What's everyones take? Do the Gophers stand a chance or is Indiana in cruise control to win and pretty much take the Conference title by themselves?
I think the Gophers need a lot of things to go right in order for them to win; a lot of things that I don't think will happen. I half think they may be set-up better than Illinois was to beat a team like Indiana, and Illinois of course pulled it off. So, never say never.
Get 'em Goldy..
Minnesota is exactly the type
I watched Minnesota's last
I watched Minnesota's last two games. They looked like a team in complete disarray. However, the same was true of Illinois before its stunner over the Hoosiers. Maybe it can happen again? Minnesota did give IU all it could handle back in early January.
Turnovers
If the Gophers can cut down on the turnovers, they are still a dangerous team. That being said, Indiana is not the team to remedy that malady against.
Lookout Hoosiers...
This is the kind of game Minnesota can win...it just seems like "too perfect" of a scenario though. I have my doubts, but I'll be going for that team wearing gold/maize.
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
Mathematically there is hope
Mathematically there is hope for Michigan. Come on you Gophers!
Abort, Retry, Fail?
FAAAAAHQ
Dakich tonight.
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
For the record...
It wouldn't shock me if this Minnesota team made it to the Elite 8. They're that good. I actually have IU, Michigan, MSU, and Minnesota in the Elite 8. OSU in the Sweet 16.
Definitely some bias...but I just think these teams are THAT good.
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
This year is too chaotic for me to disagree
This may be the year a team can lose by 23 and win it all (us) due to the parity around the country, so who am I to argue that a team who has lost 8 of its last 11 will make the Elite 8. If they can get back to form, they have a shot.
Well I had that prediction...
Well I had that prediction months ago, so I'm not going to go back now...they're talented enough.
My preseason Final 4 was IU, Syracuse, Michigan and Gonzaga...currently that's 3 of the top 4 teams in the country so I'm definitely not going against that.
But you're right, it's wide open. I still think a team like VCU could get deep in the tourney again.
I highly suggest everyone to wait until you see the matchups before putting money on ANYTHING.
For example Miami, they're a final 4 team. But if they've got Wisconsin in their bracket...they're done.
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
I'd be surprised if Syracuse
I'd be surprised if Syracuse made it to the Sweet 16 let alone the final four. They get burned early in the tournament every year since Carmello.
Also
Nebraska is playing Wisconsin tonight, we are both 10-4 in the conference.
If Wisconsin is playing
If Wisconsin is playing Nebraska, the Badgers are 11-4. But then I suppose Michigan is 11-4 also with the PSU game all but pre-determined.
The swag is back.
Bracketology
5Wisconsin
12AKRON
4Oklahoma St
13BUCKNELL
7UCLA
10Saint Mary's
2Michigan
15NIAGARA
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
I would be ok with that
I would be ok with that bracket.
Likewise...
I'd actually be disappointed if we didn't win it.
That said, Louisville would give us trouble. We don't do well vs. pressure. I'd almost rather play Syracuse than L'ville just because I think we can shoot over any zone. Fullcourt man-to-man? Yikes. That game could truly go any way possible.
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
Really? I wouldn't like it.
Really? I wouldn't like it. Ucla/St Marys is a tough second round game. Louisville would be the most dangerous 3 imo and Duke(who will have Ryan Kelly back) will be super dangerous.
The second round is tough but
The second round is tough but not impossible. We are better than those two teams. And really any 1-3 seed is going to be tough to beat. I think this bracket has a pretty easy setup to the Elite 8.
I like Sparty's matchups in
I like Sparty's matchups in their bracket...they have Arizona as the 3
3-3-5 til the day I die y'all
Pretty good start.
That was a
Pretty good start.
That was a bad shot by Hollis before the break. And Hulls, I honestly can't think of a missed three-pointer I've seen outta him. Helluva threat to have on the floor, even with his deficiencies.
To be honest, since the
To be honest, since the butler game, I don't think his defense has been as terrible as people make it out to be. And his 3 point shooting is absolutely lethal.
