Gophers await Big Ten tourney fate after Northwestern loss

Northwestern dominated from start to finish

Northwestern shot the lights out in the first half and didn’t commit a turnover until there was less than two minutes left in the game and they blasted the Gophers 90-66 Saturday night in Evanston, Illinois. 

Dawson Garcia led Minnesota with 30 points but freshman guard Cam Christie, one of the top players in the Big Ten over the past six weeks, was held scoreless. 

Minnesota lost four of five to finish the regular season with a record of 18-13 and 9-11 in the Big Ten. They now await the results of Sunday games before learning their spot in next week’s Big Ten Tournament, which is being held at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

The only game that can impact Minnesota’s seed is the 2 p.m. battle between Ohio State and Rutgers. If Ohio State wins, the Gophers will be the No. 10 seed. If the Buckeyes lose, Minnesota will be the No. 9 seed.

In a way, getting the No. 10 seed could be better since the winner of the 8/9 matchup has to play No. 1 Purdue on Friday, whereas the winner of the 7/10 matchup would play No. 2 Illinois in the third round. 

Whatever happens, the Gophers will have to find a way to improve on defense. Northwestern shot 70% in the first half and led from start to finish. They hit 10-of-18 shots from 3 and had an overall field-goal percentage of 58.6. 

Elijah Hawkins helped Minnesota with 14 points and 10 assists. 

Mar 9, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Blake Preston (32) dunks the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena / Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports