Minnesota begins a stretch critical to their NCAA tournament chances with the first of four home games in their next five contests. Michigan, loser of five of the past six, seeks to be the second team to defeat the Gophers at home this season.
0:40.1 2nd – The Gophers had a chance to make it a one-possession game, but Joseph lost the ball to Douglass, and Johnson was called for an intentional foul. Morris made a free throw, and the Wolverines get the ball. MICHIGAN 67, GOPHERS 60.
7:36 2nd – Michigan is looking like the more energized team. Ever since an offensive foul against the Gophers negated a layup, Minnesota has looked worn down, and the Wolverines have gone on a 12-4 run. MICHIGAN 52, GOPHERS 42.
15:09 2nd – The Gophers are finding each other on the offensive end and starting to make shots. But Tubby Smith doesn’t appear pleased with his defense. After Hoffarber made a wide-open game-tying 3-point shot, the defense was slow to get back, and Michigan turned its possession into a go-ahead layup by Sims. MICHIGAN 36, GOPHERS 33.
Halftime – This shouldn’t be a surprising halftime score, given that Michigan has the second-best scoring defense in Big Ten games. Carter has nine points on a pair of 3-pointers and a 3-point play off of a steal. Harris made two free throws with 0.4 seconds to play in the first half to regain the lead for the Wolverines. MICHIGAN 27, GOPHERS 26.
5:16 1st – The Gophers have started a comeback to energize the Williams Arena crowd. Minnesota has seven assists on eight baskets, including three 3-pointers (two by junior forward Paul Carter and one by Hoffarber a moment ago) to build what is now a 12-6 run. MICHIGAN 21, GOPHERS 20.
10:44 1st – The Wolverines have stymied the Gophers on the offensive end. Minnesota has missed several shots from the paint and is 3 of 10 overall. No Gophers has more than one basket. Michigan has made 3-of-6 3-point field goals. Sims left the game a couple of minutes in, and senior Zack Gibson has scored five points and had two rebounds since. MICHIGAN 15, GOPHERS 8.
Starting Lineups:
Michigan Wolverines (11-12, 4-7 Big Ten)
F Sr. DeShawn Sims (17.0 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 1.0 assists per game)
G Fr. Darius Morris (4.4 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 2.5 APG)
G Jr. Manny Harris (18.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 4.0 APG)
G So. Stu Douglass (6.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.7 APG)
G So. Zack Novak (7.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.5 APG)
Minnesota Gophers (14-8, 5-5 Big Ten)
F Sr. Damian Johnson (10.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG)
C So. Ralph Sampson III (8.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.9 APG)
G Jr. Blake Hoffarber (11.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.9 APG)
G So. Devoe Joseph (8.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.8 APG)
G Sr. Lawrence Westbrook (13.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.0 APG)
