Texas Tech 81
Minnesota Gophers 68
The Gopher men’s basketball team lost to Texas Tech 81-68 in their final game in the Puerto Rico Tipoff Tournament Sunday afternoon.
The loss came at the hands of former Gopher coach Tubby Smith, who was fired by Minnesota two and a half years ago.
Final score: Texas Tech 81, #Gophers 68. Morris and King with 15 points each. Williams with 21 points for TT. Tubby gets his revenge.
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) November 22, 2015
1. Foul trouble
Six Gopher players had at least two fouls in the first half. Gaston Diedhiou, Charles Buggs, Bakary Konate and Jordan Murphy all spent time on the bench toward the end of the half, the Star Tribune reports. Texas Tech took advantage and scored nine unanswered points to take a 34-28 lead at the break.
2. Inconsistent offense
Joey King, who hit six 3-pointers Friday in Minnesota’s win over Missouri State, only connected on one from long range against the Red Raiders. He led the Gophers scoring with 15 points. And the aforementioned foul trouble for centers Konate and Diedhiou took away the inside scoring threat.
3. Tubby vs. Richard
The two head coaches shook hands before the game began, and the St. Paul Pioneer Press described it as an awkward moment; Smith has known Pitino since he was 6 years old, and was replaced by the youngster in 2013.
In his first year at Minnesota, Pitino led his team to the NIT championship – with several players that Smith recruited. But last season the Gophers didn’t make it to the post season.
Congrats to @CoachTubbySmith and #TexasTech who defeated our #Gophers 81-68. Always a class act.
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) November 22, 2015
