Seth Davis: Hoop Thoughts: The Jigsaw Man pays Christmas visit to 15 lucky teams (MN)

per Davis:

MINNESOTA

Biggest hole: The Golden Gophers have plenty of size and toughness up front. Their problem is how they play the 3-point line. They’re 10th in the Big Ten in 3-point percentage (35.3), 12th in 3s made (6.5) and 13th in 3-point defense (37.4). They have a quality point guard in 6-2 senior Nate Mason, but too often he is caught between hunting his own shot and setting up his teammates. And he leaves a lot to be desired on the defensive end.

Missing piece: Khyri Thomas, 6-3 junior guard, Creighton. After stealing away Lynch to help Arizona State, the Jigsaw Man generously gives the Gophers one of the best two-way players in the country. Offensively, Thomas is both proficient (15.3 ppg) and efficient (53.5 percent on field goals, 43.6 percent on 3s). He also averages 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, and he ranks seventh in the Big East in steals (1.42). He is able to guard four positions, from switching out on shooters to bodying up bigger players in the post.

https://theathletic.com/194613/2017...man-pays-a-christmas-visit-to-15-lucky-teams/

Go Gophers!!

per Davis:

ARIZONA STATE

Biggest hole: The Sun Devils are the biggest surprise of the season, thanks to their fearless trio of senior guards. Their defense, however, leaves much to be desired, especially at the rim. They are ranked 121st in the country in block percentage, 122nd in defensive efficiency and 257th in defensive rebound percentage. This team loves to push pace (53rd in tempo), so adding a bona fide shot blocker will give those guards permission to leak out on missed shots and hunt for ever more transition opportunities.

Missing piece: Reggie Lynch, 6-10 senior center, Minnesota. Now this is a grown-ass man, and he is showing up just in time to deal with DeAndre Ayton in Tucson on Saturday night. Lynch leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth in the country in blocks at 4.15 per game. He is eighth in the league in rebounds (7.9). He will add some balance to ASU’s offense, but not to the point where he would throw off the team’s chemistry. Lynch is averaging 10.2 points on 56.2 percent shooting. He only takes good shots, and he usually makes them.

https://theathletic.com/194613/2017...man-pays-a-christmas-visit-to-15-lucky-teams/

Go Gophers!!

Between Gas, Konate and Fitzgerald maybe we'd survive inside defensively and we'd certainly be more fun with Khyri Thomas offensively. His defensive abilities would help our perimeter defense and we need a shooter who is proven to knock down shots. Let's do it! Ha