Disaster
February 11, 2010

Seldom can a game, let alone a season, be defined by a single moment. However, it might not be unwise to point to what happened with 11 minutes and six seconds left in the game between the hometown Minnesota Gophers and the visiting Michigan Wolverines on February 11.

After a lethargic start the Gophers found themselves trailing the underdog Wolverines at Williams Arena by 44-38. Minnesota forward Paul Carter saw an opening and drove to the basket for a dunk shot that would have drawn the Gophers within four points and signaled a momentum change. But a whistle blew, the majority of the 14,625 in attendance believed that Carter would be awarded a free throw on top of his basket. Unfortunately for Minnesota a foul was called on Carter, and the basket negated.

Michigan’s Zack Gibson’s subsequent three-point attempt sailed into the basket, and the Wolverines led 47-38. Minnesota was unable to mount a serious threat after that, and Michigan had a 71-63 victory. By the time the final horn sounded, the majority of fans had left the building.

With the loss, coach Tubby Smith’s team abandoned hope of selection to the NCAA tournament field. Michigan entered the game with more losses than wins and had been defeated in conference play by Indiana, Northwestern (twice), and Wisconsin. The decisive nature of Minnesota’s loss to the Wolverines indicates the extent of the decline in which the Gophers have fallen during the course of this long season, a deterioration not unlike that of their football brothers. Both teams simply wore out.

However, coach Smith wasn’t in a mood to use fatigue as an excuse after the game’s conclusion. He cited his team’s lack of energy and concentration. “We haven’t really stepped up in big games,” he said. “I’m disappointed that we didn’t play better. I think we are capable, but we have to play solid defense.”

Smith openly criticized his team’s lack of hustle. “We didn’t get down on the floor to fight for loose balls, and we gave up too many layups to Michigan.” He emphasized that Minnesota is a team lacking in overwhelming talent. “We have to over-achieve if we expect good things to happen,” he said. When that does not occur his team is in trouble. The solution? “You go out and recruit better players.”

When asked about the NCAA tournament, Smith muttered, “I’m not worried about the tournament. I’m worried about tomorrow’s practice.”

Michigan coach John Beilein said, “We’ve been waiting to play that well all season,” and the Gophers were more than willing to give the Wolverines that chance.

Beilein’s Wolverines jumped out to an 8-2 lead at the 15:19 mark after a basket by Daris Morris capped an 8-0 Michigan run. Zach Novak gave the Wolverines their biggest lead of the first half when he hit a three-pointer at the 11:32 mark to make it 15-8.

With Michigan leading, 19-13, Minnesota did go on an 8-2 run and tied the game at 21. But Michigan’s Manny Harris, a thorn in the Gophers’ sides all night, hit a pair of free throws and layup to put the Wolverines ahead 25-21. Harris and center DeShawn Sims were unstoppable all evening, especially in the second half. Sims finished with 27 points and Harris had 20. No other Wolverine scored in double figures.

In the first half, Michigan shot four-for-nine from beyond the three-point line, a commendable effort since the Wolverines entered the game with as Big Ten’s worst three-point shooters. Michigan added three more three-point baskets to the team’s total in the second half.

Carter led the way for Minnesota in the first half with nine of the Gophers’ 13 points off the bench. The Gopher starters, particularly Devoe Joseph, appeared listless and somewhat disinterested in the evening’s events.

In the second half, the Wolverines went on a 7-2 run to take a 38-33 lead capped by a layup by Sims. Michigan took its largest lead of the game at 57-46 when Sims hit a layup with 5:37 remaining in the game. The 6-8 senior from Detroit encountered little resistance from Minnesota’s front line.

Minnesota was led by Blake Hoffarber’s 16 points. Sims’ point total was the most scored against the Gophers this season.

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