Minnesota’s run through the Big Ten Tournament ended Saturday with a 76-49 blowout loss to Michigan in the semifinals, with a third game in as many days proving too much for the the Golden Gophers.
The game was competitive the first 10 minutes of the first half before Michigan turned on the jets and opened up a 38-19 halftime lead and increased the lead to as many as 35 points in the second half.
Minnesota couldn’t hit shots from two, three, or from the free-throw line, where they were 3-for-9 on the day.
The loss shouldn’t hurt the Gophers considering Michigan is ranked 10th in the country and Minnesota picked up a huge win over No. 13 Purdue on Friday.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had the Gophers slotted into his NCAA Tournament field projection seeded ninth while CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm had them as an 8-seed. Selection Sunday is set for Sunday evening following the Big Ten Tournament championship game between Michigan and Michigan State.
Minnesota will enter the NCAA Tournament with a record of 21-13.
