Home Court Advantage
January 24, 2015
After a brutal loss in Lincoln to Nebraska, the University of Minnesota men’s basketball team managed to pick up the pieces at home and pull out a 79-71 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini.
The Nebraska defeat demonstrated how far the Gophers have fallen since starting the season 11-2. In a game best described as unwatchable, the Gophers and Cornhuskers played with all the finesse of a junior high pickup game. The Old Dutch Little Chippers Williams Arena halftime games have more style.
Against the Illini, the home court seemed to sooth Minnesota’s wild man antics, but an Illinois basket by sub Maverick Morgan put the Gophers in an 18-15 hole at 11:34. A pair of Mo Walker free throws gave Minnesota the lead back at 23-22, and the Gophers maintained a 33-30 halftime advantage.
In the second half, with the score tied at 44, senior guard Andre Hollins took over. He was fouled by Ahmad Starks while making a three-point basket and made the free throw for a four-point play. The Fighting Illini crumbled, allowing baskets by Minnesota’s Walker and Charles Buggs to build a 10-point lead. Before the run was over, Minnesota led 61-46 with six minutes to play, and Illinois didn’t have the stamina to catch up.
“During a seven-minute stretch, Minnesota imposed their will on us,” mused Illinois coach John Groce after the game. “Our zone got soft, and Hollins and Walker took advantage. Both were terrific, and we had no answer for either. Today, Minnesota was the tougher team.”
The Gophers did let Illinois to get within 67-59 on a Jaylon Tate free throw, but Minnesota extended the lead to 14 points on a Hollins layup ,, and the home team averted one of those last-minute collapses familiar to them in Big Ten play.
Team leader Hollins finished with 28 points. Carlos Morris had 16 and Walker had 12. Both Walker and Hollins are seniors.
In the past, Minnesota has had great difficulty with the Illini, losing at home, 62-49, last season. In fact, the Gophers went from 2002 to 2009 without a win over the Illini. Illinois leads the series (going back to 1911) by 119 to 65.
“Andre Hollins,” said his coach, Richard Pitino, “is making the most of his senior season. He has the confidence that comes with seeing his shots go in the basket.
“Mo Walker got bloodied and bruised against Nebraska and started slow today. We told him he’s got to have more pride than he was showing, and he got tough. We all got tougher today.”