NIT NOTES; `U' gets hurt by a shaky first half.(SPORTS)

Byline: Mark Craig; Staff Writer

New York, N.Y. -- The Gophers looked unbeatable for the first five minutes of the second half of Tuesday night's National Invitation Tournament semifinal against Georgetown.

Rick Rickert and Ben Johnson were nailing three-pointers. Michael Bauer was slam dunking. Jerry Holman and Moe Hargrow were dropping in layups.

Unfortunately, the Gophers had let the game slip away in the first half.

As well as they played in those five minutes of the second half, it didn't matter. They could only get to within one point, 51-50, before the Hoyas pulled away to an 88-74 victory.

Georgetown obviously had a lot to do with the Gophers turning the ball over 11 times in the first half. But the Gophers seemed to panic at even the anticipation of the Hoyas' quick feet, rangy arms and trapping schemes.

"I think guys were a little over-hyped," Gophers guard Kevin Burleson said. "We really wanted to get going fast and set the tempo. But we kind of got out of control."

Hargrow had four turnovers and no points in the first half. He had seven turnovers and three assists for the game. As a team, the Gophers had 17 turnovers and 16 assists.

"I didn't know if we'd be able to trap them, but I started out thinking we'd have to try and see just because that's what really beat North Carolina and Tennessee [earlier in the NIT]," Georgetown coach Craig Esherick said. "We've fed off our aggressiveness on defense the last couple of games. I wanted to continue that."

The Gophers did the same thing to Georgetown at the start of the second half. But by then, it was too late.

We're No. 3

The Gophers have a day to get back up for the consolation game Thursday. How do they do that?

"It's difficult because every team comes here to win it all," Burleson said. "But, at the same time, it's not too difficult because for me. I'm a senior. It's my last game I'm playing for the Gophers.

"I'm going to be up for it. [Senior] Jerry Holman is, and we'll get the rest of the team up for it. We're competitors. Third place is better than nothing."

Game for the Garden

Even though the Gophers lost, the players were excited to play in Madison Square Garden.

"It's a great experience," Burleson said. "Since I was little, I've been watching Willis Reed. All of the guys on TV. Earl the Pearl. It's great to be on the same floor as legends."

For the record, Burleson was born in 1979. So he didn't actually grow up watching Willis Reed. At least not live.

"I watch ESPN Classic," Burleson said with a smile.

St. John's wins

Marcus Hatten made Bob Knight's return to the National Invitation Tournament an unpleasant one.

Hatten had a steal and layup with 16.2 seconds remaining to give St. John's a thrilling 64-63 come-from-behind victory over Texas Tech in the NIT semifinals. The Red Storm held on in the closing seconds after Hatten missed two free throws with 4.1 seconds left.

Hatten led the Red Storm with 24 points. Andre Emmett led Texas Tech with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Kasib Powell added 19 points.

Associated Press

NIT NOTES; `U' gets hurt by a shaky first half.(SPORTS)

Byline: Mark Craig; Staff Writer

New York, N.Y. -- The Gophers looked unbeatable for the first five minutes of the second half of Tuesday night's National Invitation Tournament semifinal against Georgetown.

Rick Rickert and Ben Johnson were nailing three-pointers. Michael Bauer was slam dunking. Jerry Holman and Moe Hargrow were dropping in layups.

Unfortunately, the Gophers had let the game slip away in the first half.

As well as they played in those five minutes of the second half, it didn't matter. They could only get to within one point, 51-50, before the Hoyas pulled away to an 88-74 victory.

Georgetown obviously had a lot to do with the Gophers turning the ball over 11 times in the first half. But the Gophers seemed to panic at even the anticipation of the Hoyas' quick feet, rangy arms and trapping schemes.

"I think guys were a little over-hyped," Gophers guard Kevin Burleson said. "We really wanted to get going fast and set the tempo. But we kind of got out of control."

Hargrow had four turnovers and no points in the first half. He had seven turnovers and three assists for the game. As a team, the Gophers had 17 turnovers and 16 assists.

"I didn't know if we'd be able to trap them, but I started out thinking we'd have to try and see just because that's what really beat North Carolina and Tennessee [earlier in the NIT]," Georgetown coach Craig Esherick said. "We've fed off our aggressiveness on defense the last couple of games. I wanted to continue that."

The Gophers did the same thing to Georgetown at the start of the second half. But by then, it was too late.

We're No. 3

The Gophers have a day to get back up for the consolation game Thursday. How do they do that?

"It's difficult because every team comes here to win it all," Burleson said. "But, at the same time, it's not too difficult because for me. I'm a senior. It's my last game I'm playing for the Gophers.

"I'm going to be up for it. [Senior] Jerry Holman is, and we'll get the rest of the team up for it. We're competitors. Third place is better than nothing."

Game for the Garden

Even though the Gophers lost, the players were excited to play in Madison Square Garden.

"It's a great experience," Burleson said. "Since I was little, I've been watching Willis Reed. All of the guys on TV. Earl the Pearl. It's great to be on the same floor as legends."

For the record, Burleson was born in 1979. So he didn't actually grow up watching Willis Reed. At least not live.

"I watch ESPN Classic," Burleson said with a smile.

St. John's wins

Marcus Hatten made Bob Knight's return to the National Invitation Tournament an unpleasant one.

Hatten had a steal and layup with 16.2 seconds remaining to give St. John's a thrilling 64-63 come-from-behind victory over Texas Tech in the NIT semifinals. The Red Storm held on in the closing seconds after Hatten missed two free throws with 4.1 seconds left.

Hatten led the Red Storm with 24 points. Andre Emmett led Texas Tech with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Kasib Powell added 19 points.

Associated Press