bfast
Member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2017
- Messages
- 641
- Reaction score
- 21
- Points
- 18
This set of players and their surrounding storylines may just be the most intriguing Minnesota basketball has had in a while.
You can distill this 2018-19 Gophers team down to a few items. Regardless of postseason success, I would be thrilled to see them push toward the ceiling of potential on any of the following:
- Amir Coffey - It's time for your to declare your intentions: Are you a serious NBA draft prospect, or are you just going to be one of those highly talented guys - like Rodney Williams or the Hollins brothers - that show flashes but become anonymous when the pressure is on and the team must be carried. It was a masterstroke that Richard Pitino decided to challenge him in this way before the Nebraska game. It's a card Pitino could play once, and I think it was timed perfectly. Coffey looked like an NBA player in that game. The blueprint is now set, but the most difficult part is consistency. The B1G foes will be an absolute gauntlet this year. I am fascinated to see how Coffey builds on this.
- Isaiah Washington - The North Florida game provided the blueprint and foundation for his success at this level: You are a gifted ball handler and passer. Play to your strengths, and the scoring will come to you. It seemed like Washington scored 14 points with ease in that game. When he plays within himself, he is very effective at getting to, and hitting from the free throw line. With Coffey and Murphy serving as the main threats, the Gophers only require a creator and sure ball handler at the point guard position. Washington can be a very good point guard, but what will happen the rest of this season? If he takes a step forward this year, prospects for next year's team look much better.
- Jordan Murphy - He will get his usual quota of points and rebounds. He needs to continue to refine the weaker areas of the game like foul shots, longer jumpers and avoiding foul trouble. The good news is that he seems to be progressing in these areas. Similar to Coffey's situation as he also has a chance to capitalize on NBA draft potential.
- Daniel Oturu - Oturu has the chance to be an all-conference big man by the time his career is done. Needs to continue to work on finishing and defense down low. His progress this year will also be a key in determining how good next year's team could be.
- Eric Curry - We haven't seen him for a long, long time. What exactly will he be able to contribute this year? He is a grinder that will play some defense and get rebounds, but can he add a bit more on the offensive end? Crazy to think that he is only a Sophomore. Curry, Washington, Kalscheur and Oturu could be a very good team in their upperclassman years.
- Gabe Kalscheur - I've seen enough to know that he will be a solid B1G starter for us as soon as this year, but the question still remains as to how great of a player he can be for when all is said and done. He has the basketball IQ and shooting to play in the NBA. Let's see how he builds on his early success in conference play. Just seems to have that "it" factor so it will be interesting to see how that manifests.
Naturally, if things go well in these areas, postseason success will likely follow. We may just be pleasantly surprised with how good this team will be by the end of the year. There are a lot of variables in play, but the ceiling is high. They could very well be a top-5 NCAA seed.
You can distill this 2018-19 Gophers team down to a few items. Regardless of postseason success, I would be thrilled to see them push toward the ceiling of potential on any of the following:
- Amir Coffey - It's time for your to declare your intentions: Are you a serious NBA draft prospect, or are you just going to be one of those highly talented guys - like Rodney Williams or the Hollins brothers - that show flashes but become anonymous when the pressure is on and the team must be carried. It was a masterstroke that Richard Pitino decided to challenge him in this way before the Nebraska game. It's a card Pitino could play once, and I think it was timed perfectly. Coffey looked like an NBA player in that game. The blueprint is now set, but the most difficult part is consistency. The B1G foes will be an absolute gauntlet this year. I am fascinated to see how Coffey builds on this.
- Isaiah Washington - The North Florida game provided the blueprint and foundation for his success at this level: You are a gifted ball handler and passer. Play to your strengths, and the scoring will come to you. It seemed like Washington scored 14 points with ease in that game. When he plays within himself, he is very effective at getting to, and hitting from the free throw line. With Coffey and Murphy serving as the main threats, the Gophers only require a creator and sure ball handler at the point guard position. Washington can be a very good point guard, but what will happen the rest of this season? If he takes a step forward this year, prospects for next year's team look much better.
- Jordan Murphy - He will get his usual quota of points and rebounds. He needs to continue to refine the weaker areas of the game like foul shots, longer jumpers and avoiding foul trouble. The good news is that he seems to be progressing in these areas. Similar to Coffey's situation as he also has a chance to capitalize on NBA draft potential.
- Daniel Oturu - Oturu has the chance to be an all-conference big man by the time his career is done. Needs to continue to work on finishing and defense down low. His progress this year will also be a key in determining how good next year's team could be.
- Eric Curry - We haven't seen him for a long, long time. What exactly will he be able to contribute this year? He is a grinder that will play some defense and get rebounds, but can he add a bit more on the offensive end? Crazy to think that he is only a Sophomore. Curry, Washington, Kalscheur and Oturu could be a very good team in their upperclassman years.
- Gabe Kalscheur - I've seen enough to know that he will be a solid B1G starter for us as soon as this year, but the question still remains as to how great of a player he can be for when all is said and done. He has the basketball IQ and shooting to play in the NBA. Let's see how he builds on his early success in conference play. Just seems to have that "it" factor so it will be interesting to see how that manifests.
Naturally, if things go well in these areas, postseason success will likely follow. We may just be pleasantly surprised with how good this team will be by the end of the year. There are a lot of variables in play, but the ceiling is high. They could very well be a top-5 NCAA seed.
Last edited: