Northwestern’s Evan Eschmeyer, the self-proclaimed “most hated man in the Big Ten,” gave Gophers fans another reason to build up their dislike for the sixth-year senior.
The Wildcats’ center poured in 24 points and grabbed 15 boards as Northwestern (8-3 overall, 1-1 in the Big Ten) stunned the No. 16 Gophers 58-55 Wednesday night at Williams Arena.
The ever-boisterous Minnesota student section took to chanting insults at Eschmeyer during many of his fourteen free throws.
When asked if he thinks he is the most hated man in the conference Eschmeyer said, “Yeah, I guess I am, but I take that as a sign of respect.
Initially, the chants rang out “six more years, six more years,” in reference to Eschmeyer’s NCAA approved sixth-year of eligibility. But as the Eschmeyer free throws continued to fall (12-of-14), the chants evolved into the ultimate insult for a 24-year-old player with NBA dreams.
“CBA, CBA” the students chanted, suggesting belongs in the bush league Continental Basketball Association instead of the NBA.
“I get that everywhere,” Eschmeyer said after the game. “I love that stuff. I guess the students don’t like me because I’m old enough to be their father.”
Wildcats coach Kevin O’Neill said Eschmeyer does get taunted at most Big Ten schools. But he said he thinks Minnesota gives him the business more than any other.
O’Neill said Williams Arena is the toughest place for his team to play, and added Eschmeyer didn’t know how to cope with the Gophers fans’ taunts after last season’s 59-54 loss at the Barn.
“He didn’t handle it so well last year,” O’Neill said, “but now it’s something he thrives on.”
In a matchup of what was suppose to be the Big Ten’s best center and the player who’s poised to take over that title, freshman Joel Przybilla, the veteran Eschmeyer taught the youngster some important lessons.
Przybilla ended up with five points, seven rebounds and five blocks, but picked up his fourth foul with more than nine minutes remaining in the game before eventually fouling out with less than a minute to play.
“Esch was a load to deal with, and he didn’t disappoint,” Gophers coach Clem Haskins said. “We didn’t have anyone who could do anything against him.”
Things started out great for Przybilla after he blocked Eschmeyer’s initial shot, and then came down and hit a bank shot over the senior to give Minnesota a 4-3 lead.
But that would be the last time Minnesota would have the lead and Przybilla would hold the advantage.
“It was a boy going against a man,” Haskins said of the dual at center, “and the man kicked the boy’s fanny.”