This.
Mbakwe is a beast, that's all
Mbakwe is a beast, that's all I have to add.
What a block on Zeller!
What a block on Zeller!
It's official....Mbakwe is in
It's official....Mbakwe is in Beast Mode tonight.
Edit: And so is Jordan Hulls (ughh)
Mblockwe? Didn't see anyone
Mblockwe? Didn't see anyone take that yet.
This is a very complicated case, Maude. You know, a lotta ins, a lotta outs, a lotta what-have-yous.
Wow, Mbakwe just ATE Cody
Zeller.
Regarding posts above (but in
Regarding posts above (but in an open thread, not wanting to derail things with a response up there), Minnesota is a very talented team.
But people up here have zero confidence in them right now. They are struggling to beat bad teams and getting smoked by good ones. This is a perfect situation for an upset (talented team, at home, mid-week game, Indiana due for a loss) but Minnesota hasn't shown anything remotely close to the form they would need to beat Indiana in recent weeks. They've basically been a disaster since Michigan beat them. A win tonight would be a big shock.
Servant. Pastor. Husband. Michigan fan in Duluth.
Where in MN...
sjrk?
L.S.A. '88
Duluth. We get the Fan on
Duluth. We get the Fan on repeater, FWIW.
Servant. Pastor. Husband. Michigan fan in Duluth.
Hinckley.
So do we.
Give a shout next time you're in town.
L.S.A. '88
Likewise. It's pretty here in
Likewise. It's pretty here in the summer.
Servant. Pastor. Husband. Michigan fan in Duluth.
Mbakwe
I'm scared to let my children watch this game. If it were a video game, it would be rated M.
Dakich
extolling the virtues of Hulls 'quick release',meanwhile Dakich's wife is thinking 'yeah you know a lot about 'quick releases.'
Goblueman-Wayne,Mich
How is it ESPN lets Dakich do
How is it ESPN lets Dakich do IU games.
How do they let him do ANY
How do they let him do ANY games?
He is terrible. Harder to listen to than Vitale IMO.
4th Generation Student
Class of 2014
Go Blue!
Bill Self wouldn't put up with this
Does Tubby think his 1/2 second stare is going to intimidate anyone? You gotta send a message to the refs and get every call thereafter.
And just like that, Minnesota
And just like that, Minnesota has lost any chance they had of winning the game. I hope I'm wrong, but wasting an energetic start and losing the lead shortly thereafter bodes poorly.
The swag is back.
Long way to go my friend.
Long way to go my friend.
If they were playing
If they were playing Northwestern or Iowa or Illinois.....yes. You can't give up momentum at home against the #1 team in the country. Minnesota is done, mark it down.
The swag is back.
Long way
to go.
Good call Butterfield...
Good call Butterfield...
Very happy to be proven an
Very happy to be proven an idiot!
The swag is back.
C'mon
They're down 2 with the ball midway through the first half...let's relax on calling the game over.
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
Yeah, this didn't turn out so
Yeah, this didn't turn out so well. Bonus points for courageous predictions, though.
Servant. Pastor. Husband. Michigan fan in Duluth.
Mmm, back to back offensive
Mmm, back to back offensive turnovers for Minny.
Abort, Retry, Fail?
Yet...
only down one...
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
Get that weak S*** out of
Get that weak S*** out of here Zeller. Dang it would be nice if we had someone to protect the rim.
J-Mo
He doesn't get blocks, but he protects the rim by taking 1-2 charges every game.
It'll be nice to have him healthy. Hopefully we can sit him vs. PSU and get him 100% after that game.
If healthy, we're a top 3 team in the country. I promise you.
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
Tom Arnold
Can someone ask him to stay off the damn court. Every game he is 2-3 feet out on the floor.
I will...
If you ask Tubby Smith's son to shave that shit off his head.
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
Minnesota is exactly the type of team Indiana would struggle with.
903 wins most in college football