U's response time is now in Big Ten tournament

The Gophers are preparing as if they need multiple wins to become NCAA-bound.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: March 8, 2009 - 10:22 PM

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GOPHERS BASKETBALL BIG TEN TOURNAMENT

Up next: 11 a.m. Thursday vs. Northwestern • Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis • TV: BTN (830-AM)

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Get ready for a week of anxiety for Gophers men's basketball with the Big Ten tournament starting Thursday.

Minnesota (21-9, 9-9 Big Ten), the No. 8 seed, faces No. 9 Northwestern (17-12, 8-10), a team it went 1-1 against this season, at 11 a.m. Thursday The stakes are high for a pair of bubble teams.

The Gophers will probably have to get past the Wildcats in Indianapolis to secure an NCAA tournament at-large bid when the field of 65 is announced Sunday.

Depending on how the selection committee feels about the conference, they might need another victory Friday against Michigan State to lock up a berth. Northwestern might have to do even more to get a bid.

Gophers coach Tubby Smith said his team is preparing as if winning the conference tourney is its only guarantee to play in the NCAA tournament. Not getting there, he said after a 67-64 loss to Michigan on Saturday, is not this team's focus. He's confident Minnesota will come out fighting Thursday.

"Our guys have responded the right way after tough losses this year," he said. "We may not have always won after a tough loss. But we have responded the right way. So I expect them to respond the right way after this loss."

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