NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY TOOK ON THE UNIVERSTIY OF MINNESOTA IN A MEN’S BASKETBALL GAME AT WILLIAMS ARENA

The Northwestern Wildcats took on the University of Minnesota Gophers in a men’s basketball
game at Williams Arena. Northwestern entered the game with a record of 13-5 overall and 3-5 in
the Big 10. Minnesota entered the game with a record of 15-4 overall and 4-3 in the Big Ten.
Minnesota was ranked number 18 in the most recent USA Today/ESPN coaches’ poll.
 

Minnesota won the tip. Minnesota looked to push the ball up the court. They also spread the ball
out on the offensive end. They wanted to get everyone involved in the play. Blake Hoffarber
looked to shoot the ball. His teammates knew where he was on the court and they were able to
get him the ball in spots where he knew where he would be able to make shots.
 

The game was close in the opening minutes. The scoring went back and forth for a period of
time. Both teams did a good job of feeling each other out.
 

At the first media timeout the score was Minnesota 8 and Northwestern 5.
 

Minnesota came out of that timeout in a zone defense. Minnesota did a good job of switching
between man-to-man defense and zone defense. It really confused the other teams because they
didn’t know what the Gophers are doing on defense.
 

Rodney Maurice Williams for Minnesota came down with a nasty two-handed slam-dunk that
got the crowd into the game.
 

With 11:42 left on the clock the score was Minnesota 15 and Northwestern 8.
 

Minnesota looked to push the ball down the court. Minnesota went on a run after the 11:42
timeout.
 

With 7:35 left in the first half the score was Minnesota 23 and Northwestern 14.
 

Minnesota stayed in a zone defense. They did a good job of closing out Northwestern.
 

Northwestern had a hard time of making their shots in the first half.
 

Austin Hollins for Minnesota came up with a few good shots. The Gophers looked dead on with
their shooting. It looked like they knew where each other were on the court. They did a good job
communicating on the floor.
 

With 3:35 left in the first half the score was Minnesota 29 and Northwestern 24.
 

Northwestern got hot and they went on a run late in the first half. Minnesota continued to shoot
the ball well late in the half.
 

At halftime the score was Northwestern 34 and Minnesota 33.
 

As the second half got underway Northwestern came out in a came out in a zone defense.
 

Iverson came out hot in the second half as he was able to step up and make some big shots early
on in the second half.
 

The score went back and forth for a good portion on the second half. Hoffarber drained a threepoint
shot with 16:37 left in the second half.
 

Northwestern called a timeout with 16:37 left in the second half. The score was Minnesota 46
and Northwestern 39.
 

For Northwestern Dew Crawford was all over the court. He was able to knock down shots for
them and keep Northwestern in the game.
 

Northeastern kept on making their shots. They were able to get to within 3 points of the Gophers.
 

With 10:49 left to go in the second half the score was Minnesota 53 and Northwestern 50.
 

Michael Thompson came through in the second half for Northwestern, as he was able step up and
knock down some three-point shots.
 

With 7:54 left in regulation the score was Minnesota 60 and Northwestern 53.
 

Minnesota continued to attack the basket on the offensive end. They also continued to look for
Mabakwe or Sampson on the low block for scoring chances.
 

With 3:27 left to go in regulation the score was Minnesota 70 and Northwestern 60.
 

The game came down to the wire. Minnesota was able to come away with the 81-70 victory over
Northwestern. The leading scorers for Northwestern were Michael Thompson with 18 points,
John Shurna with 16 points and Drew Crawford with 15 points. They shot 24-64 from the field.
Northwestern also shot 12-39 from the three-point line and 10-11 from the free throw line.
 

Minnesota was led in scoring by Blake Hoffarber with 20 points, Trevor Mbakwe with 18,
Colton Iverson with 15, Ralph Sampson with 14 and Chip Armelin with 10 points. They shot 24-
45 from the field. Minnesota also shot 2-11 from the three-point line and 31-46 from the free
throw line.

After the game Northwestern head coach Bill Carmody addressed the media to talk about the game. Also Minnesota’s Ralph Sampson and Blake Hoffarber addressed the media. Minnesota
head coach Tubby Smith also talked about the victory over Northwestern.