When shots aren’t falling, it’s difficult to compete. This is especially the case against top-tier competition. The Gophers shot 28 percent and didn’t convert opportunities in Sunday’s 70-52 loss to No. 11 Michigan State.
After scoring 21 points in Thursday’s win over Ohio State, guard Marcus Carr had just 11 points on 3-for-14 shooting. Carr went on a notable scoring drought that spanned nearly 21 minutes. Michigan State guard Cassius Winston led the Spartans with 18 points and eight assists. Big man Xavier Tillman added 17 as three Michigan State players finished in double figures. In the second half, head coach Tom Izzo started running sets for Tillman and wore the Gophers down inside.