Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes and the land of the 15-1 Golden Gophers basketball team. The No. 8 Gophers improved to 3-0 in Big Ten play — the first time during head coach Tubby Smith’s tenure — following their 84-67 win over No. 13 Illinois in Champaign on Wednesday.   

The single blemish on Minnesota’s otherwise flawless record came by the hands of the nation’s top team, Duke. Since that 18-point November loss at the Battle for Atlantis Tournament, the Gophers have rattled off 11 straight wins, including triumphs over once-ranked Memphis, No. 22 Michigan State and most recently No. 13 Illinois, tying them for first in wins over ranked teams in the NCAA.

Not only have the Gophers proven they can beat good teams, but they proved during their first conference road game that they can hold their own away from The Barn – especially with the help of their loquacious family section.

These marquee wins have launched Minnesota to its current No. 8 ranking, which is the highest for the Gophers under Smith. The team’s recent success can be attributed to a combination of stellar rebounding, defense and depth.

In recent years Smith’s teams have seen a multitude of setbacks. Whether it be injuries, eligibility concerns or transfers, Smith’s squads have been stuck at 6-12 in the Big Ten the past two seasons. The Gophers are already halfway there in terms of Big Ten wins from last season.

Finally with a healthy and complete team, the Gophers lead the country in rebounds, points off turnovers and points from offensive rebounds. When the Gophers are matched in those departments, their dynamic lineup compensates in other ways.

During Wednesday’s matchup against Illinois, Minnesota turned the ball over 15 times to the Illini’s seven and had six fewer offensive rebounds than Illinois. Even though Illini head coach John Groce prepared his team for these aspects of Minnesota’s game, the Gophers did what Illinois is known for doing well, making outside shots. Minnesota shot 60 percent from behind the arc, 53 percent from the field and 78 percent from the free-throw line, making 21-of-27 free shots.

What will keep opposing coaches up at night is Minnesota’s ability to spread these statistics to multiple Gophers. In its first 15 games Minnesota has no players averaging more than 30 minutes per game, getting numerous players involved on both sides of the ball.

In the same 15 games, no one player on Minnesota averages more than 14 points per game, its big time players have proven they can produce in big games.

During the Gophers’ matchup against Memphis, Andre Hollis popped off, torching the Tigers’ defense for 41 points. Being equaled statistically in their bread-and-butter area of rebounding against Illinois, two Gophers scored in the 20s, while Trevor Mbakwe dropped 19 points and 11 rebounds over the Illini’s surging Nnanna Egwu.

With all of these accolades, Minnesota has the nation’s attention and will have a chance to change the conversation in college basketball with its impending schedule. The Gophers go to No. 5 Indiana this Saturday and host No. 2 Michigan only five days later. Finally the oft-forgotten basketball program in the Big Ten has a legitimate chance to become the proverbial Freddy Kruger in the other 11 Big Ten coaches’ nightmares.

Patrick can be reached at [email protected].