After Sunday’s demoralizing loss at Iowa, the Gophers men’s basketball team is now in survival mode, trying to figure out where/when their next win will come.
With five games to go in the regular season, here’s a quick look at what’s ahead:
Feb. 20: At Ohio State (18-7 Overall, 8-5 Big 10) — Chances of winning? Good luck.
Feb. 26: Vs. Indiana (23-3, 11-2) — Chances of winning? Good luck.
March 2: Vs. Penn State (8-17, 0-13)– Chances of winning? Should win easily.
March 6: At Nebraska (12-14, 3-10) — Chances of winning? Should win.
March 9: At Purdue (12-14, 5-8) — Chances of winning? Should win.
So, according to our tally, the Gophers should end the regular season with a 21-10 overall record, 9-9 in the Big 10. That should be impressive enough for a sixth or seventh NCAA tournament seed. But if you look at at the Gophers’ RPI rankings, as the Star Tribune’s Michael Rand did, that seed might be higher with a 21-10 record.
As of this morning, the #Gophers RPI is 15th in nation, and the strength of schedule is 2nd in nation. Still firmly in Tourney.
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) February 18, 2013
That is, unless the NCAA only takes seven Big 10 teams. If so, Star Tribune writer Sid Hartman says the Gophers are in trouble.
So, on this Monday morning there is no video of Tubby Smith dancing. What a difference one game makes.
