From The Barn

Streaks this long don’t end easily

Posted on 28. Feb, 2010 by JF.

A ten point half time lead was surprising. A seemingly insurmountable 19 point lead with just over seven minutes left was shocking. The final score, a 62-60 victory for the Gophers was only unexpected because the Gophers won.
Assembly Hall has been a house of horrors for the Gophers for decades. The last win at Illinois [...]

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Gophers win at Illinois for the first time since 1996!

Posted on 27. Feb, 2010 by JF.

More later, but now, belt it out with me!

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By the Numbers: Nine to Go

Posted on 04. Feb, 2010 by Face.

Gophers: 13-8, 4-5 in the Big Ten.  Nine games to go.  Lost four of their last five.  Can things look bleaker?
It’s hard not to be discouraged after a season in which such high hopes have disintegrated into an abysmal pool of mediocrity.  Results have fallen miles short of expectations, players have walked away from the [...]

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Big Ten Preview: Illinois Fighting Illini

Posted on 27. Dec, 2009 by JF.

Part three of the Big Ten Preview takes a look at the Fighting Illini, a team with tons of potential but little identity heading into the season. Joe of Hail to the Orange has helped attempt to make sense of a very confusing season for Illinois.
FTB: Who are the real Illini, and how did they [...]

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Two Big Ten pieces added to schedule puzzle

Posted on 23. Jul, 2009 by JF.

Today the Big Ten announced the “one game” match-ups for the 2009-2010 basketball season. Due to 11 Big Ten teams and 18 conference games, there are always two teams that each Big Ten teams plays only once.
This upcoming season, Purdue and Iowa face the Gophers twice. For the next two years, Wisconsin and Illinois drop [...]

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The mind is willing but the offense is weak

Posted on 28. Feb, 2009 by JF.

Winning on the road in the Big Ten isn’t easy. Winning at Illinois has been impossible for 30 years for the Gophers. Winning anywhere without an offense, especially at #20 Illinois where the Gophers haven’t won since 1978 (officially) was probably too much to ask. They put up a fight though, and if [...]

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Live Blog: Gophers vs. Illinois, first to break 40 wins

Posted on 26. Feb, 2009 by JF.

<a href=”http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&#038;task=viewaltcast&#038;altcast_code=29df319c69″ mce_href=”http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;altcast_code=29df319c69″ >Gophers vs. Illinois</a>

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Three streaks down, another to go?

Posted on 26. Feb, 2009 by JF.

Golden Gophers vs.  Illinois Fighting Illini

6:00 pm (CST) at Assembly Hall

Radio: WCCO 830 AM
Tv: Big Ten Network
Liveblog: Yup
In a season of snapped streaks this one might be too much. After winning at Wisconsin, beating Illinois, and sweeping Indiana for the first time in far too long, the Gophers attempt to break Illinois’s stranglehold at Assembly [...]

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Barn Blurbs 2/24/09

Posted on 24. Feb, 2009 by JF.

A muddle in middle of Big Ten standings
It has to sort itself out at some point, right?
Father of the jump shot has jersey hung in the rafters at Williams
No word on whether that first jump shot went in.
Projecting the NCAA tournament brackets
A #11 seed that should make us all happy.
Tubby on lacking vocal leadership: “They’re [...]

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Barn Blurbs 2/23/09: We aren’t done yet!

Posted on 23. Feb, 2009 by JF.

Bubble Bump!
Everything fell into place on Sunday, and the Gophers now find themselves tied for fifth place. If, and it is a big if, they win the rest of their games, they could jump all the way to a #3 seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
Set your alarm clocks
The Gophers will play Michigan in the [...]

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Save the season in six simple steps!

Posted on 21. Feb, 2009 by JF.

No it won’t be that easy, and the title has a whole lot more to with its alliterative qualities than salvaging a season that is rapidly taking on water and in danger of sinking like every other team from this state.

If you don’t remember 2003,  consider yourself lucky. If you like visiting Fort Snelling, Murphy’s [...]

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Barn Blurbs 2/6/09

Posted on 06. Feb, 2009 by JF.

Bracketology
Gophers are a #6 seed, but face cindeeralla-lock Utah State in the first round.
Higher salaries often mean more victories
One would certainly hope so.
Jim Souhan: Cold spell slaps Twin Cities sharpshooters
Its contagious!
Bubble bounce!
Gophers pick up two convenient wins from Big Ten under dogs.

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Gophers crush Illinois for a streak of their own

Posted on 30. Jan, 2009 by JF.

Highlights from BTN

So much for the 20 game losing streak to Illinois, and so much for anything resembling reasonable expectations for the rest of the year.  After a blistering forty minutes of in your face, no gimmicks, straight up defense, the Gophers blew the doors off The Barn and blew out the Fighting Illini, 59-36. Any [...]

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1/30/09 Barn Blurbs: Streak is snapped edition

Posted on 30. Jan, 2009 by JF.

Surprise, Surprise
The Gophers are a good surprise. Our eastern neighbors are surprising too.
Jim Souhan: As defensive efforts go, U’s certainly was an eye-opener
”I think Monson’s defense, maybe he wanted to let the other team score,’ Westbrook said.” It certainly works at Grinnell.
Gophers stop Illini
The loss was the worst for Illinois since an 88-57 defeat [...]

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We’re gonna party like its 1999!

Posted on 29. Jan, 2009 by JF.

The streak is over, and somewhere Prince is smiling.

We’ll have much, much more tomorrow. Until then, GO GOPHERS!

