Minnesota Beats USC 71-57

Story by Brett Shapoff

Trojans' #21 Aaron Fuller attempts a left hand floater. Photo by Leon Bennett/
T.G.Sports.

The 14^th ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers cruised to an easy 71-57 victory last night before a small, unenthusiastic crowd of 3,271, at the Galen Center. This win was very significant for Minnesota coach Tubby Smith, as it was his 500^th collegiate career win. For USC, it was their fifth straight loss.

From the outset, the Golden Gophers jumped all-over a lack-luster, slower-moving, Trojan squad that did not even have a point until guard, Jio Fontan, made a hoop 3:34 into the game. Coach Smith’s team was up 13-4 before the fans realized the Trojans were in for a long night.

Minnesota's #1 Andre Hollins pushing the ball up court. Photo by
Leon Bennett/T.G.Sports.

With 8:28 remaining in the first-half, the Golden Gophers had built a 27-12 lead by playing a more patient-oriented game than the Trojans. In addition, Minnesota’s fundamentally-sound plan of attack wreaked havoc for USC not only in the first half, but also, for the entire game. Trojan coach, Kevin O’Neal, remarked, “We never put any real pressure on them at all. We got much better in the second half and played harder.”

The half-time score was 38-26 in favor of Minnesota and that 12-point margin stayed, more or less, the same for the remainder of game. The Trojans did play better in the second half, but not well enough to ever get close enough to mount a threat. 

Trojans' #22 Byron Wesley. Photo by Leon Bennett/

T.G.Sports.

By game’s end, a well-balanced scoring attack, for the Golden Gophers, included four players in double figures, while the Trojans only had two in Byron Wesley (13 points) and the big-man, Omar Oraby (15 points). Minnesota’s three-guard platoon of Andre Hollins (14 points), Joe Coleman (10 points), and Austin Hollins (8 points), along with Rodney Williams (13 points) and Trevor Mbakwe (12 points), contributed to a balanced attack.

Throughout much of the game, Coach O’Neal switched back-and-forth between man-to-man and zone, but Minnesota was extremely patient in working for the best shot possible in every possession. The Golden Gophers hit the three-pointer when needed, or worked the ball inside for an easy lay-up or dunk. Overall, their patience allowed them to dictate the pace of the game.

Minnesota controlling the boards were one of the main reason they defeated
the Trojans 71-57. Photo by Leon Bennett.

Coach Smith acknowledged his milestone victory by saying, “It was good to do it with this group. There’s always a challenge with any group, but this group is a committed group, and they have great chemistry, so it’s fun to the coach them.”

The Trojans three-point shooting was a horrid 1-11, while the Golden Gophers made 6-19, a difference of 15 points. USC was out-rebounded by a smaller Minnesota front-line 40-32.

USC Guard, Jio Fontan, had an off-shooting night going 2-9 from the field, including, 0-3 from beyond the arc. He picked up four assists, as did Chass Bryan. The Trojans got ten rebounds from forward, Dewayne Dedmond.

USC will have to re-group after this fifth straight loss. Coach O’Neal firmly stated, “We're going to play different guys, and that’s what we're going to do. We're going to play guys who play with energy and who play with force and who play team basketball.''