Marcus: Gopher men’s basketball picked last in Big Ten unofficial media preseason poll -- again. They proved the media wrong last season, though.

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"They proved them wrong last year, time to do it again " WOW what a puff statement. Cool we didn't get last place last year, good job Ben! I don't know if that says more about our program, the pathetic coach or the writer.
 







I just love "expert" opinion predictions. The difference between 8th and 18th in the Big Ten this next year is razor thin. MN shouldn't be last when the dust settles, and could very well win 11 conference games.
 



We didn’t think they could even tie their shoes, but they tied one of them!
 


SplitDecision said:
I just love "expert" opinion predictions. The difference between 8th and 18th in the Big Ten this next year is razor thin. MN shouldn't be last when the dust settles, and could very well win 11 conference games.
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I don't see why we can't win 11 games....we already did it once before.
Plus we have two or four more games to get it done compared to earlier years since 1999.
11 wins would give us a winning conference record for the fourth time in 25 years.
 

60's Guy said:
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I don't see why we can't win 11 games....we already did it once before.
Plus we have two or four more games to get it done compared to earlier years since 1999.
11 wins would give us a winning conference record for the fourth time in 25 years.
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I think 11 wins is definitely within reach. Our issue last year was depth obviously. We did lose some of our top talent, and we exceeded expectations last year because they underestimated our incoming players like Hawkins, Mitchell and Christie. This year, they're underestimating guys like Frank Mitchell, Patterson and Odukele. We have more depth this year and could end up in the middle of the loaded Big Ten with a shot at a tourney bid.
 


60's Guy said:
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I don't see why we can't win 11 games....we already did it once before.
Plus we have two or four more games to get it done compared to earlier years since 1999.
11 wins would give us a winning conference record for the fourth time in 25 years.
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Since 2000, 3 seasons with winning b10 record. I need to cancel by season tickets!
 

Sure hope this staff can coach this team up and overachieve again.
 

Outside of Garcia, MM and Fox we don't know what to expect. BJ didn't bring in any dynamic sure thing type of players rather a bunch of experienced, game tested guys who should be able to contribute. Team D, depth, boards and ball movement should be better, but who is capable of having an occasional 15-20 point night? if Garcia averages, 18-20ppg, MM 12-14 and Fox 8 the rest need to muster 35ppg a game. I understand the low rating. But this bunch could surprise if most of them can adjust to the BIG and if Asuma is able to contribute.
 

Bayfield Gopher said:
Outside of Garcia, MM and Fox we don't know what to expect. BJ didn't bring in any dynamic sure thing type of players rather a bunch of experienced, game tested guys who should be able to contribute. Team D, depth, boards and ball movement should be better, but who is capable of having an occasional 15-20 point night? if Garcia averages, 18-20ppg, MM 12-14 and Fox 8 the rest need to muster 35ppg a game. I understand the low rating. But this bunch could surprise if most of them can adjust to the BIG and if Asuma is able to contribute.
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I dunno, he signed multiple all conference players (granted from lower level leagues, but still).

Not that they will all hit, but between Patterson Mitchell Cochran Odukale...odds are 1-2 of them are more then good enough to make the leap into Big Ten play. Sure hope so anyways...
 


BIG media days has the Gophers ranked 18 out of 18 inspite of us ranked #11 in who has the most returning starters, the most returning reserves, and who has all league talent returning. They must not think very highly of the quality of Ben's tranfers along with Asuma & Grove.

#11 Minnesota

Preseason Prediction: 18 of 18

Returning All League Players: Dawson Garcia

Returning Starters (2): Dawson Garcia, Mike Mitchell Jr

Returning Reserve Rotation Players (1): Parker Fox
 

Bayfield Gopher said:
BIG media days has the Gophers ranked 18 out of 18 inspite of us ranked #11 in who has the most returning starters, the most returning reserves, and who has all league talent returning. They must not think very highly of the quality of Ben's tranfers along with Asuma & Grove.

#11 Minnesota

Preseason Prediction: 18 of 18

Returning All League Players: Dawson Garcia

Returning Starters (2): Dawson Garcia, Mike Mitchell Jr

Returning Reserve Rotation Players (1): Parker Fox
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If the transfers are not high profile, the media won’t pay attention. Low profile transfers combined with decimated roster equals last place predictions. Hopefully motivated low profile players exceed expectations and over perform. But that still isn’t saying much when the difference is 13th and 18th. The program is a mess and hardly anyone cares.
 

Zeppelin Gopher said:
I dunno, he signed multiple all conference players (granted from lower level leagues, but still).

Not that they will all hit, but between Patterson Mitchell Cochran Odukale...odds are 1-2 of them are more then good enough to make the leap into Big Ten play. Sure hope so anyways...
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Definitely think Frank Mitchell's impacts is going to be way more than what people are expecting. Rebounding was a weakness of ours last year and he was top 3 in the nation in that category last year. If there's anything that translates from a conference like the MAAC to the B1G, it's rebounding. Plus from what's been said, he's a pretty good passer too.
 

Holy Man said:
If the transfers are not high profile, the media won’t pay attention. Low profile transfers combined with decimated roster equals last place predictions. Hopefully motivated low profile players exceed expectations and over perform. But that still isn’t saying much when the difference is 13th and 18th. The program is a mess and hardly anyone cares.
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Yeah, there is a ton of unknown with our team so a last place pick is easy to make. In this current transfer portal era I don't really know how you accurately predict how any team is going to do. So many new faces in new places it really comes down to who has the best mix of players.

Going to be interesting to see how our current collection of players look when they take the court. Hopefully Ben found the right guys and we find ourselves in the tournament when March roles round. If he didn't than this has to be his swan song before a coaching change for next year.
 

Ben has danced around Asuma, comparing him in some ways to Christie. If Asuma is a comparable threat scoring wise, playing time, etc we will be very competitive.
 


60's Guy said:
Ben has danced around Asuma, comparing him in some ways to Christie. If Asuma is a comparable threat scoring wise, playing time, etc we will be very competitive.
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If he is BIG ready, I don't expect Asuma to be a scoring threat like Christie but to provide other assets. Be an effective PG who facilitates the offense and play better D is where I think he could contribute and these were not Christie's strengths. Again I am fully in the hope mode, nothing more than that, but I can see Asuma being a more complete player at some time during his career. Possibly the type of player we have not seen for awhile in M/G. Sure hope that happens.
 

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