Most fans and pundits (myself included) thought it would be a Gophers slaughter, much like Vegas did. But… as the saying goes… ‘that’s why they play the game’. Dawson Garcia, Mike Mitchell Jr and a ragtag group of Golden Gophers that was 0-5 in the Big Ten, had other plans.

When the overtime dust settled in Dinkytown, it was Minnesota celebrating an impossible 84-81 upset victory over the No. 20 ranked team in the country, ending their 5-game losing streak, to begin conference play.

Dawson Garcia’s miracle OT heave clinches Gophers upset over No. 20 Michigan

And better yet, it came on an overtime heave from near half court by the aforementioned Garcia, a hometown kid who turned down hundreds of thousands of dollars to stay home for his senior season. Lu’Cye Patterson took the inbound pass up the court, seconds after the Wolverines tied the game 81-81, dribbled all the way to the top of the key, where he flipped it back to Garcia for a long-distance miracle.

BALLGAME pic.twitter.com/LnZG2D3JoU

— Minnesota Men's Basketball (@GopherMBB) January 17, 2025

The Gophers’ hard-fought victory earned Ben Johnson — who is over half way through his fourth season as head coach — his first ever win over a ranked opponent… It took overtime but it is only the 3rd time all season that Minnesota has scored over 80 points in a game.

Senior transfer Lu’Cye Patterson had a big day for Minnesota Gophers too

Lu’Cye Patterson was probably the Minnesota Gophers co-MVP, next to Garcia. The senior transfer scored 22 points on 8-of-13 from the field, and grabbed 6 rebounds. But it was his play late in the game that continually took over late in the game. The senior guard also grabbed 6 rebounds in his 37 minutes of playing time.

Patterson with the CLUTCH triple! 🪣 @GopherMBB pic.twitter.com/gnIazcZi0y

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 17, 2025

Dawson Garcia, who hit the game-winner, scored 27 points, the most he has scored since opening night vs Oral Roberts, when he put up 30. The 5th year senior also added 12 rebounds, a season high, making for his 5th double-double of 2024-25. Mike Mitchell Jr, also score 20 points, shooting 4-of-12 from deep, and adding 4 assists.

Related: Minnesota Gophers Fans and Media Need to Stop Making Excuses for Ben Johnson

Will Ben Johnson be head coach of the Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team beyond 2024-25? Probably not, but tonight at the historic Williams Arena, none of that matters. This was a great win for Johnson’s program, and a night that all of these kids will remember forever.

Minnesota fans celebrate on the court after Dawson Garcia's insane buzzer beater 🎉🚨 pic.twitter.com/2KiGPWu3S1

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 17, 2025

Charlotte transfer point guard Lu’Cye Patterson has made it official: he’s taking his talents to Dinkytown. His commitment came on Friday, and if you’re a follower of high school basketball, you might find Patterson’s name familiar, from his time at Minnesota Prep Academy and Brooklyn Center high school.

Patterson’s journey in collegiate basketball began with his commitment to Missouri State following high school. During his time there, he played in 57 games. However, seeking new opportunities, he made the decision to transfer to Charlotte, where he has continued to develop his game over the past two seasons.

What are Minnesota Gophers getting with Charlotte transfer, Lu’Cye Patterson?

During his tenure at Missouri State, playing time was scarce for him his freshman year. However, a breakthrough came in his sophomore year when he snagged 26 starts, showcasing an average of 7.4 points per game and logging 26.3 minutes per game. Following this promising season, he made the pivotal decision to transfer to Charlotte.

In his debut season at Charlotte, he hit the ground running, securing a spot in the starting lineup for 25 games. With an average of 10.2 points per game and 28.3 minutes of playtime, he made his mark early on. Fast forward to his latest season, and his growth is evident.

Related: Gophers Grab Two Backcourt Transfer Portal Commitments

Starting all 31 games, he upped his scoring average to 14.6 points per game while logging an impressive 32 minutes per game. Not only a scorer, he also showcased his playmaking abilities, chipping in with an average of 2.2 assists per game throughout his college career.

He’s a significant addition to the backcourt, stepping in to fill the shoes of Elijah Hawkins – a tough challenge indeed. But being back home he is comfortable, and anything could happen. It’s another great acquisition for Ben Johnson and his coaching staff.

Lu'Cye loves the paint!@LucyePatterson with the first bucket of the night!#jUSt | #GoldStandard⛏️ pic.twitter.com/rm32YEty7l

— Charlotte Men’s Basketball (@CharlotteMBB) February 16, 2024

Related: Cam Christie is Not Returning to Minnesota, Gophers’ Dreadful NIL Budget Revealed

WE LOVE SHOOTING FROM DEEP🎯@LucyePatterson drains another! Charlotte has 5⃣ 3s in the first half!#jUSt | #GoldStandard⛏️ pic.twitter.com/2swRsslSfR

— Charlotte Men’s Basketball (@CharlotteMBB) February 16, 2024