The Golden Gophers basketball team beat Alabama yesterday in the Barkley’s Classic. What transpired in the second half felt like a scene out of a movie. The Crimson Tide played the last ten plus minutes with only three players on the floor. THREE! Not even the directors of Hoosiers were bold enough to stage something this bizarre.
Alabama had to play basketball with only 3 players for longer than 10 minutes.
This is so hell lmao. Minnesota gophers played 5 on 3 vs Alabama basketball for the last 10 minutes of the game ???? pic.twitter.com/0jEYOMG7jE
— Jag City (@RealJagCity) November 26, 2017
- Dupree McBrayer (MN) and Dazon Ingram (ALA) got tangled up after an Alabama bucket. Words were exchanged and a little shoving ensued.
- The ENTIRE Alabama bench ran on the court during the slight altercation. All 7 of those players were ejected. The Tide were now left with only 5 available bodies.
- Ingram fouled out with 11:37 left. Coach Avery Johnson is now down to 4 bodies. The game continues with only 9 men on the floor.
- Less than a minute later, John Petty injured his ankle and was forced to leave the game. It was now 5 on 3 and remained that way until the final buzzer.
Alabama is about to play this basketball game with 4 players
5 vs 4……. in basketball….
Think there’s a hockey mind in the building that can help with the 12 minute power play? pic.twitter.com/0U6feNAw0C
— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) November 25, 2017
A two man power-play in a basketball game! Has anyone ever seen anything like what happened Saturday evening? The Lakers finished a game with 4 players in 2014. That’s one more athlete than Bama had, though. If it’s a first for you, you’re not alone. Minnesota’s, Jordan Murphy, is with the us.
I bet the folks in Minnesota never envisioned a day where they’d have a 5 on 3 Power Play against a team from Alabama, nor does Alabama know what a 5 on 3 Power Play is https://t.co/3JTK1IMi8n
— Josh Gross (@josh3302) November 26, 2017
Jordan Murphy on crazy Alabama game: “It’s probably one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever been part of college basketball-wise. I don’t even know if we’re going to watch much film on it.” #Gophers pic.twitter.com/5qt4pNZEyE
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) November 26, 2017
In what may be the strangest part of this story, Alabama outscored us during their short-handed stretch. That’s correct. Kind of embarrassing for MN, but not as embarrassing as only fielding 60% of a starting lineup. It seemed just as odd for the Minnesota players as it did for those of us watching. After a 28-19 Bama run, it was a one possession game with a few minutes remaining. Ultimately, the Gophers stayed undefeated with a 89-84 chaotic victory. In a losing effort, Collin Sexton was unbelievable. The freshman phenom finished the game with 40 points.
It was nice to see Richard Pitino’s team stay….mostly….discipline during the altercation. Moving forward we should take the Hockey approach. Always dress a goon. ALWAYS. Keep that brute on the bench for when things get heated. Amir Coffey wants to swing on someone, but would get suspended for doing so? Our goon farmer tackles the opponent to the Barn floor. He hits the showers a hero, while Coffey stays on the court. There are a couple of “Row The Boat” LBs that have some extra free time…
Here is the whole thing. It also shows how the crowd played a role, better than the national Facebook broadcast did.
Johnny Minnesota @mnsportsnstuff
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com