MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota– Last time the Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-7) and the Purdue Boilermakers (13-8) faced off, both teams held double-digit leads in a true back-and-forth game. That January 30 matchup ended with Purdue overcoming a 14-point Minnesota lead to claim a decisive 19-point victory.
On Thursday, the matchup was much different. Neither team could put together a run to claim the momentum; the largest lead for either team was 7 points. A late bucket by Trevion Williams put Purdue ahead by 2 with just 26 seconds left in the game. Minnesota point guard Marcus Carr took matters into his own hands, drilling a go-ahead 3 point jumper off the backboard to take a 1 point lead with just 18 seconds left.
Purdue turned to Williams again, but Minnesota’s defense forced him into a traveling violation before attempting a shot under the basket. Gabe Kalscheur knocked down 2 free- throws to put Minnesota up 3, and their defense forced an air-ball on the final possession, securing the 71-68 victory.
Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino praised his point guard after the game.
“The one thing about Marcus and all these guys, I want them to feel free to go make some plays. Even though at Rutgers, he didn’t, we have to step back and think about all the great plays he had made,” said Pitino.
The win is critical for a team trying to improve their tournament resume. Coming into the game, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had Minnesota as the 9th seed in Region 2 (all tournament games will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana). Adding this win to their home wins over Michigan, Ohio State, and Iowa, Minnesota has now beaten four of the Big Ten’s top teams.
With the win, Minnesota puts space between them and Michigan State in the Big Ten, now 2 games ahead of them for 9th in the conference. The loss drops Purdue to 6th in the standings, now a half a game behind Iowa.
Marcus Carr leads balanced offensive attack for Minnesota
Finding consistent scoring was critical to Minnesota’s effort to stay in the game. At times, it seemed like Purdue’s size was too much for Minnesota to handle. With power forward Trevion Williams and backup center Zach Edey, Purdue dominated the paint; they outscored Minnesota 40-28 down low.
With 19 points, Marcus Carr led Minnesota’s way, adding 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Four Minnesota players scored in double-figures as they shot 50% in the second half, keeping the game within striking distance. Coming into the game, Minnesota was statistically one of the worst three-point shooting in the country, and that trend seemed to continue in the first half. The second half was a different story, with Minnesota shooting 50% from three down the stretch.
In the final half, the efficiency of graduate-transfer Brandon Johnson helped bring Minnesota to the victory. The former Western Michigan star finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 7-9 from the field.
Williams continues his dominant 2021 campaign
This season, Trevion Williams has been the driving force of Purdue offensively. His strength and physical presence down low make him a tough matchup for other power forwards in the conference.
Again, Thursday’s matchup showed Williams’s true dominant nature. He secured his 9th double-double of the season, finishing with 24 points and 10 rebounds. His effort on the offensive glass gave Purdue second-chance points on multiple possessions. Purdue turned to him late for a potential go-ahead basket, but he dragged his foot as he jump-stopped under the rim, drawing a traveling violation.
Purdue struggled from three as a team, a key factor in their loss. Brandon Newman hit a three in the first half, and Mason Gillis added another in the second, but that was all Purdue could muster from behind the arc. They finished 2-17 from three, including an air-ball on a potential game-tying three as time expired.
Up Next
Minnesota @ Maryland, Sunday, February 14, Xfinity Center, College Park, MD Purdue vs. Michigan State, Tuesday, February 16, Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN
