highly anticipated college basketball game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Ohio State Buckeyes escalated into a notorious brawl, leaving a lasting mark on the sport’s history.
Background
The Gophers, under new head coach Bill Musselman, were experiencing a resurgence. Musselman, an Ohio native, had revitalized the team, leading them to an 18–7 record and their first Big Ten Championship in 53 years. The Gophers’ success drew large crowds, with the Williams Arena hosting over 19,000 fans for the Big Ten opener against Ohio State.
Ohio State, ranked sixth nationally, was a formidable opponent. The game was expected to be a closely contested matchup, with both teams vying for supremacy in the Big Ten Conference.
The Incident
The game was intensely physical, with both teams committing hard fouls throughout. With less than a minute remaining and Ohio State leading 50–44, the situation deteriorated. Ohio State center Luke Witte attempted a layup and was knocked to the floor. As he tried to rise, Minnesota’s Corky Taylor extended a hand to help him up but then kneed Witte in the groin, causing him to fall again.
In retaliation, Gopher Ron Behagen, who had already fouled out, ran onto the court and stomped on Witte’s head as he lay on the floor. This act ignited a massive brawl involving players from both teams and fans who rushed onto the court. Reports indicated that even the Gopher mascot, Goldy Gopher, was involved in the altercation.
Aftermath
The brawl resulted in significant injuries. Witte was hospitalized with injuries, including to an eye, that negatively impacted his basketball career. Two other Ohio State players were also hospitalized as a result of the brawl.
The game was halted with 30 seconds remaining, and Minnesota athletic director Paul Giel declared the contest over. In the aftermath, Taylor and Behagen were suspended for the remainder of the season. Despite the incident, the Gophers went on to win the Big Ten championship that year.
The brawl had broader implications. Ohio State head coach Fred Taylor was angered that the universities had not taken stronger action against the Gophers. The incident also led to increased scrutiny of Musselman’s coaching methods, with some critics alleging that he fostered an overly aggressive atmosphere among his players.
In the years that followed, the incident remained a dark chapter in college basketball history, serving as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of unchecked aggression and the importance of maintaining sportsmanship.
