University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Garner Attention After Purdue Win
1/4/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
After a successful 12-1 non-conference season and a narrow home overtime loss to perennial Big Ten power Michigan State, the Gophers men's basketball team turned the page to the 2017 calendar year on Sunday. It started in one of the most hostile road environments in the conference and a tall task in 15th-ranked Purdue.
When the final horn sounded and the Gophers came away with the 91-82 overtime victory, many around the country took notice of the performance by the Maroon and Gold in notching their first win at Mackey Arena since 2005.
"To find a way to break through on the road, in a great environment against a terrifically coached team with some really good players means a lot," said head coach Richard Pitino.
Several of the nation's top basketball observers could be found tweeting their positive impressions of the Gophers team, which sits 10th in the latest NCAA RPI rankings and as the first team outside the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
Huge road win for Minnesota!
Gophers get career-high 31 from Nate Mason in 91-82 OT upset at No. 15 Purdue. pic.twitter.com/vHKKiVgISg- NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) January 1, 2017
Great win for Minny @ Purdue. Teams trying to get over the hump need win like this. Confidence builder & character builder. Have playmakers.
- Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) January 1, 2017
If you missed Minnesota at Purdue yesterday, you missed a great game. Nate Mason is a stud (31 pts, 6 reb, 11 ast). Nobody could guard him.
- Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) January 2, 2017
Interesting team to watch..Minn.guarded the heck out of Purdue late..luv frosh Coffey/Curry..Mason making plays..most improved team n USA
- Dan Dakich (@dandakich) January 2, 2017
Big win by the Gophers in OT at Purdue. Huge! Finally the breakthrough that Richard Pitino needed.
- Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) January 2, 2017
Junior Nate Mason's 31-point, 11-assist effort carried the day, as he was named the Big Ten's co-player of the week on Monday. He became the first Gopher in program history to tally more than 30 points and 10 assists in a single game, posting his second double-double in his career.
While Mason received much of the accolades after a record-breaking performance, it was a total team effort which saw five Gophers reach double figures in their second straight overtime game.
With just two Big Ten games in the books, there remains a long road ahead for the Gophers as they look for continued improvement and success for the rest of the season.
"It was definitely big for all of us going into the next game," said Mason. "We just have to get over this win; not get too high and focus on scouting for the next game."
