The Minnesota Gophers came out slow vs Loyola Marymount again on Monday evening. This time however, they couldn’t find the 2nd-half jets that pushed them to an easy victory on Saturday. Nope, game 2 of this 2-game series went down to the wire and it took a Marcus Carr miracle to finish.

Sure, you don’t want to see your Big Ten basketball team be taken down to the wire vs a mid-major like LMU, but we got to see this game-winner from Carr and that made it all worth it. Minnesota moves to 3-0 after this 67-64 barn-burner.

MARCUS CARR FOR THE LEAD! ?

That's a CLUTCH #B1GStandout!

? @AutoOwnersIns pic.twitter.com/bezA7WH1ex

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 1, 2020

This was the first time the Minnesota Gophers basketball team had ever played in a regular season 2-game series, which turned out to be its own monster. Credit Loyola Marymount for making adjustments that really made life difficult for the Gophers.

It wasn’t all LMU, however. Minnesota struggled to hit shots from deep, shooting just 4/16 on the night (25%). But luckily, Marcus Carr was there to bail everyone out again, posting another ridiculous 26 points on 9/16 shooting, 7 rebounds and that game-winner.

Gabe Kalscheur Riding Struggle Bus

He was a regular passenger throughout 2019-20 and he’s started on the struggle bus again in 2020-21. Gabe Kalscheur somehow continues to climb up the Minnesota Gophers record books from 3-point land… but we might need a recount because that dude can’t hit anything.

Gabe was 0/4 from deep tonight and 1/11 from the field. Through three games this season, Kalscheur is shooting 36% from the floor and 12.5% from behind the 3-point line. If Richard Pitino is going to lead Minnesota back to the NCAA Tournament, Gabe Kalscheur will have to be better.

Big Man Foul Trouble

Liam Robbins has now fouled out in 2 of his first 3 games as a Minnesota Gopher. That’s not going to work during the Big Ten schedule. He wasn’t the only one who couldn’t stay clean tonight. He, Jarvis Omersa and Brandon Johnson all fouled out by the time Marcus Carr was dribbling up the court, preparing to hit the game-winner.

Minnesota’s next scheduled game is at Williams Arena vs the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, on December 4 at 8 PM. Life will get more difficult after that, when they play host to Boston College as part of the B1G/ACC Challenge (12/8).

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Gophers pulled out their 2nd win in as many 2020 games on Saturday evening, when they beat Loyola Marymount in the first of a 2-game series at Williams Arena. Game 2 will be played on Monday night.

LMU hung with the Gophers during the 1st half of Saturday’s game. In fact, they lead for most of the first 20 minutes. Minnesota took the lead at halftime, however, and never really looked back.

Another high-scoring night for Marcus Carr as @GopherMBB moves to 2-0 on the season.

Highlights vs. Loyola Marymount: pic.twitter.com/tzRBe5JY8m

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) November 29, 2020

Marcus Carr Show Continued…

Marcus Carr picked up right where he left off earlier in the week when he put up 35 against Green Bay, posting 23 in the first half alone, vs LMU tonight. Minnesota needed him in that first half, while his teammates struggled to find their footing, and he delivered again.

#5 is the best point guard in the Big Ten and he will be there all season, when the Gophers need him. But what was so promising about this game, unfolded in the 2nd half when Carr’s teammates took over.

Marcus put up 23 in the first and Minnesota was +4. In the 2nd half, Carr was held to just 5 points, but the Gophers were +11. Others started putting the ball in the basket and our PG was happy to let them takeover for a bit.

Both Gach put up a box score that should get Gopher fans jacked up, after a shaky first 3 halves. He wasn’t the only transfer to contribute in big ways.

Game 2 – Monday

This is a 2-game series and the next matchup will take place on Monday night at 7 PM. Thank god we get to see this beautiful man one more time. Savor it.

I mean this is a perfect male human specimen. pic.twitter.com/bVftTE7kaK

— PoppaDoo (@Doo2Cory) November 29, 2020

Couldn't agree more with @BenBrust…

Loving Keli Leaupepe's game, hair, overall court presence in this Minnesota vs. @lmulionsmbb matchup. Electric pic.twitter.com/CB9hk8Shyl

— Alex Roux (@arouxBTN) November 28, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan