Gophers Shock No. 10 Michigan State in Gritty 76-73 Win at The Barn
Minnesota didn’t just beat Michigan State on Monday night - they out-toughed them. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, the Gophers played like a team with something to prove, building a 16-point lead and holding off a furious late rally from the 10th-ranked Spartans to earn a statement 76-73 win at Williams Arena.
This wasn’t just another game - it was Minnesota’s first win over Michigan State since February 6, 2024, snapping a three-game skid in the series. More importantly, it marked the Gophers’ third home win this season over a ranked opponent, adding the Spartans’ name to a growing list that already includes No.
22 Indiana and No. 19 Iowa.
That’s three top-25 wins for a team that’s been through the wringer lately - including two overtime heartbreakers, a buzzer-beater loss, and four defeats by fewer than four points during a grueling seven-game skid.
But on this night, Minnesota flipped the script.
Balanced Attack, Big-Time Execution
The Gophers’ starting five didn’t just show up - they showed out, combining for all 76 of the team’s points and playing 184 of the game’s 200 total minutes. Leading the way was Crocker-Johnson, who poured in 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-8 from deep and 4-of-6 from the line. He was locked in from the jump and delivered timely buckets every time Michigan State made a push.
Cade Tyson added 17 points, hitting three triples and going 6-of-7 from the stripe, while Langston Reynolds came alive in the second half, scoring 12 of his 14 points after the break and dishing out eight assists. Bobby Durkin was quietly huge, finishing with 13 points on 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc and grabbing a team-high eight boards. Isaac Asuma rounded out the starting group with 10 points and a clutch three-point play in the first half.
This was a team win in every sense - five starters, all in double figures, all locked in.
Hot Start, Relentless Finish
Minnesota set the tone early. A quick 7-2 burst out of the gate behind buckets from Reynolds, Durkin, and a three from Crocker-Johnson got the crowd at The Barn buzzing. By the time Tyson knocked down a triple with just under 14 minutes left in the first half, the Gophers had already built a 10-point cushion.
They shot a red-hot 7-of-14 from deep in the first half and took a 32-21 lead into the locker room. Michigan State, meanwhile, couldn’t find its rhythm - just 8-of-24 from the field and 2-of-9 from three in the opening 20 minutes. The Gophers never trailed in the first half.
The second half was a different story - at least in terms of intensity. The Spartans came out swinging, hitting four of their first six shots and trimming the deficit to single digits.
But every time they threatened, Minnesota responded. Durkin and Crocker-Johnson buried threes to keep the lead in double digits, and when MSU cut it to five midway through the half, Crocker-Johnson and Tyson combined for a quick 6-0 run to push the lead back to 11.
By the 4:08 mark, the Gophers were up 67-51, thanks to a 12-4 run capped by six straight points from Reynolds. But you knew Tom Izzo’s squad wasn’t going down quietly.
Surviving the Storm
Michigan State made it interesting - very interesting. A barrage of late threes from Trey Fort and Jordan Scott, plus strong drives by Coen Carr, shaved Minnesota’s lead down to just two points with 20 seconds left. But the Gophers didn’t blink.
Asuma and Reynolds calmly knocked down free throws in the closing seconds to ice the game and lock in the upset. Minnesota finished 22-of-31 from the line - not perfect, but good enough when it mattered most.
The Gophers shot 47.8% from the field and 47.6% from three, showcasing a balanced, efficient offense that refused to let up. Michigan State held a massive 39-23 edge on the glass, but Minnesota’s shot-making and composure in crunch time made the difference.
Spartans’ Late Push Falls Short
Michigan State had five players score in double figures, led by Carr’s 16 points and six rebounds. Scott added 15, Fort knocked down four threes for 12, and Jeremy Fears Jr. posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists. Jaxon Kohler nearly joined him with nine points and nine rebounds.
But despite the Spartans’ size and depth - and a late-game surge that had the Gophers on their heels - they never led. That’s a testament to Minnesota’s poise and execution from start to finish.
What’s Next
With the win, Minnesota moves to 11-12 overall and 4-8 in Big Ten play - and more importantly, they’ve proven they can hang with anyone when they’re clicking. The Gophers return to Williams Arena on Sunday, Feb. 8, to host Maryland, looking to build on their biggest win of the season.
Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m. CST on Big Ten Network.
If this version of the Gophers sticks around, the rest of the Big Ten better be on alert.