Ben Johnson and his Gophers basketball staff didn't see the abysmal Big Ten home opener coming based on the way the team practiced earlier in the week.
The Gophers (4-5, 0-2 Big Ten) were finally healthy. Leading scorer Jamison Battle was feeling strong a couple weeks after his return from a foot injury. Players who dealt with illnesses were back to normal, including the team's top big man, Dawson Garcia.
Minnesota's players were competing and focused behind closed doors, but it didn't translate into execution on the court in Thursday's 90-75 loss vs. Michigan at Williams Arena.
"We've got to have a better overall mentality as a team," junior guard Ta'Lon Cooper said.
Now, to avoid seeing their losing streak reach five games Sunday, the Gophers have to keep No. 23 Mississippi State from avenging last season's loss to Johnson's squad at home.
"It's a quick turnaround," Johnson said. "We've got to have a lot of early maturity where we have to watch this and get better from it. You can't ignore it."
The Bulldogs (8-0) are a different team than the one that the Gophers upset 81-76 in Starkville last season. Only big men Tolu Smith and D.J. Jeffries returned as starters for first-year coach Chris Jans, who replaced Ben Howland after he was fired.
Johnson is most impressed with Mississippi State's defense, which ranks No. 2 nationally in fewest points per game allowed (49.6) and fifth in lowest opponent field goal shooting (34.5%).
