DanielHouse
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Despite several scoring droughts to open the game, an 11-0 run in the second half, propelled the Gophers to a 77-63 win over Oral Roberts. Jordan Murphy led the team with 17 and ten rebounds. Minnesota had four players in double figures, including key performances from Amir Coffey and Isaiah Washington. They managed to pull away in the second half to defeat an Oral Roberts team that lost three games by more than 35 points before arriving to Williams Arena.
The Gophers opened the game with a 15-7 lead, but a quick 10-0 run by Oral Roberts allowed them to grab three-point advantage near the 11-minute mark. The Golden Eagles made five consecutive shots from the floor, but a quick 8-0 run sparked by Isaiah Washington put the Gophers back on top. Washington played well, hitting a long three-pointer and drawing three early free throws at the line. He had 12 points and was playing effectively on the defensive side, causing two notable deflections. More importantly, he was sharing the basketball and helped the Gophers create more ball movement.
This year, Washington has tallied improved minutes when he has been mixed with the starters and Richard Pitino had him playing exclusively with the main core. He has a natural feel for his role with those players and isn’t trying to create every shot like he was with the second-team unit. With Dupree McBrayer missing time due to a lower leg injury (unrelated to the past infection), Pitino had more flexibility to try Washington in combination with guard Nate Mason. Mason hit four three-pointers and was drilling long jumpers the entire night.
Throughout the night, Minnesota’s guards were attacking off the dribble and inside-out action was being created. Amir Coffey was playing aggressive and attacking to the rim. He was fouled in the paint and even had several difficult layups off strong attacks. Coffey had two steals on defense and took one the distance for a dunk to put the Gophers on top by eight in the second half. Jordan Murphy started coming alive, creating havoc in the post with several difficult finishes. He also drilled a variety of mid-range jumpers en route to his 13th consecutive double-double.
There were a few moments where the Gophers settled for poor shots after passing up several open opportunities. They are passing the ball better, but will need to start developing better awareness when open looks are available. They had small scoring droughts throughout the first half, including one over five minutes, which kept Oral Roberts within striking distance. Minnesota was really struggling on the glass as well and allowed the Golden Eagles to control boards. Oral Roberts led the rebounding margin 45-41 and had 17 second chance points. Their post players were getting inside position and creating looks on the offensive end with the length they have in the front court.
However, the Gophers received 16 points from their bench in the game and found a spark from Isaiah Washington. Davonte Fitzgerald played just 13 minutes, but managed to score his first points in six games. Bakary Konate came into the game and provided excellent minutes on the defensive end. Chris Miller was having his way throughout the game, but Konate did a better job on defense than Reggie Lynch and Gaston Diedhiou. Lynch was picking up fouls and not playing confidently on either end.
Richard Pitino rotated the players well in this game and is starting to find the correct mix. He is playing the starters more with the bench players to create an improved rotation. There were at least two starters on the floor when bench players entered the game. The winter break was a time for Minnesota’s coaching staff to evaluate their lineup and Wednesday night’s game was an encouraging sign. The key minutes by Isaiah Washington and Bakary Konate were a major difference in the game and helped the Gophers pick up a win in their first game following a ten-day break.
Post-game reaction:
The Gophers opened the game with a 15-7 lead, but a quick 10-0 run by Oral Roberts allowed them to grab three-point advantage near the 11-minute mark. The Golden Eagles made five consecutive shots from the floor, but a quick 8-0 run sparked by Isaiah Washington put the Gophers back on top. Washington played well, hitting a long three-pointer and drawing three early free throws at the line. He had 12 points and was playing effectively on the defensive side, causing two notable deflections. More importantly, he was sharing the basketball and helped the Gophers create more ball movement.
This year, Washington has tallied improved minutes when he has been mixed with the starters and Richard Pitino had him playing exclusively with the main core. He has a natural feel for his role with those players and isn’t trying to create every shot like he was with the second-team unit. With Dupree McBrayer missing time due to a lower leg injury (unrelated to the past infection), Pitino had more flexibility to try Washington in combination with guard Nate Mason. Mason hit four three-pointers and was drilling long jumpers the entire night.
Throughout the night, Minnesota’s guards were attacking off the dribble and inside-out action was being created. Amir Coffey was playing aggressive and attacking to the rim. He was fouled in the paint and even had several difficult layups off strong attacks. Coffey had two steals on defense and took one the distance for a dunk to put the Gophers on top by eight in the second half. Jordan Murphy started coming alive, creating havoc in the post with several difficult finishes. He also drilled a variety of mid-range jumpers en route to his 13th consecutive double-double.
There were a few moments where the Gophers settled for poor shots after passing up several open opportunities. They are passing the ball better, but will need to start developing better awareness when open looks are available. They had small scoring droughts throughout the first half, including one over five minutes, which kept Oral Roberts within striking distance. Minnesota was really struggling on the glass as well and allowed the Golden Eagles to control boards. Oral Roberts led the rebounding margin 45-41 and had 17 second chance points. Their post players were getting inside position and creating looks on the offensive end with the length they have in the front court.
However, the Gophers received 16 points from their bench in the game and found a spark from Isaiah Washington. Davonte Fitzgerald played just 13 minutes, but managed to score his first points in six games. Bakary Konate came into the game and provided excellent minutes on the defensive end. Chris Miller was having his way throughout the game, but Konate did a better job on defense than Reggie Lynch and Gaston Diedhiou. Lynch was picking up fouls and not playing confidently on either end.
Richard Pitino rotated the players well in this game and is starting to find the correct mix. He is playing the starters more with the bench players to create an improved rotation. There were at least two starters on the floor when bench players entered the game. The winter break was a time for Minnesota’s coaching staff to evaluate their lineup and Wednesday night’s game was an encouraging sign. The key minutes by Isaiah Washington and Bakary Konate were a major difference in the game and helped the Gophers pick up a win in their first game following a ten-day break.
Post-game reaction: