DanielHouse
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The Gophers used hot shooting and offensive movement to run past Florida Atlantic for a 95-60 win. Minnesota received a solid performance from Jordan Murphy as he tallied his 14th consecutive double, snatching 14 points and 11 boards. Nate Mason added 17 points on five made three-pointers. The concern shifts to the health of Mason, who was injured early in the second half. He fell awkwardly on his foot and was unable to put weight on his leg when he left the court.
Before his absence, the Gophers opened the game by shooting 8-for-12 from the floor, including multiple three-pointers by point guard Nate Mason. Minnesota was moving the ball and putting up quality shots out of their offensive sets. Amir Coffey had four assists in the first 13 minutes and the offense was flowing because of his passing. Jordan Murphy was dominating off the dribble and eased into a difficult post move between two defenders. By the 6:35 mark of the first half, Mason and Murphy were in double figures and the Gophers had a 14-point lead. The Gophers went on a debilitating 20-2 run and Florida Atlantic had no answer for the shooting success Minnesota was having. They finished the afternoon 35-for-64 from the floor (55%).
Minnesota was playing very efficient and spacing the floor well on offense. They had 15 assists on 18 made shots in the first half. There were situations where the Gophers passed up quality shots for even better ones. Minnesota had just three first half turnovers and added ten bench points. The team received quality minutes from Michael Hurt, who scored the first four points of the game. He displayed excellent off ball movement and used a shot fake to settle into a shot in the lane. Hurt attacks, cuts and delivers excellent passes to contribute to controlled offensive sets for the Gophers. He also had an impressive defensive sequence where he prevented a transition layup and blocked a put-back attempt.
When Dupree McBrayer returns, it might be worth playing Hurt in the starting lineup. The second unit could really benefit from having McBrayer in their rotation, too. Richard Pitino is starting to find a mix of players that complement one another best on the floor. Also, the Gophers received excellent minutes from Bakary Konate, who helped shut down Ronald Delph on the offensive end. Reggie Lynch has been less than impressive during stretches of games, but Konate has helped improve the deficiencies on defense. If he can play defense and rebound, his minutes would provide a major lift as Minnesota searches for bench production. The Gophers had 34 bench points, including three three-pointers by freshman guard Jamir Harris. Harris played more minutes in this game and will need to continue showing more consistency on defense.
The Gophers also shot better from behind the arch, drilling 11 of their 25 three-point tries. Nate Mason had five first half three-pointers, hitting open shots off multiple rotations. Minnesota adds another dimension to their offense when they can do this because teams have a difficult time providing enough defensive help for Jordan Murphy. Murphy can take defenders off the dribble and this aspect of his game has transformed him into one of the top players in the country. He also is ferocious around the glass and Is a complete player on both ends of the floor. When the Gophers can move the basketball and hit three-pointers, it opens up everything for Murphy.
In Nate Mason’s absence, freshman guard Isaiah Washington was showing what he can do in transition. When he is facilitating, he can be dangerous and sets up many opportunities for his teammates. Washington runs the floor well and is best when he isn’t in shoot-first mode. Depending upon the severity of Mason’s injury, Washington may need to step up in a major way.
The Gophers will take a seven-day break before they return to action against Harvard next Saturday at Williams Arena. Until then, fans will wait patiently to hear the extent of Nate Mason’s lower leg injury.
Before his absence, the Gophers opened the game by shooting 8-for-12 from the floor, including multiple three-pointers by point guard Nate Mason. Minnesota was moving the ball and putting up quality shots out of their offensive sets. Amir Coffey had four assists in the first 13 minutes and the offense was flowing because of his passing. Jordan Murphy was dominating off the dribble and eased into a difficult post move between two defenders. By the 6:35 mark of the first half, Mason and Murphy were in double figures and the Gophers had a 14-point lead. The Gophers went on a debilitating 20-2 run and Florida Atlantic had no answer for the shooting success Minnesota was having. They finished the afternoon 35-for-64 from the floor (55%).
Minnesota was playing very efficient and spacing the floor well on offense. They had 15 assists on 18 made shots in the first half. There were situations where the Gophers passed up quality shots for even better ones. Minnesota had just three first half turnovers and added ten bench points. The team received quality minutes from Michael Hurt, who scored the first four points of the game. He displayed excellent off ball movement and used a shot fake to settle into a shot in the lane. Hurt attacks, cuts and delivers excellent passes to contribute to controlled offensive sets for the Gophers. He also had an impressive defensive sequence where he prevented a transition layup and blocked a put-back attempt.
When Dupree McBrayer returns, it might be worth playing Hurt in the starting lineup. The second unit could really benefit from having McBrayer in their rotation, too. Richard Pitino is starting to find a mix of players that complement one another best on the floor. Also, the Gophers received excellent minutes from Bakary Konate, who helped shut down Ronald Delph on the offensive end. Reggie Lynch has been less than impressive during stretches of games, but Konate has helped improve the deficiencies on defense. If he can play defense and rebound, his minutes would provide a major lift as Minnesota searches for bench production. The Gophers had 34 bench points, including three three-pointers by freshman guard Jamir Harris. Harris played more minutes in this game and will need to continue showing more consistency on defense.
The Gophers also shot better from behind the arch, drilling 11 of their 25 three-point tries. Nate Mason had five first half three-pointers, hitting open shots off multiple rotations. Minnesota adds another dimension to their offense when they can do this because teams have a difficult time providing enough defensive help for Jordan Murphy. Murphy can take defenders off the dribble and this aspect of his game has transformed him into one of the top players in the country. He also is ferocious around the glass and Is a complete player on both ends of the floor. When the Gophers can move the basketball and hit three-pointers, it opens up everything for Murphy.
In Nate Mason’s absence, freshman guard Isaiah Washington was showing what he can do in transition. When he is facilitating, he can be dangerous and sets up many opportunities for his teammates. Washington runs the floor well and is best when he isn’t in shoot-first mode. Depending upon the severity of Mason’s injury, Washington may need to step up in a major way.
The Gophers will take a seven-day break before they return to action against Harvard next Saturday at Williams Arena. Until then, fans will wait patiently to hear the extent of Nate Mason’s lower leg injury.