Gophers basketball predicted 12th in Big Ten by preseason magazine

[BleedGopher]

per Marcus:

Athlon Sports predicts Minnesota will finish 12th in the Big Ten this season after a 2-16 conference record in 2015-16. The only two teams listed below Minnesota are Nebraska and Rutgers.

There were no Gophers players on the preseason first, second and third team lists. Richard Pitino is among several college basketball coaches on Athlon's hotseat list going into 2016-17. Three Big Ten coaches were in that group, including Illinois' John Groce and Penn State's Patrick Chambers.

Athlon brought up the Gophers coming off their worst Big Ten season since 1986-87. The off-court issues are mentioned as well. It says, Pitino will "have to show significant progress in Year 4 to retain his job."

http://www.startribune.com/gophers-...h-in-big-ten-by-preseason-magazine/392454021/

Go Gophers!!

 

[bemidjigopher]

Tough to argue, but I think will surprise. I don't really think much of Iowa, Maryland, Penn State or Illinois this year either

 

[bga1]

Tough to argue, but I think will surprise. I don't really think much of Iowa, Maryland, Penn State or Illinois this year either

Certainly no surprise- unless you have a top 5 recruiting class- predictions are made based mostly on how you finished the past year and on coaching reputation. We don't have either going for us in the preseason rankings world. What we do have is a roster that is going to be better at every single position. I say that because I expect the returnees to be better than they were last year and Coffey, Lynch, Fitz, Hurt, Curry and Springs are a lot of added talent, especially when three have played major college ball.

In fact- I would argue that the team from last year was becoming a much better than 12th place team before the sex scandal without all the new guys I just mentioned. 12th is possible, but 9th or better is realistic.

 

[Winasota Gopher]

If Pitino's best team yet finishes 12th even I would be on board for him moving on.

 

[bga1]

Good pitinos best team yet finishes 12th even I would be on board for him moving on.

12th place and he is done. Unless he has some really bad luck- lots of injuries- I doubt that happens. 9th place is at the fulcrum of the firing decision.

 

[bemidjigopher]

Certainly no surprise- unless you have a top 5 recruiting class- predictions are made based mostly on how you finished the past year and on coaching reputation. We don't have either going for us in the preseason rankings world. What we do have is a roster that is going to be better at every single position. I say that because I expect the returnees to be better than they were last year and Coffey, Lynch, Fitz, Hurt, Curry and Springs are a lot of added talent, especially when three have played major college ball.

In fact- I would argue that the team from last year was becoming a much better than 12th place team before the sex scandal without all the new guys I just mentioned. 12th is possible, but 9th or better is realistic.

I think we will finist tied for 7th. I like this team and i expect them to be a tough out at home. I do agree about last year i think we get a couple more regular season wins and a BTT win if we dont loose our entire backcourt

 

[SelectionSunday]

First half of the B1G schedule is going to be a bear. Probability is Gophers start 0-2. That makes things so much more difficult going forward, especially for team that hasn't tasted much success.

Need to find a way to be 4-5 (at worst) at the turn. And that's assuming Lynch is available. 2nd half should be much easier to navigate.

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

If he continues to improve with some inside help, Murphy could end up getting some BIG team mentions.

I think 7th place is the ceiling for this group and they have the potential to be better than #12.

 

[bizzle22]

12th seems a little harsh. I'm guessing 10th with a 6-12 B1G record. B1G will be tough this year, and the conference schedule we ended up with didn't do us any favors. Rutgers and Nebraska are the only two teams where I'm 100% convinced we finish better. Even Penn State and NW are going to be tough outs. Illinois has some talent as long as they can stay out of trouble. Iowa and Maryland will drop off from last year, but I'm not sure how far. Could see as many as 9 conference wins and no fewer than 5.

 

[jovs]

No great teams in the B1G this year, going to need a few wins against the top tier teams to go much higher than 9th, certainly doable though.

 

[bga1]

No great teams in the B1G this year, going to need a few wins against the top tier teams to go much higher than 9th, certainly doable though.

We need to pick up a "Maryland type" win early in the year at home. That would mean a lot to this team and might start something going.

 

[Mulligan]

I'm optimistic that things will finally start breaking right for the Gophers but the hits just keep coming. Was really pumped about Tubby but you had the White, Joseph, Nolen dramas and it's seemed to continue with Pitino with McNeil, the 3 idiots and now the Lynch drama is still hanging over the Gophers. Much of it is self-inflicted but, man, it feels like the Gophers live under a dark cloud.

 

[60's Guy]

Yup

I'm optimistic that things will finally start breaking right for the Gophers but the hits just keep coming. Was really pumped about Tubby but you had the White, Joseph, Nolen dramas and it's seemed to continue with Pitino with McNeil, the 3 idiots and now the Lynch drama is still hanging over the Gophers. Much of it is self-inflicted but, man, it feels like the Gophers live under a dark cloud.

But IF we could stay healthy, add Lynch back in, keep the others eligible and out of trouble... I think we are in the middle of the conference. Unfortunately, history says that's unlikely. But at least now we would have a full roster with Lynch and the candidates to contribute, unlike the past as well.

 

[gopher7]

This is a fun thread to look back on as a reminder for just how low expectations were coming into this season. What a ride it has been!