Minnesota Gophers fans cheer in the second half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game against the Michigan State Spartans at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers, 90-72. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo explains things to guard Jaden Akins (3) in the second half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game against the Minnesota Gophers at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers, 90-72. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
in the second half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers, 90-72. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gophers head coach Ben Johnson looks on as his team is 20 points down against the Michigan State Spartans late in the second half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers, 90-72. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gophers guard Femi Odukale (11) fouls Michigan State Spartans guard Jase Richardson (11) in the second half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers, 90-72. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Michigan State Spartans guards Tre Holloman (5) and Jaden Akins (3) share some love in the second half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game against the Minnesota Gophers at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers, 90-72. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gophers guard Lu’Cye Patterson (25) reacts after missing a three-point shot against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers, 90-72. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gophers forward Dawson Garcia (3) scores over Michigan State Spartans center Szymon Zapala (10) in the second half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers, 90-72. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Michigan State Spartans forward Xavier Booker (34) celebrates his three point shot against the Minnesota Gophers in the second half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers, 90-72. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gophers guard Lu’Cye Patterson (25) fouls Michigan State Spartans guard Kur Teng (2) in the second half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers, 90-72. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gophers guard Femi Odukale (11) gets a shot over Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins (3) in the second half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers, 90-72. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Michigan State Spartans guard Jase Richardson (11) is congratulated on his bucket by guard Tre Holloman (5) in the first half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game against the Minnesota Gophers at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gophers forward Dawson Garcia (3) drives under the basket as he is chased by Michigan State Spartans forward Xavier Booker (34) in the first half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gophers forward Dawson Garcia (3) and Michigan State Spartans guard Jase Richardson (11) hit the floor as the battle for the loose ball in the first half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo watches the action against he Minnesota Gophers in the first half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gophers forward Frank Mitchell (00) defends against Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) in the first half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gophers guard Lu’Cye Patterson (25) drives to the basket under the outstretched arm of Michigan State Spartans guard Tre Holloman (5) in the first half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gophers forward Parker Fox (23) looks to pass the lose ball against the Michigan State Spartans in the first half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins (3) gets past Minnesota Gophers guard Femi Odukale (11) for a shot in the first half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Minnesota Gophers head coach Ben Johnson gives instruction in the first half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game against the Michigan State Spartans at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Michigan State Spartans forward Coen Carr (55) finishes the ally-oop pass against the Minnesota Gophers in the first half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
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Minnesota Gophers fans cheer in the second half of an NCAA Men’s basketball game against the Michigan State Spartans at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Gophers, 90-72. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
The Gophers men’s basketball team’s Big Ten opener against Michigan State was put out of its reach within the opening 10 minutes on Wednesday night.
A massive 21-3 run from the Spartans was too much for Minnesota to overcome in a 90-72 loss at Williams Arena.
The game resembled a bigger, older kid extending his palm onto his little brother’s forehead. The elder’s wingspan alone keeps the feisty little one from making much contact, no matter how many swings he musters.
The Gophers (6-4, 0-1 Big Ten) had one of the best statitstical defenses in the conference coming into Wednesday but went quietly against five-point favorite Michigan State (7-2, 1-0).
The Gophers’ top point guard, Mike Mitchell, returned from a seven-game absence due to an ankle injury. He came off the bench early in the first half, got into a flow with three 3-pointers in a two minute stretch and finished with 17 points, including 5 of 8 from deep.
But the return of Minnesota’s best shooter and a game-high 18 points from Dawson Garcia didn’t really ding Michigan State’s lead. That’s because the Spartans — the worst 3-point shooting team in the conference (22%) — made 50% on Wednesday (11 of 22).
The Spartans started strong with a 9-2 lead in the first three minutes. They pushed the pace in transition for a bucket, made the extra pass for a 3-pointer and converted a 3-point play to take the early lead.
Minnesota responded with a 10-0 run. Lu’Cye Patterson and Garcia each hit a trey during the spurt to take a 12-9 lead.
Those mini-runs were nothing compared to Michigan State’s 21-3 burst over six minutes to take a 33-17 lead. The Spartans held onto it and were up 42-30 at the half and never looked back
The Spartans owned the glass, with a 24-8 rebounding advantage at the half. The Gophers were concerned by Michigan State’s ability to get out in transition, but that doesn’t explain a 9-2 disadvantage on the U’s defensive glass. The discrepancy evened out in the second half, but the damage was done.
Three Gophers dealt with foul trouble in the first half; Parker Fox and Femi Odukale each picked up two, while Patterson got three.
Last season, the Spartans won two of three games against Minnesota, with the U earring one of its best victories of the season, 59-56 over Michigan State in February.
There was no repeat performance to start Big Ten play this season.
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