Marcus: Midseason MVP (Amir), Biggest Disappointment (Transfer waiver), etc.

BleedGopher

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per Marcus:

MIDSEASON MVP: Amir Coffey

Coffey’s game usually rises with the level of competition, but who knew it would mean becoming the Big Ten’s leading scorer in five conference games. The 6-foot-8 junior was adjusting to his new role as the starting point guard and played banged up with a hip pointer injury while averaging 13.2 ppg in nonconference play. That scoring average jumped to 23.4 points per game so far in the Big Ten, which included a career-best 32 points vs. Nebraska and 29 points vs. Rutgers. Will Coffey eventually lead the league in scoring over the likes of Purdue’s Carsen Edwards (21.4 ppg), Indiana’s Romeo Langford (21.3), Michigan State’s Nick Ward (20.0 ppg), Maryland’s Anthony Cowan (19.9 ppg) and Wisconsin’s Ethan Happ (18.8 ppg)? If he stays aggressive, Coffey should have a good chance to keep up the pace. What makes him a legit NBA prospect is that he’s also a great facilitator and gets his teammates the ball to score as well (Gophers are 19-1 the last two seasons when Coffey has three or more assists in a game).

BIGGEST SURPRISE: Gabe Kalscheur

What freshman would you have guessed entering the season to eventually be the reason the Gophers won the Vancouver Showcase? How about the first to earn Big Ten freshman of the week honors? How about also the best defender on the team? Most fans probably would’ve picked 6-10 four-star Cretin-Derham Hall recruit Daniel Oturu, who led his high school to the Class 4A state title last spring. Oturu has been a force inside, averaging 10.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and nearly two blocks this season. But the big surprise has definitely been fellow freshman starter Gabe Kalscheur. The former DeLaSalle sharpshooter made his presence known quickly averaging 13.9 points on 54.5 percent three-point shooting (23-for-42) in his first seven games. That included a season-best 25-point performance with seven threes in a win vs. Santa Clara, and he followed it up with a game-winning three against Washington in Vancouver in November. Even during a seven-game offensive slump that followed (6-for-34 from three and 6.1 points per game in that stretch), Kalscheur still brought value as a tough on-ball defender. He’s averaging 10.1 points and leading Minnesota in threes made and attempted (35-for-88) and three-point percentage (39.8).

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Transfer waiver

Imagine where the Gophers would be right now with one of the top young guards in the ACC last season. Pittsburgh transfer Marcus Carr had his waiver denied by the NCAA twice to be eligible to play right away this season. Carr claimed it wasn’t a healthy environment playing for the Panthers during a 0-11 conference season and watching Kevin Stallings get fired. Stallings was paid a near $10 million buyout, but Carr wasn’t allowed the opportunity to play for the Gophers and another coach in Richard Pitino who recruited him. So many other waivers were granted for this season that Minnesota actually thought it had a realistic chance to see him in the lineup when there was no decision following the season opener, but Carr has to sit out the 2018-19 season.

BIGGEST INSPIRATION: Dupree McBrayer

How many players could take the floor two days after losing their mother to cancer? How many players could miss just one game after your mother’s funeral, return to the team and play the best basketball of his career? Senior guard Dupree McBrayer is tougher than most players. He is dedicating this season to his late mom, Tayra McFarlane, who taught him to work hard and not quit when adversity hits. You know she would be proud of him right now. Hats off to him.

PREDICTED FINISH: Sixth place in the Big Ten

I’m not sure how this will play out record-wise, but the Gophers were sitting at fourth place through five conference games. That’s a great start, but there’s still a brutal stretch coming up. After favorable games Wednesday night vs. Illinois and Saturday against Penn State at home, Minnesota goes on the road to No. 2 Michigan. It eases up slightly with home games vs. Iowa and Illinois again, but six of the last 10 games are on the road to finish the regular season, which includes matchups at Purdue, at Michigan State, at Nebraska and at Maryland. Even the last four home games aren’t necessarily favorable with Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Purdue. If Pitino wants to reach the NCAA tournament for the second time, the Gophers in my opinion need to at least finish 10-10 in league play. That would mean going 7-8 the rest of the way. Not out of the question.

http://www.startribune.com/gophers-basketball-in-the-mix-for-ncaa-tournament-at-midseason/504428282/

Go Gophers!!
 


I predict an 8-7 finish from here. 11-9 for the regular season.
 

I think they finish at 21-10 in the regular season.
 




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