Big Ten Tournament 2012: Andre Hollins, Elliott Eliason Unlikely Heroes As Golden Gophers Advance

Freshman point guard Andre Hollins scored a game-high 25 points and fellow first-year contributor Elliott Eliason hauled in six offensive rebounds in place of the injured Ralph Sampson III to help the Minnesota Golden Gophers advance through the 2012 Big Ten Tournament bracket.

Golden Gophers Vs. Northwestern: Minnesota Uses Overtime To Advance In Big Ten Tournament

The Minnesota Golden Gophers weren't expected to be able to compete with the Northwestern Wildcats in the first round of the 2012 Big Ten Tournament. The young team did that and more despite playing without their only senior on Thursday afternoon, though, rallying to defeat the Wildcats with an overtime victory.

The No. 10 seed in the tournament ended their season six losses in seven games, but picked up a huge win over the No. 7 seed to force a game with the Michigan Wolverines at 5:30 on Friday.

The Gophers trailed quite a bit in the second half, but were able to tie the game when Andre Hollins made jumper to tie the game at 61 points at the end of regulation. Both teams had a pair of possessions to break the tie, but neither was able to and the game went to overtime.

Andre Hollins was huge for the Gophers, taking on a leadership role since the team's only senior was missing as Ralph Sampson III was out due to a knee injury he suffered in practice earlier in the week. The 6-foot-1 freshman point guard scored 16 points in the first half on the way to 25 points including five 3-pointers. Though three other players finished with double figures for the Gophers, it was Sampson's replacement -- Elliot Eliason -- who was most crucial for the Gophers as he pulled down 11 big rebounds, including seven on the offensive end.

Northwestern went ice cold to end the game, but JerShon Cobb and John Shurna both played very well for the Wildcats with 24 and 21 points respectively. Nobody else scored in double figures for Northwestern, however, leading to the loss.

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Big Ten Tournament 2012, Northwestern vs. Minnesota: Gophers Force Overtime

The Minnesota Golden Gophers fought incredibly hard for 40 minutes against one of their rivals in the first round of the 2012 Big Ten Tournament, but it unfortunately wasn't meant to happen in regulation.. The team was able to force overtime, however, against the Northwestern Wildcats on Thursday afternoon.

Northwestern nearly went up by two points in the final minute, but a floater attempt from JerShon Cobb fell off the rim after hanging up there forever, giving Minnesota the ball following the defensive rebound.

The Gophers had the ball with 26.8 seconds and the shot clock off when Tubby Smith called a timeout following a scramble and controversial out of bounds call that was overturned to go Minnesota's way. Andre Hollins had a chance at a jumper, but the shot was long and Northwestern couldn't score at the other end before time expired.

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also learn more about college basketball around the nation at SB Nation's College Basketball hub.

Big Ten Tournament 2012, Northwestern vs. Minnesota: Andre Hollins Hot In First Half

The Minnesota Golden Gophers trail by two points at halftime of the first game in the 2012 Big Ten Tournament, but it isn't because the Gophers aren't connecting on offense. Missing their lone senior as Ralph Sampson III sits due to injury, the Gophers have simply been making mistakes young players make.

Andre Hollins hit four of his five three-point attempts in the first half on the way to 16 points to lead all scorers, but it wasn't enough to keep the Gophers from falling behind 36-34 at halftime. Part of that reason is because nobody else was able to consistently score for Minnesota in the first half, but their seven turnovers compared to just two for Northwestern didn't help, either.

The Wildcats were led by a familiar face as John Shurna scored 12 points -- all on 3-pointers -- while JerShon Cobb scored a team-high 14 points to go with a pair of steals.

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also learn more about college basketball around the nation at SB Nation's College Basketball hub.

Ralph Sampson Injury: Gophers Center Won't Play Against Northwestern

Ralph Sampson III suffered an injury in practice earlier this week as the Minnesota Golden Gophers were preparing for the 2012 Big Ten tournament. It wasn't expected to be that serious at first, but he'll apparently miss the Gophers opening game of the tournament against the Northwestern Wildcats.

Sampson tweaked his knee in practice on Monday and, according to the Star Tribune's Amelia Rayno, he'll likely be out for the majority of the Big Ten tournament -- which might not be long for the Gophers considering they enter as the No. 10 seed.

Ralph Sampson III will be out today and likely beyond -- if the Gophers advance -- with an knee injury sustained in practice Monday. Starting in Sampson's spot will be Elliott Eliason, who has started four games in place of the senior this season.

Northwestern isn't great in the post, either, so maybe Eliason can do some damage. It still would've certainly helped to have Sampson, the team's only senior, in the lineup.

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also learn more about college basketball around the nation at SB Nation's College Basketball hub.

Big Ten Tournament 2012: Northwestern Vs. Minnesota Time, TV Schedule And Preview

The Minnesota Golden Gophers have a long road to the NCAA Tournament considering they'll likely have to win the 2012 Big Ten basketball tournament first, but nothing is impossible. Unlikely, maybe, but not impossible as the Gophers meet the Northwestern Wildcats in the first round on Thursday afternoon.

The Gophers might be without their only senior, center Ralph Sampson III, when the tip-off happens at about 4:30 p.m. Sampson's injury shouldn't make anyone shy away from watching it when ESPN2 begins its Big Ten tournament coverage (full schedule here).

Minnesota ended its season losing six of their final seven games (they beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers at home in the regular season finale), but split the season series with Northwestern. If the Gophers are able to play like they did against the Wildcats in their first meeting -- a 23-point victory in which all five starters scored in double figures -- things could be happening and the Gophers might be able to advance.

If the Gophers instead play the Wildcats like they did during 64-53 loss on Feb. 18, however, it might be time to cherish Minnesota's neighbors to the west and jump on the South Dakota State bandwagon. Aside from Julian Welch and his 21 points, Minnesota's starters combined for just 17 points and 14 turnovers.

Northwestern is of course led by John Shurna, the 6-foot-9 forward that seems to have the Gophers' number every time the two teams play. Shurna averaged 19.8 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Wildcats this season.

Whichever team wins Thursday afternoon's contest will have to turn around and face the Michigan Wolverines in a game scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday night.

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also learn more about college basketball around the nation at SB Nation's College Basketball hub.

Ralph Sampson Injury: Big Ten Tournament In Doubt For Minnesota's Lone Senior

Ralph Sampson III, a senior center for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, injured his knee Monday at practice and is questionable for Minnesota's opening round Big Ten Tournament game against Northwestern on Thursday, according to Amelia Rayno of The Star Tribune. Via Rayno:

Ralph Sampson III "tweaked" his knee two days ago, Gophers coach Tubby Smith said on Wednesday, making his status questionable for Thursday's opening round game against Northwestern at the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis. Sampson hurt the knee in practice, Smith said, and had not practiced since. The senior was seen shooting free throws on the court behind Smith as he spoke.

Sampson III is the Golden Gopher's lone senior, averaging 7.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game this season. Minnesota (18-13, 6-12) has virtually no chance of earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

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Big Ten Basketball Tournament 2012: Minnesota Doubling Up On Practice

Head coach Tubby Smith is getting the Minnesota Golden Gophers ready to roll for when they start Big Ten tournament play on Thursday. Smith's team is doubling up on practices ahead of their opening round game against the Northwestern Wildcats.

Early practice sessions are focused on shooting, something the Golden Gophers struggled with during the season. They finished the year shooting just 46 percent from the field.

The Gophers ended their regular season on a high note, beating Nebraska on March 3. That ended a six-game skid that put a damper on what had been an otherwise solid season for Minnesota.

Minnesota plays on Thursday night in the final game of the opening round. The good news is that they split the regular season series with Northwestern, beating the Wildcats by 14 points on Jan. 22. They lost their second game, on Feb. 18, by 11 points.

For a complete Big Ten tournament bracket, visit here.

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also learn more about college basketball around the nation at SB Nation's College Basketball hub.