Game #2: Gophers v. Montana (11/12, All-Access, 7:00PM)

[SelectionSunday]

A few quick observations:

1. Ellenson will be a solid contributor if he just relaxes and plays. Looks a little tight out there, which is understandable because he's trying to earn minutes. Eventually I think he'll take a lot of Smith's minutes, even though they're not necessarily the same position.

2. Pitino clearly has told Andre to use his strength and go to the basket. He's attacking the basket a lot more than he did last season. I like that. Will make him all the more dangerous if he's not just shooting 3's.

3. Agree with what somebody said above. We need EE to stay healthy. On a team lacking size and probably rebounding, he provides it + a lot of energy.

4. Oto has improved. One of the main things I want the Gophers to get out of the nonconference is for Oto to gain confidence heading into the Big Ten season.

 

[jamiche]

Your comments about King after watching him in one game are a bit unfair. He has looked very good in two games and below average in two games. He will contribute, but at this point is certainly not consistent. Malik Smith makes me nervous. He is supposed to be the one that understands the offense and quite often, he apppears to be totally confused. His shot selection is very questionable. Mo will be missed the while he is out. He should give Elliot a needed break when he returns. It was good to see Wally get a few minutes last night. He looked more comfortable, the more he played. Buggs has the athleticism, but at this point doesn't know how to use it. He has a chance to be very good in a couple of years if he figures it out.

I admit that my sample size on King is small, but this is the internet, right? (I'm the guy who famously opined a few years ago that Adrian Peterson couldn't turn the corner after watching him in one preseason game. I'd love to be that wrong on King.) I could see that King has some offensive creativity and he can shoot from the outside. I didn't see any defensive, passing or rebounding skills and he's an awfully small 4, even at the college level. He also looks slow--but there are a lot of slow players who make up for it in other ways. Hope I'm wrong and that he becomes a solid, reliable contributor during B1G season.

 

[Gold Vision]

A few quick observations:

1. Ellenson will be a solid contributor if he just relaxes and plays. Looks a little tight out there, which is understandable because he's trying to earn minutes. Eventually I think he'll take a lot of Smith's minutes, even though they're not necessarily the same position.

2. Pitino clearly has told Andre to use his strength and go to the basket. He's attacking the basket a lot more than he did last season. I like that. Will make him all the more dangerous if he's not just shooting 3's.

3. Agree with what somebody said above. We need EE to stay healthy. On a team lacking size and probably rebounding, he provides it + a lot of energy.

4. Oto has improved. One of the main things I want the Gophers to get out of the nonconference is for Oto to gain confidence heading into the Big Ten season.

That floating 8 footer in the lane he has is deadly. He elevates so quickly.

It's fun to see Oto's shot falling. That will open up his offensive game so much.

 

[station19]

I admit that my sample size on King is small, but this is the internet, right? (I'm the guy who famously opined a few years ago that Adrian Peterson couldn't turn the corner after watching him in one preseason game. I'd love to be that wrong on King.) I could see that King has some offensive creativity and he can shoot from the outside. I didn't see any defensive, passing or rebounding skills and he's an awfully small 4, even at the college level. He also looks slow--but there are a lot of slow players who make up for it in other ways. Hope I'm wrong and that he becomes a solid, reliable contributor during B1G season.

Wow, that's even worse than my Devron Bostic prediction.

 

[jamiche]

Wow, that's even worse than my Devron Bostic prediction.

Yup. It was ridiculously bad. What did you predict about Devron?

 

[Dr.Don]

Yup. It was ridiculously bad. What did you predict about Devron?

station19 predicted that Bostick would be our next Willie Burton. He overdosed on stupid pills that day.

 

[jmag21]

Elliot looked good blocking shots and getting rebounds, as well as finishing at the rim. He's going to be good this year and a monster next year, especially if he can have a visit with Jeff Hagen about post moves for people with limited hops.

Malik and Wally have a similar outlook on shots. They like taking them. I think at this point Wally gives you more, especially from a rebounding perspective, so I'd like to see him get a few more minutes. He definitely has some bonehead plays though.

Buggs at one point in this game had an outlet pass for a two-on-one break and tried to jump over the ball. I've never seen a coach look more confused than Pitino did. "Do I yell at him? What was he even trying to do?" So very raw. He also blocked a shot with his armpit, which was fun.

