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Sound off: The Gophers' likelihood of getting an NCAA bid vs. how much they deserve one

Minnesota is not even close to the bubble yet, or even really a play-in game in our mind. The Gophers will likely be a No. 10 seed, maybe a No. 11.

March 14, 2013 at 8:56PM
Illinois' Tracy Abrams tries to drive past Minnesota's Andre Hollins (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten tournament Thursday, March 14, 2013, in Chicago.
Illinois' Tracy Abrams tries to drive past Minnesota's Andre Hollins (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten tournament Thursday, March 14, 2013, in Chicago. (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Our brain points us back to yesterday's post on the conference call with the NCAA selection chair and the Gophers' chances of getting in the Big Dance win or lose today. Basically we made a (hopefully) convincing argument that Minnesota was in no matter what. And in the context of what happened today -- a buzzer-beater loss to a team that is deemed "quality" in the eyes of the NCAA -- nothing should have changed. Minnesota is not even close to the bubble yet, or even really a play-in game in our mind. The Gophers will likely be a No. 10 seed, maybe a No. 11.

The shouty guy inside us, though, looks at other numbers -- three consecutive losses, seven of the last 10, 11 of the last 16, including some real clunkers -- and can't help but wonder how this team deserves that berth even if their body of work and their numbers suggest they do.

Is there a place for both the heart and the mind in this NCAA deliberation? Your thoughts, please, in the comments.

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about the writer

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Minnesota Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Minnesota Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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