A Decent pre-season projection (sort of) and nice write-up for a change (from CBS no less)

[TwistingMyMelon]

CBS Sports predicts that the Gophers WILL NOT finish in the basement (they have Northwestern, Penn State, and Rutgers there). They have them one step above that group but, hey, that's progress these days.

Minnesota​

2024-25 record: 15-17
Postseason: None

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

G Isaac Asuma

G Langston Reynolds (Northern Colorado transfer)

F Cade Tyson (North Carolina transfer)

F Bobby Durkin (Davidson transfer)

F Robert Vaihola (San Jose State transfer)

Top bench options: G Chansey Willis Jr., F BJ Omot, F Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, C Nehemiah Turner, G Chance Stephens

The scoop: Minnesota does not have that one proven high-major dude, but Niko Medved has accumulated a bunch of rock-solid players who were productive at the mid-major ranks. Tyson, Omot and Durkin are big wings who can shoot it, and Medved's system has created unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers at a high clip in back-to-back seasons. Reynolds and Willis are paint-touch machines who serve as unselfish creators. There are sharp stylistic fits up and down this roster with enough veterans to be competent in Year 1 under a talent-elevating coach like Medved. Oh, and keeping Asuma will look very smart. Even as a freshman, the 6-3 guard looked more than ready.

Minnesota will outperform preseason expectations.

 

[Just Gopher It!!]

CBS Sports predicts that the Gophers WILL NOT finish in the basement (they have Northwestern, Penn State, and Rutgers there). They have them one step above that group but, hey, that's progress these days.

Minnesota​

2024-25 record: 15-17
Postseason: None

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

G Isaac Asuma

G Langston Reynolds (Northern Colorado transfer)

F Cade Tyson (North Carolina transfer)

F Bobby Durkin (Davidson transfer)

F Robert Vaihola (San Jose State transfer)

Top bench options: G Chansey Willis Jr., F BJ Omot, F Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, C Nehemiah Turner, G Chance Stephens

The scoop: Minnesota does not have that one proven high-major dude, but Niko Medved has accumulated a bunch of rock-solid players who were productive at the mid-major ranks. Tyson, Omot and Durkin are big wings who can shoot it, and Medved's system has created unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers at a high clip in back-to-back seasons. Reynolds and Willis are paint-touch machines who serve as unselfish creators. There are sharp stylistic fits up and down this roster with enough veterans to be competent in Year 1 under a talent-elevating coach like Medved. Oh, and keeping Asuma will look very smart. Even as a freshman, the 6-3 guard looked more than ready.

Minnesota will outperform preseason expectations.

Nice!!!!

 

[RockChalk]

CBS Sports predicts that the Gophers WILL NOT finish in the basement (they have Northwestern, Penn State, and Rutgers there). They have them one step above that group but, hey, that's progress these days.

Minnesota​

2024-25 record: 15-17
Postseason: None

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

G Isaac Asuma

G Langston Reynolds (Northern Colorado transfer)

F Cade Tyson (North Carolina transfer)

F Bobby Durkin (Davidson transfer)

F Robert Vaihola (San Jose State transfer)

Top bench options: G Chansey Willis Jr., F BJ Omot, F Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, C Nehemiah Turner, G Chance Stephens

The scoop: Minnesota does not have that one proven high-major dude, but Niko Medved has accumulated a bunch of rock-solid players who were productive at the mid-major ranks. Tyson, Omot and Durkin are big wings who can shoot it, and Medved's system has created unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers at a high clip in back-to-back seasons. Reynolds and Willis are paint-touch machines who serve as unselfish creators. There are sharp stylistic fits up and down this roster with enough veterans to be competent in Year 1 under a talent-elevating coach like Medved. Oh, and keeping Asuma will look very smart. Even as a freshman, the 6-3 guard looked more than ready.

Minnesota will outperform preseason expectations.

In this article I like what Maryland has more than Indiana. What did you think?

I liked what it had to say about the Gopher!!

Ranking Big Ten basketball teams by tiers: Purdue, Michigan, Illinois at top of ultra-deep conference

An early look at each Big Ten team after the NBA Draft stay-or-go deadline and weeks of portal combat.

www.cbssports.com

 

[BTChamp]

Not one mention of wing span. Horrible article......

