University of Minnesota Athletics
MBB: Gophers Head to Chicago For Big Ten Tournament
3/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Matchup
The Minnesota Golden Gophers open Big Ten Tournament play on Friday vs. Indiana in the #4 vs. #5 game at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN. Indiana is the #4 seed by virtue of holding the second tiebreaker over the Gophers. The teams split the two meetings this season each winning on its home floor. On Jan. 26, the Gophers won 70-65 at Williams Arena. On Feb. 12, Indiana defeated the Gophers, 71-56, in Bloomington.
Gophers In The Big Ten Tournament
The Gophers have a 2-5 record under Monson in the Big Ten Tournament. This is the first time since the inception of the tournament, Minnesota has not played on the first day. Minnesota tied for fourth place with Indiana in the conference standings with 10-6 records and earned its highest seeding ever in the conference tournament. This is the first meeting between the teams in the Big Ten Tournament. The Hoosiers become the ninth different team the Gophers have played in the Tournament. The only team left they have not played is Ohio State.
Scouting the Hoosiers
Indiana is the hottest team in the Big Ten coming into the Tournament. The Hoosiers have won four of their last five games including a win over ninth- ranked Michigan State in Bloomington two weeks ago. Indiana is led by junior Bracey Wright. Since coming back from an ankle injury, Wright has caught fire being named Big Ten Player of the Week after averaging 29.5 points in wins over Purdue and Michigan State. Wright tallied a season-high 32 points in a critical 78-74 overtime victory over the Spartans. The Hoosiers have also benefitted by the continued development of Big Ten Freshman of the Year, D.J. White. White averaged 13.9 points in conference games and 4.4 rebounds. Two other Indiana freshman, Robert Vaden and A.J. Ratliff, led the Hoosiers to the February win over the Gophers in Bloomington, Ratliff had 15 points, two assists and three steals. Vaden scored 14 points, was 5-of-9 from the field and 2-of-2 from three-point range in the 15-point win.
The Series
Indiana holds a 85-61 (including vacated games) series advantage. Minnesota and the Hoosiers split the two meetings this season. This is the first meeting between the two teams on a neutral floor or in the Big Ten Tournament.
What’s Next
If Minnesota defeats Indiana, they will play the winner of the Illinois vs. Northwestern/Michigan game at 12:40 p.m. CST in the first semifinal on Saturday. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS.
