After losing a heart breaker to Illinois, the Gopher' challenges continue today against Michigan.
• Lineup:
PG - Maverick Ahanmisi
SG - Julian Welch
SF - Austin Hollins
PF - Rodney Williams
C - Ralph Sampson III
The Gophers are coming off a loss to Illinois that was both uplifting and heartbreaking – after coming back from a second-half, double-digit deficit and then losing by nine in double overtime.
Today at Crisler Arena, the Gophers have a certain task: build on the close loss rather than become discouraged by it.
"We have to regroup after the loss in Champaign and play better," coach Tubby Smith said on Friday. "We have to get more from everybody, especially from a rebounding standpoint. That's something we've been working on improving."
Three things Smith wants to see today:
1. The little things. Little things lost the game for the Gophers on Tuesday. A missed layup here. A botched free throw there. A careless turnover in a critical situation. The Gophers need to play very, very tight – until the end – if they want a shot at beating No. 18 Michigan.
2. Aggressive Ralph Sampson III. The Gophers got a glimpse of that version on Tuesday, when Sampson – after a slow first half – exploded for 22 points and nine rebounds and looked solid inside. That needs to continue for the Gophers to remain competitive.
3. Come out strong. The Gophers NEARLY pulled out a victory against Illinois, but never has an aggressive start been more necessary than today. If the Gophers get down early, it would be very difficult to dig themselves out.
The Gophers beat Michigan on the road last year, but Smith calls the win "bittersweet" because it was the game in which Al Nolen broke his foot and was lost for the year. But the Gophers hope to repeat the first half of the history, lest they go home 0-2. That said, an unranked Gophers team has not beat a ranked team on the road since January 1985. So they have their work cut out for them.
"We know we let one get away [against Illinois], but can't dwell on that," Rodney Williams said Friday. "We have 17 more games to play in the Big Ten, and in order to get off to a good start we have to let those go."
Jesper Wallstedt had a rough night in net, giving up three second-period goals for his first loss in eight games.
