Minnesota Golden Gophers Presented With Big 10 Opportunity

Outside of myself, it seems like every person in the entire nation would like to see the Minnesota Golden Gophers fire Tubby Smith. Whether they are right or wrong(They are wrong), Smith is doing himself no favors as the Golden Gophers have lost four out of their last five games. But there is still plenty of basketball left to be played and plenty of time for Smith to turn this team around, conceivably keeping his job as a result.

Smith should consider himself extremely lucky that three out of his last four games are against Big 10 bottom feeders. However, the one game which isn’t is against one of those abominations is versus the number one ranked team in the entire nation, the Indiana Hoosiers. Assuming the Golden Gophers take care of business against the three lesser teams(A big assumption, I know Minnesota fan), a win against Indiana can be a cure-all for everything Minnesota basketball related.

Outside of an early win against the Memphis Tigers and beating Big 10 foe the Illinois Fighting Illini in January, the Golden Gophers haven’t exactly accumulated a ton of big time victories. Sure, they have beaten some pretty solid teams, but none would be bigger that a win over the number one ranked team in the nation.

However, it is unlikely to happen. Minnesota has been in a losing mood as of late and the Hoosiers have rattled off nine wins in their last ten games. But with Smith’s job on the line, the Golden Gophers’ backs against the wall, this is an opportunity that they need to capitalize on.

Stranger things have happened.

Joe is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow Joe on Twitter @JosephNardone