When it comes to ranked teams this season, there has been no tougher place than Williams Arena. The Minnesota Golden Gopher men’s basketball team had posted a 13-1 record at “The Barn” coming into Saturday’s game with No. 5 Illinois including wins against four ranked opponents.
But with a banged-up Liam Robbins and a triple-double from Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois stomped Minnesota 94-63.
The Gophers held with the Illini in the early stages of the game with Marcus Carr getting some early buckets. The junior guard had 12 points on the afternoon and hit back-to-back threes to help put Minnesota in front early.
Back to back 3's for Marcus Carr!@GopherMBB leads early on pic.twitter.com/YnPaiclJVp
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 20, 2021
As Carr controlled things on the offensive end, Robbins did his work on the defensive side, getting four blocks in the first half.
Liam might get 10 blocks today.@liamrobbins_ // @GopherMBB pic.twitter.com/z7PuFDojij
— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) February 20, 2021
While things started well, the Illini took control of the game late in the first half with an 11-2 run in the final 2:52 of the first half. Trent Frazier provided the exclamation point with a 3-pointer from half-court that gave Illinois a 48-33 lead at halftime.
AT THE BUZZER!!!
@_trentfrazier1 sends @IlliniMBB and Minnesota to the locker room with half court shot! pic.twitter.com/ub9GHQo8uC
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 20, 2021
The Illini continued to dominate in the second half, opening with an 8-0 run. As Robbins left the game due to an ankle injury, Kofi Cockburn dominated inside, posting 18 points and five rebounds.
As Dosunmu put up 19 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, the Illini built a lead that swelled up to 36 points as the Gophers were embarrassed at home.
WIth Minnesota falling to 13-10 on the season, they find themselves on the bubble for an NCAA tournament bid. The Gophers will try to build their resume on Thursday when they host Northwestern.
