Gophers End Losing Streak by Thumping Indiana
February 16, 2019
In desperate need of a victory after four straight losses, the University of Minnesota men’s basketball team responded with a decisive 84-63 win over a stunned group of Indiana Hoosiers at Williams Arena.
The three-point scoring touch that had eluded the Gophers in losses to Purdue, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Nebraska returned early to Minnesota as the team canned its first four attempts from behind the line and gained the lead. Outside accuracy opened up the painted areas for Daniel Oturu and Jordan Murphy to muscle their way past Hoosier defenders for easy baskets.
One look at Indiana’s slender big men De’Ron Davis and Juwan Morgan gave rise to the suspicion that the burly Murphy was in for a big game, and the 6-5 power forward did not disappoint. Murphy finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds. The secret of Murphy’s success lies in the size and strength of his powerful hands coupled with his determination to dominate the paint.
“Murphy has unbelievable hands,” observed Indiana coach Archie Miller, “and I haven’t yet seen a guy that strong. He is able to hold ground and do what he wants to in there.”
Minnesota coach Richard Pitino noted that Murphy “doesn’t get the respect he deserves.” Murphy has recorded 159 dunks in his career at Minnesota, including one against Indiana that left the Hoosiers bewildered. “It was a drop-step dunk,” Pitino said. “Do you realize how hard that is to do?” Especially for a guy with Murphy’s height limitations.
“He knows what he is good at,” his coach said, “and he sticks to it.”
Murphy had 17 points by halftime. Freshman Gabe Kalescheur had three three-point baskets (He finished with six), and the Gophers had a 42-30 lead. Minnesota made a season-high 12 three-point baskets in the game.
The three-point basket has become such an important part of basketball. Simply put, if you have accurate three-point shooters on your team, the odds favor victory. If you don’t, you will lose more than you will win.
The second half saw the Gophers taking a 30-point lead before throttling back to allow the Hoosiers to score 34 points in the period.
“We didn’t have the urgency, toughness, and fight to win on the road,” Miller. “We have to make some drastic changes.”
Indiana now is 4-10 in the Big Ten and 13-12 overall. This is a far cry from the championship years of Bobby Knight. All that remains of the Knight era are the candy-striped warmup pants, possibly worn in homage to the infamous old coach.
“Once we hit our first four three-pointers,” said Pitino, “it snowballed. We had a lot of assisted jump shots, and we played terrific defense.”
Minnesota totaled 19 assists to Indiana’s eight. Kalescheur finished with 20 points. Amir Coffey had 18. Juwan Morgan led the Hoosiers with 14.