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The freshman-heavy lineup in 2012 finished ninth in the Big Ten, jumped to third the next year, and once they matured into upperclassmen they've been excellent — as they predicted.
The Gophers must sweep their final conference series this weekend against Michigan State to have any chance of being in the tournament at Target Field.
The Gophers will play Clemson in one of 14 games in this year's series. Louisville coach Rick Pitino had hoped his team would play his son's Minnesota squad.
Most of Minnesota's rowers are walk-ons, often unfamiliar with the sport until a persistent staff woos them. "We're looking for misplaced athletes," said coach Wendy Davis.