Without the starting point guard, Minnesota would be lost on offense. With him, the Gophers have the chance to beat any team in the nation when the NCAA Tournament begins on Friday.
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When comparing the Gophers to UCLA, the contrast between the programs is obvious. Which team will have the advantage Friday night?
In order to put a fear in opponents at March Madness, Minnesota has to prove in the Big Ten Tournament that they are still the team that was once ranked as high as No. 8.
From No. 8 in the nation to No. 9 in the Big Ten, the Minnesota Gophers (20-11, 8-10) have fallen out of the talk for an NCAA title since the beginning of January.
Nebraska's three seniors played a big role on Senior Night as the Cornhuskers beat the Minnesota Gophers, 53-48. The trio of players combined for 31 points.
Mbakwe, the sixth-year senior, has become Minnesota's most effective player on the court and is revitalizing the Gophers season just in time for the NCAA Tournament.
The Gophers won convincingly on Saturday, 73-44, against the Penn State Nittany Lions. The quartet of Minnesota seniors finished with 37 combined points.
Minnesota will tout nine graduating seniors, including MarQueis Gray, on Monday to NFL pro scouts. Pro Day with take place at 8 a.m. at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex.
Minnesota coaching change seems inevitable, but who could replace Tubby?
On Tuesday night, Mbakwe helped Minnesota shock college basketball by beating the Indiana Hoosiers at home, 77-73.
Trevor Mbakwe had 10 points in the first six minutes on Tuesday, but it was not enough for the Minnesota Gophers against the Indiana Hoosiers.
While Tubby Smith continues to be grilled on the hot seat with a record of 18-9, the types of the losses that the Gophers have accumulated over the season should keep the team in check when March arrives.
Trevor Mbakwe and Andre Hollins were the only starters for Tubby Smith on Wednesday to make a field goals. As a unit, the Minnesota Gophers starting lineup accounted for just six made field goals as the Ohio State Buckeyes took care of business, 71-45.
Perhaps the greater argument that has not circulated is whether or not the Gophers have a bigger problem on its hands with the possible loss of Rodney Williams.
Iowa (17-9, 6-7) head coach Fran McCaffery made a simple coaching move in the middle of the first half that forced the 180 turn. The implementation of a 2-3 zone defense allowed the Hawkeyes to outduel the Gophers, 72-51.
After back-to-back losses, head coach Tubby Smith's name is back in the fire of coaches on the hot seat.
Illinois (17-8, 4-7) made 11 three-pointers against Minnesota including a game-clinching three from Tracy Abrams with 15 second left as the Fighting Illini upended its second-straight ranked opponent, 57-53.
With most of the excitement of National Signing Day 2013 coming to a close, the Gophers coaching staff stood strong and even managed to make a few surprises as they plucked three more commitments on Wednesday.
The Minnesota coaching staff added a slew of defensive players as the program secured nine players to sign their letters of intent on Wednesday.
Quarterback Chris Streveler and running back Berkley Edwards lead the class on offense on National Signing Day and commits at wide receiver and place kicker will address inconsistencies that should make the Gophers a better team next season.