Minnesota out-executes Illini

"It wasn't a toughness issue today," Groce said after watching Minnesota shoot 53 percent from the field, 60 percent from 3-point range and make 21 of 27 free throws. All of those percentages exceeded the Gopher season averages.

"We played hard. We competed. We just didn't execute very well. All of have to look in the mirror, including me, and we have to do it pretty quickly.

"Obviously we didn't make enough plays and they made a ton of them."

Tupper