ucag031608

On the homepage

Vikings

Vikings respond to challenge

Out There

Artcetera

Biggest album release day of the year

Television

ABC gets complaints about Adam Lambert

Home | Sports | Gophers

U gets stopped short

There was no game-saving shot against the Illini, who beat the Gophers for the 20th time in a row.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: March 16, 2008 - 7:24 AM

Print this story

Follow Myron on Twitter

ILLINOIS 54, GOPHERS 50

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL

Final: Wisconsin vs. Illinois, 2:30 p.m., Ch. 4

More from Gophers

INDIANAPOLIS - One day after a most memorable night for the Minnesota men's basketball program, the Gophers faced a different kind of history Saturday. Illinois, Minnesota's opponent in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament, had beaten the Gophers 19 times in a row.

And after the Illini's 54-50 victory over Minnesota -- their 20th in a row -- the hype, hope and high created by Blake Hoffarber's incredible turnaround jumper with 1.5 seconds on the clock Friday died down. Minnesota probably is headed for the NIT now, after Friday's victory briefly opened the door to a potential NCAA at-large bid.

Gophers coach Tubby Smith said he hopes the NCAA tournament selection committee will consider his team's recent success -- the Gophers have won three of their past six, including victories over Ohio State and Indiana -- when they finalize the field of 65 this afternoon.

Minnesota's lone signature victories this season came March 1 against Ohio State, a team on the bubble, and Friday against Indiana, a lock to make the tournament.

Said Smith about making the NCAA tournament, which would be the team's first bid since 2005: "I always feel like it's icing on the cake."

In that case, Smith has had frosting for the past 14 seasons. He has missed the NCAAs only twice as a head coach. But during his postgame interview, he didn't sound too confident that his team would pull off another upset. There's a chance, however, that the Gophers will host a game in the NIT, which begins Tuesday.

"We've played well over the last few weeks," he said. "That's about the only thing we could talk about."

Minnesota exceeded expectations and endured more adversity than any team in the tournament. After losing starting center Spencer Tollackson because of an ankle injury against Northwestern, the Gophers climbed out of a 16-point hole Thursday to advance. Against Indiana the following night, Minnesota pulled off the upset with Hoffarber's last-second shot.

But Saturday, the Gophers were unable to re-create the magic of Friday or determination of Thursday.

Dan Coleman, who scored six points before fouling out with 3:54 to play, said the team didn't tire itself out during Friday's victory over Indiana or the postgame celebration. If anything, the victory gave the Gophers an adrenaline boost, he said.

"I don't think it was a lack of energy," he said. "A few different drops here and there and it's a different story."

Minnesota struggled all game to capitalize on its extra opportunities and trailed 29-23 at halftime.

To start the second half, Lawrence McKenzie's two free throws and three-pointer brought Minnesota to within four points. McKenzie hit another jumper and Jon Williams hit a 15-footer to cap a 9-3 Gophers run that tied the score at 32 with just less than 12 minutes remaining in the game.

But the Illini responded with a 7-0 run and never trailed from there.

Minnesota got close after Travis Busch hit a three-pointer with 22 seconds remaining to cut Illinois' lead to 54-50. Calvin Brock then turned the ball over, giving Minnesota another possession with 15 seconds to go.

Lawrence McKenzie missed a pull-up jumper, and Brock grabbed the rebound. As Brock came down, he was accidentally poked in the eye by Hoffarber, and the referees stopped the game for an injury timeout. Gophers fans wanted a traveling called on Brock, but after the referees reviewed the play, they gave Illinois the ball.

There would be no last-second heroics for the Gophers this time. Coleman and Lawrence Westbrook already had fouled out, andTollackson scored five first-half points before sitting out most of the game because of the ankle injury.

"You're not satisfied," Williams said. "The overall game coming here was to win the Big Ten. If you leave out a day early and one day short, that's even worse."

But after two tournament victories, the Gophers shouldn't have to call it a season just yet. Said Williams: "If somebody gives us a chance to play, I think the team's going to be ready to play."

Recent Gophers stories

Backup QB Brad McGuire rushes for 2 TDs as Louisiana-Lafayette beats Louisiana-Monroe 21-17 - March 16, 2008

Backup QB Brad McGuire rushes for 2 TDs as Louisiana-Lafayette beats Louisiana-Monroe 21-17 - Backup quarterback Brad McGuire rushed for two touchdowns to lead Louisiana-Lafayette to a 21-17 victory over Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday night. More