Wednesday morning, when a Minnesota team that has struggled to systematically put away lesser opponents woke up, the players were greeted with highlights of a second consecutive upset over Michigan -- a squad ranked at No. 24 in the preseason AP poll.
By the time the Gophers had finished dismantling Southern, 85-57, there was another reminder: Nebraska -- a team ranked 21st before the start of the season -- had just fallen to a team called Incarnate Word.
"They see the scores," coach Richard Pitino said. "It can happen to anybody. This time of year is very difficult with finals and non-big name teams ... So all they need to do is see it, and certainly they understand it."
Before the Wolverines dropped games against NJIT and Eastern Michigan, Purdue fell to North Florida. Indiana also lost at home in a guarantee game vs. Eastern Washington. Then Nebraska added its name among the giants to fall on Wednesday.
After sleep-walking through one half or another in five consecutive games, Minnesota has perked up in its last two, albeit against highly inferior competition.
On Wednesday, after falling behind 6-3, the Gophers ignited a 12-0 run and were never threatened again. The team's high-rolling offense was on display again, with Andre Hollins lighting up the perimeter and ultimately scoring 24 points.
How does he get motivated against a team ranked 323 in the kenpom.com rankings?
"It's actually easier now with the current events that have been going on," Hollins said. "Nebraska just lost to some team. Michigan has lost too -- I saw them lose against Eastern Michigan. Teams have been dropping and letting their guard down this time of year. I just came out and set the tone that we're not going to have that here. We're trying to do something bigger here ... looking at the bigger picture, we have Big Ten coming up and we're trying to be the best that I can be."
