Editor’s note: The following letter was penned prior to the NCAA tournament.

The Minnesota Gophers started this season 12-0. Their highlight of the nonconference season was beating Louisville, which was ranked ninth in America. This win made everyone notice the Gophers. But when the conference season started, it all went to heck.

They first lost to Michigan State and now at the end of the season they are 8-8, 20-8 overall. Minnesota’s recent bad play has turned what would be an amazing season into a mediocre season. They might not even make the NCAA tournament. If they want a shot at the NCAA tourney they need to beat Wisconsin and Michigan. But if that doesn’t work they always can win the Big Ten Tournament and get an automatic bin to the tourny. Or like last year be in the NIT (smaller tourney for not as good schools). They have been in the NIT for the past three years and I would really like a real tourney and prove Minnesota is a worthy team. A large part of the reason we are loosing is because the Big Ten is stacked this year with great teams and players. But no matter what excuse or outcome, if the Gophers want to go anywhere, they need to start winning now.

Marc Kruger

Albert Lea