INDIANAPOLIS - It was almost a great day for the lower seeds at the Big Ten Conference
tournament.
Instead, the underdogs will have to settle for two out of three wins.
Ninth-seeded Michigan and No. 10 seed Illinois pulled off upsets but sixth-seeded Minnesota
rallied from a 16-point first-half deficit to put away No. 11 seed Northwestern in the nightcap at
Conseco Fieldhouse.
INDIANAPOLIS - Dan Coleman saved Minnesota from going home early.
The senior scored the go-ahead layup with 1:34 to play, collected a key steal and hit two free throws with 3.9 seconds to play to give the Gophers a 55-52 victory over Northwestern.
In the first half, Minnesota trailed by 16 points.
The sixth-seeded Gophers will face Indiana in Friday's quarterfinals.
INDIANAPOLIS - Dan Coleman's steal and dunk with 4:11 to play has given Minnesota a 48-47 lead.
We're at the last media timeout and Northwestern hasn't scored since taking a five-point lead with 9:21 to play.
There's a reason why the Wildcats have won just once against Big Ten opponents this season.
Should be an exciting finish.
INDIANAPOLIS - Did Northwestern take Minnesota's best shot to open the second half?
The Gophers used a 21-8 run to tie the game at 42 but now the Wildcats are back in front at 47-42, thanks to five straight points Craig Moore.
INDIANAPOLIS - That had to be some halftime speech by Tubby Smith.
Minnesota has come back to trail 42-39 at the 13-minute mark. Looks like we have a game
INDIANAPOLIS - If you're a Northwestern fan, pinch yourself.
The Wildcats are leading 34-21 at halftime against Minnesota. Yes, a big upset in the Big Ten.
Sophomore Kevin Coble has 13 points for Northwestern, the tournament's 11th seed. The Wildcats have made 11 of 17 shots.
Tubby Smith's team is in big trouble right now.
INDIANAPOLIS - You've got to like Northwestern right now.
The Big Ten's 11th seed is taking it to Minnesota 31-18 at the last media timeout before halftime.
Kevin Coble is the story, scoring 13 points. The Wildcats have made 10 of 16 field goals, including 5 of 9 from 3-point range to build a big lead.
INDIANAPOLIS - I'll say one thing about Northwestern's offense; it's fun to watch.
The screens, the backcuts and the ball movement. That's the Princeton-style offense.
How long can the Wildcats keep it up against Minnesota? They lead 21-11 at the eight-minute timeout.
INDIANAPOLIS - Kevin Coble is keeping Northwestern ahead of Minnesota at the Big Ten Conference tournament.
The sophomore has nine points for the Wildcats, who lead 14-9 with 11:59 before halftime.
INDIANAPOLIS - The final game of the Big Ten Conference tournament has a surprise element to it.
Northwestern, the 11th seed, is leading sixth-seeded Minnesota 12-5 at the first timeout.
Still a long way to go.
INDIANAPOLIS - Do you think rebounding will be important to Minnesota coach Tubby Smith
in this game against Northwestern?
The Gophers were outrebounded 45-19 - that's right - in their loss at Illinois to close out the
regular season. Smith and his staff kept football equipment on the sidelines to motivate his team
during practice this week.
Minnesota is the No. 6 seed and needs some wins to receive any consideration for an at-large bid
to the NCAA tournament. Only two of the Gophers' 18 wins have come against teams currently
with a winning record.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats won once during the Big Ten regular season.
