Minnesota Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:00:49 PDT

Maryland ended the Madness for Minnesota.

The Gophers lost in the first round of the NIT to Maryland, considered by most a mediocre—or worse—representative out of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Terrapins had balanced scoring and they played solid defense, limiting Minnesota 31 percent shooting from the field and a woeful 8-of-32 night from 3-point range.

It was an early exit for Minnesota, which hoped to be playing in the bigger NCAA Tournament.

The Gophers had a number of chances. Road wins over UNLV or Florida State would have boosted their resume. And nail-biters against Michigan State on the road and Indiana at home could have easily gone their way.