Gophers Fall Flat Against Maryland as David Coit Steals the Show at Williams Arena
The Minnesota Gophers had a golden opportunity to string together a second straight win, this time against a Maryland team that’s been struggling to find its footing. Instead, they ran into a buzzsaw named David Coit, who poured in 29 points and looked nearly unguardable in the process. Add in a physical edge from Maryland and the return of former Gopher Pharrel Payne-now on the other side of the floor-and it made for a frustrating afternoon at Williams Arena.
A Flat Start That Set the Tone
After the game, head coach Niko Medved didn’t mince words. His team came out “too casual” and lacked the “force” needed to compete.
And honestly, it showed. The Gophers looked more like the team that struggled against Penn State than the one that battled toe-to-toe with Michigan State.
Defensively, Minnesota just didn’t bring enough resistance. Langston Reynolds, who’s shown flashes of being a strong on-ball defender, couldn’t quite contain Coit.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson had similar issues, and Kai Shinholster looked overwhelmed early, both mentally and physically. That trio-among others-just couldn’t match Maryland’s physicality or intensity, and it cost them.
On the flip side, Maryland’s Darius Adams and Andre Mills attacked the rim with purpose. When they drove, they went straight through contact.
When Minnesota attacked, they got bumped off their line or faded away from the pressure. The result?
Maryland won the rebounding battle by three and racked up 28 points in the paint.
The Coit Problem
David Coit was the story of the game. Minnesota threw just about every look they had at him-starting with Reynolds, then trying others, switching to zone, switching back, even trying to switch everything.
None of it stuck. Coit kept finding daylight, kept hitting shots, and kept his team in control.
This isn’t new territory for Coit. He’s the kind of scorer who can single-handedly swing a game, and he’s done it before-like the 43-point outburst against Penn State.
Against Minnesota, his 29 points were punctuated by a cold-blooded step-back three from NBA range that gave Maryland the lead for good. It was one of several similar makes on the day, and each one was a dagger.
Maryland Shut Down the Paint-And That Was the Difference
Minnesota actually shot the ball well from deep-14 made threes on 33 attempts. Isaac Asuma was lights out, going 6-of-9 from beyond the arc.
Bobby Durkin added three more, and Cade, Reynolds, and Grayson Grove each chipped in one. But inside the arc?
That’s where the Gophers ran into a wall.
They made just six two-point field goals all game.
Maryland’s defensive scheme was designed to take away the paint, and it worked to perfection. Backside help was planted in the middle of the lane, cutting off basket cuts and post entries.
Defenders one pass away sagged into the paint, and ball screens were often played under, daring Minnesota to shoot over the top. The Gophers obliged-and hit a fair number-but without any real interior scoring threat, it was hard to generate consistent offense.
There were no easy rim runs from Grove or Durkin. No downhill drives from Asuma.
Reynolds didn’t get to the cup much, and Crocker-Johnson barely saw post touches. When you can’t get anything going inside, even a hot shooting night from three can’t always save you.
Mistakes at the Worst Times
Turnovers weren’t an overwhelming issue on paper-just nine total-but the timing of them was brutal. Asuma had four, Reynolds had three, and several came at momentum-killing moments. A misfired kick-out here, a fumbled dribble there-it all added up.
Minnesota went scoreless from the field over the final 3:13 of the game. Crocker-Johnson hit a big three at one point, but missed his final attempt and a point-blank layup late.
Asuma had a chance to cut into a three-point deficit at the free throw line but missed the front end of a one-and-one. And with Shinholster struggling so much in the first half that he didn’t see the floor again, four of the Gophers’ five starters played the entire second half.
Fatigue may have played a role, but the bottom line is Minnesota didn’t execute when it mattered most.
Looking Ahead: West Coast Swing
So now what?
Minnesota’s heading west for a two-game swing that includes stops at Washington and Oregon. On paper, both games are winnable-Washington sits at 12-12, Oregon at 8-15-but so was this one against Maryland. And they let it slip.
The Gophers will take the next two days off before regrouping for practice on Wednesday. Historically, this team tends to respond when the doubt creeps in-and after this loss, there’s plenty of that going around.
If they’re going to right the ship, it starts with bringing more physicality, more urgency, and a better defensive effort. Because the margin for error in conference play is razor-thin, and games like this one are the kind that can haunt you come March.