Comparing Mbakwe and Amir is pretty difficult. They play nothing alike and Mbakwe's career as a Gopher was a touch over two seasons. In those two plus seasons he scored 868 points for the Gophers. 38 guys have scored 1000 or more points in Gopher history. Lots of what ifs on both guys. I guess it depends on criteria... Mbakwe was certainly excellent .... Since 2000 these Gophers have scored 1000 plus points in their career:
Maurice Hargrow, Rodney Williams, Michael Bauer, Laurence Westbrook, Blake Hoffarber, Dusty Rychart, Dan Coleman, and #4 All Time Andre Hollins.
Now if we are selecting healthy guys in their prime to add to a team for a season how many of 1,000 point guys go before Mbakwe?
Mbakwe is #1 all time in FG%
For a single season since 2000 Kris Humphries averaged 21.7ppg with 629 points and Vincent Grier is number 10 at 574 points in a single season.
Mbakwe has the third best rebounding season and is #2 in double doubles with 19 in a season.
Totally random: DeAndre Mathieu scored 456 points and had 160 assists in his first season. That is a Ray Williams like season in all time Gopher history!!
So, Mbakwe is pretty impressive if we go by one season.
Coffey, so far has one 30 point game to add to distinctions in the record books.
For perspective...Gopher Freshman scoring:
Freshman Scoring Average
Player (Season) Pts. Avg.
1. Kris Humphries (2003-04) 629 21.7
2. Mark Olberding (1974-75) 415 15.9
3. Rick Rickert (2001-02) 441 14.2
4. Charley Mencel (1951-52) 299 13.6
5. Voshon Lenard (1991-92) 411 12.8
So if Coffey can stay 12 plus ppg that'd be pretty awesome in Gopher history. He is at 15.8 after four games.