BleedGopher
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Per Marcus:
Here are four things learned after the Gophers finished nonconference play:
In fact, Minnesota's margin of victory overall entering this week was fourth in the Big Ten at 14.2 points per game. The only teams ahead were Purdue (18.7 points), Illinois (17.4) and Ohio State (14.4) as of Tuesday afternoon.
Elijah Hawkins averaged 7.8 assists to lead the NCAA through the first 13 games. The junior point guard soared to the top after four double-digit assist performances in his last five games, including setting a school record with 17 assists in a Dec. 12 win vs. IUPUI.
Hawkins is averaging an incredible 11.6 assists and just two turnovers in his last five games. How are his numbers going to translate against better competition in Big Ten play? A good indication of that was the 5-11 Howard transfer finishing with 16 assists and seven turnovers combined against Ohio State and Nebraska in December.
After leading the Big Ten in turnovers to start the season, Hawkins improved his decisionmaking, which started in the second half of the Nebraska game when he had eight assists and one turnover in 20 minutes.
Hawkins pushing the pace this season led to the Gophers ranking second among Big Ten teams in turnovers per game (12.7), but only defending NCAA champion Kansas (72.5) has a higher percentage of assists per made field goals (69.5), per KenPom.com.
Mitchell transferred to the Gophers from Pepperdine as one of the top shooters in the West Coast Conference. He's had a similar impact shooting 41.7% from three-point range this season, tied with freshman Cam Christie for first on the team for players with at least 20 attempts.
The Gophers had six players combine to miss 10 games this season, including Garcia out three games with a left ankle injury. Garcia returned just before Big Ten play in last week's win against Maine, but his supporting cast more than held down the fort without him.
Not having their leading scorer in the lineup forced others to raise their level of play inside. Ola-Joseph, Pharrel Payne and Parker Fox took a step forward being able to carry the scoring load at times. Coming off multiple knee injuries, Fox is still able to finish frequently above the rim (five dunks vs. IUPUI), inspiring to the team.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
Here are four things learned after the Gophers finished nonconference play:
Put opponents away
Last season, the Gophers won games against non-power-conference opponents by an average of 9.4 points, including three games by one possession. This season, the U's margin of victory is 22.6 points vs. those teams from a lower conference.In fact, Minnesota's margin of victory overall entering this week was fourth in the Big Ten at 14.2 points per game. The only teams ahead were Purdue (18.7 points), Illinois (17.4) and Ohio State (14.4) as of Tuesday afternoon.
Passing the test
The Gophers entered the New Year leading the Big Ten and ranked third nationally with 20.2 assists per game thanks mostly to one player.Elijah Hawkins averaged 7.8 assists to lead the NCAA through the first 13 games. The junior point guard soared to the top after four double-digit assist performances in his last five games, including setting a school record with 17 assists in a Dec. 12 win vs. IUPUI.
Hawkins is averaging an incredible 11.6 assists and just two turnovers in his last five games. How are his numbers going to translate against better competition in Big Ten play? A good indication of that was the 5-11 Howard transfer finishing with 16 assists and seven turnovers combined against Ohio State and Nebraska in December.
After leading the Big Ten in turnovers to start the season, Hawkins improved his decisionmaking, which started in the second half of the Nebraska game when he had eight assists and one turnover in 20 minutes.
Hawkins pushing the pace this season led to the Gophers ranking second among Big Ten teams in turnovers per game (12.7), but only defending NCAA champion Kansas (72.5) has a higher percentage of assists per made field goals (69.5), per KenPom.com.
Shooters shoot
There's no player on the Gophers basketball team hotter than Mike Mitchell Jr., who scored in double figures in six of his last seven games, including five straight games entering Thursday's game at Michigan.Mitchell transferred to the Gophers from Pepperdine as one of the top shooters in the West Coast Conference. He's had a similar impact shooting 41.7% from three-point range this season, tied with freshman Cam Christie for first on the team for players with at least 20 attempts.
Depth makes a difference
Injuries hit the Gophers at the wrong time last season when Garcia was sidelined in the middle of Big Ten play, which contributed to a 12-game losing streak.The Gophers had six players combine to miss 10 games this season, including Garcia out three games with a left ankle injury. Garcia returned just before Big Ten play in last week's win against Maine, but his supporting cast more than held down the fort without him.
Not having their leading scorer in the lineup forced others to raise their level of play inside. Ola-Joseph, Pharrel Payne and Parker Fox took a step forward being able to carry the scoring load at times. Coming off multiple knee injuries, Fox is still able to finish frequently above the rim (five dunks vs. IUPUI), inspiring to the team.
Four things learned for a Gophers team riding five-game winning streak
The Gophers men's basketball team resumes Big Ten play on Thursday at Michigan after showing notable improvement in nonconference play.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!