A questionable call in the final seconds of Wednesday night’s game might’ve cost the Gophers a big conference win at Nebraska.
Leading 61-60 with 2.7 seconds to go, the Cornhuskers inbounded the ball from the baseline to James Palmer, who pump-faked and leaned into Amir Coffey, who was called for a foul despite leaning away from the intentional contact.
Here's the replay of the foul called on Amir Coffey with seconds remaining that put Nebraska on the free throw line. Pretty tough call! #Gophers pic.twitter.com/j6OCCPc1mb
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) February 14, 2019
Coffeey sprinted to the other end of the floor in disgust. Moments later, Palmer hit both free throws to give Nebraska the 62-61 lead with 1.1 seconds on the clock. Minnesota never got a shot off for a chance to steal back a victory that looked to secured.
Bad call at the end of the Minnesota-Nebraska game. Palmer jumped into the defender. All tied up 1.1 secs left on BTN
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) February 14, 2019
Gophers head coach Richard Pitino was furious.
“I’m not going to comment on any officiating unless you want to start paying fines,” Pitino said to a reporter, via ESPN.
“That one stings,” he added. “Probably the six years in this league, that one stings the most of any of the games I’ve been a part of because we deserved to win.”
Nebraska had lost seven straight going into the game and the loss is the fourth in a row for the Gophers, who have dropped seven of the last eight road games.
Minnesota is 16-9 overall and 6-8 in Big Ten play. This week’s bracketology from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had the Gophers making the NCAA Tournament as a 9-seed, but the loss to Nebraska could spell trouble if the Gophers stay on the fringe come Selection Sunday in March.
The Gophers have six more regular season games and the conference tournament to show the selection committee that they belong in the big dance.
- Feb. 16 – vs. Indiana
- Feb. 21 – vs. #6 Michigan
- Feb. 24 – at Rutgers
- Feb. 28 – at Northwestern
- Mar. 5 – vs. #12 Purdue
- Mar. 8 – at #24 Maryland