Honestly though, not a bad endorsement and very complimentary. I liked it.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

Thorson effect.

 

[TwistingMyMelon]

In this article I like what Maryland has more than Indiana. What did you think?

I liked what it had to say about the Gopher!!

Ranking Big Ten basketball teams by tiers: Purdue, Michigan, Illinois at top of ultra-deep conference

An early look at each Big Ten team after the NBA Draft stay-or-go deadline and weeks of portal combat.

www.cbssports.com

I haven't read the rest of their team capsules yet. I was eager to post the Gopher one. I'll get back to the article but I think it's fair to say that both Maryland and Indiana have set themselves up very well.

 

[Slim Tubby]

CBS Sports predicts that the Gophers WILL NOT finish in the basement (they have Northwestern, Penn State, and Rutgers there). They have them one step above that group but, hey, that's progress these days.

Minnesota​

2024-25 record: 15-17
Postseason: None

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

G Isaac Asuma

G Langston Reynolds (Northern Colorado transfer)

F Cade Tyson (North Carolina transfer)

F Bobby Durkin (Davidson transfer)

F Robert Vaihola (San Jose State transfer)

Top bench options: G Chansey Willis Jr., F BJ Omot, F Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, C Nehemiah Turner, G Chance Stephens

The scoop: Minnesota does not have that one proven high-major dude, but Niko Medved has accumulated a bunch of rock-solid players who were productive at the mid-major ranks. Tyson, Omot and Durkin are big wings who can shoot it, and Medved's system has created unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers at a high clip in back-to-back seasons. Reynolds and Willis are paint-touch machines who serve as unselfish creators. There are sharp stylistic fits up and down this roster with enough veterans to be competent in Year 1 under a talent-elevating coach like Medved. Oh, and keeping Asuma will look very smart. Even as a freshman, the 6-3 guard looked more than ready.

Minnesota will outperform preseason expectations.

I will be surprised if JCJ isn't starting. I expect him to lead this team in minutes along with Durkin and whichever guard proves best at running the offense.

 

[march madness]

I will be surprised if JCJ isn't starting. I expect him to lead this team in minutes along with Durkin and whichever guard proves best at running the offense.

It was a very good write-up overall.

Oh I agree, their starting lineup would have trouble rebounding and playing defense.
I predict this one.

G Asuma and Willis,
F Durkin and JCJ
C Vailhola

With heavy bench minutes from Reynolds, Omot, Tyson, and Hopefully Turner (he needs to get in better shape). Durkin, Willis, Reynolds, and probably Asuma should average 10 or more per game. No star offensive player, and probably lots of inconsistency from the players, but hopefully consistent coaching and team improvements.

 

[bga1]

It was a very good write-up overall.

Oh I agree, their starting lineup would have trouble rebounding and playing defense.
I predict this one.

G Asuma and Willis,
F Durkin and JCJ
C Vailhola

With heavy bench minutes from Reynolds, Omot, Tyson, and Hopefully Turner (he needs to get in better shape). Durkin, Willis, Reynolds, and probably Asuma should average 10 or more per game. No star offensive player, and probably lots of inconsistency from the players, but hopefully consistent coaching and team improvements.

It sure seems that Niko will have a deep bench and no one should have to play tired. That's a good starting point for playing tough defense.

 

[Rocksoldier]

I will be surprised if JCJ isn't starting. I expect him to lead this team in minutes along with Durkin and whichever guard proves best at running the offense.

It’s nice to be able to discuss which players should start opposed to. We have to start these players because these other guys cannot start or play.

 

[eker0016]

I will be surprised if JCJ isn't starting. I expect him to lead this team in minutes along with Durkin and whichever guard proves best at running the offense.

JCJ was 4th on the team last year with 21.5 minutes…I am expecting him to be in a similar range this year.

I think Durkin and Willis will lead the team in minutes with Asuma right there too. Reynolds/Omot/Tyson as significant role players who could see serious minutes in the event of foul trouble or injury or underperformance.