Game Thread: #15 Minnesota @ Providence | 6:30 PM ET | FS1

[Hitman Hart]

The first decent match-up of the season is upon us.

@ericd7633
@mr.hockey4242

Minnesota is ranked #15 nationally in the polls. They are ranked #38 on kenpom.

Providence is unranked nationally, but are ranked #24 on kenpom.

 

[Eco]

Good matchup, and I have a soft spot for both teams.

I would really love to see Minnesota take another step forward so I hope, and think, they will win this one.

 

[ericd7633]

I never thought I'd see the day a Minnesota basketball game is game thread worthy. But this probably is the best match up thus far on the season.

I have no clue what to think about this game. I know Providence is favored by 3.5, and I'm always hesitant to take the Gophers in any road game(except Rutgers). This would be a very, very nice win if the Gophers can get it. So much so, I think it could worth a seed line come Selection Sunday, top 50 true road wins aren't easy to come by.

In regards to metrics, I think it's going to take a while for the Gophers to match up with where they are in the polls. Minnesota was probably a 7/8 seed last year based on metrics, but had the resume of a 5 seed. This year might be the opposite given the extremely weak OOC. It's why this game, and the games against Miami, Alabama and Arkansas are so important, even a split of the two will leave our OOC RPI not looking so flattering.

 

[Hitman Hart]

Minnesota with a good start

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Gophers roll if they stop playing moronic


Not to mention make a few 3s

 

[Hitman Hart]

Providence is on fire from deep.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Cartwright moves the ball

Gophers don't

 

[Hitman Hart]

Murphy for Minnesota is pretty good.

I'm pretty jelly

 

[Hitman Hart]

Impressed with Minnesota right now. They took Providence's best shot, rebounded and are now up by 9.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Murphy too good

Thanks for trying Prov

 

[SDPaddlefish]

Game over?

 

[Hitman Hart]

Minnesota- 86
Providence- 74

 

[ericd7633]

Didn't see any of the game because I was playing volleyball but was checking scores in between games. Impressed with Murphy again for the 2nd game in a row. If he keeps playing like this he's gonna be a 1st team All-American.