BleedGopher
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per BTN:
MINNESOTA:
Breakout player: Jordan Murphy. A powerful athlete with a long wingspan and a nose for tough defense, the 6-6 forward will have every chance to make a big impact — and his explosiveness combined with the Gophers’ lack of natural rebounders should shine through.
Most underrated player: Joey King. The senior forward’s limited frame doesn’t scream “star” in any way, but King’s sheer will allowed him to produce last season when much more talented players couldn’t, and now his everyday toughness will be a critical demonstration with so many newcomers.
Most indispensable player: Bakary Konate. Make no mistake, sophomore guard Nate Mason is this team’s heart and soul, but without Konate, coach Richard Pitino would struggle to field a team. It remains to be seen whether the 6-11 center can make the huge jump necessary for the Gophers to be competitive at all in the Big Ten, but he’s still the only player over 6-9 on the roster and leaps and bounds ahead of his backup, the extremely raw Gaston Diedhiou. Konate must stay healthy and out of foul trouble or Minnesota is in trouble.
Best case: The Gophers get a massive year from Konate, steal a few games, and hang around eighth or ninth in the Big Ten.
Worst case: Minnesota’s inexperience shows and the Gophers bottom out, winding up in the league’s basement.
http://btn.com/2015/10/16/big-ten-basketball-beat-writers-preview-2015-16-mens-season/
Go Gophers!!
MINNESOTA:
Breakout player: Jordan Murphy. A powerful athlete with a long wingspan and a nose for tough defense, the 6-6 forward will have every chance to make a big impact — and his explosiveness combined with the Gophers’ lack of natural rebounders should shine through.
Most underrated player: Joey King. The senior forward’s limited frame doesn’t scream “star” in any way, but King’s sheer will allowed him to produce last season when much more talented players couldn’t, and now his everyday toughness will be a critical demonstration with so many newcomers.
Most indispensable player: Bakary Konate. Make no mistake, sophomore guard Nate Mason is this team’s heart and soul, but without Konate, coach Richard Pitino would struggle to field a team. It remains to be seen whether the 6-11 center can make the huge jump necessary for the Gophers to be competitive at all in the Big Ten, but he’s still the only player over 6-9 on the roster and leaps and bounds ahead of his backup, the extremely raw Gaston Diedhiou. Konate must stay healthy and out of foul trouble or Minnesota is in trouble.
Best case: The Gophers get a massive year from Konate, steal a few games, and hang around eighth or ninth in the Big Ten.
Worst case: Minnesota’s inexperience shows and the Gophers bottom out, winding up in the league’s basement.
http://btn.com/2015/10/16/big-ten-basketball-beat-writers-preview-2015-16-mens-season/
Go Gophers!!
