Another frustrating year is just about in the books for the Golden Gophers, one that saw them once again each a decent pinnacle in the middle of the season, reaching #16 in the nation at one point and projected as high a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament by some bracketologists. But from there it was painful erosion that saw them fall line by line in Bracketology until they were out of the Top 25 and out of the projected field.
It would be horrifying if it weren’t so predictable. But it got me thinking about just how bad the late-season swoons have been under Richard Pitino, a coach who has been roundly criticized for seeing his teams effectively get weaker over the course of a season, not stronger.