Big 10 season just around the corner.

[Terry Sjoberg]

Hey Gopher fans,
The Golden Gopher basketball team plays it's last non conference game of the season tonight at the Barn. The Big 10 season starts on Dec 27th on the road at Illinois, a place where the Gophers seldom win.
I guess we'll see just what they are made of when they tip off against a pretty good Illinois team. They were ranked 22nd in the last poll but they haven't played that well in their last two games.

The Gophers will need to cut down on the turnovers and play great defence, especially from the 3 point line. Illinois has some talented big me but they are young and have not been real consistent so far this season. Their best players are their guards and the Gophers young backcourt will need to be on their game.

Go Gophers, 11-1

"Ace"

[Terry Sjoberg]

The Golden Gopher basketball team ended it's pre season schedule with a win against NDST. It wasn't pretty at times, however they got the win and moved to 12-1 for the season. They missed 12 of their first 13 shots and gave up way to many open looks in the paint early in the first half. Fortunately they got back in the game with their defence and had the lead at half time. The one thing that has me worried the most is their poor free throw shooting. At one point down the strech they missed 9 free throw attemps in a row, you can't win close games with that kind of shooting from the line. I just can't understand how you can spend half your life in the gym, yet you can't make the easiest shot in basketball? COME ON MAN...

The Gophers play the fighting Illini on Tuesday the 27th on the road. They then move on to Michgan St. to play the Spratans. Two places that they rarely win at. They will need to tighten it up on defence and at the free throw line to have any chance at winning either game. Illinois has had some problems scoring with their 3 guard lineup and they don't rebound well. They do however play well at home and the Gophers haven't proven that they can win on the road.

Go Gophers 12-1 and now the real season starts.

"Ace"

[Terry Sjoberg]

The Gophers proved once again how important it is to hit those free throws at the end of a game. They had another chance to put it away at the end of the first overtime but they missed a wide open layup. A win on the road to start the Big 10 season would have been sooo big for this team. It just wasn't meant to be I guess. They played well enough to win and clearly showed to me they were as good or even better than the Illini. The effort on defence in the second half was outstanding. They forced over 20 turnovers on a guard dominated team. Despite the loss they showed me something coming back from down 13 on the road to a pretty decent team. MAKE THE FOUL SHOTS!!!!!

Go Gophers, 12-2 overall, 0-1 in the Big 10.

"Ace"

[Terry Sjoberg]

Another close game for the Gophers on the road at Michgan. Another game that could have been won with one good shot at the end. They played well enough to win on defense, but as has been the story alot this season, the Gophers just can't make a shot when they really need one. I swear they missed at least 5 layups in the second half alone.

The good news is not many people expected them to be in either game at ther end. They are getting some great defense from the young players and they have held two very good shoting teams to very low shooting percentages. They come home to play a big game that they really need to win to stay close to the pack.

Come on Gophers, make a shot!!!!!

"Ace"

[Terry Sjoberg]

Hey Yo,
The Gophers finally get a home game this week. The Iowa Hawkeyes will invade the Barn on Wednesday evening at 8pm. Iowa best a very good Wisconsin team on the road in Madison last weekend. They get a lot of Hawkeye fans at the barn for the game every year so it should be a great game to watch from inside the Barn. The Gophers need this win to stay close to the front runners in the conference. They showed that thery can play with ranked teams on the road with close tough losses in Illinois and MIchigan. Now they have to prove that they can defend their home court by beating the teams they should beat. They look so much better when they shoot over 40%, it's hrd to win when you can't make a shoot to save your life.

Come on Gophers, protect the home court.

Go Gophers, 12-3 overall, 0-2 in the Big 10.

"Ace"