STrib: Big signing day coming for Gophers men's basketball with Dennis Evans, Cam Christie

BleedGopher

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per Marcus:

Ben Johnson saw two potential program-changing recruits in the 2023 class when his Gophers staff targeted Dennis Evans III from California and Cam Christie from Illinois.

The Gophers pursued Evans and Christie more than any Minnesota prospect, testing the staff's ability to connect outside of the state in Johnson's second year as coach.

They ended up with two home runs as college basketball's national early signing period begins Wednesday.

"It's a really cool thing," Evans said. "Seeing the fact that they're willing to go far away just to find a few players who fit into their program."

Evans, a 7-foot-1, five-star center from Riverside Hillcrest, will be the highest rated prospect to ink a letter of intent with the U since Kris Humphries in 2003. He's ranked 13th in the 2023 class by Rivals and 27th by 247Sports.

"There's going to be some big expectations," Evans said. "But it's nothing I'm not willing to live up to."

Christie, a 6-6 combo guard from Rolling Meadows, also has the potential to contribute as a freshman with the Gophers as a four-star recruit and the No. 3 senior in Illinois.


Go Gophers!!
 



I have been watching his videos on YouTube (I know, I know, they're highlights), but man this kid would look really good playing the SG spot between Cooper and Battle. I'm not sure who all comes back next year and I would never blame anyone for going and making money. But a lineup next year of Cooper - Christie - Battle - Garcia - Payne would be really really fun.
 


















I have been watching his videos on YouTube (I know, I know, they're highlights), but man this kid would look really good playing the SG spot between Cooper and Battle. I'm not sure who all comes back next year and I would never blame anyone for going and making money. But a lineup next year of Cooper - Christie - Battle - Garcia - Payne would be really really fun.
Umm, more likely
Cooper/Christie
Christie/Cartington/Henley
Battle/JOJ/Betts
Garcia/Payne/Reader
Evans/Thompson/Payne

There is no way Evans wouldn’t start at center.

That’s a B1G lineup right there fellas!

Pretty good for the worst coach in the league!
 

Umm, more likely
Cooper/Christie
Christie/Cartington/Henley
Battle/JOJ/Betts
Garcia/Payne/Reader
Evans/Thompson/Payne

There is no way Evans wouldn’t start at center.

That’s a B1G lineup right there fellas!

Pretty good for the worst coach in the league!
I wouldn't be shocked if Evans' development follows the Zach Edey timeline.
 

Umm, more likely
Cooper/Christie
Christie/Cartington/Henley
Battle/JOJ/Betts
Garcia/Payne/Reader
Evans/Thompson/Payne

There is no way Evans wouldn’t start at center.

That’s a B1G lineup right there fellas!

Pretty good for the worst coach in the league!
That lineup has me feeling something.
 

Umm, more likely
Cooper/Christie
Christie/Cartington/Henley
Battle/JOJ/Betts
Garcia/Payne/Reader
Evans/Thompson/Payne

There is no way Evans wouldn’t start at center.

That’s a B1G lineup right there fellas!

Pretty good for the worst coach in the league!
Plus Fox and Ihlen (sp?).
 

Plus Fox and Ihlen (sp?).
Forgot about those guys.

Ihnen at the 2-4 and Fox at the 4-5 makes for a log jam if Garcia and Battle return.

I could easily see a couple transfers looking for minutes, especially I’d Ben keeps playing this many guys.
 




I don't think it will happen for several reasons but if guys would (1) stay (2) be healthy (3) Ben could buck up and have 14 quality guys on the roster....if it happened hands down we'd have our best roster in 25 years.
Evans, Christie.
Fox, Ihnen, Battle, Garcia, Cooper,
Henley, Carrington, Ola-Joseph, Payne, Betts,
Samuels departs - transfer guard arrives
Treyton departs - we create room for guard above - Treyton stays and waves a towel - somebody else isn't back or no new guard
Erick Reader - best walk-on in some time
However it shakes out....something close to those 14 guys and it is the most Gopher talent in 25 years!! (With the caveat the four freshmen play nightly this year - Henley, Carrington, Ola-Joseph and Payne....making them Big Ten ready next year)
 

I don't think it will happen for several reasons but if guys would (1) stay (2) be healthy (3) Ben could buck up and have 14 quality guys on the roster....if it happened hands down we'd have our best roster in 25 years.
Evans, Christie.
Fox, Ihnen, Battle, Garcia, Cooper,
Henley, Carrington, Ola-Joseph, Payne, Betts,
Samuels departs - transfer guard arrives
Treyton departs - we create room for guard above - Treyton stays and waves a towel - somebody else isn't back or no new guard
Erick Reader - best walk-on in some time
However it shakes out....something close to those 14 guys and it is the most Gopher talent in 25 years!! (With the caveat the four freshmen play nightly this year - Henley, Carrington, Ola-Joseph and Payne....making them Big Ten ready next year)
Ramberg? aren't teams only allowed two walk ons and next year jackson and erick would be the walk ons?
 


I don't think it will happen for several reasons but if guys would (1) stay (2) be healthy (3) Ben could buck up and have 14 quality guys on the roster....if it happened hands down we'd have our best roster in 25 years.
Evans, Christie.
Fox, Ihnen, Battle, Garcia, Cooper,
Henley, Carrington, Ola-Joseph, Payne, Betts,
Samuels departs - transfer guard arrives
Treyton departs - we create room for guard above - Treyton stays and waves a towel - somebody else isn't back or no new guard
Erick Reader - best walk-on in some time
However it shakes out....something close to those 14 guys and it is the most Gopher talent in 25 years!! (With the caveat the four freshmen play nightly this year - Henley, Carrington, Ola-Joseph and Payne....making them Big Ten ready next year)

Did Reader have any D1 or 2 offers? I couldn’t find a 247 recruiting profile for home.

Txs in advance.
 






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