Busting Brackets: Big Ten Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2024-25 season (16. Minnesota)

[BleedGopher]

Per BB:

16. Minnesota Golden Gophers​

Not much was expected for Minnesota after facing a mass exodus of departures, but Ben Johnson (quietly) rebounded well this offseason. Out of all players from last year’s NIT group, one player who HAD to return was Dawson Garcia, the team’s leader in both points (17.6) and rebounds (6.7).

With Garcia back in the frontcourt, Ben Johnson has a staple, floor-stretching anchor to build off of alongside its vast collection of guards: Mike Mitchell Jr., Charlotte transfer Lu’Cye Patterson, Oregon transfer Brennan Rigsby, NMSU transfer Femi Odukale and four-star PG Isaac Asuma.

I’m cautiously optimistic about this group -- especially with its guards -- but given the high volume of losses, there are far more questions than answers regarding the Gophers’ identity. With a weak non-conference slate, it's hard to make a case for Minnesota’s long-term success this season. But don’t expect the Gophers to be an easy out, either.

Big Ten Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2024-25 season

The start of the 2024-25 NCAA basketball season is right around the corner and the new-look, 18-team Big Ten is as wide-open as it has been in recent memory. Th

bustingbrackets.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[GoodasGold]

That’s not last!!!

 

[Rocksoldier]

Per BB:

16. Minnesota Golden Gophers​

Not much was expected for Minnesota after facing a mass exodus of departures, but Ben Johnson (quietly) rebounded well this offseason. Out of all players from last year’s NIT group, one player who HAD to return was Dawson Garcia, the team’s leader in both points (17.6) and rebounds (6.7).

With Garcia back in the frontcourt, Ben Johnson has a staple, floor-stretching anchor to build off of alongside its vast collection of guards: Mike Mitchell Jr., Charlotte transfer Lu’Cye Patterson, Oregon transfer Brennan Rigsby, NMSU transfer Femi Odukale and four-star PG Isaac Asuma.

I’m cautiously optimistic about this group -- especially with its guards -- but given the high volume of losses, there are far more questions than answers regarding the Gophers’ identity. With a weak non-conference slate, it's hard to make a case for Minnesota’s long-term success this season. But don’t expect the Gophers to be an easy out, either.

Big Ten Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2024-25 season

The start of the 2024-25 NCAA basketball season is right around the corner and the new-look, 18-team Big Ten is as wide-open as it has been in recent memory. Th

bustingbrackets.com

Go Gophers!!

It’s funny how things can change in one year. Last year at this time, people were laughing at Ben for bringing in a kid named Elijah Hawkins who the vast majority on this site said was too small to play the big 10. Fast-forward a year and it’s because of him leaving that we’re not gonna be as good. Now who’s to say the new guys are not gonna do the same thing and surprise people.

 

[howeda7]

Trouble in Madison?

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

It's fun to see that Wisconsin lost to Northern Iowa, but i don't put much stock in secret scrimmage results. I don't know to what extent starters played or the coaches used the scrimmage to test out different combinations or plays.

 

[Ski-U-Ham]

It's fun to see that Wisconsin lost to Northern Iowa, but i don't put much stock in secret scrimmage results. I don't know to what extent starters played or the coaches used the scrimmage to test out different combinations or plays.

I hear what you're saying, but...

I saw UNI practice a couple of weeks ago, and they were a bit underwhelming.