BleedGopher
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ESPN: A Big Ten primer for conference season; MN "Big unknown" "Most entertaining"
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=5962367
The big unknown: Minnesota
Which Minnesota team will compete in the Big Ten? The one that began the season with an impressive title in Puerto Rico, a run that comprised wins over Western Kentucky, North Carolina and West Virginia? Or the one that lost in convincing fashion to Virginia at home, the one that advanced numbers see as barely among the 50 or so best teams in the country? The point is, we don't know. It's too early to indict Minnesota -- especially as guard Al Nolen just begins to return from injury -- based on unimpressive tempo-free stats. It's also too early to consider wins over UNC and West Virginia proof that this team can challenge Ohio State and company for the Big Ten title. We'll just have to wait and see. (And we won't have to wait long: Minnesota visits Wisconsin on Tuesday night.)
Most entertaining team: Minnesota
The Big Ten is a brutally slow league; it takes a special breed to find this brand of ugliness entertaining. But one team -- Minnesota -- has played far faster than most of its conference brethren this season. The Gophers are the only team to crack the top 100 in adjusted tempo in 2010-11 through Tuesday. (Minnesota is ranked No. 86 nationwide.) Combine that, ahem, "speed" with the high-flying play of athletic forward Trevor Mbakwe, and you get a brief respite from the typical grinders this conference serves up on a weekly basis.
Go Gophers!!
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=5962367
The big unknown: Minnesota
Which Minnesota team will compete in the Big Ten? The one that began the season with an impressive title in Puerto Rico, a run that comprised wins over Western Kentucky, North Carolina and West Virginia? Or the one that lost in convincing fashion to Virginia at home, the one that advanced numbers see as barely among the 50 or so best teams in the country? The point is, we don't know. It's too early to indict Minnesota -- especially as guard Al Nolen just begins to return from injury -- based on unimpressive tempo-free stats. It's also too early to consider wins over UNC and West Virginia proof that this team can challenge Ohio State and company for the Big Ten title. We'll just have to wait and see. (And we won't have to wait long: Minnesota visits Wisconsin on Tuesday night.)
Most entertaining team: Minnesota
The Big Ten is a brutally slow league; it takes a special breed to find this brand of ugliness entertaining. But one team -- Minnesota -- has played far faster than most of its conference brethren this season. The Gophers are the only team to crack the top 100 in adjusted tempo in 2010-11 through Tuesday. (Minnesota is ranked No. 86 nationwide.) Combine that, ahem, "speed" with the high-flying play of athletic forward Trevor Mbakwe, and you get a brief respite from the typical grinders this conference serves up on a weekly basis.
Go Gophers!!