Fill in the blank: Next season the Gophers will finish ____ in the Big Ten

Donate To GopherHole
howieramone said:
I agree. In Tubby's 6th year at what we are paying him, anything less than undefeated is accepting mediocrity. In year 7 with the extention, I'm looking at undefeated, unscored on.


Results matter Matty.
Click to expand...

Finally! I like it!

Someone with some expectations for the coach and team.

Good job Howie.
 

I think Sullinger and Thomas are leaving OSU, so they will have to "reload" so to speak - if they didn't lose anyone other than Buford and those two, and didn't add anyone, then I think OSU would be like an 8 or 9 seed type of team in the tournament. I'd put Indiana at #1. If Minnesota gets Mbakwe back and doesn't lose anyone other than Ralph, then I'd put them ahead of OSU as well. There is a lot of time for the rosters to change and either add or lose guys, so it's a very fluid situation.
 

If LaSalle and Middle Tennesee State join the Big Ten, then I could see them finishing 4-5 but otherwise I'm thinking 6-7.
 

Art Vandelay said:
If LaSalle and Middle Tennesee State join the Big Ten, then I could see them finishing 4-5 but otherwise I'm thinking 6-7.
Click to expand...


You seem to be implying that two of the teams that would normally finish ahead of us in the Big Ten would lose games to La Salle and MTSU, which would be the only way we'd be bumped up two spots with their addition. Solid logic there.
 

MinneStoa said:
You seem to be implying that two of the teams that would normally finish ahead of us in the Big Ten would lose games to La Salle and MTSU, which would be the only way we'd be bumped up two spots with their addition. Solid logic there.
Click to expand...

When someone is trying to be a snarky smart ass they seldom use much logic.
 


I would predict about 4th if Trevor decides to return.....and he is the same player he was before the surgery. But I also predict the Gophers will finish the big ten better than Wisconsin.
 

scher215 said:
As great as we are looking, I just can't see us bypassing MSU, OSU, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

If Lockett does come here, 3rd is my guess with an elite 8 / final 4.
Click to expand...

Ok, I completely agree that on paper Minnesota would be exponentially better with Trent Lockett and Trevor Mbakwe. But remember, this team had a dreadful conference season. There are lots of things that need to improve before you can even begin to think about "predicting" a Final 4 squad. I would say that a Trent Lockett/Trevor Mbakwe/Dre Hollins lead team has a chance to finish 4th in the B1G and make the Big Dance and win a game. Once you get to the Field of 32 though, almost every other team in the tournament will have the talent of the Gophers. It is, however, sickening to think of a rotation that looks like this: Hollins (PG), Hollins (SG), Lockett (G/F), Williams (F), Mbakwe (F)...Welch, Oto, Big Mo, EE and Coleman.
 

MaroonGopher said:
Ok, I completely agree that on paper Minnesota would be exponentially better with Trent Lockett and Trevor Mbakwe. But remember, this team had a dreadful conference season. There are lots of things that need to improve before you can even begin to think about "predicting" a Final 4 squad. I would say that a Trent Lockett/Trevor Mbakwe/Dre Hollins lead team has a chance to finish 4th in the B1G and make the Big Dance and win a game. Once you get to the Field of 32 though, almost every other team in the tournament will have the talent of the Gophers. It is, however, sickening to think of a rotation that looks like this: Hollins (PG), Hollins (SG), Lockett (G/F), Williams (F), Mbakwe (F)...Welch, Oto, Big Mo, EE and Coleman.
Click to expand...

My guess is Gophers go big. EE, the Beast, Rodney, Lockett, and Dre. This puts the Beast and Rodney in their NBA positions. Every player and fan wants to run and gun, but in the B1G, I think you have to start big and on certain match ups go with a smaller lineup. Tubby will figure it out.
 

Gophers will finish 3/4 in the B1G, anything lower is unacceptable in my opinion. I've backed Tubby, even through this season because I believe he's genuinely had some bad luck here. That being said if they can't finish in the top quarter of the B1G then its time for him to go. Ohio State will be without Sullinger/Buford etc and although they won't be "bad" I think they'll be down. Michigan/Indiana/Sparty are the only teams I would pick in front of us right away, and Sparty is mostly because they always seem to have our number. If we get hot at the right time I don't see why we couldn't make weekend 2 of the tourney.
 





howieramone said:
My guess is Gophers go big. EE, the Beast, Rodney, Lockett, and Dre. This puts the Beast and Rodney in their NBA positions. Ever player and fan wants to run and gun, but in the B1G, I think you have to start big and on certain match ups go with a smaller lineup. Tubby will figure it out.
Click to expand...

I can't see Trevor and EE playing at the same time. Both need to be close to the basket as neither can really score more than 5 feet from the basket. If you thought the middle was clogged up playing Trevor and Ralph, it would be worse with EE and Trevor together. Certain times maybe, but not on a regular basis.
 

station19 said:
I can't see Trevor and EE playing at the same time. Both need to be close to the basket as neither can really score more than 5 feet from the basket. If you thought the middle was clogged up playing Trevor and Ralph, it would be worse with EE and Trevor together. Certain times maybe, but not on a regular basis.
Click to expand...

Small sample size but I thought Trevor was definitely showing signs of an improved mid-range game this year when compared to his jr season.
 



Gopher07 said:
Obviously this is way early, but collegehoopsnet.com started doing their pre-preseason rankings:

http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/early-2012-13-ranking-a-look-ahead-170050

2. Indiana
3. Michigan
6. Wisconsin
All these have a lot of players returning and/or some highly-regarded players coming in. If we added Lockett and Trevor to the mix, I think we'd be able to compete with these three but would have a tough time saying right now we'd be better.
Click to expand...

Know you're just the messanger on this and I know that Koenig is supposed to be good - but do people really think swapping him for Taylor is going to make them a better team next season?
 

Current roster? 6th in the BIG

With Trevor? 4th.

Either way, a NCAA berth is to be expeced.
 

Gophers09 said:
Know you're just the messanger on this and I know that Koenig is supposed to be good - but do people really think swapping him for Taylor is going to make them a better team next season?
Click to expand...

Koenig is a 2013 kid, so he won't be on the team next year. Dekker is their big recruit for next season and unfortuantely for us, he's the real deal. Guard play is still a legitimate question mark for them next year though if you ask me.
 

SelectionSunday said:
no NCAA wins since <strike>'97</strike>'90
Click to expand...

FIFY

BarnBurner said:
being paid handsomely
Click to expand...

If he finishes in line with his salary, the Gophers will place 6th in the Big Ten next year (assuming that the new Illinois hire doesn't exceed his salary, in which case the Gophers should finish 7th). Is that what you want? 6th or 7th? It must be, since you bring up his salary as though it has any relevance to anyone besides he, his boss, and his family.

westcoastgopher11 said:
if they can't finish in the top quarter of the B1G then its time for him to go
Click to expand...

New AD, at first meeting with Tubby:

"Hey Coach Smith, I know that you have the 6th-highest salary in the conference, and we are one of two teams in the conference without a practice facility, and we haven't finished in the top 3 of the conference in 31 years. But, regardless of all that, you need to finish in the top 3 or you're fired."

Yes, I'm sure that conversation will happen.
 

GophersOnTheRise said:
Koenig is a 2013 kid, so he won't be on the team next year. Dekker is their big recruit for next season and unfortuantely for us, he's the real deal. Guard play is still a legitimate question mark for them next year though if you ask me.
Click to expand...
Isn't the redshirt, George Marshall, supposedly going to handle Taylor's spot next year?
 

fan of Ray Williams said:
Isn't the redshirt, George Marshall, supposedly going to handle Taylor's spot next year?
Click to expand...

Very possible, but I'm not sure. Gasser could try to step in too as he is more experienced. If that's the expectation among Wisconsin fans I'll take their word for it as they're more plugged in with their team than I am. Either way though, it is a question mark to me. I've only briefly seen George Marshall play so I can't confidently say one way or another if I think he's going to be a reliable option for them. Also hard to predict how much he improved during his redshirt season. Their season will go as far as their point guard(s) are able to take them, and at this point in time I'm firmly in the 'I'll believe it when I see it' point of view.
 

They will definitely miss pg taylor, no matter what kind of talent is taking his place. I really see Berggren having a huge year next year. Also Evans was one of the best forwards the second half of the year.

I hate to say it but Ryan has a great track record of getting production no matter who he puts on the court.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom