Gophers underdogs against Cal Baptist

[Ope3]

I didn't know there were any Baptists in California, let alone that they had a university or a basketball team, or that they were in the WAC, which used to consist of a 100% different set of schools.

But I guess if they beat up on Washington that's better than anything the Gophers have done in a while in basketball.

The Gophers have beat Washington as recently as 2018.

I realize "a while" is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Dupreefor3]

This will be a tough test. I think the gophs could have added another guard in the portal. Josiah Strong wanted to be here, but he wanted Cooper's role, however, I think if there was more pressure to win Ben would have found a way to get that done, but ultimately he wants to play Carrington and Henley, so for better or worse this is the roster for this year. If Battle actually plays I think will win by double digits, that will open alot of things up for Garcia and Baptist won't have the personnel to contain both. No battle and it's going to get dicey. Quintanna and Armstrong are good players that are going to be our problem for our young guys.

 

[Dupreefor3]

The Gophers have beat Washington as recently as 2018.

I realize "a while" is in the eye of the beholder.

That was a ranked Wasington tram as well, couple NBA guys on it

 

[Ope3]

That was a ranked Wasington tram as well, couple NBA guys on it

Minnesota also had a couple of NBA players.

 

[Dupreefor3]

Minnesota also had a couple of NBA players.

It was a good game between two teams who should have been better that year, a nice moment for Gabe!

 

[cjbfbp]

I didn't know there were any Baptists in California, let alone that they had a university or a basketball team, or that they were in the WAC, which used to consist of a 100% different set of schools.

But I guess if they beat up on Washington that's better than anything the Gophers have done in a while in basketball.

They are a much more mature team than us. Their roster is heavy on international players (mostly from Australia and New Zealand it appears) and some transfers.

 

[leib0039]

Ultimately it doesnt matter if we are underdogs, but I still think it is a pretty bad indictment of our program that we are here. 20 years ago the slow build made sense, in today's age you can revamp a team/program fast, the fact we are supposed to lose to a team that was D2 not long ago is bad. I dont think the B1G is a powerhouse up top, but there are a lot of really good teams (think that 3-8 seed range) that are going to absolutely destroy us. Look at maryland, didnt take long for Willard to get that going, they had a monster weekend dominating a really good St Louis team and Miami.

 

[cjbfbp]

I guess you are all in on Minnesota is by far the worst team in the B1G, and ok with it.

You're right. We're far too complacent. You should write angry letters to the athletic department and organize a protest outside the same and stand there all day in below freezing temperatures.

 

[cjbfbp]

Ultimately it doesnt matter if we are underdogs, but I still think it is a pretty bad indictment of our program that we are here. 20 years ago the slow build made sense, in today's age you can revamp a team/program fast, the fact we are supposed to lose to a team that was D2 not long ago is bad. I dont think the B1G is a powerhouse up top, but there are a lot of really good teams (think that 3-8 seed range) that are going to absolutely destroy us. Look at maryland, didnt take long for Willard to get that going, they had a monster weekend dominating a really good St Louis team and Miami.

I checked the line on ESPN last night and the game was rated as "even." As far as the rest of your post, well, we probably suck and that's life as we have it right now.

 

[gopherguy15]

Ultimately it doesnt matter if we are underdogs, but I still think it is a pretty bad indictment of our program that we are here. 20 years ago the slow build made sense, in today's age you can revamp a team/program fast, the fact we are supposed to lose to a team that was D2 not long ago is bad. I dont think the B1G is a powerhouse up top, but there are a lot of really good teams (think that 3-8 seed range) that are going to absolutely destroy us. Look at maryland, didnt take long for Willard to get that going, they had a monster weekend dominating a really good St Louis team and Miami.

Not a very good comparison. Maryland's top three scorers this year are Mark Turgeon's recruits. Willard did add a couple impact transfers, but he retained some good players from last year.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

Accept the losses now for the wins in 2027!

 

[leib0039]

Not a very good comparison. Maryland's top three scorers this year are Mark Turgeon's recruits. Willard did add a couple impact transfers, but he retained some good players from last year.

Disagree, according to some here you have to get rid of the old regime's talent, players like Carr, Mash, Robbins arent going to be good long term! Willard made sure the talent stayed and they are benefiting from that. You can be fine with Johnson's approach, but again don't be upset when a part of the fanbase isnt enthused when we are expected to lose to Cal Baptist.

