Postgame Thread: Boston College beats Minnesota 68-56

Minnesota came in riding hot, 5-0 with one of the most talented forwards in the country Jordan Murphy, who averages 14-12. Boston College, though, was ready to defend home court. Jim Christian’s squad came out firing taking a lead mid-way through the first half and never gave it up. It was a phenomenal 68-54 win built on the back of Wynston Tabbs’ 17 points and Nik Popovic’s 9-for-9, 18 point, 6 rebound performance. Murphy led the Golden Gophers with 16 points and 12 boards.

As a whole the Eagles played a superb game on both ends. Great defense by all parties involved forced the Gophers into shooting 29% and just 16% from three. A total of 5 blocks, including 4 in the second half, was the exclamation point on the performance.

BC backed up good defense with good offense. Tabbs continues to blossom into a star player, putting up 17 on great efficiency and dishing a team high 5 assists. The ball movement continued to excel, forcing the Gophers into rotation mistakes: 14 of the 25 total BC baskets were assisted. Popovic, who came off the bench for the third game in a row, was superb late. After getting two early fouls, the big man found his touch and proceeded to shoot 100% from the field. Altogether, it allowed Ky Bowman to take a rest from carry the team. The junior scored just 12 points tonight on 3 made field goals, though he can remember this powerful dunk.

The Eagles can be proud of this performance. Jim Christian out coached Richard Pitino and the whole team brought an energy on the boards that had been missing in the opening games. It brings the Eagles to 5-1 on the season and the win streak to 3 games, while the Golden Gophers fall to the same record.