Gopher Hoops Game Day Blog - vs. Michigan - University of Minnesota Athletics

Welcome to the Gopher Hoops Game Day Blog for today's Big Ten game against the Wolverines of the University of Michigan. Minnesota enters the Senior Day contest with a record of 21-8 overall and 9-8 in the conference following Wednesday night's crucial 51-46 victory against Wisconsin, while Michigan is 18-12 overall and 8-9 in the Big Ten standings following Sunday's 60-55 loss to the Badgers in Madison. We'll give you periodic updates of what's taking place on the floor at The Barn, as well as some stats and info that you might not get through other sources.
 
If you're near a television, today's game can be seen on ESPN, with Dave Pasch calling the play-by-play, and Stephen Bardo adding color commentary. Minnesota's radio broadcast is handled by Mike Grimm (Play-by-Play) and Don Zierden (Analyst), and can be heard over the air or online on flagship station WCCO 830 AM, as well as on XM Radio.  Go Gophers!

Final Score: Michigan 67, Minnesota 64

A disappointing loss for the Gophers on Senior Day, as Lawrence Westbrook mishandled the ball on the final possession, and was unable to get a clear look at what would have been a game-tying three-pointer at the end. With the loss, just its third of the season at home, Minnesota falls to 21-9 overall and 9-9 in the Big Ten, while Michigan picked up a critical victory for its postseason hopes, and moves to 19-12 overall and 9-9 in the conference. Minnesota made 22-of-40 (.550) field goals, but just 2-of-10 three-pointers, while connecting on 18-of-19 (.947) attempts at the line. Minnesota held a remarkable 30-13 advantage in rebounding, but turned the ball over 18 times against Michigan's guard-heavy lineup. The Wolverines made 22-of-45 (.489) field goals, including 9-of-22 (.409) three-pointers, and 14-of-15 (.933) foul shots. The Wolverines' DeShawn Sims paced all scorers with 24 points, while Laval Lucas-Perry came off the Michigan bench to add 19 points. Lawrence Westbrook led four Minnesota players with 16 points, while Ralph Sampson III (13), Damian Johnson (12), and Jamal Abu-Shamala (10) also reached double-figures for scoring.

0:04.1 Second Half - 30-second Timeout (Minnesota)

Westbrook just knocked down a three-pointer, but it was after Tubby Smith had been granted a timeout. The Gophers trail, 67-64.

0:44.2 Second Half

DeShawn Sims scored for Michigan, making it 67-62, but Westbrook just made two more free throws to keep Minnesota within three points, 67-64. Both teams are 14-of-15 (.933) at the free throw line today.

1:04 Second Half

Lawrence Westbrook is at the line, with the Gophers trailing by five points, 65-60. Westbrook knocks down both shots, and Minnesota is going to have to rally again if it hopes to pull out the win.

3:28 Second Half - Final Media Timeout

Minnesota still trails by two points, 62-60. Both teams have shot the ball extremely well in the second half, with Minnesota currently at 62.5 percent (10-for-16) and Michigan having made 8-of-15 (.533), including 4-of-8 (.500) treys.

3:50 Second Half - 30-second Timeout (Michigan)

The Wolverines lead, 62-60, and have possession after a Minnesota turnover, the 16th of the game for the Golden Gophers.

5:02 Second Half

Michigan just took its first lead since it led 4-3 very early in the game, knocking down two free throws for a 60-58 advantage.

6:52 Second Half - Third Media Timeout

Michigan has cut the Minnesota lead to two points, 58-56, as the Wolverines have been red-hot from three-point range in the second half. Michigan has made 4-of-8 treys after the break, and stands at 8-for-20 (.400) in the game. Ralph Sampson III is Minnesota's leading scorer, with 13 points off the bench.

8:34 Second Half

Some sort of clock malfunction has forced a stopage to the play on the court, with the Golden Gophers still clinging to a four-point lead, 56-52. The game has been stopped for at least two minutes, with Minnesota having possession and nine seconds left on the shot clock. After almost a five-minute delay in the game, the officials have reset the game clock to 8:28, with the shot clock at :03.

9:11 Second Half - 30-second Timeout (Minnesota)

Back-to-back three-pointers by the Wolverines have cut Minnesota's lead to 56-52, forcing a timeout by Tubby Smith.

11:20 Second Half - Second Media Timeout

Minnesota's lead stands at 53-43, as the Gophers have made 7-of-9 (.778) field goals in the second half, and 19-of-30 (.633) in the game. Meanwhile, Michigan has been held to 2-of-7 (.286) field goals after the break.

13:06 Second Half

A basket by Ralph Sampson III puts Minnesota on top, 51-39, matching the number of points the Gophers scored in Wednesday's win against Wisconsin. Sampson and Abu-Shamala each have 10 points in the game., as deos Lawrence Westbrook.

15:35 Second Half - First Media Timeout

The score remains 45-35 in favor of the Golden Gophers, as Minnesota has limited Michigan to just one field goal in five attempts after halftime.

16:22 Second Half - Full Timeout (Michigan)

Damian Johnson just made a layup, giving Minnesota its biggest lead of the day at 45-35, and the crowd at The Barn was deafening. The Gophers have quickly connected on 4-of-5 field goals, focusing on passing the ball inside.

16:57 Second Half

The Gophers scored the first four points of the half to run out to a 39-32 lead, and now lead 43-35. Jamal Abu-Shamala has made the last two baskets for Minnesota.

20:00 Second Half

Both teams open the second half with their original starting lineups on the floor.

Halftime Score: Minnesota 35, Michigan 32

The Gophers forced a Michigan turnover with 5.8 seconds remaining in the half, but Minnesota was unable to get off a shot, and the lead remains at three points. Minnesota shot the ball extremely well in the first half, making 12-of-21 (571) attempts, including 2-of-6 three-pointers, and 9-of-9 free throws. The Wolverines were 12-of-26 (.462) from the field, including 4-of-12 (.333) from long-range. After missing their first six treys, the Wolverines finished the half by making 4-of-6. Michigan also made all four of its free throws.

0:11.4 First Half - 30-second Timeout (Michigan)

Minnesota is hanging on to a three-point lead, 35-32, but the Wolverines will have the chance to take the final shot of the half and cut into the Gophers' advantage.

1:50 First Half

Paul Carter and Ralph Sampson III just worked a beautiful give-and-go, with Sampson taking the pass and driving uncontested for a two-handed dunk. It looks like another sellout crowd at The Barn, and that was the noisiest its been in the first half..

3:45 First Half - Final Media Timeout

Minnesota holds a 25-22 lead, and will have the ball after the timeout. The Golden Gophers have made 9-of-17 (.529) field goals, including 2-of-6 (.333) from three-point range, and all five free throws they've attempted. Minnesota also holds an 11-7 lead in rebounding.

4:58 First Half

Wouldn't you know, as soon as we mention the fact that Michigan was 0-for-6 from three-point range, the Wolverines respond by knocking down treys on back-to-back possessions, plus they add two free throws, and Minnesota's lead has been cut to 23-20.

7:49 First Half - Third Media Timeout

Minnesota leads by a score of 17-12, with Lawrence Westbrook leading all scorers with eight points. The Gophers need to cut down on their turnovers, as they have six already. Michigan is 0-for-6 from behind the three-point arc.

8:54 First Half

Westbrook seems to be playing inspired basketball, as he just made a beautiful spin, banked in a shot, and drew the foul. The three-point play stretches Minnesota's advantage to seven points, 17-10.

10:42 First Half

A pair of free throws after the timeout, and a three-pointer, both by Lawrence Westbrook, have given the Gophers a 14-8 lead, their biggest lead of the game so far. Westbrook was held scoreless in the first half against Wisconsin, but already has five points off the bench today.

11:17 First Half - Second Media Timeout

Over their past four home games, the Gophers have held opponents to a combined 70 points (17.5 per game) in the first half, and Minnesota is off to another good start defensively this morning. The Gophers hold a 9-6 lead almost nine minutes into the contest, and have held the Wolverines to just 3-of-9 (.333) field goal attempts, while forcing four Michigan turnovers.

14:27 First Half

Jamal Abu-Shamala makes a pair of free throws to give the Gophers a 5-4 lead, and Ralph Sampson III checks into the game for Minnesota.

15:59 First Half - First Media Timeout

Michigan leads, 4-3, and Minnesota's seniors -- Jamal Abu-Shamala and Jonathan Williams remain in the game after the timeout.

Opening Tip

The Gophers win the tip, but Michigan's DeShawn Sims opens the scoring. Blake Hoffarber answers with a three-pointer, and the Gophers lead, 3-2.

Today's Starting Lineups

Michigan (18-12, 8-9): F #34 DeShawn Sims, G #0 Zack Novak, G #1 Stu Douglass, G #2 C.J. Lee, G #3 Manny Harris

Minnesota (21-8, 9-8): F #33 Jamal Abu-Shamala, F #34 Damian Johnson, C #11 Jonathan Williams, G #5 Devoe Joseph, G #24 Bake Hoffarber

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