The Minnesota Gophers needed their second-straight win on Saturday, in order to realistically keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. Sure, we all believe in miracles, but if they can’t beat a good, not great, Northwestern team at the Barn, it’s unlikely they’d have what it takes to make the type of late run necessary to reach 20+ wins on the season.
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We’ve mentioned this a lot already, but the Gophers are a much improved product of basketball this season. Games are competitive and fun to watch, not full of disappointment and frustration, like the past two years. For those of us who watch every game, no matter the quality, that’s worth something in and of itself. Still, morale victories don’t count in the win column and head coach Ben Johnson is trying to keep his job.
Minnesota Gophers come thru in must-win vs Northwestern
And… with their backs against the wall, the Gophers found a way to get the job done yet again, winning 75-66 in OT. As is usually the case with this team when they win, today’s victory was a team effort. All five starters scored in double figures and big plays were made down the stretch from Dawson Garcia, Pharrel Payne, Cam Christie and Elijah Hawkins.