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Chatroom: #24 Minnesota vs. #20 Illinois

Posted on 29. Jan, 2009 by JF.

Thanks all for chatting. If you missed what transpired, it is archived here.

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Barn Blurbs 1/29/09: Pre-game reading edition

Posted on 29. Jan, 2009 by JF.

We’ll have the chatroom up around 5 pm. For your pre-game reading pleasure:
Hoffarber still looking for any sign of missing shot
Time to put it on a milk carton
Gophers basketball: Swishes in short supply for Hoffarber
Maybe this streak will end too.
Rise and Fire with Gus Johnson
The esteemed and excitable announcer is looking forward to his first [...]

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#24 Minnesota vs. #20 Illinois: Gophers hope to end “Krushing” streak like its 1999.

Posted on 28. Jan, 2009 by JF.

#24  Golden Gophers vs. #20 Illinois Fighting Illini

8:00 (CST) at Williams Arena (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Radio: WCCO 830 AM
TV: BTN

Tickets: Still a few obstructed seats left

Chatroom: I won’t be here, but if you are, stop by and discuss the game
Minnesota is 0 for the 00’s against Illinois, and has not won against the Illini since February 3, [...]

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Barn Blurbs for 1/28/09

Posted on 28. Jan, 2009 by JF.

We’ll have our preview for the Illinois game up tonight. Until then…
Nolen Starting a Turnaround?
Scout.com looks at Al Nolen’s struggles, and if he finally got his game sorted out against Indiana.
Add Alabama to Tubby Smith Rumors
But why?
Gophers are a cooperative effort
Should be subtitled “Team work through video game” or “Find your own thesis”.
Word is [...]

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Tuesday’s Barn Blurbs

Posted on 27. Jan, 2009 by JF.

Hate the name Barn Blurbs? Suggest an alternative and we will be forever grateful.
Bubble Watch
Gophers listed as “in the mix” and on the verge of  “should be in”. The Illinois game is looming large for Minnesota’s March hopes.
The Poll Attacks
Gary Parrish goes on a bit of a rampage in defending Minnesota’s rankings cred.  If you [...]

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Minnesota somehow still ranked

Posted on 26. Jan, 2009 by JF.

At least according to the coaches poll. The rankings are more or less meaningless, especially this week. If the Gophers beat Illinois they deserve to be ranked. If they don’t, they would fall out of the rankings. Though, ending the streak of death should be worth more than a few bonus points.
Other teams of interest:
7. [...]

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The last great team that counted

Posted on 22. Dec, 2008 by JF.

So, instead of reading what would excessively long preview, why not watch one of the truely great Gopher teams playing probably the best Illinois team ever. This video is from the second Illinois-Minnesota game of 1988-1989 season.
Minnesota’s roster:

No.
Name
Pos.
Elg.
Ht.
Wt.
Hometown

40
Bond, Walter
F
So
6-5
220
Chicago, IL (Collins)

34
Burton, Willie
F
Jr
6-7
210
Detroit, MI (DePorres)

33
Coffey, Richard
F
Jr
6-6
212
Aurora, NC (Aurora)

30
Gaffney, Ray
G
Sr
6-2
193
Dayton, OH (Dunbar)

21
Graves, Robert
G
Fr
6-4
175
Louisville, KY (Seneca)

5
Green, Mario
G
So
6-2
186
Freeport, Bahamas [...]

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The Blogosphere Previews the Big Ten

Posted on 19. Nov, 2008 by JF.

A few of you may remember what can only be described, in the words of the kids these days, my “Epic Fail” of a Big Ten Preview last year. Not only did I begin my preview half way through the season, but I started with the worst teams first, and didn’t bother finishing it. While [...]

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Yes Minnesota, there is an Illini Blog

Posted on 20. Aug, 2008 by JF.

Now you too can fill that gaping hole in all things involving whiny basketball coaches.
As far as I know, Paint the Town Orange is the only Illinois blog out there one of two Illinois blogs out there. Nice job by me checking my own links. So go read them religiously, just don’t bring up Judas.

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Blake or Devoe: Who takes the final shot next year?

Posted on 16. Mar, 2008 by JF.

Blake of course, right? But two options are better than one.
Good video: horrible, typical, youtube audio.
Bad video: better audio with no horrible music.
Looks like Devoe can be clutch in a championship game too.
And yes, the Gophers lost to Illinois for the 20th straight time. Not all that suprising, or worth writing about. If I devoted [...]

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Gophers lose again to Illinois, worst home loss since 1992

Posted on 12. Feb, 2008 by JF.

First a few positives:

The inane chatter about the Gophers making the NCAA tournament will finally end. They weren’t going dancing anyway, and for sure they won’t now unless they win the rest of their games.
There won’t be any more predetermined outcomes. Before tonight the Gophers won every game they were supposed to win, and lost [...]

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Minnesota hopes to end long drought against the Illini

Posted on 12. Feb, 2008 by JF.

Regardless of who you ask, or if you believe that the NCAA can erase history, Minnesota hasn’t beaten Illinois in a long time. If the seasons that officially no longer exist are counted, Minnesota last beat Illinois in 1999 by a score of 75-63. In that game Quincy Lewis scored 28 points and someone named [...]

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Big Ten Preview: University of Illinois

Posted on 31. Dec, 2007 by JF.

In a conference full of uncertainty, Illinois may be the most unpredictable team, not just from game to game but within games themselves. Along with leading scorer Warren Carter and Rich McBride leaving, any sort of reliability has left as well. When Illinois can score, they are a tough team to beat, but not even [...]

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