In a way, it only seems fitting that the Gophers would lose this way.

A heartbreak at the end of a year full of heartbreaks. To me, this one felt different. The Gophers showed spirit, tenacity and never really let Michigan go on an egregious run – as they have allowed other teams to do in games past. They had fire at the end, and bled emotion on the court. Unfortunately the fallen-short Gophers, it ended the same way as many of the others: failure to execute when it mattered. The Gophers missed three critical shots and Rodney Williams missed two critical free throws (one was the front end of a one-and-one) at the end of regulation, and when overtime started, it felt like a new ballgame, with the Wolverines jumping out to a seven-point lead. The Gophers cut it within two with 28 seconds to go, but twice fouled the Wolverines – who made all four of their free throws – and missed two of their last three shots. The locker room was pretty emotional after the game – with the guys looking stunned and, clearly, heartbroken. Notes on the 73-69 OT loss: · I'm going to say this first, because I think it's important. Andre Hollins showed a new and extremely encouraging layer of his potential tonight. He played like a patient veteran, and a star, and if he continues to grow at the pace, the Gophers could have a legitimate and exciting piece to build around. The freshman finished with 21 points, four rebounds and six assists. · None of that, of course, takes away from the immediate sting of tonight. The Gophers were up by nine in the first, and up by nine with just over three minutes left in regulation. Each time the Wolverines stifled the Gophers with their 2-3 zone and hit the big shots necessary to make a return. · Rodney Williams – despite his flaws at the end – had a very solid game for Minnesota. I think Williams has elevated his game at the end of the season as well, and he and Hollins might be the ones to lead this squad next year. The shot Williams took with one second left in regulation was a good one; it just didn't go in. He finished with 20 points and six rebounds. · Michigan Freshman Trey Burke went off for 30 points on an 11-for-14 shooting tonight and bolstered the team. Only one other player had more than seven points, and that was Tim Hardaway Jr., who came alive in the second half and finished with 20. · The Gophers are the only team in the history of the Big Ten tournament to play two overtime games in a single tournament. · Elliott Eliason had nine rebounds a night after grabbing ten. · The Gophers have certainly padded their resume for a NIT bid, but the team will find out for sure on Selection Sunday.