Gophers men’s basketball vs. Michigan State game preview: Broadcast info and analysis

Marcus Fuller’s breakdown: The Gophers must improve drastically on defense to have a chance to make a Big Ten tournament run, starting Thursday against the Spartans.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
March 13, 2024 at 11:27PM
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, center, Malik Hall, right, and Tyson Walker react during overtime against James Madison during an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo will look to get the Spartans out of their rut in the Big Ten tournament. (Al Goldis/The Associated Press)

GOPHERS MEN’S BASKETBALL GAMEDAY

11 a.m. Thursday vs. Michigan State in Big Ten tournament at Target Center

TV; radio: BTN; 100.3 FM

...

Marcus Fuller’s analysis

Opening bell: The No. 9 seed Gophers (18-13, 9-11 Big Ten) struggled mightily on defense in three losses to end the regular season against Northwestern, Indiana and Illinois, which combined to shoot 58% from the field, 52% from three-point range and average 47 points in the paint. The season-ending 90-66 loss Saturday in Evanston included the most points ever allowed by the Gophers against Northwestern. The last time Ben Johnson’s team held an opponent under 70 points was in a 59-55 win vs. Michigan State on Feb. 6 at home. The No. 8 seed Spartans (18-13, 10-10) picked up a 76-66 win Jan. 18 against the Gophers in East Lansing.

Watch him: Michigan State guard Tyson Walker finished the regular season with 30 points on 11-for-21 shooting, including 4-for-8 from three in a 65-64 loss at Indiana last week. Walker had two 20-point performances against the Gophers earlier this season.

Injuries: Braeden Carrington returned after a concussion to score eight points Saturday. Joshua Ola-Joseph is day-to-day after failing to clear concussion protocol at Northwestern.

Forecast: Both the Gophers and Spartans limped into Big Ten tournament first-round byes after losing four of their past five games. Tom Izzo’s team still is projected to be the sixth Big Ten team to make the NCAA tournament. A loss Thursday, though, could knock Sparty off the bubble. The only chance an NCAA bid for the Gophers is likely is if they win four games in four days. Top-seeded Purdue awaits the winner in Friday’s quarterfinals.

about the writer

about the writer

Marcus Fuller

Reporter

Marcus Fuller covers Gophers men's basketball, national college basketball, college sports and high school recruiting for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

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