Ragin’ Cajuns Go Down
November 11, 2016
Noting that a game wasn’t as close that the final score indicates usually applies to a recent contest involving the University of Minnesota men’s basketball team. Last season, that explanation sufficed for Gopher losses, and there were many (23).
Against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL), the final score was 86-74, but the Gophers were the winners, and the game was not as close as the final score would indicate. In fact, Minnesota blew the Ragin’ Cajuns out of the building, leading by as much as 68-41 before taking the foot off the gas pedal.
Last year, minor-conference teams, even those from Wisconsin and the Dakotas, left Williams Arena with victories over the undermanned Gophers. Even wins over Omaha and Chicago State were adventures.
This season, Minnesota has reloaded, and the new talent impressed the announced crowd of 8,453 who sent the Gophers roaring into the locker room with a 48-26 halftime lead after a three-point basket by Nate Mason, who finished with 15 points.
“That was a fun half of basketball,” observed coach Richard Pitino after the game’s conclusion. The second half? Not so much, as the Gophers were outscored 48-38. In fairness, 10 Gophers saw more than three minutes each of game action. “Maybe I sub-outed too early,” Pitino said, allowing ULL easy baskets. No matter, the cat was already in the bag.
Nine of the 10 scored, led by Mason and DuPree McBrayer, who also had 15. Freshman Amir Coffey added 13.
“I like the balance of this team,” said Pitino who started Mason, McBrayer, Coffey, Reggie Lynch, and Jordan Murphy. The latter was the bell-cow of the Gophers in 2015-16, seeing action in all 31 games, averaging 11.6 points and eight rebounds per game.
“When we take good shots,” said Pitino said, “we’re a good shooting team. We now have a more complete team.”
The test will come Monday against the University of Texas at Arlington, heavy favorites to win the 12-team Sun Belt Conference. Meanwhile, the Big Ten Network has chosen to ignore early Gopher games. Those eager to see these “new” Gophers will have to purchase a ticket.