The Golden Gophers pranced around Crisler Arena like they owned the place.
After their 55-54 win over the Wolverines, they had every reason to celebrate. When Bobby Jackson was fouled with 2.9 seconds remaining and sank one free throw to seal the game, the Gophers clinched the Big Ten championship - their first since 1982.
And then they cut down the nets.
"We weren't going to lose this game," Jackson said. "This team is about playing together as a unit. This is the second of three goals that we've accomplished."
The Gophers, now at 25-2 overall and 14-1 in the conference, are almost guaranteed a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
Minnesota coach Clem Haskins, adorned with Big Ten championship T-shirt and hat and one one of Crisler's nets hanging around his neck, discussed cutting down the nets on the road.
"My (athletic director) came over to me and said, 'It's OK, Coach, to cut the nets down,'" Haskins said. "I think there's a right way and wrong way to do things. I try to show class in defeat, and I try to show class the same way when we win."
The only goal left for Minnesota to accomplish this season is winning the NCAA title, according to Haskins.
The Wolverines, on the other hand, have more modest objectives. They've dropped four straight. They have three games left on their regular-season schedule and will almost certainly have to win all of them to receive an invitation to the NCAA tournament.
The starting lineup: Junior forward Maceo Baston started in place of Jerod Ward - Baston's first start for the Wolverines since the Dec. 21 game versus Arizona at the Palace.
It was the second straight game Ward began on the bench.
Baston finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, leading the team in both categories.
Uncharitable charity: Yesterday's game went down to the wire, but there's a good chance the Wolverines may have been on the other end of a one-point game had they been more successful at the free-throw line.
Last night, Michigan sank just 7 of 18 free throws - bad enough for 38.9 percent - its worst showing of the season.
Prior to last night's loss, the Wolverines ranked sixth in Big Ten free-throw shooting percentage at 69.1 percent. Bullock leads the league at 90.7 percent, and last night he was perfect at the line, sinking both of his attempts.
"When you look at the stat line, 7 for 18 from the free-throw line was a crucial stat that creeps up at you," Fisher said.
No Mo' Mo: Michigan forward Maurice Taylor suffered a broken nose against Wisconsin on Feb. 6 and has worn a protective mask to protect his nose since the incident.
Last night, a few minutes into the first half, Taylor removed the steamed-up mask and kept it off for the entire game.
He finished with just six points and four rebounds - his worst performance since he started wearing the mask during the Feb. 8 game against Penn State.
Deja Vu: The Wolverines hold a 45-16 record against the Gophers in Ann Arbor, including a 26-2 record against Minnesota in Crisler Arena.
The last time the Wolverines fell to the Gophers, prior to last night, was on Feb. 25, 1982, the same year Minnesota won its last Big Ten title.