Minnesota’s Breakthrough: A Signature Win, a Stormed Court, and the Perfect Prank
In a season that’s been defined by heartbreak and close calls, Minnesota finally got the moment it had been chasing - and it delivered on every level, from the scoreboard to the locker room.
The Gophers pulled off a stunning 76-73 upset over No. 10 Michigan State on Wednesday night, snapping a seven-game losing skid and notching their first win over an AP top-10 opponent in over five years.
But the celebration didn’t end when the final buzzer sounded. In fact, the best moment might’ve come afterward - when head coach Niko Medved walked into a locker room full of stone-faced players who were about to pull off a perfectly timed prank.
As Medved burst through the doors yelling in celebration, he was met with silence. Not a cheer, not a smile.
Just a room full of blank stares. For a brief second, it looked like the team had no idea what had just happened on the court.
Then - boom.
The Gophers erupted in unison, jumping, shouting, and mobbing their head coach in laughter. The setup was flawless, and the timing couldn’t have been better. After weeks of frustration and near-misses, Minnesota finally had a reason to let loose - and they made the most of it.
A Win That Meant More Than Just the Score
Make no mistake: this wasn’t just a fun moment. It was a massive win for a Minnesota team that had been stuck in the mud. Coming into the night, the Gophers were buried near the bottom of the Big Ten standings and had dropped seven straight - several of them in gut-wrenching fashion, with leads slipping away in the final minutes.
But this time, they finished.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson was the tone-setter, pouring in 22 points and grabbing seven boards. He was a force inside, using his physicality to control the paint and keep Michigan State on its heels. Cade Tyson added 17 points, knocking down timely shots to keep the pressure on, and Langston Reynolds delivered a steady hand at the point with 14 points and eight assists.
Minnesota didn’t just hang around - they led most of the way, showing poise and control that had been missing during their losing streak. And even when the Spartans made their inevitable run, the Gophers didn’t blink.
Michigan State’s Late Push Falls Just Short
Give Michigan State credit - they made it interesting. The Spartans closed the gap in a hurry, outscoring Minnesota 22-9 over the final four minutes. Coen Carr came alive during that stretch, scoring 10 of his 16 points, and Trey Fort hit a clutch corner three with 20 seconds left to cut the lead to just two.
Williams Arena was shaking. The pressure was on.
And that’s when freshman Isaac Asuma stepped to the line and calmly knocked down two free throws to ice the game. It was the kind of moment that can define a season - or at least turn one around.
When the final horn sounded, the fans rushed the floor. It was a release of weeks of tension and frustration, and a celebration of a team that finally found a way to win a close one.
More Than a Win - A Moment
For Medved and his players, this one was about more than the standings. It was about belief.
About finally seeing the work pay off. About proving they could close out a big game against a big-time opponent.
And yes - about having a little fun along the way.
The locker room prank was the kind of thing you don’t script. It just happens when a team is finally able to exhale. Relief, pride, and joy all rolled into one - and captured in a moment that fans won’t soon forget.
Minnesota won’t have much time to bask in the glow, with Maryland coming to town next. Michigan State, meanwhile, heads home to prepare for a heavyweight matchup with No. 5 Illinois.
But for one night, the Gophers had it all: a top-10 win, a court storming, and a locker room celebration that was equal parts comedy and catharsis.