the Gophers played well, but disappeared along with everyone else when the game got out of hand. His 4 turnovers certainly didn’t help matters, but if hadn’t stepped up the final score would be much uglier. He finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds (3 offensive).
• Spencer Tollackson is steadily losing minutes to Jonathan Williams and even Damian Johnson. He made a free throw, but that was about all he did right. A senior and supposed leader need to make more than a third of his shots, and should never be out-rebounded by a guy who is 5′10″ on a tall day.
• Lawrence Westbrook has taken full advantage of the opportunity created by Al Nolen’s injury. No one wants to see someone get hurt, but Westbrook’s confidence and intensity that have developed over the last two games could be very beneficial in the long run.
• Lawrence McKenzie turned in a solid game when it mattered, finishing with 10 points, 4 assists, and no turnovers. If only he could get to the free throw line.
• Jamal Abu-Shamala may have set a record for the fewest minutes played by a starter. In his three minute he committed two fouls and turned the ball over. Even senior scrubs get to play until the first TV time out during the final home game of their career.
• Al Nolen struggled in his first game back from a thigh bruise, and couldn’t keep up with Butler. It was good to see him back, and he was certainly better than any of his possible replacements, but he just wasn’t his old self tonight.
• Kevin Payton played one minute less than Abu-Shamala. The bench is shortening.
• What Travis Busch lacks in talent he makes up in fiestyness. The Gophers would benefit from a moderation in both categories.
• Jonathan Williams provided a very serviceable game, scoring 4 points and making both his free throw attempts. Yet, in 13 minutes he didn’t have a single rebound.
• Blake Hoffarber had his shot against the zone, actually several, but only finished 1/7 from behind the three point line. He finished with 8 points in a missed opportunity.
• Damian Johnson was everywhere again, and might as well be considered the starter even when he doesn’t start. He had a highlight reel block on an alley-oop to Kosta Koufos and slashing dunk in garbage time. In between he had 8 points, 5 assists, and 6 rebounds. What is the process for officially bestowing a nickname on a D-I basketball player, because elastic man could soon be taken.
• Ryan Saunders, that was looking dangerously close to spandex.

Highlights from the Big Ten Network:

Like most rankings that have more to do with computers and calculus than people, the RPI leaves a lot to be desired. While it is not as flawed as the BCS rankings, and can be useful to compare teams that have not and will not play each other, it shouldn’t be then end all and be all of pre-game predictions.

Looking strictly at the RPI rankings, Ohio State should be expected to win handily. Their RPI ranking is in the mid-20’s according to most websites that keep track of this sort of thing, while Minnesota is ranked in the mid-70’s. However, when examining the seasons of both teams so far, there are more similarities than differences. Both the Gophers and the Buckeyes have won and lost the games they were supposed to win and lose. Neither team has what could be considered a defining or suprising win. The only real difference between these teams is that Ohio State has lost to better opponents, which the RPI awards. Though, I can’t complain too much because it allowed the Gophers to back into their only top 100 win. Even though Iowa State was thoroughly dominated by Kansas the other night, it actually helped their ranking. The wonders of modern technology…

Before you accuse me of being a Luddite, let me say that the world of computer rankings and new-fangled statistics isn’t all bad, because some of these new-fangled statistics show why the Gophers have an outstanding chance to pick up their best win of the season tonight.

Down with Goldy correctly points out that turnovers should be the deciding factor tonight. Minnesota is the best in the country at forcing turnovers, while Ohio State is one of the best (or worst) at turning the ball over. Jamar Butler, hailed by some as the best point guard in the Big Ten, is a senior leader that rarely makes bad decisions, but when he doesn’t have the ball, look out. Kosta Koufos turns the ball over three times more often than he makes an assist. David Lighty barely breaks even, and Evan Turner is about as bad Koufos. In fact, after Butler, only two OSU players have an assists to turnover ratio greater than one.

The Gophers have real opportunity is this game to set the tempo of the game and make their already shaky ball handling opponent frantic . With the return of Al Nolen, the Gophers should press early and often. Against Indiana and Michigan State, Minnesota was reluctant to press because of their relative lack of foot speed and the many solid ball handlers on both the Spartans and the Hoosiers. Competent ball handlers is not a luxury the Buckeyes have, and getting the ball out of Butler’s hands will give them a huge advantage.

The Gophers could also have an advantage on offense. Word on the street, or at least from one beat writer who doesn’t always know what he is talking about, is that Ohio State likes to play a zone defense. If that is the case, Blake Hoffarber and the other Gopher outside shooters should get plenty of open looks. Dan Coleman has also been excellent at finding gaps in the zone and attacking the basket. Best of all, zone defences rarely allow trips to the free throw line, and Ohio State is the best in the country at preventing free throws. You can’t miss free throws if you don’t take them.

Inevitably, like every game the Gophers have played so far this season, the final score will come down to rebounding. Unlike last year, Ohio State is not a particularly good rebounding team. Although they have size, especially with Zorba I mean Koufos patrolling the paint, they rebound worse than the Gophers. More than anything else, Koufos is a European big man (he plays a lot like Dan Coleman). He may present match up problems for whoever is stuck with him on the perimeter, but getting him out of the paint will be a trade the Gophers are willing to make.

Ohio State may still find a way to win, or the Gophers will find a way to fail to win, but the game should be competitive for at leat 38 minutes.

Prediction: Tie game with 15 seconds left, at which point Greg Oden hobbles on to the court, blocks a shot with his cane, is fouled, and makes 2 left handed free throws, and blocks a last second shot by the Gophers, once again with the cane, to preserve the win. Actually, Minnesota will find a way to lose, but it won’t have anything to do with geriatric 20 year-olds. anOSU 69 Minnesota 67