Minnesota and Northwestern ended both Big Ten regular season on the two-game’s losing stripes.
The 12th-seated Golden Gophers and 13-Sined Wildcats realize that Wiggle Room will be out through the window on Wednesday when they meet in the opening round for the conference tournament in Indianapolis.
“Yes, I think it’s just motivation,” said Minnesota leading goal scores and Rebounder Dawson Garcia. “I don’t think anyone wants to lose or go out, just because I think everyone understands the circumstances. It really is, when it comes to guaranteed games, it is a profit or goes home. And so we have our goals set at high expectations for ourselves.”
Minnesota (15-16) and Northwestern (16-15) both ended 7-13 in conference games. Wildcats netted a victory on a 75-63 road towards Golden Gophers on February 25 and pulled away the route behind a great effort from conference leader Nick Martinelli, who received 19 of his 29 points after half time.
Garcia rushed Minnesota with 26 points and nine returns. Golden Gopher’s Reserve Frank Mitchell was the only other player to score in double numbers in the game and contributed 10 points.
Golden Gophers hopes that a Revved-Up Garcia can help them get back on track. After combining only 23 points in his two previous matches, Garcia received 19 points to go with eight boards on Sunday in an overtime loss at Rutgers.
Martinelli, who an average of 20.2 points and 6.2 boards, helped the visitors Wildcats stay afloat Saturday before suffering a 13-point loss at the then. 13 Maryland. He received 28 points for his third 20-point effort in the last four matches.
For Berry followed 10 points. As they have done since second and third leading Scores Brooks Barnhizer and Jalen Leach suffered seasonal injuries, Wildcats are looking for supplementary crimes behind Martinelli.
“If you don’t see Nick Martinelli is one of the very best players in this league,” said Wildcats coach Chris Collins, “I don’t know what you are looking at. … He’s a warrior, man. I love he is in my team.”
Wednesday’s winner is moving forward to meet Fifth Seeded Wisconsin (23-8) on Thursday afternoon.
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