Gophers' slide in Big Ten puts NCAA Tournament hopes in danger

The latest bracketology has the Gophers listed as the first team out.

Minnesota's 76-65 loss to Michigan State in women's basketball on Monday night was the fourth straight defeat for a reeling Gophers squad that has gone from being a rising team in NCAA Tournament predictions to a club on the bubble. 

Charlie Creme updated his bracket projection for ESPN on Feb. 6 and he has the Gophers listed as the first team out. It's a significant drop as just two weeks ago he was projecting them as a No. 8 seed that was on the rise. 

Since then, Minnesota has lost to Wisconsin, Illinois, Penn State and Michigan State, going from 14-4 overall and 4-3 in the Big Ten to 14-8 overall and 4-7 in conference play. 

Minnesota's issues have been exacerbated since star player Mara Braun suffered a foot injury in the loss to Illinois. The university said her injury will require surgery and keep her out of the lineup indefinitely. 

While Janay Sanders, who entered the starting lineup when Braun was lost, scored 23 points to lead Minnesota on Monday night, the Gophers found themselves down 47-24 at the half and they couldn't claw their way all the way back despite playing much better in the second half. 

Head coach Dawn Plitzuweit hasn't lost confidence in her young team. 

"I think we're able to compete at a high level, but it takes what it takes," Plitzuweit said. "We went out and really competed on the defensive end [in the second half], and it carried over to the offensive end."

Being on the bubble means the Gophers will need to finish the season strong against a difficult part of the schedule. On Thursday they host No. 5 Ohio State followed by games against Rutgers, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa and Penn State. 

Northwestern, Wisconsin and Rutgers are among the bottom feeders in the Big Ten, which makes them must wins for Minnesota. Iowa and Ohio State are Final Four contenders and a win against either team could go a long way if the Gophers remain on the bubble come the March 17 Selection Sunday. 

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Amaya Battle / Photo by Brad Rempel, University of Minnesota