 

[howeda7]

If we're hoping to win before the-year-after-next-year....we should be glad that Battle & Garcia aren't doing much now. We need them both back next year if we want to win.

Hoping for Battle now so we can beat Cal-Baptist is not exciting to me. I'd rather play the freshmen.

You've been corrected on this multiple times. Both have eligibility for next year. You don't need to root for them to be injured/ineffective this year. Stop it.

 

[howeda7]

Will Gopher fans in attendance storm the court if we pull off this upset?

 

[Johnnyboy18]

Disagree, according to some here you have to get rid of the old regime's talent, players like Carr, Mash, Robbins arent going to be good long term! Willard made sure the talent stayed and they are benefiting from that. You can be fine with Johnson's approach, but again don't be upset when a part of the fanbase isnt enthused when we are expected to lose to Cal Baptist.

Shouldn't fans worry about results not who Vegas says we might lose to? What an absurd thing to be 'embarrassed' about.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Disagree, according to some here you have to get rid of the old regime's talent, players like Carr, Mash, Robbins arent going to be good long term! Willard made sure the talent stayed and they are benefiting from that. You can be fine with Johnson's approach, but again don't be upset when a part of the fanbase isnt enthused when we are expected to lose to Cal Baptist.

Buckle up, we've got a few more years of excuses for the coaching in store for us.

 

[bga1]

Not a very good comparison. Maryland's top three scorers this year are Mark Turgeon's recruits. Willard did add a couple impact transfers, but he retained some good players from last year.

hmmmm

 

[bga1]

Shouldn't fans worry about results not who Vegas says we might lose to? What an absurd thing to be 'embarrassed' about.

Well, in a way, the idea that we are "expected to lose" is almost worse than if we lost because of a fluke bad night. For a Big Ten program, that IS embarrassing. I hope we pummel the Baptists tonight.

 

[SelectionSunday]

I don't understand why some folks are in such a hurry to bury (or bail on) this season. I admit I'm concerned how bad this season could look if Battle never gets completely healthy, but there's simply no way to fairly judge this team until we see what it looks like with Battle. Hopefully we start getting a glimpse tonight.

 

[Johnnyboy18]

Well, in a way, the idea that we are "expected to lose" is almost worse than if we lost because of a fluke bad night. For a Big Ten program, that IS embarrassing. I hope we pummel the Baptists tonight.

They beat a P5 and our best player hasn't played all year. Not sure why you'd expect any different from a spread.

 

[ecoperson]

Buckle up, we've got a few more years of excuses for the coaching in store for us.

Ogee- Are you just trying to stir up trouble?

No one is making excuses for the coaching. Most importantly, the coaches and players aren't making any excuses for where they are at.

The FACT is that Johnson last year was a first year head coach with little name recognition nationally.

The FACT is that nearly the entire team ran for the hills after he was hired leaving him to scramble to pull in transfers before he had even hired his staff.

The FACT is that he quickly brought in some solid MN HS players in a few months time showing he can build relationships quickly.

The FACT is that Johnson and coaching staff put the team in a position to punch above their weight last year leading to an undefeated non-conf season, an early win at Michigan, and played competitively against M St and WI who have always given the Gophers trouble.

The FACT is that Johnson and the staff have pulled in a top recruiting class of 2023 preps comprised of out of state talent that suggests that they know how to recruit.

The FACT is that the Gophers have been playing without their injured preseason all-conference player in Battle for the entire 4-game season. They have also only had another top 6 player in Carrington available for the last 2 games.

The FACT is that the first year players are playing major minutes and gaining experience every time they step onto the court.

Most fans are willing to wait until we have a larger sample size AND more puzzle pieces in place before we start ragging on the team this year. You can obviously decide for yourself who you want to be.

 

[bga1]

They beat a P5 and our best player hasn't played all year. Not sure why you'd expect any different from a spread.

I didn't expect anything different from the spread. Its embarrassing that we are at this point.

 

[bga1]

I don't understand why some folks are in such a hurry to bury (or bail on) this season. I admit I'm concerned how bad this season could look if Battle never gets completely healthy, but there's simply no way to fairly judge this team until we see what it looks like with Battle. Hopefully we start getting a glimpse tonight.

His return will help a ton. That said, we have played terribly against each team we have played. I am very excited about our talent upgrade at the forward positions but our inability to guard anyone or block out and get a rebound against the teams we have played is a big concern, Battle or no Battle.

I have great hope that we will get much, much better as the season goes along.

 

[bga1]

Ogee- Are you just trying to stir up trouble?

No one is making excuses for the coaching. Most importantly, the coaches and players aren't making any excuses for where they are at.

The FACT is that Johnson last year was a first year head coach with little name recognition nationally.

The FACT is that nearly the entire team ran for the hills after he was hired leaving him to scramble to pull in transfers before he had even hired his staff.

The FACT is that he quickly brought in some solid MN HS players in a few months time showing he can build relationships quickly.

The FACT is that Johnson and coaching staff put the team in a position to punch above their weight last year leading to an undefeated non-conf season, an early win at Michigan, and played competitively against M St and WI who have always given the Gophers trouble.

The FACT is that Johnson and the staff have pulled in a top recruiting class of 2023 preps comprised of out of state talent that suggests that they know how to recruit.

The FACT is that the Gophers have been playing without their injured preseason all-conference player in Battle for the entire 4-game season. They have also only had another top 6 player in Carrington available for the last 2 games.

The FACT is that the first year players are playing major minutes and gaining experience every time they step onto the court.

Most fans are willing to wait until we have a larger sample size AND more puzzle pieces in place before we start ragging on the team this year. You can obviously decide for yourself who you want to be.

Fans are always going to live in the present. They did for every other coach and they will for this one. It's been a rough start against some dog opponents. We are underdogs to Cal Baptist. People are going to complain about that. FACT.

I am optimistic about the future.

 

[Johnnyboy18]

His return will help a ton. That said, we have played terribly against each team we have played. I am very excited about our talent upgrade at the forward positions but our inability to guard anyone or block out and get a rebound against the teams we have played is a big concern, Battle or no Battle.

I have great hope that we will get much, much better as the season goes along.

They're 3-1 while upsets have happened across the country with P5 teams losing every single night against low major teams. Don't think they've played "terribly" but far from their potential.

 

[leib0039]

They're 3-1 while upsets have happened across the country with P5 teams losing every single night against low major teams. Don't think they've played "terribly" but far from their potential.

I am not 100% but I feel like we were in the 110 range to start the year in KenPom, we currently sit 148th, 37 spots behind Nebraska for lowest in the B1G.... We have a 1 point win over 277 in the rankings and the one decent (not good) team we have played we got worked.

Yes missing Battle is MASSIVE, but I think its hard to argue we havent played terribly thus far. We are 266th in rebound rate, 208th in true shooting %, and 232nd in offensive efficiency. Those are bad when you have played 3 absolute bottom feeders and a very low end P5 team. Now again, last year we started out like a ball of fire and faded, it is entirely possible we start to get better as we go, but after 4 games it looks very very rough.

 

[DanvilleGopher]

i think we beat them outright.

This is a game, if you're a gambling man, YOU should put your money where your mouth is... I'm thinking about it!

 

[gopherguy15]

Disagree, according to some here you have to get rid of the old regime's talent, players like Carr, Mash, Robbins arent going to be good long term! Willard made sure the talent stayed and they are benefiting from that. You can be fine with Johnson's approach, but again don't be upset when a part of the fanbase isnt enthused when we are expected to lose to Cal Baptist.

You act like all coaching change situations are the exact same. In your mind, Ben Johnson failed already because of his inability to retain Pitino's best players. I make no excuses for this coaching staff, but I'm willing to see it play out instead of jumping off a bridge because of a point spread.

 

[MNJay]

Fans are always going to live in the present. They did for every other coach and they will for this one. It's been a rough start against some dog opponents. We are underdogs to Cal Baptist. People are going to complain about that. FACT.

I am optimistic about the future.

But it's very foolish (and annoying) to live in the present for this team. The ONLY think that matters now is developing the freshmen.

Battle out has been a good thing...if we want to think about winning as soon as next year. We can't have him or Garcia leave after this year.

I DEFINITELY either want them both back or both gone. We need to line things up right.

 

[MennoSota]

I didn't know there were any Baptists in California, let alone that they had a university or a basketball team, or that they were in the WAC, which used to consist of a 100% different set of schools.

But I guess if they beat up on Washington that's better than anything the Gophers have done in a while in basketball.

You must have missed the Covid years when a prominent Baptist church in California broke just about every rule the governor ordered. The governor tried just about everything to shut down the church and they just kept going anyway. It was kind of fun to watch.

Back to basketball, this season has seen a lot of mid to lower majors beat Power 6 schools. I can only hope it continues into March Madness.