The Minnesota Golden Gophers may have lost their second-consecutive Big 10 game last night, but panic isn’t exactly setting in.
The word “disappointment” might be the best way to describe fifth-ranked Michigan’s 83-75 victory over Minnesota.
At least, that’s the card coach Tubby Smith played after the game, telling the Star Tribune he was “disappointed” not only in the game, but in Wednesday’s practice to prepare for the No. 5 Wolverines.
But Smith also said there’s no reason to panic. There’s too much time left in the season for that.
The “From the Barn” blog on FoxSports.com points out that not only have the ninth-ranked Gophers played the 4th-hardest schedule in the nation so far, but it gets a whole lot easier from here on out.
ESPN’s Dick Vitale, who called the game, tells Sid Hartman Minnesota has “a chance to create a lot of damage” in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
One more thought, from Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press, who wrote that the atmosphere inside Williams Arena was tough to top: “When the Gophers cut the lead to seven points with 2:40 left, it was as if the NCAA championship was still on the line.“
Who knows?
Games against the best in January can only help when playing for keeps in March.
