MINNEAPOLIS — The first time Minnesota faced Indiana this season, the Gophers were in the midst of an 0-4 start to the Big Ten schedule. But Tubby Smith's squad upset the then-No. 8 Hoosiers on the road and built a three-game winning streak.
At that time, the win at Indiana was a much-needed spark. The Gophers, whose NCAA Tournament fire is dying quickly, could certainly use another spark against Indiana when they host the Hoosiers on Sunday at Williams Arena.
"We need it bad. We need a whole lot of sparks. We need a fire. They need flames. They need a flamethrower on us at this point," Smith said. "But it starts with a spark. Right now we're smoldering, and this is one of those ways that we could fan it and get some flames going. It would be a big boost to us."
The Gophers once again find themselves on a four-game losing streak, with their most recent loss coming Wednesday at home to Michigan State. Minnesota held a nine-point lead in the second half against the Spartans but watched it slip away due to turnovers down the stretch.
A win against Michigan State would have bolstered Minnesota's tournament resume. After the loss, the Gophers know there is now zero room for error.
"We still have opportunities to right the ship. It hasn't completely sunk yet," Smith said. "We're bailing water right now. We're bailing it and pumping it out. Pretty soon, you've got to stay afloat and you've got to stay focused on the things at hand and go back to the basics."
The No. 24 Hoosiers have dropped in the rankings since the last time these two schools met, but they're still playing good basketball entering Sunday's matchup. Indiana has won four of its last five, including Wednesday's non-conference tilt against North Carolina Central.
As each loss piles up, the NCAA Tournament window closes for the Gophers. Yet with a logjam in the middle of the Big Ten, they're still not out of it.
But they simply can't afford another loss in their final three games.
"It's do or die time now," junior guard Julian Welch said. "Every possession counts. We're still pretty positive. We're just looking to go out there and get the ‘W.'"
Tubby harps on turnovers: Minnesota's loss to Michigan State was due in large part to the Gophers' inability to take care of the ball in crunch time. Smith's team turned the ball over four times in the final 2:33 of the game and saw a late lead slip away as a result.
Including Wednesday' 15-turnover game, the Gophers have now committed double-digit turnovers in 18 straight games.
That can't happen Sunday against Indiana, Smith said.
"The way we've been throwing the ball away, looking at some of the turnovers was just inexcusable. It's amazing we would make those kinds of turnovers," he said. "It's going to be a matter of us mentally and psychologically being ready to play."
Added junior Rodney Williams: "We've just got to be more patient, not try to force things, play within our game."
Welch, Ahanmisi limited in practice with injuries: Minnesota's depth at guard could be tested Sunday if Welch and Maverick Ahanmisi can't play.
Welch, a junior, suffered a hip pointer while lifting weights Friday. He didn't practice Saturday, but said he should be able to play through it Sunday versus Indiana.
"It's alright," Welch said of the hip. "I'm trying to rest it up so I'll be ready to go (Sunday)."
Welch played 32 minutes against the Spartans on Wednesday and scored 10 points while dishing out eight assists. He's averaging 10.5 points and a team-high 3.2 assists per game.
Ahanmisi is dealing with a sprained ankle and hasn't practiced since before the Gophers' game against Michigan State. With those two potentially out of the lineup, more pressure could fall on freshman guard Andre Hollins to run the point.
"It puts a little more responsibility on other players, whoever, to do a better job of being better ball handlers," Smith said.
Hollins scored eight points in 12 minutes off the bench for the Gophers against Michigan State. He's averaging 17.0 minutes and 6.1 points per game as a true freshman.
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