Oto is looking great with his jumper. Our 4 may not be as big a liability as we thought. On the other hand, both Oto and Joey are prone to fouls, as they tend to swing for blocks.

What can you say about the Dres Hollinses? That's the core of our team, and they were immense. As they go, so will go our team.

Overall, I've been impressed through two. I thought it'd be more of a struggle adapting to this system. I've seen nothing to suggest that this isn't a team that can't at least contend for an NCAA berth. We cause havoc in the press, close out on three point shooters, rebound well enough to keep us in games, and run a reasonably good offense (though I think Rich is consciously keeping out quite a few sets that we'll use against better teams). We'll see what happens when we play better teams, or teams with more beef.

 

[tinyarch]

Malik and Wally have a similar outlook on shots. They like taking them.

This reminds me of John Chaney from Temple telling a story about one of his big guys who kept taking 3 point shots...

Chaney: What the h3ll are you doing taking those shots.

Player: But coach, I'm open!

Chaney: No Sh!t you're open!!!

 

[station19]

Yup. It was ridiculously bad. What did you predict about Devron?

I predicted Bostic would lead the team in scoring his first(Jr.) year.

station19 predicted that Bostick would be our next Willie Burton. He overdosed on stupid pills that day.

Your memories are as bad as my predictions.

 

[MinnesotaNice]

Not sure where to put this, so I'll just throw it out there on this thread.

Tarik Black had 0 pts, 1 rebound, and 3 fouls in 6 minutes last night.

I'll be curious to see how he contributes to the Jayhawks this year.

 

[MadtownGopher]

Not sure where to put this, so I'll just throw it out there on this thread.

Tarik Black had 0 pts, 1 rebound, and 3 fouls in 6 minutes last night.

I'll be curious to see how he contributes to the Jayhawks this year.

He should have came here, we definitely could have used him.

 

[jmag21]

He should have came here, we definitely could have used him.

You dare to second-guess a young man's decision of educational institutions? You should be happy for Tarik, and be rooting for him all year! Otherwise, you're representative of everything wrong with society.



/sarcasm, by the way. He definitely should have come here.

 

[howieramone]

This reminds me of John Chaney from Temple telling a story about one of his big guys who kept taking 3 point shots...

Chaney: What the h3ll are you doing taking those shots.

Player: But coach, I'm open!

Chaney: No Sh!t you're open!!!

+1

 

[jamiche]

station19 predicted that Bostick would be our next Willie Burton. He overdosed on stupid pills that day.

Maybe he saw Devron driving around campus in Willie's old corvette.

 

[katze019]

station19 predicted that Bostick would be our next Willie Burton. He overdosed on stupid pills that day.

Anyone know if he is still playing? Would have been a much better player had he not chosen to play for the Tubster.

• Former Gophers basketball player Devron Bostick finished his first season with Hasapis Omonia in Cyprus, averaging 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game. ... In his second season with Mersin out of Turkey, former Gopher Vince Grier is averaging 11.5 points, six rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. ...

 

[ski-u-mah]

That floating 8 footer in the lane he has is deadly. He elevates so quickly.

It's fun to see Oto's shot falling. That will open up his offensive game so much.

What?????? I don't bother watching these games on a cpu. Otto is making jumpers? This I have to see. That would be huge!

 

[jaymil]

What?????? I don't bother watching these games on a cpu. Otto is making jumpers? This I have to see. That would be huge!

He's 4/6 from 3 so far this year. He has already doubled the amount of 3 pointers made from last season. It was always a mental thing with Oto and hopefully he's got it figured out. Whether or not it's Pitino's influence making a difference is hard to say, although it sounds like that could be the case.

 

[Dr.Don]

He's 4/6 from 3 so far this year. He has already doubled the amount of 3 pointers made from last season. It was always a mental thing with Oto and hopefully he's got it figured out. Whether or not it's Pitino's influence making a difference is hard to say, although it sounds like that could be the case.

jaymil, everything anyone says on GopherHole "sounds like that could be the case."

 

[ski-u-mah]

He's 4/6 from 3 so far this year. He has already doubled the amount of 3 pointers made from last season. It was always a mental thing with Oto and hopefully he's got it figured out. Whether or not it's Pitino's influence making a difference is hard to say, although it sounds like that could be the case.

Thanks!