Defense: C
Daniel Oturu was able to have success against both Nate Reuvers and Potter down low. Oturu was able to consistently generate high-quality shots for himself whenever he wanted it seemed like as he finished the game with 26 points on 9-for-19 shooting from the field and 12 rebounds.
But when Wisconsin needed a defensive stop against Oturu the Badgers got one.
Reuvers only had one block in the game but it was certainly a timely block with 12 seconds remaining in the game. Oturu was able to back down Reuvers in the post but Reuvers stayed strong and was able to block his shot to make sure the Badgers stayed in the lead.
Although Reuvers was able to come up with the defensive play that helped save the game for Wisconsin the Badgers also held a 12-point led over the Gophers with 14:08 to go in the game.
Over a four-minute and 47 seconds of game time, the Gophers went on a 14-to-2 run to tie the game at 49. In that stretch, Minnesota went 5-for-8 from the field and 3-for-5 from the free throw line.
Oturu was the player for Minnesota who carried the load for the Gophers in order to erase the Badgers lead and eventually tie the game at 49. Oturu was responsible for seven of Minnesota’s 14 points, Alihan Demir scored five points, and Marcus Carr scored the other two points.
It also helped Minnesota that they shot 50 percent (13-for-26) from the field in the second half to help them erase Wisconsin’s lead.
Outside of Oturu’s success against Wisconsin Carr was the other player for Minnesota to reach double figures. Carr scored 13 of his 21 points in the second half as he finished the game 9-for-13 shooting from the field.
Between Carr and Oturu the two consistently attacked the paint against Wisconsin and the Badgers had trouble keeping them out of the lane. Particularly in the second half as 20 of their 34 points in the paint came over the final 20 minutes.
Minnesota consistently getting in the lane led to the Gophers getting to the free throw line. After not attempting a free throw in the first half the Gophers attempted 23 free throws in the second half as they made 13 of their attempts.
Minnesota also finished the game with 12 offensive rebounds, which translated to 13-second chance points. With Oturu having success on the glass he led the Gophers with four offensive rebounds and Isaiah Ihnen had three. Overall Minnesota won the rebounding battle 41-to-33 over Wisconsin.