BleedGopher
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per the Daliy:
Building up to the team's 2018-19 campaign, head coach Richard Pitino has challenged his players every day. The expectation this season is that Minnesota will compete for a Big Ten title, something the team was expected to do last year.
Last season, the Gophers finished a disappointing 15-17, winning four Big Ten games. Injuries decimated the roster and Reggie Lynch's dismissal left the team with little front court depth.
The Gophers have seen the return of many familiar faces this year, as well as the arrival of key newcomers. The current roster appears comparable to the 2016-17 team, which was a fifth-seed in the NCAA Tournament, though players and coaches don't see it that way.
"I think that this team is a lot different," said junior Michael Hurt. "That year [2016-17], we were a little more limited. I think this year we will have a lot more depth, which will be good. We can give the starters a little bit of a rest."
One important part of that depth will be bolstering the center position, where freshman Daniel Oturu will likely start. Redshirt sophomore Eric Curry was originally the probable starter at that position. Minnesota was excited to have Curry back after he missed the entire 2017-18 season after tearing multiple ligaments and his meniscus in his left knee. Curry underwent surgery on Monday on that same knee and is expected to be out for four to six weeks.
Still, the Gophers feel comfortable with Oturu in the lineup. The four-star recruit led Cretin-Derham Hall to the Minnesota AAAA state high school championship last year. At 6 feet, 10 inches, he has worlds of physical and athletic talent. For now, the coaches are focused on acclimating Oturu, as well as fellow freshmen Gabe Kalscheur and Jarvis Omersa, to the rigors of a Division-I workout program.
"They all look good," Pitino said of his freshmen. "Once you get to our level, you have a nutritionist, you have a strength and conditioning coach. We're monitoring their diet, we're making sure they're eating the right way. And then obviously a strength and conditioning program, which most high schools just don't have."
http://www.mndaily.com/article/2018...-to-start-season-after-eventful-training-camp
Go Gophers!!
Building up to the team's 2018-19 campaign, head coach Richard Pitino has challenged his players every day. The expectation this season is that Minnesota will compete for a Big Ten title, something the team was expected to do last year.
Last season, the Gophers finished a disappointing 15-17, winning four Big Ten games. Injuries decimated the roster and Reggie Lynch's dismissal left the team with little front court depth.
The Gophers have seen the return of many familiar faces this year, as well as the arrival of key newcomers. The current roster appears comparable to the 2016-17 team, which was a fifth-seed in the NCAA Tournament, though players and coaches don't see it that way.
"I think that this team is a lot different," said junior Michael Hurt. "That year [2016-17], we were a little more limited. I think this year we will have a lot more depth, which will be good. We can give the starters a little bit of a rest."
One important part of that depth will be bolstering the center position, where freshman Daniel Oturu will likely start. Redshirt sophomore Eric Curry was originally the probable starter at that position. Minnesota was excited to have Curry back after he missed the entire 2017-18 season after tearing multiple ligaments and his meniscus in his left knee. Curry underwent surgery on Monday on that same knee and is expected to be out for four to six weeks.
Still, the Gophers feel comfortable with Oturu in the lineup. The four-star recruit led Cretin-Derham Hall to the Minnesota AAAA state high school championship last year. At 6 feet, 10 inches, he has worlds of physical and athletic talent. For now, the coaches are focused on acclimating Oturu, as well as fellow freshmen Gabe Kalscheur and Jarvis Omersa, to the rigors of a Division-I workout program.
"They all look good," Pitino said of his freshmen. "Once you get to our level, you have a nutritionist, you have a strength and conditioning coach. We're monitoring their diet, we're making sure they're eating the right way. And then obviously a strength and conditioning program, which most high schools just don't have."
http://www.mndaily.com/article/2018...-to-start-season-after-eventful-training-camp
Go Gophers!!