Another fast start turned into another gut-wrenching, poorly-executed finish as the Minnesota Gophers (15-7, 3-6) dropped their fifth consecutive game, 85-78, at Williams Arena. Meanwhile, the young Maryland Terrapins (19-2, 7-1), now riding a six-game winning streak, relied on their youth as they got 47 combined points from freshmen Kevin Huerter and Justin Jackson, who made 10 of 12 3-pointers.
It was a similar script for the Gophers, who’ve now dropped four straight games, all by seven points or less. As fans have grown accustomed to, they saw the local squad capture a halftime lead that eventually dwindled in the second stanza. They also saw another ugly finish in which Jordan Murphy missed a game-tying free throw with 1:19 remaining, the Gophers didn’t score on their final four possessions, and Nate Mason committed an unnecessary foul that eliminated Minnesota’s chance to get the ball back with a chance to tie the game. “I think there’s a trend, and I think they’re uniquely different,” said Pitino of the repeated close defeats. “Mentally, we just have to overcome that hurdle.”
Richard Pitino addresses the team’s late-game woes. #Gophers pic.twitter.com/gKpHWPiAIR
— Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) January 28, 2017
Minnesota led by as many as 12 points in the first half after a 19-1 run was capped off by a Dupree McBrayer 3-pointer. The run was highlighted by a stretch of three consecutive dunks and stifling interior defense, and it propelled the Gophers to a seven-point halftime lead. But after allowing just 26 first-half points, the defense disappeared in the second half, as it’s had a tendency to do in the Big Ten season. Pitino afterward gave his Gophers an ‘F’ when asked to grade his group’s on-ball defense.
Maryland scored 59 points after halftime. Jackson tallied 19 himself on 6-of-9 shooting in the second half. Standout guard Melo Trimble dictated brilliantly with six assists in the same span. As a team, the Terrapins were 7 of 9 from 3-point range in the second half, which opened up the inside for rolling big men as Maryland outscored Minnesota 26-14 in the paint.
Pitino has repeatedly emphasized how young his team is, but he couldn’t use that reasoning in this game against a Maryland squad that started three first-year players: Huerter, Jackson and Anthony Cowan. After the final media timeout with 3:46 remaining and Maryland trailing 70-67, Terrapins freshmen scored 12 of the team’s next 15 points to give Maryland a permanent lead. Jackson made a layup and five free throws during the run, Huerter hit a go-ahead 3, and Cowan knocked down a pair of free throws.
All together, the Terps ended the game on a 18-8 run. Akeem Springs, the senior leader, pinned the loss on himself.
Akeem Springs takes personal responsibility for the loss, despite scoring a team-high 23. pic.twitter.com/oHjx3jkfJ7
— Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) January 28, 2017
Pitino asserted that his team played well for 38 of the 40 minutes, much like it did in home defeats to Michigan State and Wisconsin. Five players scored in double figures, including Springs, who poured in 23 in yet another outstanding showing as a newly-inserted starter. The Gophers outrebounded their opponent for the first time since the losing skid began, beating Maryland on the boards 41-31. And even though Reggie Lynch fouled out for the sixth time, he still contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks before exiting.
Minnesota keeps showing scintillating flashes that make the collapses all the more disheartening. And they keep getting lip service from other Big Ten coaches, whose teams have had to play nearly-perfect second halves to roar back and win at The Barn. “The best team we’ve beaten,” said Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon.
At the exact midway point of the Big Ten season, Minnesota — suddenly reeling — will get a week off before its next test at Illinois. An emotional Springs, perhaps sensing his senior season slipping away, said there’s nothing to discuss. The Gophers just need to get back in the gym. “We know what it is,” said Springs. “There’s nothing to meet about, and there’s nothing to talk about. We’ve talked. There’s nothing to talk about. Just get in there and work and go get another game.”
