Gophers Bop Beavers
November 3, 2016
Coming off a 2-16 Big Ten won-loss record, the University of Minnesota mens basketball program had little to do in an exhibition game against Bemidji State other than show their fans some signs of life November 3 at Williams Arena and, for the first 10 minutes of the match, the Gophers failed to do that.
The plucky Beavers of Bemidji State University, formerly known as Bemidji State Teachers College, held a 20-13 lead over listless Minnesota and looked to make it a route when freshman Amir Coffey, son of a former Gopher star, scored on layup and ignited a 25-9 flurry to give the home team a 38-29 halftime lead.
Gopher schedule makers seem to take delight in booking state hockey schools for exhibition games. For its basketball program, Bemidji State is relying of Wisconsin lads to fill out its roster. One of them, JaiVonne Green of Wauwatosa, scored almost at will and finished with 18 points. The Beavers started a short lineup in strange uniforms that combined green, black, gold, and white colors. Very little was revealed about the basketball Beavers, as the schools sports information department was either absent or non-existent.
Basically, Bemidjis lineup was five guards, observed Gopher coach Richard Pitino after the game. Despite this, Minnesota had only a 25-23 first half rebounding advantage.
Veteran guard Nate Mason was not suited up for the contest, a victim of a concussion in a practice session. Bakary [Konate] hit him, Pitino said. Bakary does that to everyone in practice. Last years starting center, the unwieldy Konate did not enter the Bemidji game until five minutes were left.
In the second half, the Beavers managed to crawl within six points to 46-40 on a Green basket but folded shortly thereafter. A Gopher basket by 6-9 freshman Eric Curry made it 59-46, and the rout was on. Curry, who did not start and is no relation to referee Eric Curry, finished with 17 points.
Erics future is extremely bright, gushed Pitino.
When Jordan Murphy hit on a jump shot with 5:49 left, it was 69-52 for Minnesota. Murphy finished as high-point man with 22. Dupree McBrayer added 18.
When the final buzzer sounded, Minnesota had won by the score of 83 to 59. Most of the crowd, charitably announced at 8,014, had gone home, leaving the players and the pep band to celebrate. At the games start, the band numbered more than students in attendance.
The Gophers now begin play for real, hosting the University of Louisiana Ragin Cajuns November 11,