Sometimes for a team to have a successful season things just have go your way when it comes to avoiding injuries and off-court issues.
The Gophers basketball team wasn’t hit by the injury bug last year until the postseason when it derailed a potential NCAA tournament run.
Richard Pitino hasn’t seen the Gophers at full strength this season since late November. The fifth-year coach and his players have tried not to use that as an excuse, but they lost for the sixth time in seven games shorthanded Tuesday 77-69 to Northwestern at Williams Arena.
Nate Mason tied a Big Ten season-high with 25 points and had nine assists, but the Gophers (14-9, 3-7) lost for the first time this season when leading at halftime.
Amir Coffey scored 15 points in his second game back from a right shoulder injury, but he fouled out late.
The Wildcats (13-9, 4-5) trailed 40-34 at halftime, but they shot 54 percent in the second half. Bryant McIntosh and Vic Law had 18 points apiece to lead Northwestern.
Dupree McBrayer, who missed three games this season with injuries to his lower left and right legs, was helped off the court with 3:44 left in the first half after colliding with Northwestern player on a charging call.
The 6-foot-5 junior guard was in pain and couldn’t put weight on his left leg. McBrayer and Coffey were being held out of practice for precautionary reasons this week.
Coffey just returned in Saturday’s loss against Ohio State after missing five games with a right shoulder injury. Mason was sidelined one game with an ankle injury at the end of December. Starting center Reggie Lynch missed his seventh game Tuesday after being suspended in early January.
With players missing games and practice the last couple months, it’s been tough for Minnesota to have any chemistry on the court.