Gophers' tourney hopes take a hit in Nebraska blowout

Cornhuskers held Gophers to 31% shooting and led by as many as 23 points

Nebraska dominating at home has been a theme all season and Sunday's game in Lincoln against the visiting Golden Gophers was no different as the Cornhuskers plowed over Minnesota 73-55. 

Minnesota led 5-0 in the first couple of minutes but only managed to score 20 points in the first half, and in the second half it was all Nebraska as led by as many as 23 points and never allowed the Gophers to get close. 

The loss drops the Gophers to 17-10 overall and 8-8 in the Big Ten. A win would've had them sitting alone in fifth place in the conference and just one game out of third place. Instead, they're in seventh place and down to two opportunities to earn Quad 1 wins, which are critical when building an NCAA Tournament resume. 

Shots just didn't fall for the Gophers, who were averaging 83 points in their previous four games. They shot 31% as a team, including 26.1% from 3-point range. Minnesota's starters were a combined 11-of-44 shooting (25%). 

Juwan Gary led Nebraska with a career-high 22 points, including 18 in the second half, and Brice Williams added 15 for the Cornhuskers, who improved to 20-9 overall and 10-7 in the conference. 

Minnesota may have at least 20 teams to pass for spot in tourney

Minnesota's next biggest game of the season is Tuesday at Illinois. A win would be critical while a loss would all but crush the Gophers' chances of getting into the tournament as an at-large bid and force them to win the Big Ten Tournament for an automatic bid to March Madness. 

Feb 25, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Juwan Gary (4) shoots the ball against Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Joshua Ola-Joseph (1) and guard Elijah Hawkins (0) during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena / Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports